Best examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts

Real examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts

Let’s skip theory and start with what you actually need: words you can copy, paste, and adapt. Below are real examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts in different situations, written for a modern, remote-hybrid, LinkedIn-heavy world.

You’ll notice a few patterns:

• Short and specific subject lines
• A quick acknowledgment of the time gap
• A clear reason for reaching out (without sounding needy)
• A simple, low-pressure next step

You can mix and match these examples depending on your relationship and goals.

Example of reconnecting with a former manager when you’re job searching

Subject: Long time no talk – quick career update

Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well and that things at [Company] are going smoothly. I was thinking about our time on the [team/project] recently and realized it’s been a while since we caught up.

I’m currently exploring new opportunities in [field/role] and immediately thought of you because I learned so much on your team, especially around [specific skill or project]. I’d love to get your perspective on where someone with my background fits best in today’s market.

If you’re open to it, could we grab 20 minutes for a quick virtual coffee over the next couple of weeks? I’d really value your honest take on my direction and any suggestions you might have.

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

Best,
[Your Name]

This is one of the best examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts when you want guidance without directly asking for a job. It acknowledges the time gap, offers context, and asks for something reasonable.

Example of reconnecting with an old coworker just to warm up the connection

Subject: It’s been a minute – how are you?

Hey [Name],

I was going through some old photos from our time at [Company] and came across the one from [funny/interesting moment]. It made me realize how long it’s been since we caught up.

How’s life and work these days? Are you still at [Current Company], or have you made a move since we last spoke?

Things on my end are good – I’m currently at [Your Company] working on [short description of what you do now]. It’d be great to hear what you’ve been up to and where you’ve landed.

No pressure to hop on a call, but if you’re up for a quick catch-up sometime, I’d love that.

Take care,
[Your Name]

This is a softer example of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts: no ask, just a gentle re-entry into someone’s inbox.

Example of reconnecting after meeting at a conference or event (weeks or months later)

Subject: Great to meet you at [Event] – quick follow-up

Hi [Name],

I hope you’ve been doing well since [Event/Conference] back in [Month]. I really enjoyed our conversation about [topic you discussed], especially your point about [specific insight they shared].

I’ve been experimenting with a few of the ideas we talked about in my role at [Your Company], and it reminded me that I never properly followed up.

If you’re open to it, I’d love to stay in touch and maybe compare notes on what’s working for us in [shared field/industry]. Even a quick email exchange would be helpful for me.

Either way, thanks again for the thoughtful conversation at [Event].

Best,
[Your Name]

Networking events are noisy and forgettable; this is one of the best examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts that turns a one-time chat into an ongoing professional relationship.

Example of reconnecting with a college classmate or alum for career advice

Subject: Fellow [School] alum looking for your insight

Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well. I’m a fellow [University] alum (Class of [Year]) and we were in [Class/Club] together with [Professor/Advisor] – hard to believe it’s been [X] years.

I’ve been following your path on LinkedIn and really admire how you’ve built your career in [industry/role]. I’m currently working in [your current field] and considering a transition into [their field or something related].

Would you be open to a 15–20 minute chat sometime in the next few weeks? I’d love to ask a few specific questions about how you made the move into [field] and what you’d recommend for someone at my stage.

If that’s not possible, even a few pointers or resources over email would be incredibly helpful.

Thanks so much for considering it.

Best,
[Your Name]

This is a strong example of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts that leans on a shared background (school) instead of pretending you’ve been in touch all along.

Example of reconnecting with someone you ghosted (and want to fix it)

Subject: I dropped the ball – would love to reconnect

Hi [Name],

I’ve been meaning to send this email for a while. I realized I never replied to your last message about [topic], and I’m sorry for letting that fall through the cracks.

The past few months have been busy with [short, honest but not oversharing explanation – job change, move, family, etc.], but I should have at least sent a quick note. If you’re open to it, I’d really like to pick up the conversation again.

I’m still very interested in [topic you discussed / collaboration / opportunity], and I’d love to hear how things have been going on your end.

If it’s easier, I’m happy to send over a few times for a quick call, or we can keep things over email.

Thanks for your understanding,
[Your Name]

Owning the mistake directly makes this one of the best examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts when you feel awkward about disappearing.

Example of reconnecting with a professional contact to share an article or resource

Subject: Thought of you when I read this

Hi [Name],

I hope all is well. I came across this article on [brief topic description] and immediately thought of our conversation about [topic] from last year: [paste link].

A couple of points in here reminded me of your work on [their project or role], especially the section about [specific part of the article].

No need to respond, but I wanted to send it your way in case it’s useful or sparks ideas.

Hope things are going well at [Company].

Best,
[Your Name]

This is a low-pressure example of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts because you’re giving, not asking. You can swap the article for a podcast, video, or report.

Example of reconnecting with a mentor you haven’t updated in a while

Subject: Quick update and a thank-you

Hi [Name],

I’ve been thinking about you and wanted to send a quick update. When we last spoke, I was [describe your situation then], and you encouraged me to [advice they gave].

Since then, I’ve [describe what happened – new role, promotion, project, move]. Your advice played a big part in helping me make that decision, and I wanted to say thank you.

I’d love to hear what you’ve been working on lately and how things are going on your side. If you’re up for it, I’d be glad to schedule a short catch-up sometime soon.

Really appreciate all the guidance you’ve given me over the years.

Warmly,
[Your Name]

Mentors rarely hear how things turned out. That’s why this is one of the best examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts: it gives them closure and appreciation.

Example of reconnecting when you were laid off and need support

Subject: Quick update and a small ask

Hi [Name],

I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to share a quick update: my role at [Company] was recently impacted by a restructuring, so I’m currently exploring new opportunities in [field/role].

I’ve always appreciated your perspective on the industry and the way you’ve navigated your own career. If you’re open to it, I’d be grateful for any suggestions on companies or people I should be talking to right now.

Here’s a short overview of what I’ve been working on recently:

• [1–2 lines on your most recent responsibilities]
• [1–2 notable achievements or projects]

If you’d be willing to pass my name along to anyone who might be hiring, I’d really appreciate it. In any case, I hope things are going well for you.

Thank you,
[Your Name]

Given how common layoffs have been in 2024–2025, this is a very current example of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts that balances honesty with professionalism.

How to write your own examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts

Once you’ve seen several real examples, patterns start to pop out. You don’t need a script for every single situation. You just need a simple structure you can reuse.

Think of your email in four parts:

Subject line: Clear and human. Examples include:

• Long time no talk – quick update
• Great to meet you at [Event]
• Fellow [School] alum – would love your insight
• I dropped the ball – can we reconnect?

Opening line: Acknowledge the time gap briefly.

• “It’s been a while since we last spoke, and I hope you’ve been doing well.”
• “I was thinking about our work together on [project] and realized it’s been a long time since we caught up.”

Context + purpose: Why you’re reaching out now.

• You changed jobs
• You’re exploring a new field
• You saw an article, event, or job they might care about
• You want to say thank you or give an update

Soft ask: One specific, reasonable next step.

• A 15–20 minute call
• Their perspective on a change you’re considering
• A referral or introduction (when appropriate)
• Nothing at all, if you’re just warming up the relationship

If you read back through the earlier examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts, you’ll see this pattern again and again. Once you know the structure, you can write your own versions without copying them word-for-word.

For more on professional communication and networking, you can browse resources from universities like Harvard’s career services or networking guides from USA.gov’s career resources. They offer templates and advice that pair well with the real examples here.

2024–2025 trends to keep in mind when reconnecting

The way people work and network has shifted, and your reconnecting emails should reflect that.

Remote and hybrid work are normal. Mentioning virtual coffee or a short video chat is totally standard now. Many of the best examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts suggest a quick Zoom or phone call instead of an in-person meeting.

Shorter messages win. Most people are reading on their phone between meetings. Aim for 150–250 words. Every example of reconnecting email you saw above fits roughly in that range.

LinkedIn is part of the follow-up. It’s common to send a quick LinkedIn connection request after your email, or vice versa. Just keep your notes consistent so you don’t sound like two different people.

Mental health and boundaries matter. People are more open about burnout and workload, but also more protective of their time. That’s why these examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts always ask for something small and specific instead of “Can I pick your brain?”

If you want to better understand the broader stress and workload people are under, organizations like the American Psychological Association share research on workplace well-being that can help you approach your networking with more empathy.

Common mistakes that weaken even the best examples

Even strong examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts can fall flat if you add the wrong ingredients. Watch out for:

Over-apologizing. One short apology is enough. A simple “Sorry for the delayed reply” works better than three paragraphs of guilt.

Being vague about what you want. “Would love to connect sometime” is easy to ignore. Instead, try “Would you be open to a 20-minute call in the next two weeks?”

Sending a wall of text. Huge paragraphs get skipped. Break your email into short chunks. Look back at the real examples above: they’re scannable.

Making it all about you. Yes, you have goals—but show interest in their world, too. Ask how they’re doing, reference their work, or share a resource that could help them.

Forgetting to follow up. A polite follow-up after 7–10 days is normal. Something like: “Just bumping this to the top of your inbox in case it got buried. No rush either way.”

For more guidance on professional etiquette, sites like CareerOneStop (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor) offer practical advice that aligns well with the examples here.

FAQ about examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts

Q: What are some short examples of reconnecting email subject lines that actually get opened?

A: Real examples include: “Quick hello from [Your Name],” “Long time no talk – quick question,” “Loved our chat at [Event],” and “Fellow [School] alum – would love your insight.” The pattern is: short, specific, and clearly from a real person, not marketing.

Q: How long should a reconnecting email be?

A: Aim for 150–250 words. Every example of reconnecting email in this guide stays roughly in that range: long enough to give context, short enough to read on a phone.

Q: Is it okay to reconnect only when I need something?

A: It’s honest, and people understand it happens, especially during layoffs or career transitions. Just be respectful and specific, like in the layoff example above. Over time, try sending occasional “giving” emails too—sharing an article, a job lead, or a quick congratulations—so the relationship isn’t only about asking for help.

Q: How many times can I follow up if they don’t respond?

A: One or two follow-ups are fine. After that, let it go. You can always try again months later with a new angle or update. Some of the best examples of reconnecting email examples for networking contacts happen after a long quiet stretch, when you finally have a meaningful reason to reach out.

Q: Can I reuse these examples word-for-word?

A: You can, but it’s better to treat them as starting points. Swap in your own details, adjust the tone to match your personality, and double-check that every sentence sounds like something you would actually say. The more real it feels, the more likely you are to get a genuine response.