Informational interviews are not job interviews; they are curiosity-first conversations designed to illuminate the realities of a role, team, or technology you’re considering. In IT, these chats offer a rare chance to hear directly from developers, system engineers, data analysts, and cybersecurity experts about day-to-day tasks, emerging tools, and the organizational culture that governs their work. Preparing thoughtfully turns a casual inquiry into a structured learning experience. Start by identifying three to five roles that align with your interests, then research the signatures of those roles in reputable resources. The goal is to ask precise questions that reveal the practical steps people took to reach their current positions.
Once you have a clear objective, craft a concise outreach message that respects the other person’s time while conveying genuine curiosity. Introduce yourself, explain your interest, and propose a brief 20-minute conversation. A tailored request increases the odds of a positive response. In your message, reference a specific project or technology you’re curious about, demonstrating that you’ve done your homework. If the person accepts, come prepared with open-ended questions that invite storytelling and practical guidance. After the conversation, send a brief thank-you note summarizing key takeaways and proposing a gentle next step, such as a follow-up email with a resource or a second conversation topic.
Build genuine relationships by adding value and staying connected
In the interview itself, start with broad questions that reveal the landscape before drilling into personal experiences. Ask about career progression, the skills that consistently matter, and the most impactful projects they’ve tackled. Pay attention to the problems they describe, not just the technologies they mention. This helps you map a realistic path, including the steps required to enter a particular niche. Listen for the tacit knowledge: how teams collaborate, the unwritten rules for success, and the typical timelines for learning new systems. As you gather these insights, note concrete actions you can take, such as recommended certifications, side projects, or networking strategies.
A durable outcome from an informational interview is a personalized action plan. Use the notes from your chat to plot a pathway from your current role to your target IT domain. Include short-term milestones (such as a portfolio project or credential), mid-term objectives (like gaining hands-on experience through a project or internship), and long-term aspirations (roles you aim to land within two to three years). During the discussion, ask for feedback on this plan. A thoughtful mentor will refine your approach, flag blind spots, and perhaps identify opportunities within their network. The best conversations yield practical, incremental steps you can follow with discipline and consistency.
Asking the right people the right questions accelerates career clarity
Networking in IT is most effective when you shift from transactional asks to reciprocal engagement. After your initial interview, demonstrate appreciation by sharing a relevant resource, article, or tool that aligns with the person’s interests. If they mention a challenge or topic you’ve researched, offer a concise, constructive perspective or a small experiment you’d be willing to try and report back on. Over time, maintain contact through periodic updates—perhaps quarterly summaries of your learning journey or notes about a project you completed that relates to their field. This approach helps you become memorable for the right reasons, not merely for a quick referral.
As you broaden your network, map connections that extend beyond a single person. Identify teams, companies, or communities known for mentorship and thoughtful career development in IT. Attend virtual or in-person meetups where professionals discuss real-world problems rather than theoretical concepts. When you join these spaces, listen more than you speak, and ask for introductions to others who work on projects you admire. Each new connection expands your access to information and recommendations. By investing in a diverse set of relationships, you increase your chances of hearing about opportunities that you would not have discovered through traditional job postings.
Referrals emerge from demonstrated curiosity, credibility, and consistency
Focus the conversation on the realities of work, not the prestige of the title. In IT, people often encounter ambiguous problem spaces where success hinges on practical problem-solving, collaboration, and learning agility. Ask about the most challenging technical limitations they faced, how they measured impact, and what signals they monitor to know they’re on the right track. In addition, query how they stay current with rapid change—whether through hands-on experimentation, formal training, or community involvement. The aim is to uncover patterns that signal a sustainable career path, not just a snap-in credential. This approach helps you decide which specialties match your strengths and interests.
Your notes should emphasize the tacit skills that aren’t always obvious in job descriptions. Soft skills like communication with non-technical stakeholders, writing clear requirements, and documenting processes are often as critical as coding or system design. Seek examples where collaboration, empathy, or negotiation made a project succeed. By recognizing these behaviors as part of the role, you’ll be better prepared to explain, in future interviews, how you would contribute to a team’s momentum. Collect concrete anecdotes that illustrate growth, adaptability, and consistent learning. These stories will become powerful references when you apply for roles and solicit referrals.
Turn insights into a confident, actionable plan for IT entry
A well-executed informational interview positions you as a serious, thoughtful candidate rather than a generic job seeker. Your credibility grows when you translate insights into action: share a project plan, demonstrate how you’d leverage a particular tool, or discuss how you’d approach a real-world problem. When the interviewer sees your commitment to learning and tangible progress, they’re more inclined to offer guidance, introductions, or even referrals. Your role is to show that you’re not just collecting information but actively applying it to your career journey. A well-timed ask for a referral should feel like a natural extension of the conversation, grounded in shared context.
Crafting an effective ask requires sensitivity to the other person’s comfort and bandwidth. If a mentor has already invested time, you might request a targeted introduction to a colleague who works on a project you admire, rather than a broad, unsolicited referral. Be specific about what you’re asking for and why you think they can help. If the referral is not appropriate at the moment, ask for feedback or future contact opportunities instead. Respect their boundaries, and stay professional in all follow-ups. A considerate, well-timed request preserves goodwill for future interactions and opportunities.
The transition into IT often hinges on credible evidence of capability. Build a portfolio that demonstrates your skill trajectory aligned with your target field. Include mini-projects, open-source contributions, or freelance work that showcases problem-solving, collaboration, and the ability to learn new technologies quickly. Your narrative should connect your past experiences to your IT goals, explaining how transferable competencies and new competencies reinforce your readiness. As you present this portfolio in interviews or referrals, highlight outcomes, metrics, and lessons learned. A strong, well-documented body of work underpins your credibility and helps others see a clear path for you.
Finally, treat informational interviews as ongoing investments rather than one-off events. Schedule follow-ups, request feedback on your portfolio, and share updates on your progress. Demonstrating sustained momentum makes you a more attractive candidate for referrals and opportunities. Stay curious about trends in your chosen domain, whether it’s cloud architecture, cybersecurity, data engineering, or software development. By maintaining a habit of learning and connection, you’ll accumulate a network of advocates who understand your capabilities and potential. Over time, these relationships can translate into valuable referrals and trusted guidance as you navigate your IT transition.
