Career · generator
Informational interview request generator
Name how you found them, make one narrow ask — 15 to 20 minutes on a single topic — and make saying yes the easy choice. The mistake most people make is asking for too much: an hour, a referral, a job. A small, specific, flexible request is what actually gets a reply.
One topic, not five. A narrow question is far easier to say yes to.
Your request
Hi there, A mutual connection pointed me toward your work. I'm moving into this field from a different background, and your perspective is exactly the kind I'd learn the most from. Would you be open to a 15–20 minute call so I can hear how you got to where you are? I'll come with specific questions and keep it to the time we agree on — and I'm happy to work entirely around your schedule, including a quick call or even a few questions by email if that's easier. Thank you for considering it — no worries at all if the timing doesn't work.
Don’t
- Don’t attach your résumé — this isn’t an application.
- Don’t ask for a job or a referral in the first message. Ask for their thinking.
- Don’t ask for “an hour to pick your brain.” Fifteen to twenty minutes, one topic.
Runs entirely in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere. A small, specific ask is what earns the yes; the job conversation comes later, if it comes at all.
Why a narrow ask wins
- Small asks get said yes to.“15 minutes on one question” is a favor most people will do. “An hour to pick your brain” is a meeting they’ll keep postponing.
- Specific beats flattering.One real topic shows you’ve thought about why them, not just anyone with their title.
- Flexibility lowers the cost. Offering to work around their schedule — or even take a few questions by email — removes the last reason to say no.
How to use it
- Say how you found them honestly — “cold, but I admire your work” is a perfectly good reason to reach out.
- Name the one topic you most want their view on. Resist the urge to list everything; a single question is what makes the ask light.
- Send it, then leave the job conversation for later. The point of this message is a conversation, not a callback.
FAQ
How do you ask for an informational interview?
Name how you found them, keep the ask small and specific, and make saying yes effortless. Lead with their perspective — not your job search. The whole message should make 15–20 minutes feel like a low-cost favor, with flexibility on time and format.
How long should an informational interview be?
Ask for 15–20 minutes. A short, bounded ask gets accepted far more often than an open-ended 'can I pick your brain.' If the conversation flows, they can offer more time — but you should never request it up front.
Is it okay to cold-ask a stranger for an informational interview?
Yes. Plenty of people are flattered to be asked about their work. Be honest that you haven't met, point to something specific you admire, and keep the ask narrow. Honesty about the cold context reads better than a fake connection.
Should I attach my résumé?
No. An informational interview is a conversation about their experience, not a job application. Attaching a résumé signals you actually want a job, which makes the ask heavier and easier to decline. Leave it off.
How do I turn an informational interview into a referral later?
Don't ask in the same breath. Have a genuinely useful conversation, follow up with a thank-you that references something they said, and stay in light touch. When a relevant role opens, you can ask whether they'd be comfortable referring you — by then you're a known quantity, not a stranger.
How do I follow up if they don't reply?
Wait about a week, then send one short, friendly nudge that restates the small ask and adds zero pressure. One follow-up is plenty; if there's still no reply, let it rest and move on. People are busy, and a polite non-response isn't a no forever.
How Wend handles this
A real job search is dozens of these threads running at once — who replied, who you owe a thank-you, who said 'check back in a month.' Wend keeps every conversation in one place and reminds you to follow up, so no warm lead ever goes cold while you wait.
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