If you’re skeptical, consider: in one recent survey, respondents were more likely to say that they’d found their job through networking than through any other method. That includes using a job board, going through a headhunter, or attending a career event. To network well, you have to do more than just reach out to your networking contacts whenever you’re looking for work or trying to advance your career. You have to be good to your contacts, in turn, even when they don’t need anything from you at the moment. Thanking them is an essential part of being a good colleague and connection. Here’s advice on why you should thank your networking contacts, what to include in your letter or email, a template to download, and examples to review to get ideas for your own correspondence.
Reasons Why You Should Send a Thank-You Letter or Email
1. Gratitude Makes a Difference
Why is saying “thank you” so important? Because expressing gratitude makes a real, positive difference for both the person saying thank you and the person receiving the message. One study showed that people habitually underestimate the impact that their expression of gratitude would have on the recipient. They also overestimated how awkward it would be to send their thanks. (In other words, if you’re holding back because you’re afraid you’ll put your foot in your mouth, don’t—chances are, your colleague will be delighted with your card or email.)
2. They May Expect It
On the other hand, not sending a thank-you note may do some real harm. In a TopResume survey, 68% of hiring managers said that receiving a thank-you note had an impact on their decision-making process after a job interview—and 16% had decided against moving forward with a candidate because they didn’t send a note.
3. It’s the Right Thing to Do
Professionals who take the time out of their busy schedules to help you with your career search deserve your thanks. They are also putting their own reputations on the line whenever they agree to add you to their professional networks—their doing so is a statement of their belief in your abilities and potential.
What to Include in Your Letter or Email
Your Thanks. This is your purpose for writing the letter, so be sure to say thank you in your message. The rest of your letter can be relatively brief—a few paragraphs at most. Specific Examples of How They’ve Helped. Include specifics about how your contact has helped you, e.g., by referring you for a job or introducing you to a new connection. Professional Formatting and Language. Even if you’re close friends with the recipient, it’s a good idea to set a professional tone with your thank-you letter. If you’re sending a written letter or card, use business letter format. If you’re sending an email, feel free to omit the address paragraphs, but be sure to choose a subject line that makes your topic obvious. In any case, avoid being too casual in your word choice or formatting, and skip text-speak or emoticons.
Thank-You Letter Template for a Networking Contact
This is an example of a thank-you letter for a networking contact. Download the thank-you letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Microsoft Word) or see below for more examples.
Thank-You Letter Examples for Networking Contacts
March 21, 2022 Victor LeeAccount ExecutiveNetworking Specialists123 Business Rd.Business City, NY 54321 Dear Mr. Lee, Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. I am grateful for the time you spent reviewing my career objectives and recommending strategies for achieving them. I especially appreciate your offer to connect me to others in your network. I plan on following up with the contacts you emailed me right away. I will also use the online networking resources you recommended to further my job search. Any additional suggestions you may have would be welcome. I’ll update you as my search progresses. Again, thank you so much for your help. I greatly appreciate the assistance you have provided me. Best regards, Signature (hard copy letter) Albert Jones March 21, 2022 Hilda LeeManagerAcme Retail123 Business Rd.Business City, NY 54321 Dear Ms. Lee, Thank you for sharing your professional expertise with me during our discussion today. I consider you to be one of my role models in our field, and I am more than grateful for the time you spent reviewing my career objectives and recommending strategies for achieving them. I especially appreciate your offer to connect me to others in your network. I plan on following up with the contacts you emailed me right away. I have also begun to reach out to local professionals using the online networking resources you recommended to accelerate my job search. Any additional suggestions you may have would be welcome. I’ll let you know how my career search progresses. Again, thank you so much for your help. I greatly appreciate the assistance you have provided me. Best regards, Signature (hard copy letter) Rita Lau
