Requesting an Informational Interview by Email Template
Subject: Request for Informational Interview
Dear [Potential Contact],
Introduce yourself and relationship to contact: I am a [your year] majoring in [your major] at Santa Monica College and I saw from [your profile on LinkedIn].
Make your request: I am very interested in learning all I can about [what you'd like to learn about: their career field, their particular job, etc.]. I would greatly appreciate meeting with you for 15 to 30 minutes to ask you a few questions about your career. I'd be happy to come to your office, speak over the phone or meet virtually.
Request response: Please let me know some days and times when you are available. I appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
[Your name]
[Contact Email and Phone Number with Voicemail]
Sample Informational Interview Email Script
Subject: Request for Informational Interview
Dear John Smith,
My name is Jane Corsair and I am a 2nd year student majoring in General Science at Santa Monica College. I saw on Linkedin that you are an SMC alum who is open to career networking.
I am very interested in learning more about how you started in the field of engineering to where you are now as a mechanical engineer at ABD company. If you have 15 to 30 minutes, I would greatly appreciate speaking with you in person, over the phone or virtually to ask you a few questions about your career.
Please let me know some days and times when you are available in the next two to three weeks. I can be reached by email at corsair_jane@student.smc.edu or 310-123-4567. I appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Jane Corsair
Requesting an Informational Interview by Phone Template
Introduce yourself and relationship to contact: I am a [your year] majoring in [your major] at Santa Monica College and I heard you speak at the SMC Lecture Series last year.
Ask if it is a good time to talk: Is this a good time for you to chat briefly?
Make your request: I am very interested in learning all I can about [what you'd like to learn about: their career field, their particular job, etc.]. If you are not available at the moment, would it be possible to schedule 15 to 30 minutes with you at your convenience to ask a few questions and get your advice on how best to prepare to enter your field?
Thank them: Thank you [name of contact] for chatting with me briefly today. I look forward to chatting with you more on [date and time]. If you need to reach me before then, my email is [insert email] and my phone number is [insert phone number with voicemail].
Sample Informational Interview Phone Script
"Hello. Is this John Smith from ABD company? My name is Jane Corsair and I'm a sophomore majoring in General Science at Santa Monica College. Is this a good time for you to talk briefly? I heard you speak at the SMC Lecture Series last year. I am very interested in learning more about how you started in the field of engineering to where you are now as a mechanical engineer at ABD company. If you are not available at the moment, would it be possible to schedule 15 to 30 minutes with you at your convenience to ask a few questions and get your advice on how best to prepare to enter your field?
Thank you John for chatting with me briefly today. I look forward to chatting with you more on [date and time]. If you need to reach me before then, my email is corsair_jane@student.smc.edu and my phone number is 310-123-4567.