The information on this page is taken from an ISCB Career Compass newsletter (February 2026)
If you’re considering a career in industry and want to learn what roles actually look like day-to-day, then an informational interview might be worth considering.
1 What is an informational interview?
An informational interview is a short, informal conversation with a person working in a field that interests you, to learn about a job you might be interested in.
2 Finding people to interview
The biggest hurdle isn’t usually the conversation, but finding someone to talk to in the first place.
Start by exploiting your existing social network. Post on your social media or ask family and friends if they know anyone working in the specific role you’re curious about. A helpful connection may be closer than you think!
LinkedIn is also a way to find people. You can search for job titles and filter by company or location. You might also try checking your second-degree connections (people with whom you share a mutual contact).
3 What to say
You will probably be contacting someone you don’t know personally, so be thoughtful and respectful. Mention something specific about their work to show you’ve actually looked at what they do and reassure them that you aren’t just mass-messaging people. Be clear about why you’re interested in learning from them specifically, and acknowledge that you’re asking for their time and expertise.
Keep your message short, specific, and respectful of their time. Here’s a framework that works:
- Brief intro (who you are in one sentence)
- Why you’re reaching out to them
- What you’re hoping to learn
- Your request (20-30 minutes of their time, virtual is fine)
- Flexibility and gratitude
3.1 Example message:
“Hi [Name], I’m a student in [Whatever] at the University of Strathclyde. I’m currently exploring career paths in industry. I came across your profile and was particularly interested in your transition from your degree to [Company/Role]. I’d love to learn more about your experience and what a typical day looks like in your role. Would you be open to a brief 20-30 minute conversation? Virtual works great for me. I’m happy to work around your schedule. I completely understand if you’re too busy, but I’d really appreciate any insights you’d be willing to share. Thanks for considering, [Your name].”
This approach is specific, clear about what you want, respects their time, and gives them an easy out if they’re swamped.
3.2 What you might ask
The value to you of an informational interview comes down to the questions you ask. Avoid yes or no questions and go for ones that get people talking about their actual experience on the job. Here are 5 questions to consider:
- What does a typical day or week look like for you?
- What surprised you most about working in industry after your degree?
- What skills from your academic training do you use most? What skills do you wish you’d developed more?
- What do you find most rewarding about your current role? What’s the most challenging part?
- If someone wanted to break into this field, what would you recommend they focus on?
The most important thing is to let the conversation flow naturally. The best informational interviews are genuine conversations.
4 Follow up and stay connected
A thoughtful follow-up turns an informational interview from a one-off conversation into a positive professional impression. The goal isn’t to network aggressively, but to close the loop with clarity, gratitude, and respect for the other person’s time.
Within 24–48 hours, send a short, simple thank-you message: thank them for their time, reference one specific insight that stood out, and acknowledge how it helped you better understand the role or career path.
4.1 Example message:
“Hi [Name], thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me yesterday. Your insight about [specific topic] was especially helpful and gave me a clearer sense of [what you learned]. I really appreciate your generosity with your time and advice. Best, [Your name].”
If you haven’t already, and especially if you had a great rapport with your interviewee, this is also a good time to connect on LinkedIn. A brief connection request that references your conversation helps keep the interaction grounded and personal, rather than transactional. You don’t need to pitch yourself or ask for anything further; connecting simply gives the relationship space to continue naturally as your career path evolves.