Job search
How to network and request informational interviews in Australia
Find contacts, ask for a short advice conversation, prepare questions and follow up, with a sample message and worked example.
You keep hearing that many jobs are never advertised and that you should "network", but you may not know anyone in your field in Australia, and messaging a stranger feels awkward. An informational interview gives that first contact a small, clear purpose: you are asking for advice, not for a job.
What an informational interview is
The University of Sydney's information interviewing guide describes it as talking to someone who works in a job or career area you are interested in, to get an insider's perspective. It can happen in person or over the phone. Sydney lists four benefits:
- current, first-hand knowledge of an occupation from people working in it
- learning how specific organisations operate and what they look for in an employee
- confidence in speaking with employers and practice for interviews
- industry contacts and a wider professional network
Sydney's job search guide says not all jobs are advertised, and calls networking a key strategy for the hidden job market. It also advises people from another culture or country to learn the culturally acceptable ways of networking in Australia, by observing others or finding a mentor who can give feedback.
Who to approach
Sydney suggests looking for people a few years ahead of you in their career.
| Where to look | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Tutors, colleagues, friends and family | Ask whether they know anyone in your field and would introduce you |
| Professional associations | Sydney suggests becoming a student member and approaching other members |
| LinkedIn and company websites | Search for people in the role or organisation you want to learn about |
| Chambers of commerce | Sydney lists these alongside associations as a source of contacts |
| Careers fairs, employer presentations and campus events | Talk to people there, then follow up with a personalised connection request |
| Alumni networks | Sydney points graduates to its alumni networks |
| Clubs and community groups | Study Australia suggests telling friends, peers and community groups that you are looking for work, and what type |
Study Australia's guide to finding work while you study also suggests job noticeboards and alumni groups at your place of study.
How to ask
Sydney says you can contact a possible interviewee by email or phone. Tell them who referred you, or briefly explain how you found their details. Be clear about the purpose, and make it plain that you are only asking for information and advice.
On LinkedIn, RMIT's online networking tips recommend sending a personalised connection request that explains why you want to connect, and being honest if you want advice about a new role. Sydney warns against copy-and-paste messages asking for jobs. Before you send anything, make sure your profile is ready to be checked; our LinkedIn profile guide covers the headline and About section.
As general advice, ask for a short conversation, offer to fit around their schedule, and make it easy to say no. A short message might read:
Hi Sam, I'm a Master of Public Health student at a university in Adelaide. I saw your post about the community nutrition program you run. I'm hoping to move into health promotion and would value 20 minutes of your advice on how people get started in the field. I'm not asking about jobs. Happy to fit around your week, by phone or video.
The name and details in that message are fictional.
What to ask
Sydney recommends preparing well-thought-out, open-ended questions in advance, and researching the organisation and the person first so your questions are relevant. Its examples cover four areas:
| Purpose | Example questions from Sydney's list |
|---|---|
| Their path | How did you get into this career? What do you wish you had known as a student or new graduate? |
| The work | What would be involved in a typical day? What are the best and worst aspects of your work? |
| The organisation | What is the workplace culture like in your company? |
| Getting in | What are the typical entry-level jobs in this field? Is there a particular type of experience I should gain while studying? What advice would you have for a new graduate? |
Sydney's list ends with "(If appropriate) Could we keep in touch/connect on LinkedIn?" Asking whether there is anyone else you should speak to is a natural extension if the conversation has gone well.
How to follow up
Sydney gives four steps after the conversation:
- Send a thank-you email, ideally the same day.
- Record any useful information you received.
- Follow up promptly on anything they suggested, such as contacting a colleague or sending your resume.
- When you find a job, consider letting them know and thanking them again.
Its job search guide adds that you could share an article that may interest the other person as a way of saying thanks. RMIT adds that after a networking event it is common to send LinkedIn connection requests to the people you met, and to respond to personal messages in a timely manner.
Keep a simple record of who you spoke to and what they suggested; see our guide to tracking job applications.
A worked example (fictional)
This example is fictional. Lena is an international student finishing a Master of Public Health. She has no professional contacts in Australia.
| Step | What she did |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Joined her professional association as a student member and listed six people a few years into health promotion roles |
| Week 2 | Sent four personalised messages explaining she wanted advice, not a job; two replied |
| Week 3 | Researched each person's organisation and prepared six questions from her university's list |
| Week 4 | Held two 20-minute video calls and sent thank-you emails the same evening |
| Week 5 | Contacted a colleague one of them suggested, and sent her resume when invited |
One contact, at fictional employer Example Community Health, mentioned that entry-level roles there usually asked for evidence of community engagement. Lena added her volunteer health-literacy workshops to her resume. Our guide to writing a resume without Australian experience shows how to present that kind of evidence.
Questions about networking and informational interviews
Is it okay to ask for a job in an informational interview?
The University of Sydney advises making it clear that you are only asking for information and advice. If the person offers to pass on your resume or suggests someone else to contact, follow up promptly.
How soon should I send a thank-you message?
Sydney says it is good practice to send a thank-you email after the conversation, ideally on the same day.
Where can I find people to ask if I am new to Australia?
Sydney suggests starting with tutors, colleagues, friends and family, then professional associations, LinkedIn, chambers of commerce and company websites. Study Australia adds clubs, community groups, alumni groups and job noticeboards at your place of study.
Should I connect on LinkedIn before or after the conversation?
Either can work. RMIT recommends a personalised connection request that explains why you want to connect, and Sydney suggests asking, if appropriate, whether you can stay in touch on LinkedIn at the end of the conversation.