Networking email templates: reconnect, introduce yourself, follow up.
Networking emails work best when they ask for something small and specific, such as advice, a short chat or an introduction, and when they make it easy for a busy person to reply.
A good networking email has a specific subject line, one line on how you are connected, one line on what you are working toward, and one small ask, such as 15 minutes of advice or a name to talk to. Keep it under 120 words, send it to one person at a time, and follow up once a week later if you hear nothing.
4 copy-ready templates
Illustrative: names, companies, dates and numbers in these templates and examples are fictional. Replace every bracket with your own true details before you send anything.
Reconnect with a former colleague
When to use: Someone you have not spoken to in a while.
Subject: Long time! Quick question Hi [Name], It's been a while since we worked together on [project] at [Company]. I hope [personal detail you know] is going well. I'm exploring [type of role] and remembered your experience in [area]. Would you be up for a 15-minute call in the next couple of weeks? Thanks, [Your name]
Introduce yourself to someone new
When to use: A shared group, school, community or mutual contact.
Subject: [Mutual contact] suggested I reach out Hi [Name], [Mutual contact] mentioned you've built a career in [field] and suggested we talk. I'm [one line about you] and I'm trying to understand [specific question]. Would you have 15 minutes for a call? Thank you, [Your name]
Follow up after an event
When to use: Within two days of meeting at a conference, meetup or career fair.
Subject: Great to meet you at [Event] Hi [Name], It was great talking with you at [Event] about [topic]. I'd love to continue the conversation. Would you have time for a short call next week? Best, [Your name]
Subject lines
When to use: Pick the most specific option you can honestly use.
[Mutual contact] suggested I reach out Fellow [school] grad: quick question about [field] Great to meet you at [Event] Question about your move from [A] to [B]
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Every template on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Networking email timing
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| After meeting someone | Within two days. |
| No reply | One follow-up after a week. |
| After the conversation | A thank-you within 24 hours. |
| Long-term | Share an update when you land a role, to close the loop. |
The same message, rewritten
Illustrative example with fictional details.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | Hi, I'm looking for a job. Do you know of any openings? |
| Strong | Ana suggested I reach out because you moved from teaching into instructional design. I'm exploring the same move. Would you have 15 minutes to share what helped you most? |
Why it matters: Asking a near-stranger for 'any openings' is hard to answer. Asking about their specific experience is easy and flattering, and it often leads to openings later.
Mistakes to avoid
- Attaching your resume to a first networking email.
- Asking for a job in the first line.
- Writing a long life story.
- Never following up after the conversation.
Write yours faster
Questions people ask
What should I say in a networking email?
What's a good subject line for a networking email?
Should I attach my resume to a networking email?
How do I reconnect after years without contact?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. The templates and timing guides are practical advice, labelled as advice. We do not publish response rates or success rates, and every example uses fictional details.
- How a specific employer or recruiter will respond: practices vary by company, industry and person.
- Legal advice: for contracts, severance releases or disputes, talk to an employment attorney or the relevant agency.
- Outcomes: no message, template or program can promise an interview or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 2, 2026.