If you would like to nurture people you meet professionally into something you can utilise in your job search, consider sending them one of these follow-up email samples to a networking event contact.
The networking contacts you meet at professional events could give you access to the ‘hidden job market’ – the 80% of vacancies that are not advertised. But often at such events you get to talk to people for only a few minutes. Build on these brief contacts using one of our sample follow-up emails to a networking event contact as part of your job search.
Types of follow-up emails to a networking event contact
1. When the contact provided you with the name of someone else to ask about a job
To: Joanne Dawkins
Subject: Thank you for your assistance
Dear Joanne
It was a pleasure to meet you last Tuesday at the Women in Engineering breakfast. I enjoyed hearing about your work on the Royston Dam Upgrade project, and I appreciate the time you spent talking with me.
You suggested that I contact Emily James at Carston Krednow to discuss potential openings at her company. I wanted to let you know that I have been in touch with Emily, and she and I will be meeting next week. Thank you for suggesting that I mention your name in my email.
I will keep in touch to update you on my job search progress.
Kind regards
Georgia Peterson
2. When you want to approach the contact about opportunities in their company
To: Joanne Dawkins
Subject: Following-up from Tuesday’s Women in Engineering breakfast
Dear Joanne
It was a pleasure to meet you last Tuesday at the Women in Engineering breakfast. I enjoyed hearing about your work on the Royston Dam Upgrade project, and I appreciate the time you spent talking with me.
Please keep me in my mind if you hear of any opportunities for an engineering graduate in your firm or if you have any suggestions for people you believe would be beneficial for me to contact regarding potential openings. I have attached my resume for your review.
Thank you for your assistance with my job search, I will keep you posted on my progress.
Kind regards
Georgia Peterson
3. When you want to meet the contact again
(To find out more about their company, their experience or gain insights into their field. This type of ‘informational’ interview could lead to a formal interview for a role or provide valuable information for your job search.)
To: Joanne Dawkins
Subject: Following-up from Tuesday’s Women in Engineering breakfast
Dear Joanne
It was a pleasure to meet you last Tuesday at the Women in Engineering breakfast. I enjoyed hearing about your work on the Royston Dam Upgrade project, and I appreciate the time you spent talking with me.
Since our conversation, I visited Carston Krednow’s website. I am very impressed by the work your company is doing, and I would enjoy talking with you about it further. I am very interested in securing employment as an engineer in this field.
I will phone or email you next week to ask you about arranging a convenient time to meet. I know you’re busy, so I will make myself available whenever you have 15-20 minutes.
Kind regards
Georgia Peterson
Summary
- Mention the meeting and the conversation.
- Refer to something specific that came up in the conversation, especially a mutual interest.
- Mention a next step you will take.
Not sure how to network? Read Job search and career networking in real life for some tips.