Informational Interviews

[Andrea Tringo]

I don't know if the phrase "informational interview" is still used, but it's an approach I would like to try for the first time in at least 8 years. When I hear of a company I'm really interested in, I don't want to wait for a specific job posting to contact them. I sent a polite, respectful request to an HR director for a fairly short phone conversation or meeting just to talk about her company, although I'm not a fit for the jobs she has posted now. Can anyone offer advice on:

-Subject lines for such an e-mail, so that it won't go to their junk folders?
-Language in requesting the interview ("...to discuss culture, business practices..." or something more general or more specific?)
-Key questions to ask should I be granted the interview?

Thanks in advance for any replies.