How to Use Informational Interviews to Find Hidden Jobs

What an Informational Interview Actually Is

An informational interview is a short, low-pressure conversation with someone working in a role, company, or industry you’re curious about. You’re not asking for a job. You’re asking for insight.

That distinction matters. People who would never agree to “review my resume” or “keep me in mind for openings” will often say yes to a 20-minute conversation about their work. The lower stakes make it easier for both sides, and that’s exactly why this approach works so well for finding roles that never get posted publicly.

Many positions get filled through referrals and internal recommendations before a job ad ever goes up. Informational interviews put you in the room, metaphorically, before that happens.

Step 1: Get Clear on What You’re Trying to Learn

Before reaching out to anyone, decide what you actually want to know. Vague curiosity leads to vague conversations. Pick one of these angles:

• Role clarity — What does a day in this job really look like?
• Industry insight — What’s changing in this field, and what should I watch?
• Path mapping — How did this person get from where I am to where they are?
• Company culture — What’s it actually like to work at this organization?

You can explore more than one, but lead with a clear primary question. It makes your outreach message sharper and the conversation more useful.

Step 2: Build a Target List

Start with people who are one or two steps ahead of you, not executives at the top of the ladder. Someone two to five years into the career you want is often more generous with their time and more relatable than a senior leader.

Good sources for names:

• Alumni from your school or program
• Former coworkers who’ve moved to roles or companies you’re interested in
• People in professional groups or associations tied to your field
• Connections of connections — ask people you already know if they can introduce you to someone

Aim for a list of 10 to 15 people. Not everyone will respond, and that’s normal. A broader list protects you from relying on one or two conversations.

Step 3: Write a Request That’s Easy to Say Yes To

Keep your outreach message short — three to five sentences. Include:

1. Who you are (one line)
2. Why you’re reaching out to them specifically
3. A clear, small ask (15-20 minutes, not “whenever works”)
4. An easy way to say yes

For example: “I’m a marketing coordinator exploring a move into product management. I noticed your background includes a similar transition, and I’d value 15 minutes to hear how you made that shift. Would a quick call sometime in the next couple of weeks work?”

Avoid attaching your resume or mentioning job openings. This isn’t the moment for that, and it changes how the person reads your request.

Step 4: Prepare Questions That Go Beyond the Obvious

Generic questions get generic answers. Instead of “What’s your job like?” try:

• “What does success look like in your role after six months versus after two years?”
• “What skills do people underestimate the importance of in this field?”
• “If you were starting over today, what would you do differently to break in?”
• “Who else in your network would you suggest I talk to?”

That last question is the one that actually uncovers hidden opportunities. Every conversation should end with a request for one or two more names.

Step 5: Conduct the Conversation With Respect for Their Time

Show up on time, stick to the agreed length unless they offer to extend it, and lead with your prepared questions rather than waiting for them to drive the conversation. Take notes, but stay present — don’t bury your face in a notepad or screen.

Near the end, ask directly: “Is there anyone else you’d recommend I speak with?” Most people will offer at least one name if you’ve been a good conversation partner.

Step 6: Follow Up the Right Way

Send a thank-you message within 24 hours. Mention one specific thing you learned or found useful — this shows you were genuinely listening, not just going through motions.

If they gave you a referral, follow up with that new contact within a week or two while the introduction is still fresh. Mention who connected you.

Keep a simple tracking sheet with names, dates, what you discussed, and any referrals. After five or six conversations, patterns start to emerge — recurring advice, recurring company names, recurring skill gaps you should address.

Step 7: Know When to Shift the Relationship

Informational interviews aren’t one-and-done. If a conversation goes well, stay in touch every few months with a brief update or a relevant article you think they’d find interesting. When an opportunity does open up at their company, you won’t be a stranger applying cold — you’ll be someone they already have context on.

That’s the real payoff. You’re not trying to extract a job offer from a single conversation. You’re building a small network of people who know your name, your interests, and your work ethic, so that when something unadvertised comes up, you’re already on their radar.

Your Next Step

Pick three names from your network or alumni list today and draft your first outreach message using the template above. Send it before the day ends. Momentum matters more than perfection here — the sooner you start these conversations, the sooner hidden opportunities start showing up.

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