Imagine this scenario, you are in the process of looking for a new job and have several companies in mind. While searching on Linkedin, you come across Jerry at SpaceX who is a 2nd-degree connection to one of your professional contacts.
This means it is the perfect time for you to write an introduction request email.
Here's what you would write to Ciara who knows Jerry:
Subject: Introduction to Jerry Wang about SpaceX
Hey Ciara,
I wanted to reach out and let you know I'm exploring new opportunities in the aerospace engineering field.
I noticed you are connected to Jerry Wang and I would love to chat with him about SpaceX's engineering roles.
Would you be open to connecting us? I can send you an easy to copy email with more context to make things simple for you.
Thanks,
Jerome
Let's look at why this email structure works:
Subject Line
The subject line notifies your email recipient that you want an introduction to a specific person at a specific company. Instead of a specific company, this could also apply to an industry or role you are exploring.
Opening Sentence
You give your professional contact more context on why you are reaching out. In this case, it is related to new job opportunities in aerospace engineering.
Second Sentence
In this part, you mention your professional contact is connected to the person who you want an introduction to.
Conclusion
You make the ask here to see if they are comfortable with doing the introduction. Plus, to make things easy for them you should write the introduction email for them. This is not as hard as it seems, I will go over this in an upcoming section.
It might take your professional contact a couple days or a week to get back to you about whether or not they can do the intro. This is because they ask the other person first if it is okay or not.
After you send the request email for an intro, your professional contact will generally either tell you no or yes.
Why would they tell you no?
Perhaps they are not close with the person you are trying to connect with. Therefore, they feel uncomfortable connecting you to the other person. This is not something you should take personally, rather you should still thank and tell them you appreciated them for considering it.
If they tell you yes, then draft up the pre-formatted email for them.
Here's an example using Ciara, Jerome, and Jerry from above:
Subject: Jerry <> Jerome on opportunities at SpaceX
Jerry,
I'd like to connect you to Jerome. I met Jerome through an event held at Michigan State and he has been working at Boeing for 3 years now. He is very passionate about innovation in the aerospace industry and is interested in learning more about the engineering roles at SpaceX. He would like to set up a 20-minute chat with you, if that is okay.
Jerome, can you follow up with Jerry?
Thanks,
Ciara
This email structure works because:
Subject Line
The subject line explains who the two people involved are and the reason of the involvement. In this case, it is Jerome who wants to know more about opportunities at SpaceX.
First Paragraph
Ciara says she is connecting Jerry to Jerome. Although she gives context here on Jerome's background and what he wants, this would have already been discussed when Ciara asked for Jerry's approval before sending this email. Still, it is good to reiterate it in the introduction email.
The 20 minute phone chat sets expectations on how much commitment it will be from Jerry's end.
Call to Action
The person who asked for the favor should make the first follow up. In this case, Jerome is expected to write back first.
However, you might run into people who do not reply back.
One example is when your professional contact does not reply back in the first place. He / she might be very busy and just forgot to reply back to your email. A simple follow up you can send is:
Hi [name],I wanted to see if you had a chance to look at my last email?
Thanks,
[Sender's name]
.....
Use the email templates I have shown above and tailor them to your own situation. Let me know how it goes!
If you want more email templates on how to connect with people at the companies you want to work for, go to http://mimizheng.com.