[FAQ]

Hi,

I’m in the process of trying to change careers, and I’d love to learn from people already in the industry. I’m finding it really awkward to write the cold message on LinkedIn to ask for an informational interview, especially when I don’t know the person.

I don’t want to come across as pushy or like I’m secretly just asking for a job. I’m worried my messages are coming across as spammy or too demanding.

Does anyone have a good, respectful template or a few key points on what to say in that first message to get a good response? I really want to be respectful of their time. Cheers.

[Jeff Bullas]

That’s a skill that’s crucial to get right.

Quick Answer: You ask by sending a highly personalised, concise text message that shows you’ve done your research, clearly states you’re seeking advice and not a job, and makes the request extremely easy to fulfil.

The message you send is a critical piece of text-based content, and its quality will determine your success.

The most harmful practice is to send a generic, copy-pasted text message; this is spam and will be ignored. First, your opening line must prove you’ve done your research. Reference a specific piece of their content, like a video they posted or an article they wrote, and explain why you found it insightful. Second, your text must be explicit that you are asking for advice only. You must clearly state that you admire their career path and are looking for ‘your perspective’ or ‘your insights’, not ‘an opportunity’ or ‘a job’. Third, you must make the call-to-action as low-friction as possible. Do not ask them to ‘book a time on your calendar’; ask for ’15 minutes of their time at their convenience’ to show you respect their schedule.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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