Most people either don’t know what an informational interview is — or they confuse it with a job interview and blow it.
An informational interview is a conversation you initiate with a professional in your target field, role, or company to gather insights, build relationships, and open doors — not to directly ask for a job.
Done right, it’s one of the most powerful (and underused) career tools in India.
Why Informational Interviews Work
| Benefit | How It Plays Out |
|---|---|
| Insider knowledge | Learn what the day-to-day role actually looks like before applying |
| Referral opportunity | A good conversation often leads to a recommendation |
| ATS bypass | Many India roles are filled through referrals before posting goes live |
| Career clarity | Confirm (or change) your direction before investing months |
| Network building | One connection often leads to three more |
A LinkedIn India report (2024) found that up to 70% of jobs in India’s mid-to-senior market are filled through referrals or internal networks — not job boards. Informational interviews are your entry point into that network.
Who to Approach
You don’t need a contact list. You need a search strategy.
Step 1: Define your target
- Industry: e.g., Fintech, EdTech, Pharma, Big 4
- Role: e.g., Product Manager, Data Scientist, HR Business Partner
- Company tier: Startup vs. MNC vs. PSU
Step 2: Find people
| Platform | How to Search |
|---|---|
| “[Role] at [Company]” → filter by “2nd connections” or alumni | |
| Twitter/X | Follow industry hashtags; DM thoughtful people |
| College alumni network | IIT/NIT/DU alumni groups on LinkedIn or WhatsApp |
| Meetup / Hasgeek | Attend tech/industry events; follow up after |
| Naukri / AmbitionBox | Read reviews; find people in the comments |
Step 3: Prioritise warm contacts
- Mutual LinkedIn connection? Ask for an intro.
- Same college? Mention it — alumni bonds are strong in India.
- Read their post? Comment genuinely first, then DM.
The Outreach Message (Templates)
LinkedIn DM — Cold (50–80 words max):
Hi [Name],
I came across your profile while researching [Product Management / Data Science /
consulting] roles at [Company / in the fintech space].
Your experience with [specific thing — e.g., “building ML pipelines at Razorpay”]
really caught my attention.
I’m exploring a transition into this field and would love to hear your perspective
in a 20-minute chat. No agenda, just genuinely curious about your journey.
Would that work for you sometime this month?
Thank you,
[Your Name]
LinkedIn DM — Warm (Same College / Mutual Connection):
Hi [Name],
I’m [Your Name], a [Year] graduate from [College] — I noticed we’re both alumni!
I’ve been following your work in [field] and found your post on [topic] really
insightful. I’m currently [job searching / transitioning into X] and would
love 20 minutes to learn from your experience.
Would you be open to a quick call sometime?
Thanks,
[Your Name]
Email Subject Lines That Get Opens:
- “Quick question from a [College Name] alum”
- “20-minute career chat — [Your Name]”
- “Loved your article on [topic] — quick question”
- “Referred by [Mutual Name] — would love your perspective”
Before the Call: Research Checklist
☐ Read their LinkedIn profile completely
☐ Note their career transitions (especially if they switched fields)
☐ Read 1-2 of their recent posts or comments
☐ Know the company’s recent news (funding, product launch, expansion)
☐ Know the role you’re targeting inside their company
☐ Prepare 7–10 questions (you’ll use 5–6)
☐ Block 30 minutes (ask for 20, most run 25–30)
The 20 Best Questions to Ask
Organise your questions in 3 categories:
Category 1: Their Career Journey (Build Rapport)
- How did you end up in [this role / this industry]?
- What did your path look like from [starting point] to where you are now?
- What would you do differently if you were starting out today?
Category 2: The Role and Industry (Get Insight)
- What does a typical day or week look like in your role?
- What skills matter most for success in this field that aren’t obvious from job descriptions?
- What’s the biggest misconception people have about this role?
- What trends are shaping [the industry] right now in India?
- What’s the biggest challenge you’re dealing with professionally right now?
Category 3: The Company (For Targeted Research)
- What makes [Company Name] different from competitors in terms of culture?
- How are hiring decisions made — what do managers really look for?
- What would you look for in a candidate for a role like yours?
Category 4: Your Next Move (Practical Guidance)
- What would you recommend I do in the next 3–6 months to be a stronger candidate?
- Are there any resources, communities, or certifications you’d suggest?
- Is there anyone else you’d recommend I speak with?
Questions NOT to Ask
| ❌ Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| “Can you get me a job?” | This ends the relationship |
| “Can you refer me to HR?” | Too transactional for a first call |
| “What is the salary range?” | Too early; inappropriate |
| “What do you think of my résumé?” | They didn’t agree to review it |
| Questions Googleable in 5 seconds | Shows you didn’t prepare |
During the Call: Flow Guide
0:00 – 0:02 → Thank them, confirm time (“I know you have 20 mins, I’ll keep it tight”)
0:02 – 0:08 → Let them talk about their journey (open question)
0:08 – 0:15 → Your targeted questions (3–4 max)
0:15 – 0:18 → Practical guidance questions (“What would you recommend I do next?”)
0:18 – 0:20 → “Is there anyone else you’d suggest I speak with?”
0:20 – 0:22 → Thank them, recap 1-2 key takeaways, close warmly
Tip: If they say “Is there anything else?” — don’t pile on 3 more questions. Say: “I think I have everything I need — this was incredibly helpful.”
After the Call: Follow-Up Protocol
Within 24 hours — Send a thank-you note:
Subject: Thank you — [Name]
Hi [Name],
Thank you so much for taking the time today. Your perspective on [specific insight]
was particularly valuable — I hadn’t thought about [thing] that way before.
I’ll definitely be reaching out to [person they recommended], and I’m going to
start with [specific action they suggested].
I’ll keep you updated on my progress. If there’s ever anything I can do for you,
please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best,
[Your Name]
Within 2–4 weeks: Follow up with a short update: “I did X based on your advice — wanted to share the outcome and say thank you again.”
Every 3–4 months: Stay on their radar with a relevant article, a congratulations on a promotion, or a genuine comment on their post. Relationships, not transactions.
India-Specific Tips
- Alumni bonds are powerful. IIT, NIT, BITS, DU, IIM alumni are far more likely to respond to a fellow alum — always mention it.
- WhatsApp is acceptable for follow-ups if they prefer it — many senior professionals in India respond faster there.
- Regional language can help — a quick “Nandri” (Tamil) or “Dhanyavad” (Hindi) as a warmup with the right contact shows cultural awareness.
- Don’t ask for referrals in the first call. It’s the single biggest mistake. Let the relationship develop — referrals come naturally after 2–3 touchpoints.
References
- LinkedIn India (2024) — India Hiring Trends and Referral Networks — [linkedin.com/business/talent](https://business.linkedin.com/talent-solutions)
- Naukri.com Blog (2024) — How Referrals Work in India’s Job Market — [naukri.com/blog](https://www.naukri.com/blog)
- Harvard Business Review (2022) — The Right Way to Do Informational Interviews — [hbr.org](https://hbr.org)
- Indeed Career Advice (2024) — Informational Interview Questions — [indeed.com/career-advice](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice)
- NASSCOM (2024) — India’s Professional Networking Report — [nasscom.in](https://nasscom.in)