Cheeky Logo
Ready To Get Hired?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

5 Ways To Protect Your Informational Interview And Get A Job Referral

The world is your canvas and informational interviews are your paintbrush.

What does that even mean?

I was a PhD looking for an industry job, and that was the kind of advice I used to get.

But this one I really struggled with: You’re a PhD – you can do anything.

Hearing this sentiment over and over again was not empowering for me, but infuriating.

Why?

Because I didn’t know what I wanted to do.

Sure, I could do anything… 

But that still left me very lost.

The tide shifted when I discovered informational interviews.

An informational interview is when you contact a stranger and ask them questions about their job, their company, and their life.

At first, I was scared to do an informational interview…

Which is why I totally ruined my first one.

I was afraid of rejection, afraid of reaching out, and afraid to dial a phone number – to talk to a professional stranger.

The first time I reached out to someone, I was extremely awkward.

I said um over and over.

I stuttered like I was on a first date.

The person on the other end of the phone said, Sorry, I don’t have time right now.

But we both knew what they meant:

“You sound weird, and I have more important things to do than babysit an awkward woman I’ve never met.”

I didn’t give up though, and I pestered this poor person for 5 minutes of their time to talk in person. 

They agreed.

Then I did what any PhD would have done…

I prepared a list of 100 questions as though this were a normal way to have a conversation with a busy professional.

During the meeting, I basically forced the other person to answer all of my questions.

If they started talking for too long about what they were interested in, I cut them off and brought them back to my questions.

This seemed perfectly logical to me.

I had questions and needed answers, which meant they shouldn’t have been droning on about their interests.

In reality, I was just acting like a lawyer and putting them on trial.

Instead, I should have acted like an interested journalist.

That person didn’t give me a referral, and it is not surprising when I look back on the experience.

Clearly, my original informational interview strategy was terrible.

So I changed my approach – dramatically.

Instead of trying to use the people I was talking to for my own gain, I approached informational interviews purely as learning situations.

And it worked!

By relaxing and focusing on the other person during the informational interview, I learned about different industry positions, company cultures, and so many other things.

Most importantly, I got referrals.

You can learn from my mistakes and experience the huge benefits of informational interviews.

You Can’t Rely On Academia To Help Your Career

Do you know what positions are available to you outside academia?

Or what it’s like to work in industry?

How about which companies would best suit your desired professional lifestyle?

Probably not.

But these are questions that many PhDs have as they begin their transition from academia to industry.

According to Nature, their career path is a top concern for 55% of PhDs.

PhDs are realizing that they don’t want to stay in academia, but they simply don’t know what else is available.

Most graduate schools don’t teach or prepare PhDs for careers outside the university setting.

This means that industry remains a mystery to far too many of us – for far too long.

According to a Council of Graduate Schools survey of more than 800 university staff members from 226 institutions, 62% of respondents reported that their university provides some type of professional development for PhDs.

But this professional development usually focuses only on careers in academia, not in industry.

The same survey reported that only 44% of universities have professional development programs that prepare graduate students for non-academic careers.

Nature reported that only 33% of graduate students felt that their university provided useful advice about careers outside of academia.

If your university won’t teach you about the opportunities that lie outside of academia, you must learn about them yourself through informational interviews.

By conducting informational interviews with industry professionals, you gain direct insight into industry.

You can learn about various positions, the skills companies are looking for, and earn referrals at your target companies.

All you have to do is set up and execute informational interviews. — 

5 Steps PhDs Should Take To Avoid Ruining An Informational Interview

If you are a PhD leaving academia behind, learning about industry is your top priority.

And while the Internet is helpful, you cannot replace the value of talking with an actual industry professional.

You won’t just enjoy a customized learning experience.

By conducting an informational interview, you are building a professional relationship.

This relationship has the potential to benefit you your entire career.

Here are 5 things to consider as you begin setting up informational interviews…

1. Reach out to people you or your friends already know.

Most PhDs vastly undervalue their current network.

When you think about setting up an informational interview, it’s easy to instinctively reach out to a director at a large company.

This instinct is wrong.

Your first step should be to activate your current network.

Whom do you already know in industry?

Do you know anyone who already knows someone in industry?

Think about graduates of your lab or undergrad friends who are already working in industry.

There is probably someone in your current network with whom you can set up an informational interview.

The major benefit of setting up an interview with someone in your current network?

You already have a rapport with this person.

They know you – or they know someone you know.

This informal referral from a mutual friend means they are already more willing to share with you.

2. Never introduce yourself during an informational interview by saying, Hi, I’m a PhD interested in XYZ.

When asking for an informational interview, your message should focus on the other person.

Let this really sink in because it’s important.

This interview is not about you. 

Ultimately, yes, you are doing it for yourself to get an industry job,

But as far as the other person is concerned, you should focus on them – not yourself.

An informational interview is a way for you to learn more about industry – it is neither the time nor place to try and get a job.

As PhDs, we may feel like we need to prove that we are worthy of an informational interview.

But the reality is—thankfully—much simpler.

To get someone to agree to an informational interview, you just have to show them you won’t be an annoyance

People love to share their thoughts and stories, but they hate being bombarded with inappropriate requests.

Your success rate depends on whether you can make it clear that:

  • You value their opinion 
  • You want to get to know them

But if you send a 2-page message all about you and why you would be a great fit for their company, you will only show them that you’re a needy waste of their valuable time.

3. Always add value before asking for something.

Setting up a face-to-face meeting is very valuable.

It may take more effort than a digital interaction, but it’s completely worth it.

However, if you want to set up a face-to-face interview with a cold contact, there is something you will need first…

Rapport.

That means you need to add value before you request the meeting.

Adding value can be as simple as congratulating them on a new position, complimenting an article they wrote, or sharing your enthusiasm about something their company is doing.

For example, you could write:

Hi [Name],

I just read your article [article title], and I really enjoyed it. In particular, [idea or concept from article] is intriguing, and it made me think about [another idea].

I was wondering if you have any further reading recommendations?

Thank you!

[Your name]

This message serves as your first value-add.

Based on how they respond, you can usually continue the conversation by chatting about the reading recommendations they made. 

Alternatively, you can find another subject you have in common with them.

After a couple of messages, it is acceptable to ask to set up an in-person meeting.

An example script is below:

Hi [Name],

I hope you are well.

I enjoyed your reading recommendations and your insight into [topic].  I would love to learn more about [person’s company/position], and I just think it would be so valuable to hear your thoughts… 

Do you have time to meet up for a 15-minute coffee next week?

Thank you!

[Your Name]

In general, people enjoy getting to talk about their experiences, so many people will be willing to chat with you.

But if you don’t ask, you’ll never know…

4. Send short messages (<100 words) to show that you respect the other person’s time.

Another way to set up informational interviews?

You can reach out to people you have found on LinkedIn.

(Make sure your LinkedIn profile is top-notch BEFORE you reach out for informational interviews.)

Search for people who are already in the positions you want and/or work at companies that interest you.

Focus on people who have been in their current position for fewer than 2 years – these contacts are typically more willing to share their experience.

Target other PhDs who have recently transitioned because they know what it feels like to leave academia for industry.

Once you have found someone you’d like to reach out to, send them a short message with a simple request.

It must be emphasized again…

Since you do not know this new contact, your message should be very short.

This indicates that you value their time.

In your message, focus on your interest in them and their role.

Make your request as easy for them as possible.

For example:

Hi [Name],

I came across your profile on LinkedIn while searching for info on [position/company]. I’d like to learn more about [position/company], and I would highly value your opinion. 

Do you have time for a brief 5-minute chat?

Thank you!

[Your Name]

P.S. [Insert a compliment like: “I love your LinkedIn profile banner!”]

5. Reinforce that you respect their time – give a time frame for the interview and stick to it.

While people do enjoy talking about themselves and sharing their stories, they don’t want someone to monopolize their time. 

Your message needs to make it obvious that you understand this.

Be specific about:

  • Whether you want to talk in person or on the phone
  • How long you want to talk.
  • What you hope to learn

You can even mention that you just have a couple of questions to ask them about their role.

For example:

Hi [Name],

I really enjoyed the article you posted in [insert LinkedIn group] about [topic]. I’d love to learn more about [topic], and I’d value hearing your perspective. Do you have time for a brief 5-minute phone conversation where I can ask you a couple of questions about [idea/position/company]?

Thank you!

[Your Name]

P.S. I am also a member of [a different LinkedIn group] where people often post insightful articles about [topic]. I thought you might want to check it out [insert link].

When you have the actual conversation, it’s important to keep your promise and stick to the time frame mentioned in the message.

Don’t ask someone to chat for 5-10 minutes just to take advantage of them for half an hour.

Instead, be polite, respectful, and genuinely interested in what the other person has to say.

Sometimes, the other person will willingly extend the conversation – that’s okay.

But you should still remark on the end of the agreed-upon time limit.

For example, you can thank them for their time and the insights they have given you. 

If they offer to chat a bit longer, great. 

Otherwise, it’s time to leave.

And no matter what happens, you should ALWAYS thank them for their time at the end of the interview.

So in summary, PhDs must follow these golden rules for successful informational interviews: reach out to people you or your friends already know; never introduce yourself by saying, Hi, I’m a PhD interested in XYZ; always add value before asking for something; send short messages (<100 words) to show that you respect the other person’s time; and reinforce that you respect their time – give a time frame for the interview and stick to it. Don’t make the same mistakes I did or your informational interview will be a failure. If you take the necessary steps outlined in this article, you’ll do just fine.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

Book a Transition Call
Get Free Job Search Content Weekly

ABOUT ADITYA SHARMA, PHD

Aditya Sharma, PhD, earned his advanced degree at the University of Toronto, Canada. Now, he combines his passion for all things STEM with keen business acumen, and he works as a scientific consultant at a top Canadian consulting firm.

Aditya Sharma, PhD

Here's What Others Are Saying

"One thing I feel I did great was joining the association as a Diamond member. Modules and Classes helped me to prepare ahead of the search- to do and to go right. The other useful thing was the accountability forum....your classes and modules really helped me to believe in myself and have confidence in myself. I value myself as a PhD. I gave a shot for a senior scientist position, and got one!"

Nabina Paudyal

Nabina Paudyal

Senior Computational Scientist

at Colossal Biosciences

"Hi Isaiah, I hope you are good....I did receive and accept a job offer!"

Debadrita Pal

Debadrita Pal

Scientist

at Sanofi

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Device and Date Scientist at Intel Corporation!"

Darpan Verma

Darpan Verma

Device & Data Scientist

at Intel Corporation

"I have been quiet here for a while but happy to finally share that I've transitioned! It was a long and challenging journey towards transition, being at another full-time job plus being a toddler mom, but I am so thankful I found this supportive community that has helped me and motivated me throughout."

Shobana Sekar

Shobana Sekar

Senior Bioinformatics Scientist

at Roche

"Hi Isaiah - I have news to share! I applied for a position on Monday night. I had an interview Tuesday and was just offered the position! (Wednesday). I can't believe it! All the hard work. The LinkedIn Messages. The resume building All your keys. I countered 5k more than they offered and they accepted it! I am so over the moon right now and so excited!"

Brittni Levasuar

Brittni Levasuar

"Aside from all the technical pieces, the comradery, I really had an excellent time at the symposium that I was in Florida, that was super helpful...having a community that takes a part in your wins and also helps you pick yourself up and dusts yourself off when you don't get those wins and that you're not alone."

Christine Lo Bue-Estes

Christine Lo Bue-Estes

Medical Communications

at NBA

"You will not believe it..... I got them up another 60K and they changed my title!"

Ryan Hendricks

Ryan Hendricks

Project Manager, Rapid Industry Solutions: On-Set Virtual Production

at SMPTE

"Hi Isaiah, I got hired yesterday!....Thanks for all of your encouragement provided by way of your presentations."

Beverly Brereton

Beverly Brereton

Compliance Manager

at Enel North America

"New offer - went ahead and signed contract today - - excited and thank you for the confidence booster - grateful for investing in Cheeky Scientist."

Wael Bahnan

Wael Bahnan

Senior Scientist

at Minervx ApS

"I'm excited to share that I'm starting a new position as Senior Filed Application Scientist at NanoString Technologies, Inc.!"

Alex Woychek

Alex Woychek

Senior Field Application Scientist

at NanoString Technologies, Inc.

"I am happy to share that I'm starting a new position as a Research Scientist at Cellecta, Inc.!"

Chaitali Saqcena

Chaitali Saqcena

Research Scientist

at Cellecta, Inc.

"BIG NEWS!! Lufthansa offered me the gig!!"

Marco Milesi

Marco Milesi

at Lufthansa

"I'm excited to announce that I have accepted a position as an Innovations Analyst at Cleveland Clinic. Looking forward to using my background to help commercialize healthcare innovations!"

Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas

Innovations Analyst

at Cleveland Clinic

"Thank you for your support. I greatly benefited from your DD talks on the importance of networking on LinkedIn and resume-building tips. Your team member Meera was very helpful in building my LinkedIn Profile and resume. Thank you!"

 Taranum Sultana

Taranum Sultana

Research Administration

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Scientist in Pharma Division at NeoGenomics Laboratories! After all the trainings and advice I could get a 25% increase in my salary! So I’m very happy for that."

Maribel Donoso

Maribel Donoso

Scientist in Pharma Division

at NeoGenomics Laboratories

Similar Articles

5 Interview Questions PhDs Always Get (and 5 Questions They Should Ask Employers)

5 Interview Questions PhDs Always Get (and 5 Questions They Should Ask Employers)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

By the time I started my industry job search, I was desperate. I was nearing the end of my PhD and my proverbial plate had never felt so full. Between final experiments, last drafts, and defense presentations, I had dedicated virtually no time to my job search. The little effort and time I was able put into it felt very arbitrary and unfocused I wasn’t even sure what job I wanted. All I knew was that I needed a job – and fast. Needless to say, when I finally did find myself seated in front of a hiring manager, I…

Why Hiring Managers Often See PhDs As Desperate (& How To Avoid It)

Why Hiring Managers Often See PhDs As Desperate (& How To Avoid It)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Recently, I spoke with an absolutely brilliant physicist. She had a decade of groundbreaking research under her belt, was well-respected and well-known in academia, and she was ready to make the move to an industry career.  And she was stumped.  She couldn’t understand why her job applications had been hitting a brick wall for the last few months. Despite her impressive credentials and numerous publications, she hadn’t received a single interview invitation in months.  The worst part? She’d already stepped away from the research and teaching that had been sustaining her financially.  When she doubled back, thinking maybe it just…

How PhDs Can Avoid The Overqualified Label To Get Hired

How PhDs Can Avoid The Overqualified Label To Get Hired

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“We regret to inform you that we will not be moving forward with your application due to concerns that your qualifications exceed those required for the role.  We feel it would not be a good fit. Thank you for applying.”  Oof, that’s part of a rejection email a PhD sent me. An employer had sent it to them after the first interview.  Another PhD told me this recently… “I feel like I’m both overqualified and underqualified for the jobs I apply to Isaiah.”  Which do you feel is more of a problem for you? I asked.  “At first I thought…

How To Answer “Why Are You Leaving Academia?” (& 4 Scientific Ways To Convince Employers To Hire You) 

How To Answer “Why Are You Leaving Academia?” (& 4 Scientific Ways To Convince Employers To Hire You) 

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“‘Why do you want to work here more than anywhere else? And why are you leaving academia?’ Those are the questions I got stuck on, Isaiah.  I told them why I liked their company, mainly because it was aligned with my values, but I also wanted to be fair and ethical so I told them that I was considering other companies. Then I explained that academia was no longer a good fit because I wanted to do more than write grants all day.”  “Okay, I replied, anything else? What did you say after that?” “I asked them a few clarifying…

Should You Apply To More Than One Job At A Company? (& 3 Other Tough Job Search Questions Answered)

Should You Apply To More Than One Job At A Company? (& 3 Other Tough Job Search Questions Answered)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Isaiah, I applied to ThermoFisher two weeks ago and a hiring manager got in touch with me and I had my first interview…. But then a second hiring manager reached out to me about another job I applied to there.  I started talking to this second manager and they asked if I applied to any other positions there.  I couldn’t lie so I told them about the other job and the other hiring manager.  Now, neither of the hiring managers will get back to me.  What should I do?”  This is what a PhD told me over the phone last…

How LinkedIn Ranks Job Seekers With PhDs, EdDs & Other Degrees

How LinkedIn Ranks Job Seekers With PhDs, EdDs & Other Degrees

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Be real Isaiah, there’s not a government bureau keeping track of how our resumes perform.”  This is what a frustrated job seeker said to me recently.  “What do you mean I have a reputation score?” they asked.  “Of course there’s not a bureau dedicated to this, at least not yet” I said.  “But you absolutely are being scored and ranked” I went on, “and your ranking is used to indicate how reputable you are as a job seeker.”  This is what I’ve explained to countless people looking for a job in today’s job market, most of whom were getting initial…

How The Academic PhD Job Market Was Destroyed

How The Academic PhD Job Market Was Destroyed

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“I spent over a year looking for a job in academia and flew to multiple interviews. I didn’t get one offer.” A PhD told me this recently and many other PhDs have told me similar stories.  Of course, the stories involve more than just looking for a job for a year.  They involve living on a meager academic budget, trying to support themselves and their families, often in very expensive cities where many of the biggest universities are located.  They involve decisions to never go on a vacation, to feed their kids cheaper, less healthy food, and to work all…

Give Yourself The Gift Of Leaving Academia Forever

Give Yourself The Gift Of Leaving Academia Forever

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

My last year in academia, I didn’t have enough money to fly home for Christmas. So I spent it in Iowa City, mostly alone.  I was broke (of course) so I decided to shovel snow out of driveways for $10 per driveway. I remember thinking how ridiculous it was to be a PhD shoveling snow for money. “What I wouldn’t give to have a better job”, I thought.  That was the gift I wanted for Christmas and the holidays.  A better job.  Not to be a student or a postdoc or an academic PhD getting paid less than I was…

The Ideal Keyword Density For Targeting Your PhD Resume To An Industry Job Posting

The Ideal Keyword Density For Targeting Your PhD Resume To An Industry Job Posting

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Writing a resume for an industry job is one of the biggest sticking points I see with PhDs entering the job market.  What worked even a year ago is not working today due to recent and rapidly accelerating advances in Applicant Tracking Systems.  These systems, called ATS or just AI today, are software tools used by companies to filter resumes.  They scan for specific keywords related to the job role, abilities, credentials, and qualities desired in a candidate.  As a PhD seeking very competitive roles, including relevant keywords in your resume is essential to pass through these systems and get…

Our Members Get Hired At Top Industry Companies

Top Industry Career eBooks

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD & Arunodoy Sur, PhD

Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.

AI & ATS Resume Filters

AI & ATS Resume Filters

Isaiah Hankel

In today's competitive job market, understanding the impact of AI is crucial for career success. This involves ensuring your resume stands out in the digital realm, mastering your online presence, and being aware of how AI assigns reputation scores. Discovering how to leverage AI to your advantage is essential, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping professional opportunities.

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel

The LinkedIn tips & strategies within have helped PhDs from every background get hired into top industry careers.