Send 3 Reconnection Messages
Reaching out to people only when you need something feels transactional and awkward β for both sides. Reconnecting genuinely, with no immediate ask, rebuilds the relationship authentically. People are far more likely to think of you and refer you for opportunities when the relationship feels real rather than transactional.
Reaching out to people only when you need something feels transactional and awkward β for both sides. Reconnecting genuinely, with no immediate ask, rebuilds the relationship authentically. People are far more likely to think of you and refer you for opportunities when the relationship feels real rather than transactional.
Complete these steps
Pick 3 Tier 1 or Tier 2 contacts from your list Choose people you have not spoken to in 6 months or more. Prioritize people who know your work and have broad networks.
Find a genuine reason to reach out Think about a shared experience, a project you worked on together, something they recently posted or accomplished, or simply that you have been thinking about them.
Write a short genuine message Keep it to 3-4 sentences. Do not ask for anything. Just reconnect.
Template: "Hi [Name], I was thinking about [shared memory or their recent achievement] and wanted to reach out. It has been too long! I hope you are doing well β I'd love to catch up and hear what you have been up to. Are you free for a quick virtual coffee sometime in the next few weeks?"
Send via LinkedIn or email Use whichever channel you normally communicate on. LinkedIn is fine for professional contacts you haven't emailed directly.
Log them in your tracker Note who you contacted, when, and the outcome. If they respond set a reminder to follow up on the conversation.
Tips for success
Do not mention job searching in this first message β let the relationship rebuild naturally
If they ask what you are up to you can mention you are exploring new opportunities
Personalize every message β a generic copy-paste is obvious and off-putting