How to Craft the Perfect Email for an Informational Interview

The Importance of Email in an Informational Interview

Networking is an essential part of building a successful career. It helps to establish relationships with people in your industry, learn about career paths, and get advice on how to achieve your goals. One powerful tool for networking is the informational interview – a meeting where you speak with someone in your desired industry to gain insights into their career and how they got there. Email is often the first point of contact when setting up an informational interview, and crafting the perfect email can be the difference between getting an interview or being ignored.

1. Define Your Purpose

Before drafting the email, define your purpose for reaching out. Are you looking for career advice, to learn about a specific industry, or to gain mentorship? Knowing what you’re seeking helps you to craft a clear and concise email that motivates the person to respond.

2. Personalize Your Email

It’s crucial to personalize your email to the person you’re reaching out to. Address them by name and reference their background or accomplishments to show them that you’ve done your research. This demonstrates that you’re genuinely interested in speaking with them and are not sending mass emails to everyone in the industry.

3. Keep It Concise

The person you’re reaching out to is busy, so keeping your email concise is vital. State your purpose clearly and with brevity, mentioning why you’d like to speak with them and the benefits it will bring. Avoid being overly formal or verbose, as it can make the email feel impersonal.

4. Show Gratitude

Always thank the person at the end of the email for their time, whether or not they choose to meet with you. Showing gratitude makes a positive impression and increases the likelihood of the person responding in the future.

5. Subject Line

The subject line is the first thing the person will see, so it’s critical to make it attention-grabbing and informative. A subject line that clearly states your purpose for reaching out is more likely to be opened than a vague message like ‘Networking Inquiry.’

Example Email

Subject: Seeking Career Insights in the Healthcare Industry

Dear John,

I came across your profile on LinkedIn and was impressed by your extensive experience in the healthcare industry. As a recent college graduate, I’m eager to learn more about the industry and explore potential career paths.

I’m writing to ask if you’d be willing to chat with me for 30 minutes about your experience working in healthcare and gain insights into the skills needed to succeed in this field. I would be honored and appreciate your time, and any advice you may have for me.

Thank you so much for considering my request, and I look forward to the possibility of speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,
Sarah

Conclusion

Crafting the perfect email for an informational interview can be challenging, but by following these tips, you can increase the likelihood of getting a response. Personalization, brevity, clarity, gratitude, and an informative subject line are all key components to writing a winning email that motivates the recipient to connect with you. Remember, the purpose of the informational interview is to learn and establish a relationship, so be prepared to ask thoughtful questions and listen carefully to the person’s insights.