What is an Informational Interview?
Updated: Nov 1
Informational interviews are conversations with industry professionals where you get to ask the questions. They can be virtual, in-person, or by phone, and they're meant to help you learn more about specific jobs, industries, and positions so you can decide whether they are a good fit for you. This can be especially helpful if you are considering multiple industries or comparing companies.
Career Exploration is for everyone, but this is especially important for first-years and sophomores who are undecided on the type of career they would enjoy. Juniors and Seniors, don’t skip this step; if you want to make a strong first impression and build a network you can lean on during internship and job searching, this is also a great way to start that process.
Identify People in positions of interest
Review thousands of alumni profiles and filter to identify an alumnus who aligns with your career interests through Lehigh Connects, the student-to-alum networking community.
Review over 69,000 Lehigh profiles to see professional details and educational information through LinkedIn's Alumni Career Insights
Determine if any friends or family work in positions of interest
Ask your network (classmates, neighbors, family, friends, etc.) for referrals to their connections who work in areas of interest
Communicate
Start with a message that introduces yourself and includes details about what you hope to get out of a meeting or phone call. This should include basic information about yourself, your availability to meet or talk (dates and times), and contact information. You can schedule an informational interview anytime, and semester breaks give you some extra flexibility to communicate.
Career exploration example:
Dear [Name],
A family friend, [Name], shared your contact information with me and recommended that I reach out to you given your experience in [field/industry].
I am currently a [freshman/sophomore] at Lehigh University studying [major/area of study], and I am interested in learning more about career opportunities in [field/industry]. I was wondering if you might be available for a brief conversation so I could hear more about your career path, your experience working in the industry, and any advice you might have for someone preparing to pursue roles such as [position] or [position].
I would especially appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the skills and experiences that are important for success in this field and any suggestions you might have as I begin exploring potential career paths.
I've attached my resume in case it is helpful to provide some additional background. Thank you for considering my request. I would truly appreciate the opportunity to connect and learn from your experience.
Thank you,
[Name]
Job or internship searching example:
Dear [Name]
Thank you for accepting my connection request on LinkedIn and sharing your email with me. As you may have seen from my profile, I am studying [Major] at Lehigh University and plan to graduate in May 20XX. My hope is to begin an internship/full-time position in [add date], and I would especially enjoy positions/departments such as [position/department] and [position/department].
As I am in the process of organizing my application materials and identifying open positions, I would love an opportunity to better understand the company culture and the work you do at [company name]. Do you have time in the next couple of weeks to schedule a phone call or Zoom meeting with me so I can ask you questions about careers within [company name]? In an effort to be confident in my internship/job search steps, I would value the thoughts, advice, and insight you can share. I have also included my resume in case you would like to review it.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to connecting.
Sincerely,
[Name]
Don’t forget networking etiquette
Remember to proofread- grammatical errors in your emails, sloppy messages, or slang can negatively shape a first impression. Make sure you review your emails carefully, use your please and thank yous, and promptly respond to any communication you receive. And, please, don’t wait until the last minute! Reaching out 2–4 weeks before your availability begins gives your contacts time to respond and coordinate a meeting around their schedules.
Build a set of questions to ask
Do your research first, learn everything you can about the company or person via their websites, LinkedIn pages, social media, and a Google search. Use the Handshake networking tile to review networking guides and sample questions, but try to customize these to your field. Think about what you need to know to determine if this job, company, or industry would be a good fit for you.
Informational Interview sample questions:
Can you describe an average day in your job?
How did your Lehigh degree prepare you for your work?
What advice do you have for my next job/internship search steps?
How could I build experience in your industry/company/position?
What goals should I set to be ready for a future job/internship search?
For more questions, review Networking Questions to Ask.
Be Ready
If meeting in person, dress the part; business professional is likely the best approach.
Have a resume ready in case they ask for it or request to share it with a contact.
Ask, “When preparing for our meeting, is there anything in particular you want me to have prepared?"
Respond to communication from your contact within 1-2 business days.
Make sure your voicemail on your phone has a professional message and is not full.
Follow Up
After your meeting or conversation, send a thoughtful thank you email or note and ask to stay in contact.
Example follow-up message:
Dear [name],
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me about your career path and the marketing industry. I wanted to let you know I took your advice about expanding some of the details on my LinkedIn profile and began working on a website that can serve as a digital portfolio of my work. Once I have those steps completed, could we touch base again for you to review the updates?
I also emailed [name], as you suggested, so I could ask about possible internships with [company name]. Overall, our meeting was very helpful for me, and I enjoyed working on some of the next steps you helped me identify.
Thank you for your time and advice,
[Your name]
Need more help preparing for an informational interview?
Attend Career Lab drop-in hours (Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., MG Suite 500) to meet with career staff.
Review CCPD's Networking resources and Networking Guide.
This blog post was written by Andrea Reger, former Associate Director and Career Coach for the College of Arts & Sciences at Lehigh University's Center for Career & Professional Development.
November 2026 Disclaimer: The information in this blog post has been reorganized and updated for clarity and relevance.
