Need to ask for an informational interview about your dream job? Write a "cold email" to a professional contact in 2 steps!

A young job seeker shaking the hand of a professional.

Want to make a professional connection and learn about your dream job at the same time?

A bit part of job hunting is connecting with professionals. So, how do you learn about the skills you'll need for your dream job and make a new work connection? A great way to do this is with an informational interview!

What Is an Informational Interview?

A young job seeker waving at a laptop in a home office. He says, 'Oh hello.'

An informational interview is a conversation with a new work contact. You'll have the chance to introduce yourself to someone you hope to work with.

If you're interested in a particular job at their company, you can convey your passion to work there and ask questions about the job in the conversation.

A woman says, 'How can I prepare for the conversation?'

You'll need to first get in touch by sending the person a "cold email" — an email to someone you haven't met yet. Follow these 2 steps to craft the email that will get you the informational interview you're looking for!

Did you know?

Getting a referral from an employee at a company will increase your chances of getting a job there by as much as 7%.

Step 1: Know Your Stuff!

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Do some background research on the company, role, and person you're contacting.

Company: Look up the company's mission statement, website, and challenges it faces in the industry.
Role: How can you solve industry issues if you were in the role? Why are you passionate about this?
Person: Has your contact published anything about the industry? Do they have any relatable experience on their LinkedIn profile?

Step 2: Craft Your Email

Draft your email by including the following:

Introduce yourself right away.
List your education and a quick mention of your related experience.
Express your passion for the industry, company, and role.
Comment on the contact's impact on the industry, the mission of the company, and the role(s) you're interested in.
Request a chat to further discuss these points
Thank them!

Keep the entire message brief! Write in a professional style with spaces between paragraphs, an opener, and a sign-off with your first and last name, along with your LinkedIn profile link.

Take Action

Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash

Get prepared and go for it!

Prepare questions to ask your contact in the meeting.

The questions should be about organization-specific info, the contact's experience in the industry, and the role you're interested in.

If you meet with a contact, remember to thank them with a follow-up message!