The Etiquette of Cold Call Networking
With 2 easy templates!
Once upon a time, there was no such thing as introducing yourself. You could only be introduced by someone else who already had the connections, especially in the circles where connections mattered most.
Good news - it's becoming more common than ever, especially for students and young professionals, to "cold call" and make your own introductions to get into places you might never have been able to set foot in the past.
Depending on your field of study, you might already be an expert at networking or you might have no idea where to begin.
If You're Feeling Nervous...
It's important to remember that no one succeeds alone. Every successful person is backed by talented and dedicated friends, mentors, and champions who helped them along the way.
Want to learn about an industry? Ask to hear about someone's career journey. Feeling stuck on an obstacle? Look for a role model to act as a sounding board. Have big dreams but no idea where to start? You know the answer - just ask for help.
Templates Made For You
Whether it's in school, work, or an online professional network, here are a couple easy templates for reaching out and introducing yourself. Over the years, I've sent out hundreds of messages just like these and they have led me to meeting wise, kind mentors and even directly to getting a job.
Once you're done, just remember to pay it forward and help the next person who reaches out to you!
Must-have ingredients of a great networking message:
Your name
Your job, school, or current position
Why you're reaching out
How they are related to your network or where you found their contact info
The "ask" (chat over email or phone, grab coffee or lunch)
Thank you
Tips for success:
Keep it short - 5 sentences or less.
Be formal but friendly - Respect writing etiquette with greetings, names and signatures, but it's okay to talk like yourself and not like you're sending legal correspondence.
First names are usually okay - Different cultures have different rules for what's respectful, but it's becoming more common for people in the U.S. to consider first names as respectful.
TEMPLATE ONE // For someone who's related to your network:
Hi [New Friend],
My name is [Career Cat] and I'm a [career advice writer] at [www.careercatadvice.com] interested in learning about [the marketing industry]. I came across your [email / contact info / profile] on [my workplace directory / my school alumni page / online professional network] and saw that you also worked at [Paw Prints Inc.] and graduated from [Fur-leigh University].
I would love to connect sometime if you're free and and learn more about your interesting career path in [marketing]. Please let me know if you'd be open to [grabbing coffee or lunch] sometime - thanks in advance for your time and hope to connect soon!
Warmest regards,
CC
TEMPLATE TWO // For someone who's not related to your network:
Hi [New Friend],
My name is [Career Cat] and I'm a [career advice writer] at [www.careercatadvice.com], and I'm interested in making a transition to [a marketing role]. I came across your [email / contact info / profile] on [your website / your social media / online professional network] and saw that you made a transition from [HR rep] to [marketing manager] at [Paw-some Marketing Co.].
I was really interested to hear about your journey to your current role and would love to connect sometime if you're free. Please let me know if you'd be open to a brief [phone call] sometime - thanks in advance for your time and hope to connect soon!
Best regards,
CC