Informational Interview
An informational interview is a learning conversation about a role, field, or organization, not a disguised request for a job or referral.
An informational interview is a short conversation with someone who has relevant experience in a role, industry, organization, or career path. Its purpose is learning, not evaluation for a specific opening.
Request a limited amount of time and explain why that person's perspective is relevant; prepare questions that are difficult to answer through basic research, such as how priorities differ across teams, which skills matter in practice, or what surprised the person when entering the field. An informational interview differs from a job interview; the other person is not necessarily assessing you, and you should not turn the final minute into an unexpected request for employment. If they offer a referral or introduction, clarify what would be useful and provide accurate materials; send a brief thank-you note and act on relevant advice.
For example, a candidate could ask a customer success manager which parts of the role are least visible in job descriptions.