A Networking Email That Works

On the heels of the generalist series there has been some inbound requests from friends and colleagues for career advice.  The next few entries will outline a networking approach to gain entry and credibility when entering a new field.  First, here's the skeleton of the e-mail template that I’ve used to get in conversations with truly wonderful people that have had a profound impact on my career. 

Dear PERSON OF INTEREST,

WARM INTRODUCTION NAME suggested we should meet because of REASON YOU ARE GREAT.  I am QUICK BACKGROUND and looking to advance in DESIRED FIELD.  Would you be willing to spend 30 minutes with me to share your story: what you do and how you got there?

Thank you so much for considering,

YOUR NAME HERE

That’s it, works almost all the time.  Now let’s break it down part by part to understand what is included and what is intentionally excluded.

Warm introduction: 

This one is a challenge starting out but gets easier over time.  A warm introduction, a reference from someone else …