5 Steps to Follow Up After Informational Interviews
Learn the essential steps for following up after informational interviews to build lasting professional connections and enhance your networking skills.
Following up after an informational interview is crucial for building strong professional connections. Here's a quick guide to get started:
- Step 1: Send a thank-you email within 24 hours. Keep it personal, concise, and professional.
- Step 2: Follow up 1–2 weeks later. Share updates, industry news, or how you’ve applied their advice using the '3 I's' - Interest, Introduction, and Industry News.
- Step 3: Use LinkedIn to stay connected. Engage with their posts and send meaningful messages every few weeks.
- Step 4: Build the relationship over time. Share career updates, ask for feedback, and offer value in return.
- Step 5: Look for collaboration opportunities. Suggest specific ways to work together once trust is established.
These steps help turn a single conversation into a lasting professional relationship. Consistency and meaningful interactions are key.
Step 1: Send a Thank-You Email Within 24 Hours
Make It Personal
Show that you genuinely valued the conversation by referencing specific points from your meeting. For example, if they shared advice about industry trends or career paths, mention how helpful their insights were and how you plan to use their suggestions. Focus on the parts of the discussion that stood out to you the most - this will make your message feel sincere and memorable.
A well-thought-out, personal thank-you email can lay the groundwork for a strong professional relationship and show that you value meaningful connections.
Keep It Brief and Professional
Your email should be concise yet impactful. Include these key elements:
- Subject line: "Thank You - Informational Interview [Date]"
- Acknowledge their time and insights with gratitude
- Highlight 1-2 key points you found particularly helpful
- Confirm any agreed-upon steps or follow-ups
- End with a professional closing, including your contact information and LinkedIn profile
It's a good idea to reply to the original email thread to keep everything organized [2].
Once you've expressed your thanks, the next step is to stay in touch and build on the connection.
How to EFFECTIVELY Follow Up After an Informational Interview
Step 2: Follow Up Again to Stay Connected
Keeping in touch consistently is key to building a strong professional relationship. A good time to send a second follow-up email is about 1–2 weeks after your informational interview [1].
Make Your Follow-Up Worthwhile
In your second follow-up, focus on offering something valuable. Share an interesting article, let them know how you’ve implemented their advice, or pass along relevant industry updates. For example, if they mentioned struggles with managing remote teams, you could send them a recent case study that tackles this challenge. This not only shows initiative but also deepens the connection you’ve started.
The '3 I's' Framework
The '3 I's' - Interest, Introduction, and Industry News - can guide you in creating thoughtful follow-ups [1]. Here's how it works:
- Interest: Share how their advice has influenced your actions or decisions.
- Introduction: Offer to introduce them to someone in your network who might be helpful.
- Industry News: Forward updates or insights that align with their professional interests.
"Having a strategy for follow-up is the most important piece of the informational interviewing process." - Stephanie Brown, author of Fired: Why Losing Your Job Is the Best Thing That Can Happen to You [1]
Keep your email short and professional, using the '3 I's' to show genuine interest and dedication to maintaining the relationship.
Once you've built this momentum, you can think about connecting through other channels to strengthen your network further.
Step 3: Use Different Platforms to Stay in Touch
Building connections through multiple platforms helps you maintain a deeper, long-term relationship. While email is still a key tool, platforms like LinkedIn offer additional ways to stay engaged and visible.
Connect on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a great way to keep up with someone’s professional updates and maintain regular interaction. When sending a connection request, make it personal - reference something specific they’ve shared, explain how their advice has helped you, and thank them for their time [2].
Once connected, stay active by engaging with their posts. Like, comment, or share their updates to show genuine interest without overstepping professional boundaries. This keeps you visible in a meaningful way.
Follow Up Thoughtfully
Regular interaction is key, but don’t overdo it. Start with biweekly messages and adjust based on how they respond [1]. Use LinkedIn’s features to make your follow-ups more impactful:
- Engage with their posts weekly by liking or leaving thoughtful comments.
- Every 2-3 weeks, send direct messages with relevant industry insights.
- Once a quarter, share updates on how you’ve applied their advice.
When reaching out, focus on quality. Each message should offer something meaningful - whether it’s a useful resource, a shared professional interest, or participation in a group discussion. Respect their time and keep your communication purposeful.
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Step 4: Build the Relationship Over Time
Once you've made initial contact through platforms like LinkedIn, focus on strengthening the connection through consistent and meaningful interactions. Building a solid professional relationship takes time and effort, but it can be incredibly rewarding.
Share Updates and Request Feedback
Every few months (around 2-3), share updates about your career progress. Highlight specific achievements, certifications, or new responsibilities that show how their advice has helped you grow professionally. For example, if they suggested focusing on a particular skill, mention how you've applied it and the results you've achieved [1]. This not only keeps them in the loop but also shows you value their guidance.
When asking for feedback, be specific and tie it back to earlier conversations. Reach out quarterly or twice a year to get their input on areas like career direction, skills to improve, or trends in your industry [1][3]. For instance, you might say, "Your advice about project management was incredibly helpful. Since then, I’ve led two cross-functional teams and received great feedback. Do you have any suggestions on how I can further develop in this area?"
Offer Value in Return
Relationships are a two-way street. Share articles or insights that might interest them, introduce them to someone in your network who could be helpful, or offer support with their projects or initiatives [1]. This kind of reciprocity helps transform a one-time conversation into an ongoing connection.
As the relationship deepens, you can begin exploring opportunities to collaborate or work together, which we’ll cover in the next step.
Step 5: Look for Ways to Work Together
Once you've built a strong connection through consistent communication and meaningful exchanges, it's time to think about how you can collaborate. Working together can deepen professional relationships and open doors to partnerships that work well for both sides.
Offer Help Where It Counts
Pinpoint specific ways to assist based on what came up during your earlier conversations. Avoid vague offers like, "Let me know how I can help." Instead, suggest clear, actionable steps. For example, if they mentioned struggling with team productivity, you could recommend a tool or strategy that has worked for you in similar situations. Use the '3 I's' framework (introduced earlier) to keep your suggestions focused and relevant [1].
For example, instead of saying, "I’d love to help with remote work challenges", try: "I noticed you're focusing on remote team engagement. I recently rolled out a virtual team-building program that worked well. I'd be happy to share what we did and the results we saw."
Explore Collaboration Opportunities
Timing matters. Wait until you've built trust and fully understand their needs before suggesting specific ways to collaborate [1][3]. Here are a few ideas for potential collaborations:
| Collaboration Type | What It Involves |
|---|---|
| Content Creation | Co-authoring articles or reports to showcase shared expertise |
| Project Participation | Offering your skills or resources for ongoing initiatives |
| Knowledge Sharing | Hosting workshops or presentations on topics of mutual interest |
| Mentorship | Providing structured guidance based on shared goals |
When pitching a collaboration, focus on how your skills or experience can help them achieve their goals. At the same time, emphasize the mutual benefits, such as shared learning. Be clear about what you're proposing and mindful of their schedule [1][2].
If they're not ready to collaborate now, stay in touch. Keep sharing helpful updates or ideas to maintain the connection and leave the door open for future opportunities [1][3]. Every collaboration strengthens your relationship and could lead to more opportunities down the line.
Conclusion: Steps to Build Strong Professional Relationships
After identifying collaboration opportunities, the next step is ensuring long-term success by focusing on relationship building. This takes effort, sincerity, and a well-thought-out approach. The goal is to form genuine connections that are mutually beneficial.
Strong professional relationships go beyond a simple thank-you note. As career expert Thea Kelley puts it:
"Turn informational interviews into lasting relationships."
Consistency and providing value are critical to successful networking. Career expert Jim Peacock highlights this idea:
"People will hire you when they know, like, and trust you" [2].
Reliability and follow-through are equally important. Jo O'Neil warns:
"If you don't honour the follow ups you say you'll make at an event, it can actually negatively impact your perceived credibility" [1].
To build trust, focus on meaningful interactions. Share industry insights, offer help, or stay in touch regularly. Career expert Asal Mirsalimi offers a realistic reminder:
"You are not going to become new best friends with every person you have one of these conversations with" [2].
The goal isn't to collect as many contacts as possible but to nurture relationships that grow naturally. Consistency and genuine value are what turn casual connections into lasting professional bonds.
Optional: How Scale.jobs Can Simplify Your Job Search
Balancing job applications with networking and follow-ups can be tough. That’s where Scale.jobs steps in to make things easier.
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Scale.jobs offers virtual assistants who take care of your job applications. They craft personalized resumes and cover letters that highlight your qualifications while keeping everything polished and professional. This ensures every application you send out is consistent and high-quality.
How Scale.jobs Helps You Focus on Networking
With Scale.jobs handling the time-consuming application process, you can dedicate more energy to networking and relationship-building. Instead of getting bogged down with paperwork, you can focus on:
- Staying in touch after informational interviews
- Building and maintaining professional connections
- Preparing thoroughly for interviews
- Attending events to expand your network
