Networking With Purpose: The Informational Interview Explained
Changing industries can feel like standing at the edge of a door that refuses to open, especially when your resume is full of accomplishments that belong to a field you are trying to leave behind. Many talented professionals assume the only way through is to apply to hundreds of online postings and hope that someone notices, yet that approach rarely works when you are trying to break into an unfamiliar space. There is a far more effective strategy that experienced career changers rely on, and it is called the informational interview.
At Bradsby Group, our recruiters have spent decades helping professionals move into new industries, and we have seen again and again that thoughtful networking opens doors that job applications alone never will.
What an Informational Interview Really Is
An informational interview is a friendly, low-pressure conversation in which you ask someone who works in your target industry to share their knowledge, their perspective, and their advice. It is not a job interview, and you are not asking the other person for employment, which is exactly what makes it so valuable and so comfortable for everyone involved.
Instead, you are seeking to understand how the industry actually operates, what skills employers genuinely care about, and how someone with your background might position themselves to make a successful transition. Because you are asking for guidance rather than a favor, most people are surprisingly willing to help, since nearly everyone enjoys talking about their own career and offering wisdom to someone who is sincerely interested.
Why This Approach Works So Well
The reason informational interviews are so powerful comes down to how hiring really happens, because a large share of professional roles are filled through relationships and referrals long before they are ever posted publicly. When you build genuine connections inside your target industry, you place yourself in front of the very people who influence those hiring decisions, and you do so in a way that feels natural rather than pushy. These conversations also help you learn the language of the industry, understand its current challenges, and identify the skills you already have that will transfer, all of which makes you a far stronger candidate when a real opportunity finally appears. Over time, a series of thoughtful conversations can turn a complete outsider into a familiar and trusted name.
How to Set Up and Run a Great Conversation
Getting started is easier than most people expect, and it begins with making a list of professionals who work in roles or companies that interest you. You can find these people through your existing network, through alumni connections, through professional associations, and through platforms like LinkedIn, where a polished and specific profile makes a strong first impression. When you reach out, keep your message short and respectful, explain that you admire their work and are exploring a move into their field, and ask for fifteen or twenty minutes of their time. During the conversation itself, come prepared with thoughtful questions about how they entered the field, what skills matter most, and what advice they would give to someone making a similar transition.
Throughout the discussion, your job is to listen far more than you speak, and to show genuine curiosity rather than steering the conversation toward asking for a job. As the meeting comes to a close, it is wise to ask whether there is anyone else they would recommend you speak with, because each new introduction expands your network and builds momentum. Afterward, always send a sincere thank-you note, and stay in touch over time by sharing relevant articles or simply updating them on your progress, which keeps the relationship warm and authentic.
How Bradsby Group Can Accelerate Your Transition
While informational interviews are a powerful tool you can use on your own, they become even more effective when you also have an experienced recruiting partner working on your behalf.
Bradsby Group has built deep relationships across energy, healthcare, construction, accounting and finance, aerospace, supply chain, and technology, which means our recruiters often know about opportunities and hiring needs long before they reach the public market. When you work with our team, you gain access to professionals who understand exactly what employers in your target industry are looking for, and who can help you translate your existing experience into language that resonates with hiring managers.
Our recruiters can guide you toward the skills worth highlighting, introduce you to companies that value your potential, and offer honest advice about how to position yourself for a successful pivot.
If you are ready to move into a new industry with confidence, combine the networking power of informational interviews with the expertise of Bradsby Group, and let us help you open the door to your next chapter.
