Informational Interviews in Bioinformatics

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-08-27

Quick Answer

• Request an informational interview with a specific, concise ask that respects the contact's time and states your exact purpose.
• Prepare role-specific questions that reveal daily tasks, skill demands, and career pathways instead of generic advice.
• Track every conversation, follow up with a thank-you note, and record insights in a searchable log for future applications.

Understanding Informational Interviews in Bioinformatics

An informational interview is a structured conversation with a professional who works in a field or role you are exploring. The purpose is to gather knowledge about a career path, not to ask for a job. In bioinformatics, these conversations help you understand how computational biology is practiced in different settings, from academic laboratories to federal agencies and private companies.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes bioinformatics as a field that combines biology, computer science, and information technology to analyze and interpret biological data. The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides official definitions of related occupations, including biochemists, biophysicists, computer and information research scientists, and medical scientists. These definitions help you frame your questions about education requirements, work settings, and typical responsibilities.

Informational interviews serve a distinct purpose in your career investigation. They allow you to test assumptions about a role before you invest time in a certification or degree program. They also help you understand the difference between how a job is described in a posting and how it is actually performed on a daily basis. For example, a bioinformatics analyst position may be advertised as a data analysis role, but the daily work might involve substantial data cleaning, pipeline maintenance, and communication with laboratory staff.

The O*NET OnLine database provides detailed task and skill descriptions for occupations in the life sciences and computer fields. You can use these descriptions to prepare questions that probe the specific tasks, tools, and work contexts that matter in bioinformatics. This preparation shows the person you are interviewing that you have done your homework and that you value their time.

Why Informational Interviews Matter for Bioinformatics Careers

Bioinformatics is a multidisciplinary field, and the career paths are not always linear. A student may enter through a biology degree and then learn programming, or enter through computer science and then learn molecular biology. The American Society for Microbiology notes that career development in the life sciences often requires understanding the range of professional roles available and the skills needed for each. Informational interviews give you direct access to people who have navigated these paths.

The National Science Foundation describes a range of scientific, program, administrative, and technical work in a federal research organization. This is a useful example of how bioinformatics skills are applied beyond the laboratory bench. A conversation with someone who works in a federal agency can reveal how grant funding, program management, and scientific review shape the work of bioinformatics professionals.

Informational interviews also help you understand the education pathways that matter for a specific role. The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges provides career-path context for veterinary education, which is relevant if you are interested in veterinary bioinformatics or animal health data. The Occupational Outlook Handbook describes the education pathways for related occupations, such as a master's degree or doctoral degree for research positions. You can use this information to ask a contact whether their employer values a specific degree, a portfolio, or a certification.

At a Glance

How to Request an Informational Interview

The request email is the first test of your professionalism. A bioinformatics professional receives many requests for advice, and a vague or lengthy email is easy to ignore. Your request should be short, specific, and respectful of the person's time.

Write a Specific Subject Line

The subject line should state your purpose and your connection to the contact. A subject line such as "Informational interview request from a bioinformatics student" is clear. If you were referred by a mutual contact, include that name in the subject line. This increases the chance that the email will be opened.

State Your Purpose in the First Sentence

The first sentence should say who you are and why you are writing. For example, "I am a graduate student in bioinformatics at State University, and I am exploring careers in genomic data analysis." This sentence gives the contact the context they need to decide whether to respond.

Ask for a Specific Time

Do not ask for an open-ended conversation. Instead, ask for a 20-minute phone call or video meeting. This shows that you respect the contact's schedule. You can also offer to send questions in advance, which gives the contact the option to respond by email if they prefer.

Provide a Clear Exit

The contact should feel free to decline without guilt. You can write, "If you are not available, I understand." This is a professional courtesy that makes the request easier to accept.

Email Template

Subject: Informational interview request from a bioinformatics student

Dear Dr. [Last Name],

I am a [student, researcher, or professional] with a background in [biology, computer science, or statistics]. I am exploring careers in bioinformatics, and I found your work on [specific project or topic] through [source, such as a publication or the NIH website].

I would be grateful for a 20-minute conversation to learn about your path into bioinformatics and the daily work in your role. I have prepared a few questions and can send them in advance if you prefer.

If you are not available, I understand. Thank you for considering this request.

Best regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Title or Program] [Your Email and Phone Number]

How to Prepare for the Conversation

Preparation is the difference between a productive conversation and a wasted opportunity. The O*NET OnLine database is a practical tool for this stage. Look up the occupation that matches your contact's role, such as computer and information research scientist or biological technician. Review the tasks, tools, and skills listed for that occupation. Use this information to write questions that are specific to the work.

Research the Contact and Their Organization

Before the interview, spend 30 minutes researching the contact. Read their professional profile, recent publications, or project descriptions. Look at the organization's website to understand its mission and current projects. This research will help you ask questions that show you have done your homework.

Write Questions That Reveal Insider Knowledge

The best questions are open-ended and focused on the contact's experience. Avoid questions that can be answered by a simple web search. Instead, ask about the realities of the work, the skills that matter, and the path the contact took.

Prepare a List of 15 Questions

You will not ask all 15 questions in a 20-minute conversation. The list gives you options and helps you adapt to the flow of the conversation. Here are categories of questions to consider.

Questions About the Daily Work

• What does a typical day look like in your role?
• What percentage of your time is spent on programming, data analysis, and communication?
• What is the most time-consuming task in your work?
• What tools and software do you use most often?
• What part of your work did you not expect when you started?

Questions About Skills and Education

• Which skills are most important for success in this role?
• What educational background do your colleagues have?
• Is a certification or a specific degree required for advancement?
• What skills do new hires often lack?
• How do you stay current with new methods and tools?

Questions About the Field and the Organization

• How is bioinformatics work organized in your organization?
• What are the biggest challenges in your field right now?
• How does your organization measure success in bioinformatics projects?
• What do you wish you had known when you started your career?
• What advice would you give to someone entering this field?

How to Conduct the Conversation

The conversation itself is a professional exchange. You are there to learn, and the contact is there to share their experience. Your behavior during the conversation affects the quality of the information you receive and the impression you leave.

Start with a Clear Introduction

Introduce yourself briefly and restate your purpose. Say, "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. I am exploring careers in bioinformatics, and I am interested in learning about your work." This sets the stage for a focused conversation.

Listen More Than You Speak

The informational interview is not a pitch. You should spend most of the time listening. When the contact describes their work, ask follow-up questions that show you are paying attention. For example, if the contact mentions a specific tool, ask how they learned to use it or how it compares to other tools.

Take Notes

Take notes during the conversation, but do not let note-taking distract you from the conversation. Write down key terms, tools, and advice. You will use these notes later to write your thank-you note and to update your career log.

Respect the Time Limit

If you asked for 20 minutes, end the conversation at 20 minutes. If the contact offers to continue, you can accept. If the conversation is going well, you can ask if they have time for one more question. Respecting the time limit shows that you are professional and that you value the contact time.

Ask for a Referral

At the end of the conversation, you can ask for a referral. This is not a request for a job. It is a request for another name. You can say, "Thank you for this conversation. Do you know anyone else in the field who might be willing to speak with me?" This is a natural way to expand your network.

What to Do After the Interview

The follow-up is as important as the conversation itself. A prompt thank-you note and a structured record of the conversation will help you build a professional network and use the information you have gathered.

Send a Thank-You Note

Send a thank-you note within 24 hours. The note should be short and specific. Mention one or two details from the conversation that you found useful. For example, "Thank you for the conversation. I appreciated your advice on learning Python for sequence analysis." This shows that you were listening and that you value the contact's time.

Log the Conversation

Create a simple spreadsheet or document to record your informational interviews. For each conversation, record the contact's name, organization, date, and the key insights. This log becomes a valuable record as you apply for jobs and prepare for interviews.

Apply What You Learned

Use the information from the conversation to refine your career plan. If the contact mentioned a specific skill, such as a particular programming language or a database tool, consider how you can learn that skill. If the contact described a career path, compare it to your own plan and adjust your next steps.

Common Failure Patterns

Informational interviews fail when the request is unclear, the preparation is thin, or the follow-up is missing. Recognizing these patterns helps you avoid them.

The Vague Request

A request that does not state a clear purpose is easy to ignore. If you write, "I would like to learn more about bioinformatics," the contact does not know what you want. A specific request, such as "I would like to learn about your work in genomic data analysis," is more likely to get a response.

The Generic Questions

Questions that could apply to any job do not show that you have done your research. Asking "What is a typical day like?" is fine, but asking "What is a typical day like for a bioinformatics analyst working on RNA sequencing data?" is better. The specific question shows that you understand the field and the role.

The Job Pitch

An informational interview is not a job interview. If you spend the conversation asking for a job or a referral, you will not get the information you need. The contact will also be less likely to help you in the future. Keep the focus on learning.

The Missing Follow-Up

A conversation that ends without a thank-you note is a missed opportunity. The thank-you note is a professional courtesy and a way to keep the connection open. It also gives you a reason to stay in touch with the contact.

Records and Measurements

Keeping records of your informational interviews helps you track your progress and use the information you gather. A simple spreadsheet or document is enough.

What to Record

For each conversation, record the following:

• The contact's name, title, and organization
• The date of the conversation
• The contact's email address
• The key insights from the conversation
• The action items you identified

How to Use the Records

Use the records to identify patterns. If you have spoken with five people and they all mention the same skill, that skill is likely important. If they all describe the same challenge, that challenge is likely a real issue in the field. This information helps you make decisions about your education and your job search.

The Follow-Up Schedule

Set a reminder to follow up with your contacts every few months. A short email to share a relevant article or to ask a question keeps the connection alive. This is a professional practice that can lead to future opportunities.

Limitations and Professional Boundaries

Informational interviews have limits. They are not a substitute for formal education, certification, or job applications. They are also not a source of official career advice. The information you receive is the opinion and experience of one person, and it may not apply to your situation.

The Limits of the Information

The contact's experience is specific to their role, their organization, and their career path. What works for one person may not work for you. Use the information as one input into your decisions, not as the only input.

The Limits of the Sources

The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides official descriptions of occupations, but it does not provide personalized career advice. The O*NET OnLine database provides task and skill descriptions, but it does not tell you what to do in your specific situation. Use these sources to understand the field, and use informational interviews to understand the reality of the work.

The Professional Boundaries

Do not ask for confidential information. Do not ask about salaries or internal politics. Do not ask for a job or a referral in the first conversation. These boundaries protect the contact and the relationship.

Safety and Regulatory Context

Bioinformatics work is often subject to regulations and institutional policies. The National Institutes of Health provides training and professional development context for research careers, including the responsible conduct of research. The National Science Foundation describes the work of scientific and technical staff in a federal research organization, which includes compliance with federal policies.

When you speak with a contact, you can ask about the regulatory context of their work. For example, if the contact works with human or animal data, you can ask about data privacy and security. If the contact works in a clinical setting, you can ask about the role of institutional review boards. This information helps you understand the constraints that shape the work.

Professional Escalation Criteria

If you are a student or a job seeker, you may need to escalate a concern to a professional. For example, if you are unsure about the accuracy of the information you received, you can check it against the Occupational Outlook Handbook or the O*NET OnLine database. If you are concerned about the ethics of a conversation, you can speak with a career counselor or a mentor.

The American Society for Microbiology provides career development resources for life-science professionals, including networking and training context. The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges provides career-path context for veterinary medicine. These organizations can help you find professional guidance when you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I ask for an informational interview in bioinformatics?

Send a short email that states your name, your purpose, and a specific request for a 20-minute conversation. Mention any connection you have to the contact, such as a referral or a shared research interest. Offer to send questions in advance and give the contact an easy way to decline.

What questions should I ask in a bioinformatics informational interview?

Ask about the daily work, the skills that matter, the education and certifications that are valued, and the career path the contact took. Ask about the challenges in the field and the advice the contact would give to someone entering the field. Avoid questions that can be answered by a web search.

How long should an informational interview last?

Plan for 20 minutes. This is enough time for a focused conversation and respects the contact's schedule. If the contact offers to continue, you can accept, but do not expect more time.

Should I bring a resume to an informational interview?

You can bring a resume, but you should not lead with it. The purpose of the conversation is to gather information, not to apply for a job. If the contact asks for your resume, you can provide it, but do not make it the focus of the conversation.

What should I do after an informational interview?

Send a thank-you note within 24 hours. Record the conversation in a log with the contact's name, the date, and the key insights. Use the information to update your career plan and to prepare for future applications.

Can an informational interview lead to a job?

An informational interview can lead to a job indirectly. The contact may remember you when a position opens, or they may refer you to someone else. However, the purpose of the conversation is to gather information, not to get a job. Focus on the information, and the opportunities may follow.

How many informational interviews should I do?

There is no set number. Do enough interviews to understand the field and to test your assumptions. If you are exploring a new career, you may need several conversations with people in different roles and settings. If you are refining your plan, one or two conversations may be enough.

What if the contact does not respond to my request?

If the contact does not respond within a week, you can send a polite follow-up email. If there is still no response, move on to another contact. Do not take the lack of response personally. Professionals are busy, and they may not have time to respond to every request.

Using the Evidence

Related Articles

• Veterinary Interview Questions: How to Prepare for Vet School and Job Interviews
• Bioinformatics Interview Preparation: How to Explain Your Analysis Decisions
• Clinical Research Coordinator Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
• Bioinformatics Careers: Salary Expectations and Job Outlook
• Bioinformatics Job Description: Roles, Responsibilities, and Skills

References and Further Reading

• Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• O*NET OnLine. U.S. Department of Labor.
• Office of Intramural Training and Education. National Institutes of Health.
• Careers at NSF. U.S. National Science Foundation.
• Career Services. American Society for Microbiology.
• AAVMC Career Resources. Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.
• NCBI Literature Resources. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
• PubMed. National Library of Medicine.

This article is educational and does not replace institutional policy, professional advice, or applicable safety and regulatory requirements.