Examples of how to keep the connection going
Following up after an informational interview is an important step to maintain the connection and continue to build the professional relationship. Here are some tips on how to follow up after an informational interview.
If you haven't already, send a LinkedIn request to the person you spoke with. This allows you to stay connected and potentially see updates on their career or industry.
- Hi [Interviewee’s Name], It was great speaking with you about your work in [Industry/Field]. Thank you again for your time and insights. I’d love to stay connected on LinkedIn so we can continue to exchange ideas and insights in the future. Best regards, [Your Name]
- Hi [Interviewee’s Name], It was great connecting with you and learning more about your work in [related field]. I’d love to stay in touch and follow any updates or news related to your work. Would you be open to connecting on LinkedIn? Thanks again for your time, [Your Name]
If you come across an article, book, or resource that relates to the conversation you had during the informational interview, share it with the person you spoke with. This shows that you are still interested and engaged in the field and can help maintain the connection.
- Hi [Interviewee’s Name], I just came across this article on [topic related to their work] and thought it might be of interest to you. Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me about your work in [Industry/Field]. I hope we can stay in touch and continue to exchange ideas and insights. Best regards, [Your Name]
- Dear [Interviewee’s Name], I came across this article on [topic] and thought you might find it interesting given our conversation about [related topic]. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it! Thanks again for taking the time to chat with me. Hope you are well, [Your Name]
- Dear [Interviewee’s Name], I came across this article/resource and thought you might find it interesting. It reminded me of our conversation about [topic]. I hope you find it helpful! Best, [Your Name]
If you end up pursuing a job or internship opportunity in the field or industry, keep the person you spoke with updated on your progress. They may be able to provide additional insights or advice that could be helpful. Let them know that you followed up on their advice and the outcome or if you learned something new about a topic you discussed.
- Dear [ Interviewee’s Name], I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the time you spent speaking with me during our recent informational interview. I appreciated the insights and advice you shared with me about the [industry/field]. I wanted to let you know that I followed up on some of the suggestions you made and have made some progress in pursuing [job/internship opportunity]. I wanted to share this with you and express my gratitude for your help and guidance in this process. Additionally, I was wondering if you had any further advice or insights as I continue to pursue opportunities in the [industry/field]. Your expertise and experience would be invaluable in this process, and I would appreciate any additional insights you might be willing to share. Thank you again for your time and generosity. I look forward to keeping in touch. Best regards, [Your Name]
- Hi [Interviewee’s Name], I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to speak with me during our informational interview. I wanted to let you know that I've been pursuing opportunities in the [industry/field], and I followed up on some of the advice you gave me. Thanks for your help and guidance. Best, [Your Name]
- Dear [Interviewee’s Name], I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the time you spent speaking with me during our recent informational interview. Your insights and advice have been invaluable as I continue to pursue opportunities in the [industry/field]. I wanted to let you know that I followed up on your suggestions and have made some progress in learning about [topic] by [strategies]. I'm excited to continue exploring this field and wanted to keep you updated on my progress. Thank you again for your help and guidance, and I hope we can continue to keep in touch as I pursue my career goals. Best regards, [Your Name]
Depending on the relationship and situation, it may be appropriate to follow up periodically with the person you spoke with to check in and see how things are going. This can help maintain the connection and potentially lead to future opportunities.
- Hi [Interviewee’s Name], I hope you’re doing well! I just wanted to follow up and see how things are going with [related project/assignment]. I’d love to hear any updates you might have. Best, [Your Name]
If the person you spoke with mentioned any colleagues or connections in the field or industry, consider asking for a referral or introduction. This can help expand your network and potentially lead to more opportunities.
- Hey [Interviewee’s Name], It was great to talk with you the other day. If you feel comfortable doing so, could you introduce me to [colleague/connection's name] you mentioned during our chat? I think they could be a valuable connection for me in [industry/field]. Thanks, [Your Name]
- Dear [Interviewee’s Name], Thank you for taking the time to speak with me during our recent informational interview. I enjoyed hearing about your experiences and learning more about the [industry/field]. I appreciated when you mentioned [colleague/connection's name] during our conversation. I would be very grateful if you could introduce me to them or refer me for any opportunities they may know of. I believe that building my network and connecting with others in the industry can be instrumental in my career growth. Again, thank you for your time and expertise. I hope we can continue to keep in touch. Best regards, [Your Name]
If there is anything you can do to be of assistance to the person you spoke with, such as connecting them with someone in your network or offering to help with a project, don't hesitate to offer your assistance. This shows that you are invested in the relationship and interested in giving back.
- Dear [Interviewee’s Name], It was a pleasure speaking with you during our informational interview. Your insights and experiences provided me with valuable insights into your industry and career path. I wanted to take a moment to offer my assistance in any way that I can. If there are any projects or initiatives that you're working on that could benefit from my skills or expertise, I would be more than happy to assist. Additionally, if there is anyone in my network that you would like to connect with, please let me know and I will do my best to make introductions. Thank you again for your time and willingness to share your knowledge with me. If there is anything I can do to reciprocate your generosity, please don't hesitate to reach out. Best regards, [Your Name]
- Dear [Interviewee’s Name], Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me during our informational interview. Your insights and experiences were incredibly valuable, and I learned a lot from our conversation. I wanted to follow up with you and offer my assistance in any way that I can. If there is anything you need help with, such as connecting with someone in my network or assisting with a project, please don't hesitate to let me know. I would be more than happy to help in any way that I can. Again, thank you for your time and expertise. I look forward to keeping in touch and hopefully collaborating in the future. Best regards, [Your Name]
- Hey [Interviewee’s Name], Thanks for chatting with me the other day. If you need any help with anything, just let me know. I'd be happy to assist in ways that I can! Take care, [Your Name]
If there are any upcoming industry events or conferences, consider attending and letting the person you spoke with know. This can help you stay connected and potentially lead to more networking opportunities.
- Dear [Interviewee’s Name], I saw that you’re speaking at [name of event or conference] next month and I plan on attending. I would love the opportunity to meet up with you and continue our conversation about [Industry/Field]. Let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in. Best regards, [Your Name]
Depending on the relationship and situation, it may be appropriate to schedule a follow-up meeting or call with the person you spoke with to continue the conversation and discuss any new developments or insights.
- Hi [Interviewee’s Name], Thanks again for our informative chat! I was hoping we could continue the conversation specifically about [specific topic]. Would you be available for a follow-up call or meeting? Let me know what dates and times work for you. Thanks! [Your Name]
- Hi [Interviewee’s Name], I just wanted to reach out and say thanks for the informational interview the other day. It was great chatting with you about your industry and experiences. I was wondering if you'd be open to scheduling a follow-up call or meeting? I feel like I still have a lot to learn from you, and I'd love to hear any new insights or developments you may have on the topics we discussed. Let me know if this is something you'd be up for, and we can coordinate a time that works for both of us. Thanks again for your time and knowledge! Best, [Your Name]
- Hi [Interviewee’s Name], I hope this message finds you well. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me about your experiences and insights during our informational interview. I gained a lot from our discussion and would love to continue learning from you. If you have a few minutes, would you be open to scheduling a follow-up call or meeting? I'd love to discuss any new developments or insights you've had since we last spoke. Please let me know if this would be possible and what dates/times would work for you. Thank you again for your time and knowledge. Best, [Your Name]
In addition to sending a thank-you email, consider sending a handwritten note to express your appreciation for the person's time and insights. This can make a strong impression and show that you put in extra effort to follow up.