The best examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting (that actually get replies)

Real examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting

Let’s skip the theory and go straight to what you can actually send. Below are real‑sounding, plug‑and‑play examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting that you can adapt in a few minutes.

Each example includes:

• A short setup so you know when to use it
• A subject line you can copy
• A full email you can personalize

You don’t need to use them word‑for‑word. Think of these as training wheels: start here, then tweak to match your voice.

1. Thank you email for reconnecting with a former manager

When to use this: You worked for this person a few years ago and want to reconnect, maybe because you’re exploring a move or just rebuilding your network.

Subject: Great to reconnect – and thank you

Email:

Hi [Name],

It was really nice reconnecting today and catching up on what you and the team have been working on. I’ve always appreciated how much I learned from you at [Company], and our conversation reminded me of that.

Thank you again for taking the time to talk through my next career steps and share your perspective on the [industry/role] landscape. Your point about [specific insight they shared] gave me a lot to think about, and I’m already looking into a few of the ideas you mentioned.

I’d love to stay in touch as I move forward. If there’s ever anything I can do to help you or the team—from making intros to sharing what I’m seeing in the market—please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thanks again,
[Your Name]

This is one of the best examples of a thank you email for reconnecting with someone senior: it’s specific, respectful, and doesn’t immediately ask for more.

2. Thank you email after reconnecting on LinkedIn

When to use this: You just reconnected with someone on LinkedIn after years, maybe a former classmate or coworker.

Subject: Thanks for reconnecting on LinkedIn

Email:

Hi [Name],

Thanks for accepting my request to reconnect on LinkedIn. It’s hard to believe it’s been [X] years since [shared context – e.g., “our days in Professor Lee’s class” or “the product launch at Acme”].

I’ve been following your updates about [their recent project, role, or company], and it’s impressive to see how your career has evolved. Thank you for being open to reconnecting—I’d love to stay on your radar and cheer you on from here.

If you’re ever up for a quick virtual coffee, I’d enjoy hearing more about what you’re working on and how things are going at [Company]. No pressure at all—either way, I’m glad we’re back in touch.

Best,
[Your Name]

Among the examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting, this one works well because it’s light, low‑pressure, and easy to send even if you haven’t spoken in a decade.

3. Thank you email after someone makes an introduction

When to use this: A contact reconnected with you by introducing you to someone new (a recruiter, hiring manager, or potential client).

Subject: Thank you for the intro to [Name]

Email:

Hi [Name],

Thank you again for reconnecting and for introducing me to [New Contact]. We had a great conversation about [topic, role, or opportunity], and it was clear they trust your judgment.

I really appreciate you taking the time to think of me and make that connection. I know everyone’s schedules are packed these days, and it means a lot that you’d go out of your way to help.

I’ll keep you posted on how things progress with [New Contact/Company]. In the meantime, if there’s ever someone you’d like to meet in my world—whether in [your industry] or at [your company]—I’m more than happy to return the favor.

Thanks again for your support,
[Your Name]

If you’re looking for an example of a thank you email that strengthens a relationship and acknowledges the favor, this is a solid starting point.

4. Thank you email for reconnecting after a layoff or career change

When to use this: You reached out after being laid off or making a big change, and the person took time to talk, encourage, or advise you.

Subject: Thank you for your support and advice

Email:

Hi [Name],

Thank you again for taking the time to reconnect and talk through my recent transition. These past few weeks have been a lot, and your perspective on navigating change in today’s job market was incredibly grounding.

I especially appreciated your suggestion to [specific action they recommended, like “target smaller companies” or “highlight my project work on LinkedIn”]. I’ve already started [updating my profile / reaching out to those contacts / revising my resume], and it feels like a much clearer path forward.

I really value having people like you in my corner. I’ll keep you posted on how things progress, and if there’s ever a way I can support you or your team, I’d be glad to help.

With appreciation,
[Your Name]

This is one of the best examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting during a tough season: it acknowledges the reality, but keeps the tone hopeful and proactive.

5. Thank you email after reconnecting at a conference or event

When to use this: You bumped into someone at a conference, meetup, or webinar and want to keep the connection alive.

Subject: Great running into you at [Event]

Email:

Hi [Name],

It was great running into you at [Event] last week—thank you for taking a few minutes to catch up. I really enjoyed hearing about your work on [their project or focus area], especially your point about [specific takeaway].

I’ve been thinking about how [their insight] applies to what we’re doing at [Your Company], and it’s already sparked a couple of ideas for our team. I appreciate you being so open in sharing what you’re seeing in the field.

If you’re open to it, I’d love to continue the conversation over a short call sometime in the next few weeks. Either way, thank you again for reconnecting—it was a highlight of the event for me.

Best,
[Your Name]

Among real examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting, this one fits the 2024–2025 reality of hybrid events and quick hallway conversations that move online afterward.

6. Thank you email after reconnecting with a mentor or professor

When to use this: You reached out to a former mentor, teacher, or professor for advice or a reference.

Subject: Thank you for your guidance

Email:

Dear Professor [Last Name]/Hi [Name],

Thank you again for taking the time to reconnect and talk about my next steps in [field/industry]. Our conversation reminded me how much your class and guidance shaped the way I think about [subject or skill].

I’m especially grateful for your advice to [specific suggestion] and for offering to [write a recommendation / introduce me to someone / review my portfolio]. I know your time is in high demand, and I don’t take your support for granted.

I’ll follow through on the action items we discussed and keep you updated on how things progress. Please let me know if there’s ever a way I can give back—whether by speaking with current students or sharing my experience with your class.

With appreciation,
[Your Name]

This is a strong example of a thank you email that keeps a long‑term relationship warm and respectful.

7. Thank you email after reconnecting with a former client

When to use this: You worked with this person in the past, reconnected recently, and want to thank them while keeping the door open for future work.

Subject: Thank you – and great catching up

Email:

Hi [Name],

It was great reconnecting and hearing how things have evolved at [Their Company] since we last worked together. Thank you for taking the time to walk me through your current priorities and share what’s been working well.

I’m glad to hear that [past project or result] is still paying off for your team. That was one of my favorite collaborations, and I appreciate the trust you placed in us back then.

If it’s helpful, I’m happy to send over a few ideas related to [specific challenge they mentioned]—no strings attached. Either way, thank you again for reconnecting. I really enjoyed catching up and hope our paths cross again soon.

All the best,
[Your Name]

This is one of the best examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting that gently signals you’re open for business without being pushy.

8. Short and simple thank you email for a quick reconnect

When to use this: You had a brief chat or email exchange and don’t want to overdo it.

Subject: Thanks for the quick catch‑up

Email:

Hi [Name],

Just a quick note to say thank you for reconnecting earlier today. It was great to hear what you’ve been up to and to share a bit about my world as well.

I appreciated your thoughts on [topic] and will keep [specific tip] in mind as I move forward. Let’s not wait another [X] years before we talk again.

Thanks again,
[Your Name]

If you’re looking for a very short example of a thank you email for reconnecting, this one hits the mark without feeling stiff.

How to write your own thank you email for reconnecting (without sounding stiff)

Now that you’ve seen these examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting, let’s break down the simple structure behind them. You can use this as a checklist whenever you need to write your own.

Open with context. Remind them who you are and where you reconnected: a past company, school, event, or mutual contact. People are juggling a lot; a short reminder is helpful, not annoying.

Say thank you early. Don’t bury the gratitude. In almost all the best examples above, “thank you” appears in the first or second sentence.

Be specific, not generic. Instead of “Thanks for your time,” try “Thank you for walking me through how your team is approaching AI in marketing.” Specifics make your email feel real.

Reference one concrete takeaway. Mention a single insight, suggestion, or moment from your conversation. Research on memory and communication from places like Harvard University highlights how concrete details make interactions more memorable.

Offer something back (even if small). You may not be able to send them business or a job lead, but you can offer to share an article, connect them to someone, or speak with a student or junior colleague.

Keep it short. Most people are reading on their phone. Aim for 150–250 words. All the real examples above fall roughly in that range.

End with a light touch. Instead of demanding a follow‑up, use soft language: “If you’re open to it…,” “If it’s helpful…,” or “No pressure at all.” This respects their time and makes them more likely to respond.

These patterns show up across all the real examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting in this article. Once you see the pattern, it gets much easier to write your own from scratch.

2024–2025 trends that shape how you say “thank you” when reconnecting

Networking norms shift over time, and your thank you emails should reflect that. A few current trends to keep in mind:

1. Short, mobile‑friendly messages win.
Most people skim email on their phones. That’s why each example of a thank you email above uses short paragraphs and simple language. Think “text message clarity” with “email professionalism.”

2. Authenticity beats formality.
Overly stiff language feels out of place in 2024–2025. A conversational tone—like the real examples here—builds more trust than corporate jargon. The same shift toward authenticity shows up in broader workplace communication research from organizations like Pew Research Center.

3. Mental health and workload awareness matter.
People are juggling burnout, hybrid work, and family responsibilities. A quick acknowledgment like “I know your schedule is busy” or “I appreciate you making time” lands well. Public health resources from sites like CDC.gov highlight how workload and stress affect people at work—your empathy is not wasted.

4. LinkedIn and email work together.
Many reconnects now start on LinkedIn and move to email. That’s why some of the best examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting reference a LinkedIn message or recent post. It shows you’re actually paying attention, not mass‑emailing.

5. Follow‑through is part of the thank you.
If you say “I’ll keep you updated,” actually do it. A short note two or three months later—“Quick update based on the advice you gave me”—keeps the relationship alive. Strong professional networks, as discussed by universities like MIT and other career centers, are built on consistent, light‑touch follow‑ups, not one‑off asks.

FAQ: Short answers about thank you emails for reconnecting

What are some good examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting with someone senior?
Use a respectful tone, keep it concise, and highlight one specific insight they shared. The former manager template above is a good example of this: it thanks them, reflects their advice back to them, and doesn’t immediately ask for more.

Can you give an example of a very short thank you email after reconnecting?
Yes. Something like: “Hi [Name], thank you again for reconnecting today—it was great to hear what you’ve been working on. I appreciated your insight about [topic] and will keep it in mind as I move forward. Thanks again, [Your Name].” That’s under 60 seconds to write and still feels thoughtful.

How soon should I send a thank you email after reconnecting?
Aim for within 24 hours while the conversation is still fresh. If that’s not possible, send it within a few days and briefly acknowledge the delay: “I’ve been meaning to thank you for our conversation last week…”

Is it okay to mention I’m job hunting in a thank you email for reconnecting?
Yes, as long as you lead with gratitude and keep the ask reasonable. For example: “Thank you again for reconnecting and sharing your perspective on the industry. I’m beginning a search for [type of role], and if you happen to hear of anything that might be a fit, I’d be grateful if you kept me in mind.”

How often can I follow up after sending a thank you email?
If they don’t reply, you can send one gentle follow‑up after 7–10 days. After that, give it space and reconnect again only when you have a genuine update or something of value to share. The goal is to build a long‑term relationship, not pressure them.

If you use these real examples of thank you email examples for reconnecting as a starting point—and keep your tone specific, kind, and concise—you’ll find that hitting “send” gets a lot less intimidating and your replies get a lot more frequent.