Job Seekers: How to Follow Up After Networking Events

I loved attending networking events and creating new relationships when I was looking for a new job. The one thing I didn’t like was following up after the network event.

This is where the “work” in the word networking comes into play, following up is also the most important part of networking.

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It’s your lucky day! I worked very hard to create a networking follow up email for job seekers. Instead of having to create your own all you have to do is tweak the the email below.  I can’t make it any easier for you.

Most job seekers don’t follow up after networking because they are afraid that the other person won’t respond to their email.

Following up after a networking event is actually the easy part. 

You have already:

• Overcome your fear of attending the networking event
• Told complete strangers a rock star career story to enhance your personal brand
• Convinced industrial professionals to help you with your job search

Example Networking Event Follow Up Email

Subject Line: Nice Meeting You At The Marketing Mixer

Hi Bob,

It was a pleasure meeting you last night at the Marketing Mixer. It was great talking to you about your passion for marketing and how you broke into the industry.

I am trying to break into the industry and would like to ask you 2-3 questions about your experience working at (current company). Would you be free to chat over coffee this week? I know you’re busy, so I will make myself available whenever you have 15-20 minutes.

I really appreciate your willingness to help.
John

P.S. If you prefer, I would be happy to send my questions via email.

Notice what I didn’t say:

• “Can you please send the attached resume to the hiring manager?”
• “Do you know of any open positions in your company?”
• “Can you help me find a job in the industry?”

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Why Networking Event Follow Up Email Works:

It was a pleasure meeting you last night at the Marketing Mixer.

You’re letting your new contact know where you met and that you are not a complete stranger.

I really enjoyed talking to you about your passion for marketing and how you broke into the industry.

• You’re letting your contact know the conversation you had at the networking event to get them to remember you.
• It can be anything you talked about at the event. The more personal the better. Examples: I can’t believe you know my cousin John; It’s so funny that we have the same breed of dog.

I am trying to break into the industry and would like to ask you 2-3 questions about your experience working at (current company).

• This is a great statement because you’re not asking for a job, but your acknowledging the fact that you don’t have one.
• By only asking 2-3 questions you’re letting them know it will be a quick conversation. Most people have time to answer 2-3 questions.

Would you be free to chat over coffee this week? I know you’re busy, so I will make myself available whenever you have 15-20 minutes.

• Asking to meet for coffee might not sound very exciting, but it’s quick, easy, and effective.
• Since you asked them to meet you have to honor a time that is convenient for them, and be willing to meet by where they work.
• 15-20 minutes is just enough time to get some great advice, and it is a very small time commitment for a busy person.

I really appreciate your willingness to help.

• I always like to include this line.
• You are already thanking them for being willing to help you. This makes your contact feel like they need to help you because you already thanked them for something they haven’t done yet.

P.S. If you prefer, I would be happy to send my questions via email.

• This question almost always ensure that you will get a response
• Some people don’t like to go to coffee with people they just met. By offering this option it allows you to still get helpful advice.
• It’s also hard to get someone to say no to you twice, especially if you are writing them a genuine email.

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The chances are slim that someone you had a great conversation with is going to send you an email that says, “Can you please send me your resume and cover letter so I can forward it to the hiring manager at my company?”

Writing a networking follow up email when you are looking for a job is simple.  This is one of my favorite networking tips for college students and recent graduates.

3 things I want you to do:

1. Leave a comment at the bottom of this post telling me how someone helped you find a job after you sent follow up email after a networking event.
2. Bookmark this article so you can use the template I created above after you attend a networking event.
3. Share this article with your network. Everyone could always use great advice how to follow up after a networking event.

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