An informational interview is a short, informal conversation with a professional in your field of interest, aimed at gaining career advice and industry insight. For finance students, informational interviews are one of the most valuable tools for learning what a career in corporate finance or FP&A actually looks like day to day.

Critically, informational interviews are about building genuine professional relationships. The best informational interviews are engaging conversations where both people learn something, exchange perspectives and leave wanting to stay connected.

We asked finance leaders, CFOs and FP&A professionals to share their best informational interview tips for college students interested in finance. Their advice boiled down to one main idea: Preparation and curiosity matter far more than having all the right answers.

In this article:

• What is an informational interview?
• Why informational interviews matter for finance majors
• How to ask for an informational interview
• How to prepare for an informational interview
• Example informational interview questions
• How to conduct an informational interview
• Finishing an informational interview strong
• What to do after an informational interview
• FAQs about informational interviews in finance

Informational interview do’s and don’ts

What is an informational interview?

An informational interview is an informal meeting with someone working in a role, company or industry you're interested in. Unlike a job interview, the goal isn't to convince someone to hire you. Instead, it's an opportunity to learn firsthand about a career path, understand what employers value and gain advice from someone with real-world experience.

These conversations can happen in person over coffee, on a video call or by phone. They typically last 20 to 30 minutes and focus on the professional's experiences, career journey and perspective on the industry.

Why informational interviews matter for finance majors

Informational interviews allow college students to learn from the successes, challenges and career decisions of someone already in the field. Those lessons can help you make more informed choices about internships, coursework, certifications and long-term goals.

Even before landing your first internship or full-time role, informational interviews can help you:

• Learn what day-to-day work is really like.
• Discover skills employers value most.
• Understand different career paths within finance.
• Build confidence speaking with professionals.
• Expand your network before you begin your job search.
• Develop relationships that may lead to future opportunities or referrals.

How to ask for an informational interview

Many students hesitate to ask for an informational interview because they assume busy professionals won't respond. The reality is that many professionals genuinely enjoy helping students who demonstrate initiative.

The best place to start is with your existing network. Before sending cold emails, think about people who may already be connected to professionals in your field:

• Professors
• Alumni
• Family friends
• Student organization advisors
• Current LinkedIn connections
• Former supervisors

A warm introduction often makes scheduling an informational interview much easier.

That said, don't be afraid to send a cold email or LinkedIn message. If you don't have a mutual connection, reach out directly. Keep your message brief. Introduce yourself, explain why you're interested in speaking with them specifically, and ask whether they'd be willing to spend 20 to 30 minutes sharing their career experiences.

And avoid asking for a job. “The best way to run an informational interview is by focusing on learning, not asking for a job,” said Haresh Vayal, CFO, American Councils for International Education. Professionals are generally far more receptive to students seeking advice than to students who are immediately seeking employment.

Even if you never say it outright, professionals will likely sense if you are job searching. If they know of a role that fits you, they'll often mention it on their own, so you don't need to ask directly.

How to prepare for an informational interview

Preparation is what transforms an ordinary informational interview into a memorable one. Before the conversation, take time to:

• Review the person's LinkedIn profile.
• Learn about their career path.
• Research their company.
• Read recent company news.
• Understand the organization's products or services.
• Prepare five to seven thoughtful questions.
• Think about one perspective or experience you can contribute yourself.

Jason Ang, Finance Director, recommends asking questions that demonstrate you've already done your homework, for example, “I noticed from your website that you have shifted your product strategy to cater to younger adults. What was the thinking behind that decision?” Questions like these set the stage for a more interesting discussion because they show genuine interest rather than surface-level curiosity.

Example informational interview questions

Preparing thoughtful informational interview questions can help the conversation flow naturally. The following are potential questions to consider; choose five to seven that resonate most with your research:

• What attracted you to this career?
• What surprised you most when you first entered the profession?
• What skills have become more important than you expected?
• What projects helped you grow the fastest?
• What does success look like in your role?
• What trends do you think students should pay attention to?
• If you were graduating today, what would you do differently?
• What's one skill employers consistently wish new graduates had?
• What advice would you give someone hoping to build a career in FP&A?
• Is there someone else you think I should connect with?

These questions focus on experience and insight rather than information that can easily be found online.

How to conduct an informational interview

The best informational interviews don't feel like interviews at all. Omar Shahawy, FP&A Manager, explained, “Forget about conducting it as an interview; conduct it as a conversation.”

That shift in mindset changes everything. It means listening more than you speak. Antonio Morales, Executive Partner, puts it this way: “We only hope that students use listening skills to have a productive conversation, rather than going through the motions of completing a checklist. We want them to extract the value from different experiences and perspectives to their advantage in the future.”

Don't feel obligated to ask every question you prepared. If the conversation naturally goes somewhere interesting, follow it.

And don't just listen passively. “Bring a perspective, not just a list of questions,” said Rosemary Linden, President of Momentum CFO. This doesn't mean debating industry trends or pretending you know things you don't. It means sharing what you're learning in your classes, what you're hearing from peers about their career concerns or a thoughtful observation about the company.

“Provide your perspective on a topic and a point of view that creates a bit of a debate or challenges the interviewee’s thoughts too,” said Connagh Hopkins, Head of Financial Performance for Murdoch University.

“You may be new, but you have experiences and knowledge the person you're interviewing doesn't have,” added Barry Huisman, CFO.

Finally, make space for the conversation to flow both ways. “Many students come prepared with their own list of questions — which is great — but they should also be ready to answer questions about themselves,” said a finance leader. The best informational interviews feel like a genuine exchange, not a one-sided Q&A.

Examples of questions you might get asked include:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What brought you to seek me out?
• What are you hoping to learn?
• What gets you excited about work?

Finishing an informational interview strong

How you finish an informational interview often determines whether the relationship continues. Tyler Vonderheide, Senior Manager of FP&A Systems at Southwest Airlines, recommends ending with two powerful questions:

What's one thing I can help you with? This question demonstrates that you're interested in building a mutually beneficial relationship.

Is there anyone else you recommend I meet with? This question often leads to warm introductions that naturally expand your professional network.

Similarly, Chad Halley, FPAC, FP&A Director, Enterprise FP&A, P&A Group, Inc., recommends to “make sure to articulate the value you could bring to the organization rather than simply focusing on the details of the team and company.”

What to do after an informational interview

One of the biggest mistakes students make is treating the informational interview as the finish line. In fact, it’s just the beginning of the relationship.

“A major differentiator for the students is the follow-up afterward,” said Jeff Zielinski, CFO at Buy&Ship.

Within 24 hours, send a thoughtful thank-you message thanking them for their time and mentioning one or two specific insights you found valuable. If the person recommended a book, article, podcast or another contact, follow through and let them know what you found valuable.

The professionals you talk to generally want to know how you're progressing. Send occasional updates when you've completed an internship, earned a certification, accepted a new position or reached another meaningful milestone.

These aren't obligations — they're gifts to the person who invested time in you. That consistent, low-key presence is what transforms a one-time conversation into a lasting professional relationship.

FAQs about informational interviews in finance

How far in advance should I request an informational interview?

Propose meeting times one to two weeks out to give finance professionals enough lead time, as this increases your chances of getting on their calendar.

Should I send my resume before an informational interview?

Only send a resume if the person you’re speaking with asks for it. The informational interview should be a conversation, not a job pitch.

How long should an informational interview last?

An informational interview typically lasts 30 minutes. Respect the other person’s time by monitoring the clock and starting and ending the meeting at the agreed-upon time.

Who should lead the conversation in an informational interview?

The person who requested the meeting should lead the conversation. Start with a brief introduction about yourself and what you hope to learn, then transition into your first question.