Keyboarding email to the network
getty
These days, sending a cold networking email can feel like a shot in the dark. Your message is just one of dozens (or hundreds) of emails vying for attention in a crowded inbox. But cold emails aren’t meaningless. Done correctly, this practice shows initiative, validates your research, and opens the door to valuable professional relationships. truth? Most people want to help, but they are busy. You don’t have time to respond to every message or meet every person who asks you to connect. That’s why it’s important to craft thoughtful and persuasive emails at every stage of your career. With the right approach, you can increase the likelihood of a reply and turn a single message into a meaningful conversation, a stronger network, and even a potential job opportunity.
Why send networking emails?
There are many reasons to send networking emails. You might do the following:
You are looking for a position to join the company you want to work at. You want to reconnect with people from your past, such as old colleagues and acquaintances. You want to follow up with the recruiter for the position you have applied for. You are interested in contacting someone significantly higher up at your current company. person
But what exactly should you write and how can you stand out? Follow the script below.
Appeal to the ego (and be specific).
People love talking about themselves. It’s human nature. Please use this to your advantage. Be specific about why you admire them. Perhaps you’ve followed their career, shared their work with their team, or found a particular project they led particularly memorable. Avoid vague or generic messages. Be clear about why you’re reaching out, not just people with similar job titles or company names. Personalized and thoughtful notes will make you stand out and show that you’ve done your homework. A small, sincere compliment combined with specifics will get your attention, make the recipient feel valued, and greatly increase the likelihood of a response.
Try something like this: “I have been observing your work for the past three years. Your recent blog post about risk-taking in the workplace was so impactful that I shared it with my team during our weekly meetings.”
Be a little vulnerable.
Vulnerabilities make you stand out in a world of automated, impersonal email. This makes you seem relatable and human to people who may not be familiar with you or your career journey. If you’re at a crossroads at work, need advice, or are overcoming a challenge, say so. Share in advance why you’re reaching out and what you hope to learn from their experience. This kind of honesty is not only refreshing, but also shows trust in their expertise. People appreciate authenticity, and a little openness can turn a cold email into a meaningful conversation and connection.
Try something like this: “I’m thinking about how to improve and strengthen my skills after reaching a plateau in seniority at my current company. I’m currently on a learning journey and trying to gain wisdom from people I respect. .”
Please ask specific questions.
A vague request like “I want to connect” won’t get you anywhere. It looks lazy and puts the burden on the recipient to figure out what you want. Instead, be clear, intentional, and direct. Ask for 15 minutes to learn about their career journeys, hear what it’s like to work at a company you admire, and get their perspective on industry trends. Explain why they are a good person to ask and how their experience matches what you want to learn. Avoid overused phrases like “use your head.” It’s directionless and uninspired. Instead, ask specific questions that make it easier for someone to answer “yes” and create the foundation for a focused and productive conversation.
Try something like this: “Would you be willing to have a quick 15-minute chat on Zoom about your thoughts on psychological safety in the workplace and how you’ve overcome communication challenges for your team?”
Become a standout email sender in an inbox full of vague, surface-level networking emails. A personalized, thoughtful and specific message shows you’ve done your homework and your email is much more likely to get noticed. With the right combination of research, intent, and authenticity, you can turn one well-crafted email into an actual conversation, create a stronger network, and even turn it into your next big opportunity.
