5 Things to Do (And Not to Do) When Reaching Out to a Professional Contact (2023)

Using this winter to prep for life after college? Now's a great time to reach out to your cousin's roommate's friend who works in your field or a campus alum who scored your dream job (just because school is ending doesn't mean you're done learning from someone older and wiser!). Here's what you need to know about networking, making contacts, and taking the first step toward your future career by reaching out.

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The To-Do List

1. Research first. Nothing is simpler than a basic Google or LinkedIn search: Treat this as you would a final, except at the end you could get a full-time job instead of an A! "You can be a little bit of a stalker," career expert and managing partner of Masthead Media Company Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich (@JulieinNYC) says. "These days you shouldn't go into anything cold because you have all these resources at your fingertips."

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2. Be brief Some of the people you're reaching out to are sifting through hundreds of emails a day, so make yours short and sweet—a four-paragraph email causes eyes to glaze over.

3. Demonstrate your connection. Professionals are much more likely to help someone they're already connected to, whether it's a shared alma mater or a mutual friend. "It shows that you already are very purposeful and responsible because you've done your homework," Denise Egan, Assistant Dean of Commerce Career Services at the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce, says of explaining your link. "That in and of itself can be a conversation starter."

4. Arrive prepared. Her Campus founder and Editor-in-Chief Stephanie Kaplan Lewis notes that a major pet peeve she has when dealing with those trying to connect with her is, "When they have no questions prepared for me or just ask questions they could easily find the answers to online." Ilkovich warns, "You have this one opportunity to sit with this person, and you don't want to miss out on asking the things you really want to know."

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5. Follow up. Following up a week after your initial email can make all the difference. To help engage the person you're writing to, offer an anecdote or even link to an article that highlights the connection you two already share. "Some of our alums, particularly in competitive industries, are actually looking for that student's perseverance," Egan adds. "I've heard alums say, 'I get a hundred emails. I want to see that this person is really serious connecting with not just anybody but me.'"

The To-Don't List

1. Ask for a job. Remember, these people had their own friends and connections in the industry before you came along, so asking for a job off the bat can be presumptuous. "We really encourage students to be information seekers not job seekers even though securing an internship or a job might ultimately be their goal," Egan says. "It would be grossly inappropriate to ask a favor of someone who doesn't know you."

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2. Be too casual. This isn't the Serena to your Blair! Make sure you're remaining professional throughout your email. "Write something that is between an email to your friends and a job application," Ilkovich suggests."People will say, 'That was way too casual.' No one's going to say, 'That was too professional.'"

3. Misspell anything. Even if you're not in a field that involves editing, misspellings or grammatical errors are a red flag that you are careless and have put little effort into your email. One error can be distracting to the point where they could chose not to respond. When in doubt, have a someone look over your email before pressing send.

4. Be demanding. You're the one who is reaching out, so you're the one who should be flexible. Offer to go some place convenient for them and provide large blocks of free time to choose from. If the meeting is more conducive to their schedule, it's more likely you'll get a yes.

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5. Only talk about yourself. The point of making a connection is learning from them, and how can you do that when you're busy detailing the ups and downs of your job search? "You have this opportunity to talk to someone who is giving you their time, make sure you use the time to get the information from them," Ilkovich says. "They may ask questions so don't feel like you can't answer or talk, but don't dominate the conversation."

FAQs

How do you reach out to someone after a long time professionally? ›

Just keep a few things in mind:
  1. Shift your perspective. The last thing any of us want is to be seen as the person who reaches out to someone only when we need something from them. ...
  2. Acknowledge the absence of contact. ...
  3. Pay attention to tone. ...
  4. Give them an out. ...
  5. Offer to reciprocate. ...
  6. Show appreciation. ...
  7. Stay in contact.
Aug 17, 2018

How do you approach someone professionally? ›

Here are some conversation starters for the workplace:
  1. Ask for information. A good way to start a conversation is to ask for information from the person you want to talk to. ...
  2. Pay a compliment. ...
  3. Comment on something pleasant. ...
  4. Introduce yourself. ...
  5. Offer help. ...
  6. Ask for help. ...
  7. Mention a shared experience. ...
  8. Ask an opinion.
Dec 12, 2019

How do you stay in touch with professional contacts? ›

Here are a few of my favorite ways to keep in touch:
  1. Share Favorite Articles. We've all heard this tip before, but how often do you actually do it? ...
  2. Give the Run-Down of a Good Book. ...
  3. Give Them a Pat on the Back. ...
  4. Thank Them for Their Influence. ...
  5. Set Up a Date.
Jun 19, 2020

How do you reach out and reconnect with someone? ›

6 (Non-Awkward) Ways to Reconnect With an Old Friend
  1. Engage on social media. ...
  2. Send a quick text. ...
  3. Get together with mutual friends. ...
  4. Work through conflict. ...
  5. Share memories. ...
  6. Ask if they want to get together.
Jun 13, 2022

What do you say when you reach out to a potential employee? ›

I came across your profile on [Where/How You Found Them] and wanted to reach out regarding a unique opportunity. I work for [Company Name], and we're looking to hire a [Job Title]. I think your experience in [Field/Skill] is a great fit for this role. If you're interested in learning more, I'd love to connect.

How do you reach out to someone you don't know? ›

How to chat with someone you don't know and why it can be good...
  1. First things first - learn how to start a conversation. ...
  2. Offer a compliment. ...
  3. Ask follow-up questions to keep the conversation flowing smoothly. ...
  4. Reveal something about yourself to demonstrate trust. ...
  5. Be patient. ...
  6. Know how to wrap up a conversation.

How do you message someone you havent talked to in a long time? ›

13 Texts to Send Someone You Haven't Seen in a While
  1. 1 “Hey! ...
  2. 2 “How are you? ...
  3. 3 “It's been too long! ...
  4. 4 “I passed by our old school and wondered how you were doing.”
  5. 5 “I was thinking about how we stopped talking, and I realized I was in the wrong.”
  6. 6 “Wishing you a happy holiday! ...
  7. 7 “Miss your face!”

How do you text someone after a long time professionally? ›

How to text someone after a long time
  1. Step 1: Decide WHY you want to reconnect with them.
  2. Step 2: Establish Contact.
  3. Step 3: Be Clear and Concise in Your Texts.
  4. Message to a friend after long time examples:
  5. Why old friendships are important.
  6. Common Questions:
Dec 28, 2021

How do you reach out to a connection you haven't talked to in awhile? ›

"I know it's been a while, but I just wanted to see how you're doing." A simple, straightforward text is always good choice. Because hey, “if you are missing someone and want to reconnect, you can just be honest and say it,” psychologist Dr. Rebecca Leslie tells Bustle.

What are 5 don'ts for an interview? ›

Don't do these things:
  • Don't be late.
  • Don't ask about other applicants.
  • Don't request salary information.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Don't chew gum/eat life savers, etc.
  • Don't slouch.
  • Don't criticize previous employers, professors, etc.
  • Don't dress inappropriately. (You must dress to fit in.)

What are five 5 do's and don'ts for a job interview? ›

Top five interview dos and don'ts
  • Do your homework. ...
  • Make a good first impression. ...
  • Listen and respond accordingly. ...
  • Prepare smart, open ended questions to ask the interviewer. ...
  • Sell your strengths and expertise. ...
  • Don't speak poorly about your present or former employers. ...
  • Don't falsify information. ...
  • Don't speak over the interviewer.

Do & don'ts during job interview? ›

Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions. Don't make negative comments about previous employers or professors (or others). Don't falsify application materials or answers to interview questions. Don't treat the interview casually, as if you are just shopping around or doing the interview for practice.

How do you engage in professional conversation? ›

How to be engaging in workplace conversations
  1. Ask questions. ...
  2. Discuss relevant topics. ...
  3. Mirror your listeners' body language. ...
  4. Repeat what they say. ...
  5. Consider different perspectives. ...
  6. Keep the conversation going.
Jul 7, 2021

How do you confront professionally? ›

Direct Discussion – How to Approach a Co-Worker
  1. Don't talk to your colleague in anger. ...
  2. Analyze and think about the problem. ...
  3. Set time to have a discussion. ...
  4. Communicate effectively. ...
  5. Be ready to listen. ...
  6. Work together to solve the problem. ...
  7. Don't vent to others - keep the matter confidential. ...
  8. Keep working at it.

How do you talk professionally in office? ›

Here are the seven keys to speaking up smartly:
  1. Address the Problem Quickly.
  2. Go to the Right Person.
  3. Put Your Attitude On.
  4. Start with Questions.
  5. Focus on the Benefits to the Company.
  6. Avoid Badmouthing.
  7. Don't Mope.
Aug 20, 2013

How do you build and maintain good professional relationships? ›

What is a professional relationship at work?
  1. Identify Your Relationship Needs.
  2. Develop Your People Skills.
  3. Focus on Your EI.
  4. Practice Mindful Listening.
  5. Manage Your Boundaries.
  6. Schedule Time to Build Relationships.
  7. Appreciate Others.
  8. Be Positive.

What makes a good point of contact? ›

A point of contact is a person your clients can approach to leave messages or request clarification on any issue. Your clients should not be stuck reaching out to a different person for account issues, management issues and questions.

What is a professional contact? ›

Professional Contacts means any Candidate, Client, Introducer, Key Employee, Prospective Candidate or Prospective Client (all as defined in Annex 1), together with any contacts made through a professional body trade or association of which You or the Company is a member. Sample 1.

How do you reconnect with someone without being awkward? ›

So put on your butterfly costume: It's time to get social—here's how revive your relationship again.
  1. Pick Up The Phone And Actually Call. ...
  2. Text Your Friend Some Dates With A Game Plan. ...
  3. Stick To The Plans And Show Up. ...
  4. Forgive Them If They Cancel. ...
  5. Listen. ...
  6. Acknowledge, Apologize And Move On. ...
  7. Follow Up If You Feel A Connection.
Jun 20, 2019

How do you truly connect with someone? ›

10 surefire ways to connect with people
  1. Be your authentic self. You can't go wrong with being yourself. ...
  2. Respect people's boundaries. ...
  3. Stay focused on the present. ...
  4. Move past the surface level. ...
  5. Share the conversation. ...
  6. Be genuine with your admiration. ...
  7. Be a good listener. ...
  8. Schedule your time.
Jun 1, 2022

How do you connect with someone who is distant? ›

When dealing with a distant partner, instead of talking about how communication is bad, it's best to try talking about something else first.
...
  1. Respect Differences. ...
  2. Don't Take It Personally. ...
  3. Call Off the Pursuit. ...
  4. Lower Your Intensity. ...
  5. Give Him Space. ...
  6. Make a Date, Not a Diagnosis.
Jul 21, 2013

How do you start a message to a potential employer? ›

Start off with a friendly opening, and tell them a little bit about yourself and where you want your career to go. It helps to say why you're interested in the role or company. (Scroll down for a sample message). Keep the content of your message directly related to the job role that you're applying for.

How do you talk to someone you haven't met before? ›

Ask open-ended questions.

Certain questions shut down conversations while others keep them going. If you want to talk to someone you've never met, strike up a conversation by asking an open-ended question. These types of questions enable you to explore many different avenues beyond a typical “yes” or “no” answer.

How do you text someone who ghosted you? ›

Serious Ghosting Responses
  1. Is everything all right? ...
  2. Since I haven't heard from you in a while, I think I'm going to move on. ...
  3. I'm assuming you're no longer interested. ...
  4. I'm going out with friends tomorrow night. ...
  5. I saw this and thought of you [alongside a tweet, TikTok, picture, etc.].
Apr 18, 2022

How do you text someone who is ignoring you? ›

Texts to be sent to someone who's ignoring you
  1. 01/6Texts to be sent to someone who's ignoring you. ...
  2. 02/6“Are you alright? ...
  3. 03/6“I'm here for you whenever you want to talk” ...
  4. 04/6“I'm sad that we aren't talking right now” ...
  5. 05/6“So this happened today…” ...
  6. 06/6“I'm sorry and I respect your space”
Jun 2, 2021

What to text after no contact? ›

Here are a few ideas to get you started.
  1. Remind Them Of A Good Memory.
  2. Let Them Know You're Thinking Of Them.
  3. Send Them Something Funny.
  4. Don't Be A Weirdo.
Nov 3, 2017

How do you sound professional in a text? ›

6 tips to make writing sound more professional
  1. 1 Use active voice. To sound more professional, be concise and to the point. ...
  2. 2 Focus on formal language. ...
  3. 4 Revise for spelling, grammar, and punctuation. ...
  4. 5 Eliminate excessive words and awkward phrasing. ...
  5. 6 Ensure content strikes the intended tone.
May 6, 2021

What is an example of professional text? ›

Examples of professional texts include research papers, business reports, commentaries, guidebooks, legal documents, government memoranda, and other forms of professional writing reflecting context-specific language, issues, and practices.

How do I professionally text my boss? ›

Communicate that you're expecting an outcome or a result. Identify who you are, and give a short summary — the facts presented without emotion and too many adjectives,” Link says. If you can't keep it short, consider if text is really the best method for what you're trying to get across, Marsh says.

How do you keep in touch professionally email? ›

How to write a keeping in touch email
  1. Start with a brief and friendly salutation. ...
  2. Decide the topic of the keeping in touch email. ...
  3. Start the email's body by reminding them where you met. ...
  4. Keep it brief and add an invitation to keep in touch. ...
  5. End with a formal salutation.
May 3, 2021

How do you start an email to someone you've never met? ›

Opt for “Hi Mr./Ms./Dr./Professor [last name]” when:
  1. You haven't yet met the person you're writing to.
  2. They introduced themselves to you with their last name.

When should you stop reaching out to someone? ›

How to Know when to Stop Texting a Guy
  1. 1 You already texted him and are waiting for a reply.
  2. 2 You know he has a busy day.
  3. 3 He replies with one-word messages.
  4. 4 He never messages you first.
  5. 5 He turns down invites to hang out.
  6. 6 He doesn't introduce you to his friends.

What are 4 tips for interviewing? ›

Interview tips
  • Review common interview questions. ...
  • Make a list of questions that you would like to ask during the interview. ...
  • Be prepared. ...
  • On the day of the interview, remember to:
  • Display confidence during the interview, but let the interviewer start the dialogue. ...
  • End the interview with a good impression.

What are 10 job interview tips? ›

10 best interview tips to live by
  • Do your research. ...
  • Look sharp. ...
  • Don't show up empty handed. ...
  • Arrive early. ...
  • Project enthusiasm. ...
  • Listen carefully. ...
  • Give specific examples. ...
  • Ask questions.

What color should I wear to my interview? ›

Choose Neutrals Over Brights

Neutral colors - navy, gray, black, and brown - are the best colors for a job interview. White is also an excellent color for a blouse or button-down shirt. You can certainly add a pop of color to a neutral interview outfit.

How do I sell myself in an interview? ›

How to Sell Yourself in an Interview
  1. Find Out Who You'll Be Talking To. ...
  2. Ask Good Questions. ...
  3. Practice Talking About Yourself. ...
  4. Study the Main Points You Want to Mention. ...
  5. Show Them That You're Excited About the Position. ...
  6. Give Examples of What You've Achieved. ...
  7. Keep the Needs of the Company in Mind.
Oct 10, 2022

What is considered a professional contact? ›

In this context, “professional contacts” means both everyone you have worked with but all those people with whom you have interacted well: people who have interviewed you with for jobs you did not get, if the interview went well, are examples of those people in the latter category.

How do you message a professional person? ›

Professional Text Message Etiquette
  1. Get explicit permission. Texting people who haven't opted in can upset customers and result in hefty legal fines. ...
  2. Keep it brief. ...
  3. Don't text too often. ...
  4. Make it easy to reply. ...
  5. Simplify your signature. ...
  6. Avoid slang and abbreviations.
Dec 29, 2021

How do you talk to a professional? ›

Here are a few of those lessons on conversation skills:
  1. Start with being a good listener. ...
  2. Share compliments. ...
  3. Resist arguing. ...
  4. Know when to apologize. ...
  5. Avoid gossip. ...
  6. Share the spotlight. ...
  7. Talk on the level of your audience. ...
  8. Always use diplomatic language and a respectful tone.
May 23, 2016

What is professional contact information? ›

All relevant information: Include your full name, street address, city, state, and zip code. Also, include your phone number and email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile or personal website, include these URLs in your contact section as well.

Why are professional contacts important? ›

The importance of the professional network

You are much more likely to hear about job opportunities and, even more importantly, be recommended to the hirer by someone in your network. A strong professional network can help you in a job search and make important career moves.

What is a professional reference? ›

Professional references include people who have worked with you and can speak directly about your work performance, habits, ethics, professional goals, and how you contributed to the work environment they provided for you. On the other hand, personal references are typically people you are close with.

How does personal networking help you in your career? ›

Your network can be an excellent source of new perspectives and ideas to help you in your role. Exchanging information on challenges, experiences and goals is a key benefit of networking because it allows you to gain new insights that you may not have otherwise thought of.

What is a good professional out of office message? ›

Basic out-of-office email template

Thank you for your email. I will be out of the office from (day/month) to (day/month) and will have limited access to email. If you have any urgent questions, please contact [Name] at [email] or [phone]. I will do my best to reply to your email as soon as I can.

What should a professional email message include? ›

You can make it easier on your recipients by making sure your business emails include these five essential elements.
  • A Concise, Direct Subject Line. ...
  • A Proper Greeting. ...
  • Proper Grammar, Correct Spelling. ...
  • Only Essential Information. ...
  • A Clear Closing.

How do you act and talk professionally? ›

Top tips on how to be more professional at work
  1. Follow company policies and rules. ...
  2. Appearance, words and deeds. ...
  3. Become an asset to the team. ...
  4. Treat others with courtesy & respect. ...
  5. Avoid office politics & gossip. ...
  6. Understand & follow your company's culture. ...
  7. Be a responsible employee. ...
  8. Demonstrate a professional attitude.
Jul 12, 2022

How do you talk to someone intelligently? ›

How to Sound Smart
  1. Use simple terminology. Stop thinking the use of big words will make you appear smart. ...
  2. Don't over-articulate. Connect the words within phrases together.
  3. Relax & Breathe. Being relaxed always improves your performance; exhale your voice right out of your lungs. ...
  4. Use a varied intonation pattern.
Jun 29, 2020

What should contact details include? ›

Contact details

You should only include your: name at the top of the page - no need to add 'CV' or 'curriculum vitae' phone number which employers can reach you on during the working day. email address - always use a professional sounding email address.

What are the 3 types of personal information? ›

Below are the types of the types of personal information generally covered: Private information. Sensitive personal data information. Health information.

What is key contact information? ›

For general questions and to check the status of your application, call 833-430-2122. To schedule an appointment with an organization in your area, call 833-687-0967.

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