Can I ask for an email introduction?

02.25.2020

You’ve made the decision, you’re going for it. You’ve decided that your dream company is worth handling the potential rejection, but you really would rather just land the job instead of going through the motions only to end up right back where you are.  You have an inkling as to how you might get past the applicant tracking system and human resources personnel that are reviewing resumes, but it would require you to reach out to someone in your life that you barely know, or worse, have lost touch with. So can you ask this person for an email introduction to get your foot in the door at your dream company? If so, how should you do it? Here are email templates you can use when you need an introduction but aren’t close to the person you’d like to get it from.

 

If you have previously worked with the person you are asking to introduce you, or you used to be close to them, let’s call this the “We lost touch because” template:

 

Hi (first name),

I can’t believe we haven’t connected since we worked at Company XYZ together. I haven’t done the best job of keeping in touch, but I hope you’re open to reconnecting now.

I’ve gotten some really great experience in my current role, but feel it’s time to move on. I remember from a few of our conversations that you know people at ABC Company, and I’m wondering if you would be open to introducing me via email to someone in their Finance department? I know it’s been awhile since we’ve talked, so if you’d like to hear more about how I think I could be an asset to their organization, I’d be happy to send you my resume or chat live to fill you in on some of my recent achievements. 

If this is not something that you’re comfortable with, that’s no problem, I just thought you might still know a few people who might be able to get my application/ resume to the right person.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Best,

Your first name and last name

 

If you are connected to the person who could introduce you to someone at your dream company, but you haven’t reached out to them in awhile, let’s call this the “I see from LinkedIn template”:

Hi Oscar,

I see from LinkedIn that you’re currently working at Company ABC. Congratulations! I know that was somewhere you had hoped to land. Lately I’ve been thinking about looking for open roles there and would like to hear what the transition was like for you. Would you have an opening in your schedule over the next couple weeks for a short phone call, could you meet for a cup of coffee, or would you be open to me sending over a few questions by email?

Sincerely,

Your first name

 

If there’s a really good chance that the person won’t recognize your name in their email inbox because you’ve only briefly met, or you’ve gotten referred to them by an acquaintance, let’s call this the “You might not remember me” template:

Hi Colleen,

We met at last year’s Finance Professionals’ Conference in Denver when we were both waiting in the never ending line for the list of break out sessions, and discovered we’d both recently started training for a marathon. (Update: I’m running my first 10k next week.) I’m reaching out because I remember you work at 123 Company and they have an opening I’m interested in. I remember you had said you had worked there for a bit before you took your current role. Could I email you a few questions about what it’s like working there?

Thank you,

Your first name and last name

 

It can feel really awkward to ask someone you know for a professional favor, let alone someone who you haven’t stayed in touch with. Try using one of these templates to reach out to someone who can help you get to the next step in your career to reduce the uncertainty around how to politely ask for their help, and get you connected to the right person to get your resume to the person who might hire you at your dream company!