Here's something that might feel counterintuitive when you're anxious to land a job: the conversations that lead to opportunities rarely start with asking for one. The most effective job search strategy isn't perfecting your resume or mass-applying online—it's having genuine conversations with people already doing what you want to do.

Informational interviews sound formal, but they're really just structured curiosity. You're asking someone about their work, their path, their insights. What makes them powerful isn't networking in the transactional sense—it's that you're building relationships before you need something. And surprisingly, most professionals genuinely want to help.

The request you send determines everything. Most people fail here because they're vague, ask for too much, or accidentally sound like they're asking for a job while pretending they're not. Professionals can smell desperation, and it makes them hesitant to respond. Your goal is to make saying yes feel easy and even appealing.

Start by being specific about why you're reaching out to them—not their company, not their industry, but them. Maybe they took an unusual career path you're considering. Maybe they wrote something that resonated with you. Maybe they're doing exactly what you hope to do in five years. This specificity signals you've done your homework and aren't sending identical messages to fifty people.

Keep your request short and concrete: you're asking for 20 minutes, ideally virtual or by phone. Offer flexibility. Make it clear this is about learning, not job-seeking. Something like: "I'm exploring careers in UX research and noticed you transitioned from psychology. I'd love to hear how you made that shift—would you have 20 minutes for a quick call?" That's it. No life story, no resume attached, no hints about openings.

Takeaway

Professionals respond to specificity and respect for their time. Tell them exactly why you chose them, ask for 20 minutes maximum, and make it clear you're seeking insight rather than a job referral.

The questions you ask shape everything about the conversation. Bad questions—ones they could answer by pointing to their LinkedIn—waste everyone's time. Good questions invite stories, reveal hidden realities of the work, and make the conversation memorable for both of you.

Structure your conversation around three types of questions. First, path questions: How did you get here? What surprised you along the way? What would you do differently? These invite storytelling and reveal insights you won't find in job descriptions. Second, reality questions: What does a typical week actually look like? What's harder than people expect? What skills matter most that aren't in the job posting? These give you practical intelligence for interviews and career decisions. Third, advice questions: If you were in my position, what would you focus on? What should I be reading or learning? Who else should I talk to?

That last question—asking for additional connections—is where informational interviews become exponentially powerful. One conversation can lead to three more. But timing matters: ask this toward the end, after you've built rapport. And always follow up on referrals they give you, mentioning their name. This creates a chain of trust that can open doors applications never will.

Takeaway

Prepare questions about their path, the hidden realities of their work, and their advice for someone in your position. Always end by asking who else you should talk to—this single question multiplies your opportunities.

The conversation itself is only the beginning. What separates people who build real professional networks from those who just collect LinkedIn connections is what happens after the call ends. Most people send a thank-you email and disappear. You can do better.

Within 24 hours, send a genuine thank-you that references something specific from your conversation. Not generic gratitude—actual evidence you were listening. "Your point about building cross-functional relationships early really shifted how I'm thinking about my first role." If they recommended a book, article, or person, mention that you're following up on it. This closes the loop and shows you valued their time.

But here's where most people stop, and where you shouldn't. The real relationship-building happens weeks and months later. Did you read that book they mentioned? Tell them what you thought. Did you talk to someone they connected you to? Update them on how it went. Got a new job or made a career decision? Let them know—and credit their influence. These small updates keep you on their radar naturally. When an opportunity arises that fits you, you'll already be someone they think of—not a stranger with a stale LinkedIn request.

Takeaway

Send a specific thank-you within 24 hours, then stay in touch by sharing updates on advice you followed. Relationships compound over time—the person you thank today might recommend you for a role next year.

Informational interviews work because they flip the typical job-search dynamic. Instead of being one of hundreds of applicants, you become a real person with genuine curiosity. Instead of hoping your resume gets noticed, you're building relationships with people who can vouch for you.

Start small. Identify three people whose careers interest you. Craft thoughtful, specific requests. Have real conversations. Stay in touch. The opportunities that emerge won't feel like luck—they'll feel like the natural result of being curious, respectful, and genuinely interested in others.