5 Steps to Follow Up After Informational Interviews
Shabuddin MS
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.
sbb-itb-564272e
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.
What Does Scale.jobs Provide?
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
Related posts
Land Jobs Faster and Easier withHuman Assistant
Who will apply to jobs on your behalf with Custom Resumes and Cover Letters so you can focus on Networking and Interview Prep.
Our assistants save you 100+ hours of grunt work.
How it works
Less than 2% of applications receive interview calls. Spend your time and effort wisely.
Trusted by folks from
Our clients
usHear what our customers have to say about their experience with Scale.jobs
Aubrey Smith
Software Engineer
Teja Aditya Surabhi
Product Strategy & Growth
Apoorv Singh
Consultant
Such a great service!
Such a great initiative and service! Applying jobs everyday has been super daunting. But now with scale jobs, one can apply 100s of jobs per day as well as focus on prep for interviews.
Sona Tambe • Apr 15, 2024I've had an exceptional experience
I've had an exceptional experience with the Scale Jobs team, and I can't recommend them highly enough. From the outset, their dedication and enthusiasm were palpable, making a significant...
Sajia Nikita • April 01, 2024Great experience, Reliable Team, Highly Recommended
I have had a great experience with the scale.jobs team. The associate assigned for me is trustworthy and sincere in their approach. I would recommend trying out scale.jobs to anyone looking to make more time in their schedule for interview prep and networking, so that the repetitive portion of job application process can be outsourced. I personally feel it's good value for money. Would recommend setting up a call with their team if you're doubtful about whether or not the product will be useful for you. They are a really honest bunch of folks and I appreciate it so much.
Anuva Agarwal • May 18, 2024Really good with applying jobs
I think they provide good assistance to apply jobs and I did get some positive responses after that. hence, I am quite satisfied with the experience of scale.jobs. There cover letters....
Neha Sawant • March 21, 2024Superb service!
Great team of people and the person that was assigned to work with me was wonderful too. Majority of the heavy lifting is done by them and they are in constant communication with you....
Adnan Lakdawala • July 01, 2023Drastically reducing the burden!
Apply at scale has immensely helped me with my tedious job application process. Their team is proactive and smart. Once they understand your profile, they are good at applying.......
Mihika Srivastava • December 01, 2023They took away the work I was slacking…
They took away the work I was slacking on, which allowed me to relax and not worry about submitting my applications. I was on an extremely busy schedule.
Harish Reddy Kondapalli • January 29, 2024Great for international students
Scale.jobs has been an excellent help in applying for high volume of jobs which otherwise would be very time consuming. This is extremely useful in the current job market as a high-volume approach helped me get few interview calls which I wasn't getting earlier. Also, they keep bringing in new features such as the networking tool. Excited to try it out!
Shobhit Datta • May 31, 2024Great service to save time while interviewing
Great service to save time while interviewing. I have been using it for a week. The support is nice and turnaround is within 24 hours. Price point maybe on the expensive side, but you pay for the time it saves to create accounts on several sites and apply jobs.
Hemil P • May 20, 2024extremely helpful in this challenging…
I've been using Scale.jobs, and it has been an incredibly useful tool for my job search. The platform's intuitive design and user-friendly interface make it easy to navigate through various job listings. I appreciate the detailed job descriptions and the ability to filter positions based on my preferences. The application process is streamlined, saving me a lot of time. Overall, Scale.jobs has significantly enhanced my job search experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for new opportunities.
Avinash Amudala • May 28, 2024Good service to save some time from job applications
So far, my experience has been positive. I have been using their service for 2 months and am looking forward to continuing.
Hari Vilas • May 19, 2024Such a great service!
Such a great initiative and service! Applying jobs everyday has been super daunting. But now with scale jobs, one can apply 100s of jobs per day as well as focus on prep for interviews.
Sona Tambe • Apr 15, 2024I've had an exceptional experience
I've had an exceptional experience with the Scale Jobs team, and I can't recommend them highly enough. From the outset, their dedication and enthusiasm were palpable, making a significant...
Sajia Nikita • April 01, 2024Great experience, Reliable Team, Highly Recommended
I have had a great experience with the scale.jobs team. The associate assigned for me is trustworthy and sincere in their approach. I would recommend trying out scale.jobs to anyone looking to make more time in their schedule for interview prep and networking, so that the repetitive portion of job application process can be outsourced. I personally feel it's good value for money. Would recommend setting up a call with their team if you're doubtful about whether or not the product will be useful for you. They are a really honest bunch of folks and I appreciate it so much.
Anuva Agarwal • May 18, 2024Really good with applying jobs
I think they provide good assistance to apply jobs and I did get some positive responses after that. hence, I am quite satisfied with the experience of scale.jobs. There cover letters....
Neha Sawant • March 21, 2024Superb service!
Great team of people and the person that was assigned to work with me was wonderful too. Majority of the heavy lifting is done by them and they are in constant communication with you....
Adnan Lakdawala • July 01, 2023Drastically reducing the burden!
Apply at scale has immensely helped me with my tedious job application process. Their team is proactive and smart. Once they understand your profile, they are good at applying.......
Mihika Srivastava • December 01, 2023They took away the work I was slacking…
They took away the work I was slacking on, which allowed me to relax and not worry about submitting my applications. I was on an extremely busy schedule.
Harish Reddy Kondapalli • January 29, 2024Great for international students
Scale.jobs has been an excellent help in applying for high volume of jobs which otherwise would be very time consuming. This is extremely useful in the current job market as a high-volume approach helped me get few interview calls which I wasn't getting earlier. Also, they keep bringing in new features such as the networking tool. Excited to try it out!
Shobhit Datta • May 31, 2024Great service to save time while interviewing
Great service to save time while interviewing. I have been using it for a week. The support is nice and turnaround is within 24 hours. Price point maybe on the expensive side, but you pay for the time it saves to create accounts on several sites and apply jobs.
Hemil P • May 20, 2024extremely helpful in this challenging…
I've been using Scale.jobs, and it has been an incredibly useful tool for my job search. The platform's intuitive design and user-friendly interface make it easy to navigate through various job listings. I appreciate the detailed job descriptions and the ability to filter positions based on my preferences. The application process is streamlined, saving me a lot of time. Overall, Scale.jobs has significantly enhanced my job search experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for new opportunities.
Avinash Amudala • May 28, 2024Good service to save some time from job applications
So far, my experience has been positive. I have been using their service for 2 months and am looking forward to continuing.
Hari Vilas • May 19, 2024
Our results speak for themselves
300+ people landed their dream jobs in a stress-free process by smartly delegating.
Landed fulltime roles in 3 months
47% from our applications, 44% from personal networking and individual efforts.
Less time spent in job search
We reduce the average 5 months job search to 1-3 months.
Return on Investment
Saved weeks mean an extra $20K, plus multiple offers often lead to a $30K salary increase.
Meet Your Assistants
Our skilled Assistants are ready to supercharge your job search. Hire your dedicated assistant and start delegating your applications.
We Bring Real Impact
See how our assistants can make a difference in your job search.
Our assistants provide personalized support, helping you delegate the grunt work of job applications with efficiency and ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
95% of questions are answered here. Can't find what you're looking for? Feel free to reach out!
Have more questions? Let's chat!
We understand that you might have questions specific to your situation. Schedule a call with our founder – we're here to help you succeed!
Limited slots available. Book your call now!
Endorsed by Industry Experts
Our platform is backed by leading experts in careers, immigration, and personal growth. Their support validates our commitment to your success.
Pritesh Jagani (Yudi J)
400K+ followers
Career Development Expert
Helped 10,000+ professionals accelerate their careers through strategic guidance.
Melissa Grabiner
387K+ followers
#1 HR LinkedIn Creator in US
Job Search Coach and Talent Acquisition Director with 20 years of experience.
Harnoor Singh (Singh in USA)
1.3M+ followers
Immigration Insights Leader
Demystified US immigration for over 1 million aspiring professionals.
Linda Le
584K+ followers
Job Hunt and LinkedIn Expert
Co-founder of CWI and expert in helping jobseekers land jobs.
Soundarya Balasubramani
150K+ followers
Talent Visas Expert
Author of 'Admitted', guiding countless students to top global universities.
Will McTighe
192K+ followers
Career Expert & Stanford MBA
Advises on career obstacles and writes a newsletter covering job strategies.
Sanjeev Sriram
150K+ followers
Master's Abroad Expert
Provided Insights and Everything About Pursuing Master's Abroad.
Priya Bajaj (Its Ok Yaar)
80K+ followers
Desi Immigrant Influencer
Influencer sharing relatable life abroad experiences and immigrant advice.
April Little
250K+ followers
Leadership & Executive Coach
Empowering professionals and women leaders to reach new heights.
Pritesh Jagani (Yudi J)
400K+ followers
Career Development Expert
Helped 10,000+ professionals accelerate their careers through strategic guidance.
Melissa Grabiner
387K+ followers
#1 HR LinkedIn Creator in US
Job Search Coach and Talent Acquisition Director with 20 years of experience.
Harnoor Singh (Singh in USA)
1.3M+ followers
Immigration Insights Leader
Demystified US immigration for over 1 million aspiring professionals.
Linda Le
584K+ followers
Job Hunt and LinkedIn Expert
Co-founder of CWI and expert in helping jobseekers land jobs.
Soundarya Balasubramani
150K+ followers
Talent Visas Expert
Author of 'Admitted', guiding countless students to top global universities.
Will McTighe
192K+ followers
Career Expert & Stanford MBA
Advises on career obstacles and writes a newsletter covering job strategies.
Sanjeev Sriram
150K+ followers
Master's Abroad Expert
Provided Insights and Everything About Pursuing Master's Abroad.
Priya Bajaj (Its Ok Yaar)
80K+ followers
Desi Immigrant Influencer
Influencer sharing relatable life abroad experiences and immigrant advice.
April Little
250K+ followers
Leadership & Executive Coach
Empowering professionals and women leaders to reach new heights.
Dear Fellow Job Seeker,
I hope this letter finds you well, though I understand if it doesn't. The current job market, especially in the US, is tough. I've been there – a recent graduate from Carnegie Mellon, suddenly laid off and thrust into one of the most stressful phases of my life.
We're told that the key to landing a job is networking and applying to hundreds of positions. But let's be honest: endlessly typing the same information into countless applications is soul-crushing. And the silence that follows? Even more so. With a 98% non-response rate, it's a wonder any of us can stay motivated.
I tried everything – auto-filling extensions, AI services, you name it. Nothing worked. In desperation, I hired a college student from India and trained them to apply on my behalf. The result? I landed a job in just 60 days.
This experience was a revelation. I realized that while we can't change the system, we can be smarter in how we navigate it. That's why I started this service – to help others like us escape the job hunt trauma.
We're not just another job application service. We're a team that understands your struggles firsthand. We're here to take the burden off your shoulders, so you can focus on what truly matters – preparing for interviews and building meaningful connections.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, know that you're not alone. And more importantly, know that there's hope. Let us help you regain control of your job search and your future.
Wishing you the very best in your journey,
Ready to transform your job search?
Flexible Opportunity
Work as a Career Associate
Earn money while working on your own schedule. Help job seekers land their dream jobs!