Talk to people before you commit
Test your assumptions through informational interviews.
Want to avoid wasting time, energy, or money on a bad choice? Talk to people with experience first.
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Our minds are not good at predicting what will work for us. To avoid wasting time, money, or energy on choices that don’t fit, we need to test ideas before committing. Testing starts with asking the right questions.
One of the best ways to get answers is through informational interviews. These are conversations with people who have real experience or expertise in your area of interest. Talking to them lets you test your assumptions and gain practical insights. It also expands your network, since the best opportunities, including jobs, often come through personal connections.
Some people to talk to, depending on your test questions:
👉 Choosing a study: academic counsellors, teachers, mentors, current or former students, alumni, program coordinators, professionals in the field.
👉 Choosing a profession: career counsellors or coaches, mentors, network contacts, recent graduates, professionals in the field, recruiters.
👉 Moving to another country: people who have successfully moved, those who faced challenges, local expats or community groups, employers or colleagues in the country, legal and financial advisors.
👉 Choosing a sport: personal trainers, instructors, physiotherapists, your doctor, experienced athletes, coaches or club managers.
👉 Starting a business: founders, small business owners, mentors, incubator managers, investors, industry experts.
👉 Career transitions: people who successfully switched fields, mentors, recruiters, industry peers, coaches.
Talking to people like these gives you real insight, helps you test your assumptions, and can save you from costly mistakes.
Make a list of people you want to interview. Start with people you know who have relevant experience. Then add people you haven’t met yet. You can find them on LinkedIn, X, or through referrals from your contacts.
Reach out to them. Most people enjoy sharing what they know. If someone says no, that is perfectly fine. Everyone has the right to refuse. Their reasons are not about you. Keep going. You will be surprised how willing people are to help.
Practical tips for informational interviews on study and career choices.
Use the tips below to get the most out of each informational interview.
Prepare your invitations
Create some general material you can use as a basis for all invitations. This ensures your message is clear and concise.
👉 Explain your purpose: People can only help if they understand what you’re looking for. Briefly introduce your background, why you are reaching out, and what you hope to gain from the interview.
👉 Respect their time: Don’t ask for more than 30 minutes. Offer a few options or let them suggest a convenient time and place. Mention whether you’re happy to meet in person, by phone, or via Zoom. This makes scheduling easier.
👉 Clarify your intention: If you are seeking information about a profession, make it clear that this is an informational interview, not a job request. Otherwise, you may get a polite rejection or miss out on honest insights.
👉 Show appreciation: Include a brief “thank you for considering my request” to signal respect and gratitude upfront.
Invite
Send your invitations using the material you prepared, but personalize each one. Mention any mutual connections or relevant context, and explain why you want to speak with this particular person. Keep your message concise and polite. Always make it clear that you are requesting an informational interview, not a job or favor. End with a friendly note of thanks for their time and consideration.
Prepare the interviews
Prepare for each interview by doing your homework. Good preparation helps you use the time well and ask better questions.
👉 Introduce yourself briefly: Prepare a short introduction about your background and what you are trying to achieve. Keep it under two minutes.
👉 Select relevant test questions: You’ve already created your list of test questions. For each interview, choose the questions that match this person’s experience and expertise.
👉 Do light research: Learn enough about the interviewee’s background to ask informed questions and avoid topics you can easily look up online.
👉 Practice beforehand: Do a few practice interviews with friends or family to get comfortable asking questions and listening.
Conduct the interviews
Use the interview to learn from the other person. Stay curious, listen carefully, and keep the conversation focused on your questions.
👉 Start by thanking them: Thank the interviewee for their time and briefly introduce yourself. Keep your introduction under two minutes.
👉 Let them do most of the talking: This is not about telling your story. Use your questions as a guide and listen actively.
👉 Ask follow-up questions: Probe deeper when something is unclear or interesting. Good follow-up questions often lead to the most useful insights.
👉 Stay open to surprises: Approach the conversation with genuine curiosity and be open to unexpected perspectives or opportunities.
👉 Ask for referrals: At the end of the interview, ask if they can recommend anyone else you should talk to.
👉 Keep track of time: Respect the agreed time and end the interview on schedule.
👉 If you are looking for a job: At the end of the interview, you can ask an open-ended question such as, “How can I become part of this company?”
Follow up
Always follow up after an informational interview. This is both good manners and a way to strengthen the connection.
👉 Send a thank-you note: Thank the interviewee for their time as soon as possible. Mention one specific thing from the conversation that was helpful to you.
👉 Don’t ask for favors right away: Avoid asking for help, introductions, or opportunities immediately after the interview. This is usually considered inappropriate.
👉 Be helpful when you can: If relevant, share something useful, such as an article you mentioned during the conversation or an event that might interest them.
👉 Stay in touch thoughtfully: If the conversation was valuable, keep the connection alive. A short update or note later on is often enough.
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Talking to people before you commit helps you replace guesses with insight. A few focused conversations can save you time, energy, and regret.
