Sending Follow Up Emails
This post was written by Shun Ping Huang ’17, CCD Peer Career Ambassador.
Let’s say you met an amazing recruiter named Carol at the Internship Fair. You really hit it off – and need to know what to do next. You should send a follow-up email and this blog will tell you exactly how to do that perfectly.
First. Define your objective. The four primary objectives for a follow-up email are:
- NEED INFORMATION: when you need to clarify information, obtain a status update, or ask for advice. Example: you are looking for an internship in California, but Carol only coordinates the Boston area. However, when you spoke with Carol at the Internship Fair, Carol offers to connect you with a recruiter who manages the California area. Your follow-up email would fall in this category because you are asking for another recruiter’s contact information.
- JUST TO CATCH UP: when you haven’t spoken to a particular contact in a while; when you hear exciting news about them or their company; or when we want to share a milestone that you accomplished. Example: you and Carol were talking about the Super Bowl and your favorite football team. You can follow-up with your thoughts (or congratulations) on the result of the Super Bowl.
- REQUEST A MEETING: we often like to meet with a contact to pick their brain, give a pitch, ask for a favor, or receive feedback. Example: Carol works near Wellesley and works in a field that you are interested in learning more about. You can send a follow-up email requesting an informational interview.
- THANK YOU: you definitely want to thank a contact for helping you. Example: Carol critiqued your resume and gave you a lot of helpful tips on succeeding in school. You should follow up and thank Carol for her time and effort.
Second. Create an appropriate subject line. Subject lines should be short and concise, but intriguing enough to pique the receiver’s curiosity.
Third. Include context. Remind Carol how you met and what you talked about.
Fourth. Clearly state your objective. If it’s to request a meeting, you should say that right from the beginning. (It’s completely okay to attach your resume and say that you are interested in pursuing an opportunity in their company.)
Fifth. Send the email within an appropriate timeframe.
A Sample Follow-Up Email:
Subject Line: California Recruiter Connection
Hi Carol,
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me at the Babson Internship Fair today. I really enjoyed talking and learning more about your experience with PwC. I appreciate the advice and tips you offered on how to break into the accounting industry.
You mentioned that you could connect me with a recruiter in PwC Auditing Services. As you recommended, attached please find my resume that you can forward.
Thank you again for your time and advice. I wish you the best of luck while wrapping up your presentation, and I hope to stay in touch!
Best,
Shun Ping
For more general emailing tips, here is a blog I wrote last year using tips from Google Executives.
All information is from here.