For networking to pay dividends, you need to expand beyond your known contacts. You want to connect with the contacts of your contacts.
When you think about it, this gives you exposure to hundreds, if not thousands, of people. People who could open doors, share career-changing advice, or otherwise support you.
Even if you already know this, you still may struggle with reaching out.
Here are three scripts you could use to comfortably approach networking contacts—known and unknown.
Start with your existing network to get warmed up and expand from there.
Templates for different scenarios
Scenario #1:
Considering a career pivot or a new role
This is a note to get reacquainted with existing contacts.
Subject: I’m Ready for a Big Change
Hey [name],
How are you? I know it’s been a while.
Personalize the email explaining why you’re reaching out:
I noticed that you’ve recently shared on LinkedIn some interesting projects you’re working on.
[or]
You’ve been on my mind lately and I wanted to reach out and reconnect. I thought you could offer me the right kind of advice.
[or]
I hope you’re well. I wanted to reach out and reconnect. I am thinking about making a career pivot and knew you’d have a good perspective on this.
Show your interest in their updates too:
I’d love to catch up to hear about your updates too. With work, life, and everything else.
Keep your ask simple and quantifiable:
Would you be open to a quick 20-minute call in the next two weeks?
Scenario #2:
Cold outreach via a common connection
This is best used when you’d like to connect with someone you share a connection with. Your target contact may not know your mutual connection well, but you can still benefit from that person being connected to you both.
Subject: Connecting the dots of our mutual connection
Personalize the email explaining why you’re reaching out:
Hi [Name],
I know this is an unexpected email but I wanted to reach out and introduce myself.
I see we have a mutual connection in [mutual contact name].
The reason for my message is because I have been considering pursuing other job opportunities and have had my eye on [their company].
I would love to get your perspective on being an employee there.
Specifically, I would appreciate your opinion on two things:
- What’s it like to work there?
- What does your company prioritize in the hiring process?
If this is too much to put into an email, would you be open for a quick 20-minute chat to discuss?
Thanks very much, [Name]. I hope we can connect soon.
Scenario #3:
Cold outreach to expand your network
Use this for unknown contacts at target companies.You can try to connect via a LinkedIn direct message but sometimes people don’t utilize or pay attention to LinkedIn messages. It’s best to reach out to their work email. Here’s a resource to help you find their email address.
Subject examples
Reference a post they wrote:
Your LinkedIn post on SEO in an AI World
Or, reference a comment they shared on a post:
Your comment on the ‘Do Product Managers need Portfolios?’
Or, reference specific experience they have:
Your experience with GDPR at Mozilla
Messaging
Personalize the email explaining on why you’re reaching out:
Hi [Name],
I know this is an unexpected email. But you shared something recently on LinkedIn that made a lot of sense and it encouraged me to reach out.
I read your recent post about [topic] and it resonated with me.
Describe the reason for your interest in the topic. E.g.
Specifically, I’m interested in pursuing this as a next step in my career.
Acknowledge their value as a resource.
I’m eager to learn more on [topic] and find reliable resources I can trust. Clearly you’re knowledgeable about [topic].
I would be grateful for your time so that I could learn more.
Would you be open to a 20-minute virtual coffee chat in the next two weeks to introduce myself?
If the timing isn’t right for you, no worries. I can try back another time. Just let me know.
Thanks very much, [Name].
Personalize it to make it your own.
Adjust the copy in the templates to fit your scenario. Use language that reflects your personality and how you talk.
In every message, reference something you discovered in their profile or recent activity or something you both have in common. Familiarity and commonality is the start of building trust.
Wrap-up
If people don’t respond, don’t be discouraged. There could be a number of reasons why you don’t get a response. Don’t overanalyze it. It’s not personal.
The growth of your network can open up new opportunities. Learn to craft the right kind of message for the right type of contact and see what opportunities arise.