Over the next few weeks, we’ll be covering topics related to networking.  This first article will address the parts of a thank you note.  We would love for you to join us for our webinar this Thursday, 17 August, at 2PM EST, “Networking In Person and Online,” with guest presenter Lisa Balbes.  You can learn more about it by visiting the AGU Webinars homepage.

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Dear Leslie,

I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to thank you for taking the time to talk to me the other day at the Geological Society of Washington mixer. The advice and guidance you provided regarding future employment opportunities and potential career objectives was especially useful. Discussing your career path better illustrated possible career choices going forward.

I also appreciate the many introductions to others in your professional network and the invitation to your future events. I will reach out to those you mentioned and am looking forward to your event. I admit I was overwhelmed by the people there, and the efforts that you took in taking me around and introducing me to others gave me the push I needed.

Thank you again for the invaluable advice.

Regards,

Cecilia Hurtado

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After attending a networking event, it is important to reach out to those you connected with as both a sign of appreciation and the continuation of a dialogue and potential relationship. As the workplace becomes increasingly virtually-based, a simple thank you note can make a difference after a person-to-person networking event. It’s not necessarily required but it is a considerate gesture and one that will make you memorable. The note does not need to be long, however it should point out your appreciation and specifically how the person helped you.

I hope this message finds you well.

Your thank you letter should start with a general salutation. This may seem verbose but a brief, cheery greeting at the start is helpful to acknowledge that the individual you are addressing is a person, not a professional stepping stone. A simple “I hope this finds you well” or “I hope you are having a pleasant Thursday” can set a positive, genuine tone to the message.

I am reaching out to thank you for taking the time to talk to me the other day at the Geological Society of Washington mixer. The advice and guidance you provided regarding future employment opportunities and potential career objectives was especially useful. 

You should then continue with thanking the recipient for taking time out of their schedules to talk to you. By acknowledging that you are thankful their time and effort, you give the impression that you respect other people’s time, which is often sparse for those in higher positions.

Discussing your career path better illustrated possible career choices going forward.

You also want to point out specifics of the conversation you had with the recipient. When you mention the specific conversation topics you discussed, it shows that you were engaged in the conversation and that it was memorable to you. Additionally, if you can point to one thing they did that was especially helpful or meaningful to you, use this as the main point of your thank you note and elaborate on it.

I also appreciate the many introductions to others in your professional network and the invitation to your future events. I will reach out to those you mentioned and am looking forward to your event.

If they introduce you to other people or give you someone’s name to reach out to, mention that you will follow up with them to ensure them that their efforts were helpful. Because they took specific steps to help you, you should acknowledge that you will follow through on your end. If you have already followed up with a person they connected you with, you can provide an update on where that relationship stands and relate it back to thanking the recipient for starting it.

I admit I was overwhelmed by the people there, and the efforts that you took in taking me around and introducing me to others gave me the push I needed.

At some point in the letter, you can add a more personal touch by including an emotional statement or something that you felt during or after the event and how the person contributed to that. Including a personal statement makes the note feel more authentic.

Thank you again for the invaluable advice.

Regards,

Ending the letter should consist of a simple thanks or hope to see the person again, and a professional sign-off. “Regards,” “best wishes,” and “sincerely” are all apt endings to finish your letter appropriately and concisely.

Conclusion

As a general courtesy, try to send a thank-you note within a week of meeting (either by mail or email). Sending your thanks is a smart and thoughtful way to continue a good impression and perhaps lead to an extended professional relationship with the recipient.

Cecilia Hurtado is a summer intern at the American Geophysical Union.  She recently graduated from the Department of Geology at the College of William and Mary.