Networking Follow-Up Strategy: How & When to Reach Out

Job seekers are told to network as part of the job search. But it’s not as easy as that. When you send a request to meet with someone, they often don’t respond, which leaves you feeling ignored. And then you wonder if you should follow up, but you don’t want to seem pushy or rude.

What no one tells you is that the most common thing you’ll experience during job search is that you’ll seldom get a response to your first request for a networking chat. 

Persistence is required and following up is not pushy!

Here’s the other thing to keep in mind. There are many reasons a professional might not reply right away:

• Their inbox is overflowing and they simply forgot.
• They missed your message or mistook it for spam.
• They were busy when it arrived and intended to reply later.

As you set up your networking strategy, automatically plan for a follow-up a week later if there is no response. 

Below you’ll find more information to make following up after your initial request for a chat less stressful and easy for the person to reply “yes” to. 

Optimal Follow-Up Timing and Frequency

Wait a week after you send your first message, then send your first follow-up message. Plan to follow up 2-3 times, wait a week between each outreach. It may seem like a lot, but think about how noisy your inbox is. It’s easy for things to get overlooked.

First Outreach
Follow-Up Message 1	One week after first outreach sent
Follow-Up Message 2	One week after first follow-up
Follow-Up Message 3	One week after message 2

Whether you follow up 2 or 3 times depends on how important the person is to your search. The thing to remember is that you should expect and plan to send at least one follow-up message. 

How to Avoid Sounding Like a Marketer

Avoid saying things like “just checking in” or “bubbling this to the top of your email.” This doesn’t sound like you care or are genuinely interested in having a conversation with the person. Give them a reason to say yes and make it easy. 

How to Avoid Sounding Like an AI Bot

With so many people using AI tools to help write emails, go a step beyond to include something specific or personal in your message. Mention your connection to the person who referred you, or something about their background that genuinely interests you. Use language that a real person would use. Be professional but not too formal. 

Focusing on Connections Rather Than Job Requests

Remember, you are asking for a conversation to learn more about their work, experience at the company, or their industry. You are NOT asking for a job. 

Keep Your Asks Small and Manageable

Some job seekers ask for too much, and the person receiving the message feels overwhelmed or unable to help. Also avoid using the phrase “pick your brain” because this feels like you are asking for too much. Keep your request simple. This is why you are only asking for a 15-20-minute meeting. It’s not a huge investment of time. Stay away from asking for a resume review, introductions to other people, or basic information you could have researched on your own. 

Alternative Networking Channels and Workarounds

Here are a couple of workarounds to try that may help you get a response: 

Reach out via another platform

If you sent your message on LinkedIn, you can’t be sure the person is active there, so send an email. Or perhaps they don’t check the email account you sent your request to very often. You could try using an “open receipt” tool to verify the email address is valid. 

Get help from a mutual contact

If you have been given the name by someone else, reach out and explain that you haven’t heard back. The person who referred you may know something about their schedule. Your contact may also be willing to reach out to them to ask what is going on. 

Pro Tip: Always include your contact information in your email signature section. Include your name, phone number, email address and LinkedIn URL. This makes it easier for someone to either research you or contact you. 

Networking Follow-Up Email Templates

Below are three sample emails. The first is a first follow up, then if you don’t hear back again, send the second, and the third email is the final attempt. 

Sample 1: Initial Networking Follow-Up

Subject: Re: Quick conversation about [topic]

Hi [Name],

I wanted to follow up on my note from last week in case it got buried. I’d still love to connect for 15-20 minutes to talk about [topic].

If it helps, I’m flexible on timing and happy to work around your schedule. Even a quick call or a few email exchanges would be great.

Thanks so much,

[Your name]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[LinkedIn URL]

Sample 2: Value-Add Follow-Up Email

Subject: Re: Conversation about [topic] + something interesting

Hi [Name],

Following up on my earlier email. In the meantime, I came across [article / resource / idea] that made me think of your work on [specific thing], so I thought I’d share it: [link or one-line summary].

I’d still welcome the chance to chat about [topic] when you have a moment. Would [day/time] or [day/time] work for a brief call?

Best,

[Your name]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[LinkedIn URL]

Sample 3: Final Follow-Up Attempt

Subject: Re: Conversation about [topic] – last note from me

Hi [Name],

I know your inbox is probably overflowing, so this will be my last follow-up. If a conversation about [topic] isn’t a good fit right now, I completely understand. If I don’t hear back from you, I won’t reach out again.

If you’re interested but short on time, I’d be glad to send over a few questions you could answer by email instead.

Either way, thank you for considering it.

All the best,

[Your name]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[LinkedIn URL]

Key Best Practices Summary

Here is a quick breakdown of key best practices when following up on networking outreach:

• Plan for follow-ups: Automatically build follow-up steps into your strategy since initial messages are often missed or buried.
• Maintain consistent timing: Wait about one week between outreach attempts, following up 2 to 3 times depending on the contact’s importance.
• Avoid marketer clichés and AI text: Skip robotic or generic phrases like “just checking in,” and personalize your message with specific details or mutual connections.
• Focus on conversations, not jobs: Frame your request around learning about their industry or experience rather than asking directly for job openings.
• Keep requests small: Ask for short 15–20 minute chats and avoid burdensome favors like resume reviews or generic advice.
• Try alternative approaches: Switch communication channels (e.g., LinkedIn vs. email) or ask a mutual contact for assistance if you hear no response.
• Include a complete signature: Always end your emails with your full contact information, including phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL.