Example of Networking Emails that Worked

Since I have written a few networking emails in the last few months, I wanted to share these examples with you to help you with your networking efforts.   Below are two examples, each with a different networking purpose.

Example 1: Existing contact – asking for help (scoop on a company X)

Context: This person is in my network (Lisa) but I haven’t spoken to her in five years.  Last time, I spoke with her, I helped her with some career advice.  We have a mutual friend in common (Cindy) who are good friends with both of us.

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Lisa,  long time no talk. I hope you are doing well and still enjoying work at company X.   They must be doing something right to keep you there for this long. 🙂  Glad we can finally connect on Linkedin. 

• Your different experiences so far at company X – how you have liked it?  Do you recommend contracting or working there?
• What does your group do and can my skills help?
• I am looking for work that can impact the customer experience and/or company results (e.g., business project management, business and customer analytics, process improvement).  It would be great if you can advise me on which groups in company X may have opportunities like this.  (see my resume attached)

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Result: Lisa responded positively by email and we met for coffee.  I gleamed lots of insights about her company and realized it was not a good fit for me.  This was very helpful and saved me a ton of time.

Example 2: New Contact – Asking for help (finding out more about her group) and building out my network

Context: I wanted to meet this person (Jamie) because she is heading up a new customer experience group in a company I used to work for.  I didn’t know her directly but my past boss (Mike) did.

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First, my follow up email to Mike after having a face to face chat with Mike expressing my interest to meet Jamie, whom he is connected with and asking if he can introduce me.  He agreed.  

Mike, it was wonderful to see you.  As always, I really enjoyed our discussion and appreciate the career advice your gave me.  I will definitely keep you informed of my progress.    On a separate note, as I mentioned, I am really interested in meeting Jamie xx who heads up the new customer experience group in XXX.  I would really appreciate it if you can connect me with her.  I would love to find out more about her group and network with her.  Thank you so much for your help.

Then, Mike send me the following email chain a week later to let me know Jamie has agreed to meet with me.  Read from bottom to top.

Lei – For discussion with Jamie, can you arrange a time with Christie?  Mike

Lastly is my email to Jamie and her admin Christy to set up a time

Hi Jamie, 

Result: I met with Jamie in November and had a very fruitful conversation.  She connected me with two of her direct reports for further info interviews and also agreed to connect with me on Linkedin.  I also promised to keep in touch and let her know when I am in the job market again.

I am not showing these examples to imply if you do this, you will definitely get a positive response.  There is never a guarantee there, but for each of these emails, I used the PRSP framework I developed to consistently to take action in networking.  I don’t expect these emails to always work but at least I know I tried my best.

Also note email is just one medium for networking.  It is important to use a mix of media depending on your purpose for networking and who you are contacting.  The most popular ones are in person, call, email, and Linkedin for networking.

Your comments:  Do these example help you? Add your comment below and let’s have a discussion.

Best wishes to your networking efforts.  I am always in your corner

Lei