The informational interview process includes back and forth communication with the contact you target starting with the initial contact up to the thank you note and “stay in touch” messages.
I know firsthand how difficult it can be to come up with an introductory email and also know that with practice, writing will become easier. While you’re getting that practice, let me help you by providing a few templates for different stages of the informational interview process. Feel free to modify, tweak and make these templates your own.
Step 3: Initiate the contact and arrange the interview
Introducing Yourself to a Stranger
Hello Rashid,
I heard you speak during a PrepCan-Online Newcomer Information Centre webinar last month and I found your presentation very insightful. I have recently moved to Canada and would like to start connecting with like–minded people such as yourself. I’d love to connect with you through this channel. Thank you for considering my invitation.
Sincerely,
Lisa Chow
If the Person is Already Part of Your Network
Hello Gulam,
I hope you’re well. I’m trying to find out as much as I can about the IT field in Canada since I have recently landed here, and I thought of you. It seems to me you’ve built a successful career as a Software Architect and would appreciate any insight you are willing to share with me. Would it be possible to schedule a 15-20 minutes Skype meeting to ask you a few questions? Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Houda Neseem
If Your Contact Referred You to Someone Else
Hello Jordan,
My name is Ricardo Sanchez and I am a HR Manager currently living in Barcelona and am a newcomer to Canada. I’m interested in learning more about careers in the HR industry and Adnan Leroux suggested I contact you. Would it be possible to schedule a 20-30 minute Skype meeting to ask you a few questions about your position as Talent Acquisition Manager, and about other opportunities in the field? Thank you for considering my request, I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Ricardo Sanchez
Thank You Notes
Dear Gulam,
Thank you for taking the time to discuss your position and organization with me. It was a pleasure talking to you over Skype last night. The information you shared provided a new perspective of
IT positions in Canada and a better understanding of the requirements for positions in the Banking sector. Again, thank you for your time. I look forward to meeting you in-person.
Sincerely,
Houda Neseem
Hello Rashid,
Our phone conversation yesterday was very useful in helping me answer various questions regarding careers with healthcare organizations. Your experience and knowledge in this field are most impressive.
I want to thank you again for taking time from your busy schedule to talk to me. Your suggestions for strengthening my resume were very helpful. I will send you a copy of the revised resume next week, I appreciate your offer to take a second look at it.
Following your advice, I will contact Maryam Wooden tomorrow to obtain further information about the Healthcare bridging program. I will give her your regards.
I hope to have a chance to meet with you again. In the meantime, please let’s keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Lisa Chow
Follow-up Emails
Hello Gulam,
Happy holidays!
I want to let you know about my progress entering the IT field in Canada. I landed two weeks ago and yesterday I attended the Meetup you suggested. I learned a lot about the trends for Open Source Systems Implementation and made new connections. Perhaps I can share what I learned with you over coffee if you have some time. You might want to attend a Meetup on Alternative Data which I just learned about. Let me know if this is of interest to you so I can email you the details.
Stay well!
Regards,
Houda
Hello Rashid,
I want to share the good news with you: I just received a confirmation of acceptance to the Healthcare Bridging Program! I’m very grateful for the advice you offered me. I also subscribed to the program’s newsletter which has an interesting section on Trends. I remember you mentioned the rise of Health Apps during our last conversation and there’s an article about it. May I email you a copy of it?
Please let me know how you are and have a nice weekend.
Best regards,
Lisa
Now that you have a few templates for the different steps of the Informational Interview process, start contacting people! Remember that the key to maintaining lasting and healthy professional connections is to foster supportive interactions: share your knowledge, resources and network with others. Networking has always been the most effective way to land a job and the trends indicate that it will remain the primary resource for job searching.
