How to Use LinkedIn for Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are one of the most underused job search strategies, and LinkedIn is the best platform to land them. Unlike cold applications where you're competing against hundreds of other resumes, an informational interview puts you directly in conversation with someone who works at your target company, in your target role, or in your target industry. That conversation can lead to referrals, insider knowledge about open positions, and the kind of relationship that no job board can replicate.

The problem is that most people approach informational interviews wrong. They send generic connection requests, ask for "a quick chat to pick your brain," and wonder why they never hear back. This guide covers the right way to use LinkedIn for informational interviews -- from identifying the right people to the actual conversation to the follow-up that turns a 20-minute call into a career opportunity.

What an informational interview actually is

An informational interview is a conversation -- usually 20 to 30 minutes -- where you learn about someone's career path, their company, their industry, or their role. It is not a job interview. You are not asking for a job. You are asking for information and perspective.

This distinction matters because it changes the dynamic entirely. In a job interview, you're being evaluated. In an informational interview, you're the one asking questions. The person you're talking to is the expert, and you're there to learn from them. That shift in power dynamic is exactly what makes informational interviews less intimidating and more productive than formal networking events.

Why informational interviews work

The data on informational interviews is striking. The majority of job openings are filled through networking and referrals, not through job board applications. Here's why informational interviews are so effective:

• They build genuine relationships. A 20-minute conversation creates a stronger connection than a LinkedIn comment or a networking event handshake.
• They generate referrals. When a role opens up, people refer candidates they know and trust. An informational interview puts you in that mental Rolodex.
• They give you insider information. You learn what the company's culture is really like, what the hiring process involves, and what skills the team is looking for -- information you can't get from a job posting.
• They help you evaluate fit. Just as a company evaluates candidates, you need to evaluate companies. Informational interviews help you decide where to focus your energy.

Step 1: Identify the right people on LinkedIn

Not everyone on LinkedIn is a good informational interview target. Here's who to reach out to and why.

People in your target role

If you want to be a product manager at a fintech company, connect with product managers at fintech companies. They can tell you what the day-to-day work is like, what skills are most valued, and how they got into the role.

People one level above your target role

These are the people who would be your manager. They can tell you what they look for when hiring, what makes someone succeed in the role, and whether there are upcoming openings on their team.

People who made the career transition you want to make

If you're switching from engineering to product management, find people who've made that same transition. They understand the challenges you're facing and can offer specific advice on how they navigated it.

Alumni from your school or previous companies

Shared background dramatically increases response rates. People are more likely to help someone who went to the same school or worked at the same company. Use LinkedIn's alumni search tool to find these connections.

Second-degree connections

If you share a mutual connection with someone, mention that in your outreach. "I noticed we're both connected to [Name]" provides context and credibility.

Step 2: Write outreach messages that get responses

This is where most people fail. Here's the framework for messages that actually work.

The principles

• Be specific about why you're reaching out to them. "I noticed you transitioned from mechanical engineering to product management at Stripe" is specific. "I'd love to pick your brain about your career" is not.
• Be brief. Your message should be 3-5 sentences. Nobody reads a 500-word LinkedIn message from a stranger.
• Make the ask small. "Would you have 20 minutes for a quick call?" is a small ask. "Can we meet for coffee so you can help me figure out my career?" is a big ask.
• Don't ask for a job. Even if you're hoping the conversation leads to a referral, the initial ask should be about learning, not about employment.

Template: Reaching out to someone in your target role

"Hi [Name], I'm a [your current role] looking to transition into [target role/industry]. I came across your profile and was impressed by your work at [Company] -- particularly [specific thing you noticed]. Would you have 20 minutes sometime in the next couple weeks for a brief call? I'd love to hear about your experience and any advice you might have. No pressure at all if you're too busy. Thanks, [Your name]"

Template: Reaching out to an alumni connection

"Hi [Name], I noticed we both went to [School/worked at Company]. I'm currently exploring opportunities in [industry/role] and your career path from [previous role] to [current role] at [Company] is really interesting. Would you be open to a 20-minute call? I'd love to hear how you navigated that transition. Thanks, [Your name]"

Template: Reaching out through a mutual connection

"Hi [Name], [Mutual connection] suggested I reach out to you. I'm a [your role] interested in learning more about [target area], and they mentioned you'd be a great person to talk to. Would you have 20 minutes for a quick call? I'd love to hear your perspective. Thanks, [Your name]"

Step 3: Prepare for the conversation

An informational interview is a conversation, not an interrogation. But you should still prepare so you use the time well.

Questions to ask

• "Can you walk me through a typical day or week in your role?"
• "What skills or experiences have been most valuable in your position?"
• "What do you wish you had known before starting in this role/industry?"
• "What's the biggest challenge your team is facing right now?"
• "How would you describe the culture at [Company]?"
• "What does the hiring process look like for roles like this at your company?"
• "Is there anyone else you'd recommend I talk to?"

Questions to avoid

• "Are there any openings on your team?" (Too direct for a first conversation)
• "Can you refer me?" (Let them offer -- don't ask)
• "What's the salary for your role?" (Too personal)
• Anything you could have answered with a Google search

Preparation checklist

• Research the person's career path on LinkedIn
• Research their company (recent news, products, competitors)
• Prepare 5-7 questions (you probably won't get to all of them)
• Have a concise "about me" ready -- 30 seconds on your background and what you're exploring
• Have your resume updated in case they ask to see it (they often do)

Step 4: During the conversation

Keep these principles in mind during the actual call.

• Respect their time. Start by confirming: "I really appreciate you taking the time. I know you're busy, so I'll keep this to 20 minutes." Then actually keep it to 20 minutes unless they're clearly enjoying the conversation and extending it.
• Listen more than you talk. This is their time to share, not yours. Aim for a 70/30 split where they're talking 70% of the time.
• Take notes. Write down specific advice, company insights, and names they mention. You'll reference these later.
• Be authentic. Don't pretend you know more than you do. Genuine curiosity is more engaging than posturing.
• End by asking for one more connection. "Is there anyone else you'd recommend I speak with?" This expands your network organically.

Step 5: Follow up (this is where most people drop the ball)

The follow-up is where informational interviews turn into career opportunities. Most people send a thank-you message and never reach out again. Here's a better approach.

Within 24 hours: Thank you message

Send a personalized thank-you via LinkedIn or email. Reference something specific from the conversation: "Your point about [specific insight] really changed how I'm thinking about [topic]. Thank you for sharing that."

Within 1-2 weeks: Follow through

If they recommended you talk to someone, reach out and mention their referral. If they suggested a book or resource, read it and let them know what you thought. If they mentioned a challenge their team is facing, send a relevant article. This demonstrates that you valued the conversation and acted on their advice.

Ongoing: Stay on their radar

Engage with their LinkedIn posts occasionally. Share relevant articles or congratulate them on career milestones. The goal is to maintain a warm relationship so that when a relevant opportunity comes up, you're the first person they think of.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Treating it as a covert job interview. People can tell when you're secretly asking for a job while pretending to want advice. Be genuine about wanting to learn.
• Not following up. If someone gave you 20 minutes of their time, the bare minimum is a thank-you. Most people don't even do that.
• Reaching out to too many people at the same company. If you message five people at the same company, they'll compare notes. Reach out to one or two at most.
• Being unprepared. Asking questions you could have answered with five minutes on the company website wastes their time and makes you look unserious.
• Only reaching out when you need something. Build relationships before you need them. The best time to start informational interviews is when you're not actively job searching.

How many informational interviews should you do?

If you're actively job searching, aim for 2-3 informational interviews per week. That might sound like a lot, but each one only requires a 20-minute call plus 15 minutes of preparation and follow-up. Over a month, that's 8-12 conversations -- each one expanding your network, deepening your industry knowledge, and increasing your chances of hearing about opportunities before they're posted publicly.

Track your outreach, conversations, and follow-ups. A simple spreadsheet works: name, company, date of conversation, key takeaways, follow-up actions, and next steps.

Turning informational interviews into job opportunities

The goal of an informational interview is learning, not job-getting. But here's what often happens naturally: you have a great conversation, the person remembers you, a role opens up on their team, and they send you a message saying "Hey, we're hiring -- interested?" That referral is worth more than a hundred cold applications.

When that happens, you need to be ready. Have an updated resume that you can tailor quickly to the specific role. Have your professional profile current so you can respond within 24 hours while the referral is fresh. And have the relationship context to write a genuine, personal cover letter that references your conversation.

Informational interviews work because they put relationships first. And relationships -- more than resume keywords, more than interview prep, more than any other single factor -- are what get people hired. LinkedIn makes it possible to build those relationships with anyone, anywhere. The only thing stopping you is sending that first message.

For more on leveraging LinkedIn in your job search, see our guide on following up after applying and our tips on preparing for behavioral interview questions.