Practical examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples that actually get replies

Short, to-the-point examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples

Let’s start with what most people actually need: short, low-pressure emails you can send quickly. These are the best examples to use when you don’t want to over-explain, but you do want to sound like a real human.

Example of a quick reconnect with a former coworker

You worked together, you liked each other, and then life happened. Here’s a simple example of a reconnecting email meeting request you can adapt:

Subject: Quick catch-up?

Hi Jordan,

I was thinking about our time on the Phoenix project and realized it’s been a while since we caught up. I’d love to hear how things are going at your new company and share a quick update on what I’ve been working on.

Would you be open to a 20–30 minute Zoom sometime in the next couple of weeks? I’m pretty flexible and happy to work around your schedule.

Either way, I hope things are going well on your end.

Best,
Alex

This is one of the simplest examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples: short, specific, and respectful of time. You remind them how you know each other, give a light reason for reaching out, and make the meeting ask clear but not pushy.

Example of reconnecting with a former manager for advice

When you’re reaching out to someone senior, it helps to show you’ve thought about why you’re asking for their time.

Subject: Could I get your advice on a career decision?

Hi Maria,

I hope you’ve been doing well and that things are going smoothly with the product team. I’ve been thinking a lot about the guidance you gave me on user-focused design back when we worked together at Horizon.

I’m currently considering a move into a product strategy role and would really value your perspective on the transition. Would you be open to a 25–30 minute call sometime in the next two weeks?

I know your schedule is busy, so if email is easier, I’m happy to send a few specific questions instead.

Thank you either way, and I hope everything is going well on your end.

Best,
Daniel

This example of a reconnecting email meeting request works because it shows respect, gives context, and offers a lower-commitment alternative (email) if a live meeting isn’t possible.

Networking-focused examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples

Sometimes you met once at a conference, on LinkedIn, or in a professional group—and then never followed up. You’re not alone. These examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples are tailored for light-touch networking.

Example of reconnecting after meeting at an event

Subject: Great meeting you at the summit

Hi Priya,

It was great talking with you at the Growth Leaders Summit last month. I’ve been thinking about your comments on customer retention and have already shared one of your ideas with my team.

If you’re open to it, I’d love to continue the conversation and learn a bit more about how your team approaches lifecycle marketing. Would you be up for a 20-minute virtual coffee sometime in the next couple of weeks?

If now’s not a good time, no worries at all—I appreciate the insights you shared at the event.

Best,
Marcus

Here, the email reminds them where you met, shows you listened, and makes a specific but friendly ask. Among the best examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples, this kind of message works well because it’s framed as a two-way exchange, not just “pick your brain.”

Example of reconnecting with a LinkedIn contact you never really met

Subject: Would love to finally say hello live

Hi Taylor,

We’ve been connected on LinkedIn for a while, and I’ve really enjoyed your posts about remote team leadership. Your recent post about onboarding new hires remotely especially resonated with me.

I’d love to introduce myself properly and hear more about how you’re approaching distributed work. Would you be open to a quick 20-minute Zoom sometime this month?

If that’s not feasible, no pressure at all—I’ll keep following your updates.

Thanks,
Renee

This is a softer example of a reconnecting email meeting request where there wasn’t much of a relationship to begin with. You’re acknowledging that, not pretending you were best friends.

Career-transition examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples

If you’re job searching or changing fields, reconnecting emails can feel especially loaded. You don’t want to sound like you’re only reaching out because you need something, even if that’s partly true. The best examples strike a balance between honesty and generosity.

Example of reconnecting during a job search (without asking for a job)

Subject: Quick catch-up and career update

Hi Sam,

I hope things are going well at Northbridge. I still remember how much I learned from your approach to stakeholder communication during our time on the Atlas project.

I’m reaching out because I’m exploring new opportunities in project management, ideally in healthcare or education. I’ve always respected your judgment and would really value your perspective on a couple of options I’m considering.

Would you be open to a 20–25 minute call sometime in the next week or two? I’m not asking for referrals—just hoping to get your take on the landscape and what I might be missing.

Either way, I hope everything is going well with you and your team.

Best,
Lauren

Notice the line “I’m not asking for referrals.” That can lower the pressure and make the person more willing to say yes. As examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples go, this is particularly useful when you want advice, not a direct favor.

Example of reconnecting to ask about opportunities (more direct)

Subject: Exploring roles at [Company Name]

Hi Chris,

I hope you’re doing well and that things at [Company Name] are going smoothly. I’ve been following your team’s work on the new analytics platform—it looks like exciting progress.

I’m currently exploring new roles in data analytics and am especially interested in companies like yours that are investing heavily in product-led growth. If you’re open to it, I’d really appreciate a 20-minute call to learn more about how your team is structured and what you look for when hiring.

If a call isn’t possible, even a quick reply with any suggestions or people I should follow up with would be incredibly helpful.

Thanks for considering it, and I hope everything is going well on your side.

Best,
Jordan

This example of a reconnecting email meeting request is more direct about interest in the company, but still respectful. You’re not demanding a referral; you’re asking for insight.

Long-gap examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples

These are for the “I haven’t talked to you in five years and this feels weird” situations. The key is to name the awkwardness briefly, then move on.

Example of reconnecting after several years

Subject: Long time no talk

Hi Elena,

It’s been a long time since our grad school days—I hope you’re doing well. I came across your name in an article about climate policy and realized we haven’t caught up in years.

I’ve been working in corporate sustainability for the past few years and am now exploring ways to contribute more directly to policy work. Since you’ve built such a strong career in that space, I’d love to hear how you navigated the transition.

If you’re open to it, would you be willing to do a 20–30 minute video call sometime in the next few weeks? I completely understand if your schedule is tight.

Either way, it’s been great to see your work making an impact.

Warmly,
Maya

This is one of the best examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples for long time gaps: you acknowledge the time, share a genuine compliment, and make a clear ask with an easy out.

Example of reconnecting with someone you left on read (and feel a little guilty about)

Subject: Apology for the delayed reply and quick hello

Hi David,

I realized recently that I dropped the ball on our last email exchange back in 2022, and I wanted to apologize for the silence. It wasn’t intentional—I was in the middle of a role change and let my inbox get away from me—but I know that’s not a great excuse.

I’ve been following your work at the startup and would still love to reconnect if you’re open to it. If you’d be willing, I’d really enjoy a 20-minute call to hear how things have evolved and share a bit about what I’ve been working on.

If you’d prefer not to, I completely understand and appreciate the insights you shared before.

Thanks for considering it,
Rachel

Here, the apology is short and sincere. Among real examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples, this kind of message can repair a dropped thread without over-dramatizing it.

How to write your own reconnecting email meeting request (and not sound stiff)

Now that you’ve seen several examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples, let’s break down the pattern you can reuse.

Think in five parts:

1. Subject line that sounds like a human, not a sales bot.
Skip clickbait. Use something like “Quick catch-up?”, “Long time no talk”, or “Could I get your advice?” These mirror the tone of the best examples you’ve seen above.

2. A quick reminder of how you know each other.
People’s memories are overloaded. In one or two lines, mention the project, conference, school, or mutual connection. Research from memory and attention studies (for example, work summarized by the National Institutes of Health) shows that context cues help people recall past interactions more easily.

3. A genuine reason for reaching out.
Instead of “I wanted to pick your brain,” be specific: you’re considering a career shift, you admired how they handled something, you’re curious about their field. Specificity makes your email feel less like a mass blast and more like a real note.

4. A clear, modest meeting request.
Notice how most real examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples ask for 20–30 minutes and offer flexibility. That’s intentional. Research on workplace communication and burnout (see, for example, resources from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management) highlights how overloaded calendars are; acknowledging that in your ask shows respect.

5. An easy out.
Every strong example of a reconnecting email meeting request includes something like “If now’s not a good time, no worries” or “If a call isn’t possible, a quick reply would still be helpful.” This reduces pressure and makes it easier for them to reply honestly instead of ignoring you.

2024–2025 trends to keep in mind when reconnecting

The way people work and communicate keeps shifting, and your reconnecting emails should reflect that.

Remote and hybrid work are normal.
Suggesting a Zoom or Teams call is completely standard now. Many of the best examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples use phrases like “virtual coffee” or “quick Zoom” because that’s how people actually meet.

Calendars are crowded. Short wins.
Post-2020, meeting overload is a real issue. Studies on workplace well-being from organizations like the American Psychological Association and similar groups point to digital fatigue and time pressure as real stressors. Keeping your meeting ask to 20–30 minutes and being flexible about timing respects that reality.

Asynchronous options are appreciated.
Some people genuinely prefer email or a quick LinkedIn message over a live meeting. That’s why many of the examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples above offer an alternative: “If email is easier, I’m happy to send a few questions.” This small line can significantly increase your response rate.

Personalization beats volume.
In 2024–2025, people are more wary than ever of generic-sounding, copy-paste messages (and yes, AI-written spam). What makes the real examples in this guide work is the small personal details—a shared project, a specific article, a quote from their talk. Add one or two real, verifiable details and your message will stand out.

FAQ: examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples and best practices

How long should a reconnecting email meeting request be?
Aim for 150–250 words. Most of the examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples here fall into that range. Long enough to give context, short enough to read on a phone.

Is it okay to mention that I’m job searching?
Yes, if you do it thoughtfully. Many real examples include a line like “I’m exploring new opportunities in X and would value your perspective.” The key is to ask for insight or advice, not a job on the spot.

What’s a good example of a subject line for reconnecting?
Some of the best examples include:

• “Quick catch-up?”
• “Long time no talk”
• “Could I get your advice on [topic]?”
• “Great meeting you at [event name]”

All of these sound like something you’d actually say out loud.

How far back is too far to reconnect?
There’s no strict cutoff. Many examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples work even after five or ten years, as long as you’re honest: “It’s been a long time since we were in school together” or “I know it’s been years since we worked at [Company].” Most people understand that life gets busy.

What if they don’t respond to my reconnecting email?
Wait about 7–10 days, then send a short, polite follow-up: “Just bumping this to the top of your inbox in case it got buried.” If there’s still no reply, let it go. Relationships have seasons, and silence usually means they’re too busy or it’s not the right time.

Use these examples of reconnecting email meeting request examples as a starting point, not a script you must follow word-for-word. Swap in your details, your voice, and your situation. If you sound like yourself, keep it respectful, and make a clear, low-pressure ask, you’ll be far ahead of the average networking email that never gets a reply.