Informational interviews are one of the most underrated tools in career development. Someone just gave you their time, their insights, and possibly a glimpse into your future career path. The least you can do is send a killer thank you email.
But most people either skip it entirely or send something so generic it barely registers. Let's fix that.
Why the Thank You Email Matters So Much
An informational interview isn't a job interview, but the follow-up matters just as much. Maybe more.
The person you spoke with did you a favor. They carved time out of their day to help a relative stranger. A thoughtful thank you email shows you respect that. It also keeps the door open for future conversations, introductions, and yes, potential job opportunities.
People want to help people who appreciate them. A great thank you email makes the other person feel good about the time they invested in you. And that means they're more likely to think of you when they hear about an opening or when someone asks, "Do you know anyone who's looking?"
When to Send It
Send your thank you email within 24 hours of the conversation. Same day is even better.
The conversation is still fresh in both your minds. Your enthusiasm feels genuine, not obligatory. And it shows that you're responsive and professional. All good things.
If you wait a week, it feels like an afterthought. Don't let that happen.
What to Include in Your Thank You Email
A great thank you email after an informational interview has five elements:
1. A Genuine Thank You
Start simple. Thank them for their time. But don't be generic about it. Reference something specific about the conversation that you appreciated.
"Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today" is fine. But "Thank you for being so open about your transition from marketing to product management" is much better.
2. A Specific Takeaway
Mention one or two things you learned that were particularly valuable. This proves you were actually listening, not just going through the motions.
Maybe they shared a piece of advice that shifted your perspective. Maybe they described a career path you hadn't considered. Maybe they recommended a resource you're excited to explore. Call it out.
3. Any Follow-Through Items
Did they recommend a book, a podcast, a tool, or a person to connect with? Mention that you plan to follow up on it. This shows you're taking their advice seriously.
If they offered to make an introduction, gently remind them: "I'd love to connect with [person they mentioned] whenever you get a chance to make the introduction."
4. An Offer to Reciprocate
Even if you feel like the junior person in the conversation, offer something in return. Maybe you can share a relevant article, connect them with someone in your network, or help with a project.
"If there's ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask" is a nice touch. It shifts the dynamic from one-sided to mutual.
5. An Open Door
End by expressing interest in staying connected. Don't be pushy about it. Just a warm statement that you'd love to keep the conversation going over time.
A Thank You Email Template
Here's a template you can adapt to your own style:
Subject: Thank you for the great conversation
*Hi [Name],*
*Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today. I really appreciate your generosity in sharing your experience, especially your insights on [specific topic you discussed].*
*Your advice about [specific piece of advice] really resonated with me. I'm planning to [action you'll take based on their advice, like reading a book they recommended or exploring a career path they described].*
*I'd also love to connect with [person they mentioned] if you get a chance to make that introduction. No rush at all.*
*If there's ever anything I can do to return the favor, please let me know. I'd love to stay in touch as I continue exploring this path.*
*Thanks again,*
*[Your name]*
Short, specific, and warm. That's the formula.
Mistakes to Avoid
Being too generic. "Thanks for your time, it was great talking to you" could apply to any conversation with any person. Make it personal.
Asking for a job. The informational interview was about learning, not about getting hired. Don't use the thank you email to pivot into "by the way, are you hiring?" That undermines the entire purpose of the conversation.
Writing a novel. Your thank you email should be 5-8 sentences max. They already gave you their time. Don't ask for more of it by making them read 500 words.
Forgetting to send one at all. This is the biggest mistake. You'd be surprised how many people skip this step. Stand out by being the person who actually follows through.
Waiting too long. A thank you email sent a week later feels hollow. Get it done the same day.
After the Thank You: Staying Connected
The thank you email is just the beginning. The real value of an informational interview comes from the ongoing relationship.
Here are some ways to stay on their radar without being annoying:
Connect on LinkedIn if you haven't already. Send a personalized connection request referencing your conversation.
Share relevant content. If you come across an article, report, or event related to something you discussed, send it their way with a brief note.
Update them on your progress. A few months later, send a quick email letting them know how things are going. "I took your advice about X and here's what happened" is the kind of message people love to receive.
Attend the same events. If they mentioned a conference, meetup, or online community they're part of, consider joining too. Want more ideas on this? Check out our guide on following up after networking events.
The goal is to turn a one-time conversation into a long-term connection. People who do this well build incredible professional networks over time.
What if the Conversation Didn't Go Well?
Sometimes informational interviews are awkward. Maybe the person was distracted, or the conversation didn't flow, or you didn't learn as much as you'd hoped.
Send the thank you email anyway. You never know what impression you made. And even a mediocre conversation is still a connection worth maintaining. People have off days. The relationship might become valuable later in ways you can't predict right now.
The Ripple Effect
Here's what most people don't realize: every informational interview creates ripples. The person you spoke with talks to other people. They mention conversations they've had. If you left a good impression and sent a great thank you email, your name might come up in contexts you never expected.
That's the real power of informational interviews. Not just the conversation itself, but everything that happens because of it. And it all starts with a simple, thoughtful thank you email.
Don't skip it.