Informational interviewing is a conversation between you and someone who has experience in your field or role of interest. These interviews can happen with current industry professionals, professors, students, and others who have experience in these spaces.
The purpose of the conversation is to learn and begin a connection if you want to build a relationship. Many professionals enjoy talking about their experience and informational interviews provide a channel for you to learn based on the questions you ask. With this article we bring together several resources, tools, and supports to help you jump start your informational interviewing.
Informational Interview Career Guides
Tool Spotlight: Ask a Blue Devil
Connect with Duke alums and reduce the time you spend identifying alums a specific profile or skill set. Watch the video below detailing the AI platform before you start. (note: This platform is to connect with alumni through informational interviewing; do not ask alumni for jobs or internships.)
Make a request
We know making a request for an informational interview can be a source of stress for students. We even devoted an entire page to it and included a framework and a few specific examples below.
Framework
Write to answer three questions concisely and with clarity.
One: Why, of all the people in the world, am I receiving this message?
Two: Who is this person and, of all the people in the world, do I want to invest some of my attention?
Three: What, specifically, are they asking for?
Example 1 – LinkedIn Connection Message
Hello xxxxx! I was excited to see a fellow <something you have in common: ex. Duke xxxxx enthusiast> working in xxxxx space. I’d love to learn more about your path. Can we connect here, and I’ll send a follow-up message? Thanks, xxxxx
Example 2 – Request an Informational Interview
Hello, xxxx. Your recent <insert publication> article about xxx was fascinating and connected to xxx I am learning in class at Duke. I’m a xxxx student focused on <what you’re studying and/or curious about> and am currently connecting with xxxx working in xxx. I’m curious to learn more about your career trajectory and how you’re approaching the changes of <insert field/industry>.
Would you be willing to connect for 15-20 minutes to talk about your experience? Thanks for considering.
Final Tips
Use AI. Creating better drafts of your outreach message is a great application of AI. Consider directing AI to change the tone of your message. Example: “This is great but can you make it sound more friendly.”
Customize. Outreach to build relationships is not a numbers game. Consider how you would feel if someone sent a message and it was apparent they created one message and copied/pasted it to many people. Create an outreach message you’d like to receive.
