The Informational Interview Guide: How to Network Your Way Into Hidden Jobs

Up to eighty percent of job openings are never publicly advertised. They are filled through referrals, internal promotions, and conversations that happen long before a role is ever posted. The informational interview is your primary tool for accessing this invisible market.

What an Informational Interview Actually Is

An informational interview is a conversation you initiate with a professional in a role, company, or industry you want to understand better. Crucially, you are not asking for a job. You are asking for perspective, insight, and advice. This distinction matters enormously because it removes the transactional pressure that makes cold networking feel awkward for both parties.

When approached with genuine curiosity and respect for the other person's time, informational interviews almost always generate goodwill. People enjoy sharing their expertise. They remember the interesting, prepared professionals they spoke with. And when a role opens up that fits your background, the first call they make is often to someone they have already met.

How to Request, Prepare, and Follow Up

The request should be brief, specific, and flattering without being sycophantic. Reference something specific about their career path or a piece of content they published. Ask for twenty to thirty minutes. Make it easy to say yes by offering multiple contact formats — phone, video call, or even a short written Q&A if they prefer.

Preparation is what separates a memorable conversation from a forgettable one. Research the person, their company, and the challenges facing their industry. Prepare five to seven thoughtful questions that you genuinely want answers to. Avoid questions that could be answered with a Google search. Ask about their decision-making process, the skills they wish they had developed earlier, or what they look for when hiring for their team.

Questions That Create Lasting Impressions

• What do you wish you had known before moving into this role or company?
• What skills or credentials do you see as differentiators for high performers in this field?
• Are there communities, publications, or events you consider essential for staying current?
• Is there anyone else you think I should speak with to round out my understanding?
• What does your company typically look for in candidates at my level?

The follow-up is where most job seekers fail. Send a personalised thank-you email within twenty-four hours. Reference something specific from the conversation to show you were genuinely listening. Stay in touch periodically with relevant updates — a thoughtful article, a comment on their LinkedIn post, or a brief note sharing progress on something they advised. Relationships maintained over time are the ones that eventually produce opportunities.