It’s always hard to ask for something from a stranger. In case you want to know how to ask for an informational interview, then you are landed at a place where I’m not only going to share an email template but also highlight some tips and tricks. Let’s get started.           

Learn the Art of Asking

In my opinion, learning this art isn’t very hard. You must be confident. It would be best if you stuck to the main point while sweeping away all the tidbits. In simple words, when you are going to ask someone to meet you for an informational interview in a coffee shop or lunch, you should keep it simple, quick, and to-the-point.

How to Ask for an Informational Interview- Email Template

Here is a Template that is concise and lets you get a good response.

Dear (First name),

I’m (put your name here) - (put your job title here) who works in (set your job location here). I am writing this email to ask you about (mention the reason here). I want to learn about (mention two or three things that you are interested in).

I know you are busy. I’m only asking for twenty to twenty-five minutes from your schedule. Let me know a time when you are free, and we will plan a meeting. ( To sound friendly, you can say lunch is on me).

Many Thanks,

Your name

Here is an Example

Dear Sara Hassan, 

I’m Marry Jojo, a writer, and blogger who has been working in the freelancing world for almost five years. I am reaching out to know more about Google AdSense and other monetization options I can use for my new blog. I am quite impressed by your work on your blog. I heard that it is ranked among the top 100 blogs. I want to learn how you reach the high level, what strategies work for you, and how to rank well on Google in 2020.

I know you are busy, it would be great if you can spare thirty minutes from your schedule. I will appreciate that. 

I am looking forward to your response.

Thank You, 

Marry Jojo

.

Must read: How to end a Letter/Email -Sign off Examples

How to Ask for an Informational Interview Follow-up Email Template

It would be best if you kept in mind that everyone has a busy life schedule, and your first email inquiry for an informational interview may be lost somewhere.

Don’t give up; don’t feel bad. It happens most of the time. If a person is not interested in planning a meet-up session, he will inform you. 

There is no harm in sending a follow-up email for asking about an informational interview. Follow-up email writing tips and guidelines are here.

Informational Interview Follow-Up Email

Dear (First Name), 

I hope you are doing well. I am writing this email to follow up on my request for an informational interview, as I mentioned in my last email ( write the same reason you gave in the first email). I would like to hear back from your side. I would love to plan a meeting of informational interviews wherever you want or convenient for you. In case your schedule is full, then I completely get it.                       

Best Regards, 

Your name

Three out of five times, people respond to a follow-up email in case they miss the first inquiry for the informational interview.  What to do if you don’t hear back even after a follow-up email? In that case scenario, you should give up on your current prospects and move on to the next one.  Explore effective email writing strategies.

Always Research on the Prospects 

Before you write an email to ask for an informational interview, you should complete your research on the person. Some people make a mistake; they send an email right away while skimming through the primary information. You don’t have to do that. If you want your queries to get a proper response, then you should add some key elements. 

For example, if you are following a person and he is a regular coffee shop, you can mention in your email that you can plan a quick meeting in the same shop. 

It is a little detail that can help you get a quick response because he doesn’t have to do much. He will appear in his regular shop, and you are already there. Pretty convenient!

In the same manner, when it comes to learning from a person, you should have to give some good reasons. A person must know about those things in which you are interested.

Conclusion     

I have shared email templates to ask for an informational interview and expect a good response. For landing on your dream job in a dream company, you can get help from a person who is already handling that job. Getting information from him is a tricky part; make sure you are ready with some right questions when you get a response to your informational interview email. Know what to ask in an informational interview.