Updated: 4 November 2026

Prepare for an informational interview

This prompt helps you prepare for a short call with someone about a field or company, with good questions and a plan for the time.

text-informational-interview-plan — chatgpt — 61 words

I have a 20-minute call with [NAME AND ROLE] at [COMPANY] to learn about [FIELD OR ROLE].

Prepare: a two-sentence introduction of myself based on [MY BACKGROUND], eight thoughtful questions ordered from easy to deep, two questions that show I have done my research, and a polite closing that asks for one referral and how I can be useful to them.

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Keep it to 20 minutes and end by asking who else you should speak with.

Get a better result

What you will get

A two-sentence introduction, eight questions ordered from easy to deep, two questions showing your research and a polite closing that asks for one referral.

Why it works

Informational calls are short, so the prompt prepares a two-sentence intro, eight questions from easy to deep and two that show research. The closing asks for one referral and offers help back. Ending by asking who else to speak with, as the tip says, grows your network.

Common mistake

The questions are available online.

Fix: Skip anything a company page answers. Ask about their experience, mistakes and what they would do differently.

Also watch for

You ask for a job. Keep it about learning. Interest in your story often leads to opportunities, but the ask belongs elsewhere.
The call overruns. Pick your top five questions and note the time. Respect the 20 minutes you agreed.

Try a variation: prepare a written version

Ask for the same questions rewritten as a short email, for people who prefer to reply in their own time.

Still not right? Reply with this

Write a short thank-you message I can send the same day, naming one thing I learned, and a line to follow up on the referral they offered.