Informational Interview Guide

I want to conduct informational interviews to learn about a career path and build connections, but I'm not sure how to approach this.

Ask me about my target role or industry, my current background, what I'm trying to learn, and who I want to talk to. Then help me:

1. Find the right people to request informational interviews from
2. Craft an outreach message that gets a "yes"
3. Prepare 10-15 thoughtful questions to ask
4. Structure the conversation to be valuable for both of us
5. Make a genuine connection without being transactional
6. Follow up appropriately after the conversation
7. Turn informational interviews into actual job leads (without being pushy)
8. Track and nurture these relationships over time

I want to learn from people who've been there, not just read about it online.