If you have trouble finding a target or cannot locate the necessary contact information to reach out directly, consider calling the company and asking to speak with your target or to be put in touch with someone you could interview for your project. If you decide to make the phone call, be prepared to have your call transferred to the person you are seeking and/or to leave a message for this individual.

A sample phone conversation could go something like this:

Again, you may be transferred to the person directly, so you should be prepared to ask for the interview at this time. The person may want you to ask them the questions while they are on the phone, so you should be prepared for this also, but remember it is always preferable to conduct your interview in person to have the best chance of creating a lasting personal connection. Saying something like, “I feel the interview would be more valuable in person, can we schedule a time to meet in person?” This will not only give you extra time to prepare for the interview but will increase the likelihood that the person will meet with you face-to-face. Practice numerous scenarios before making the phone call so you are prepared for all possibilities.

Once you have the email address of your target, or you have located them through LinkedIn’s messaging, you are ready to reach out to them and ask for the interview. Here are a few key details to remember when asking for the interview:

1. Tell your target the reason for the interview. Most professionals want to help students, so letting them know this is for a class assignment will open doors for you. In fact, I encourage students who choose to conduct additional informational interviews to say it is for a class assignment, even if it isn’t.
2. Remind your target of the connection you have. If you met your target in person, refer to the meeting. If you haven’t met them, mention any other connection that you have with them.
3. Tell your target how long you think the interview will last. Ask for a reasonable amount of time, such as 15-20 minutes. Once the interview is in progress, if things are going well, it may last longer, but 15-20 minutes is a reasonable ask and it won’t require your target to lose a significant amount of valuable time.
4. Ask for an in-person interview and offer to travel to them. Remember, this person is helping you so make it as easy as possible for them. Additionally, an in-person interview will not only increase your chances of creating a lasting personal connection, meeting your target at their office enables you to see their work environment, possibility get a tour of the facility, and/or have the opportunity to meet other people who work there who could also be valuable future connections.
5. Provide a clear time frame for when you would like to conduct the interview. Be sure to let your target know that you would like to conduct this interview within the next week or two. It is important to set a time frame because without a deadline, this may be seen as not time sensitive and has the potential to get pushed down the professional’s time sensitive to-do list.

Sample Email/LinkedIn Message

If You Don’t Hear Back

If you haven’t heard back from your target in three or four days, it is appropriate to reach out again via email or LinkedIn messaging to follow-up. Keep your message short and convey that you are still interested in meeting with them.

Sample Follow-Up Email or LinkedIn Message

If you still don’t hear anything after a few additional days, reach out to few more people on your list. Keep trying. It may take a bit, but even one interview can be life changing.