As someone who is actively networking (both in-person and on LinkedIn), I frequently get asked to facilitate an introduction between two people who have not met yet. I’ve learned best practices about the best way to do this, and below, I am offering a few of my crucial tips to the reader, so that you may set up a successful introduction for yourself. Here are a few ways to do this:
Explain your reason for connecting with them
I receive a lot of notes that say “Hey, I see you’re connected with Jim Smith at ABC Company. Can you make an introduction for me?” I rarely will make a referral or warm introduction for someone with this limited information. If you would like to get a ‘warm intro’ then I recommend explicitly saying what your goal is in connecting with this person. Are you applying for a job at the company? Looking to do business with them? Set up an informational interview? Stating this gives me a bit more information about how I can position the introduction for you, and how this connection will be used.
Write your message in a way that is easy to forward along to the person you’re looking to connect with.
Email back-and-forths can get lengthy, and many times I will be corresponding with someone for several months via email before they ask for me to introduce them to someone. While I’m happy to do that, I find it more efficient for both of us if you explain to me upfront why this is a worthwhile connection (instead of asking me to make a compelling case on your behalf.) Ideally, I’d love to forward the email/message you’ve written along to the person you’re requesting to be connected with, in order to best explain the reason for the connection using your own words.
For this reason…
Start a new email thread with this request
Think about the “POV” of the person you’re asking to make the introduction, and how you’d like them to present your information to the connection, and write your message with this in mind.
Ask yourself, am I asking someone to do something that is their core business…for free?
As a recruiter, my business is helping qualified people find great jobs. Asking me to make an introduction for you at a company that you’ve already applied to (thus, removing the Recruiter/company dynamic from the equation) is akin to asking your mechanic friend to fix your car for free. That being said, I often still make these types of introductions frequently for people in my network, but it is important to state that there are business factors that go into this. Do I have a past relationship with this person that I can see as valuable (professionally along with personally)? Are they a past client who has valued (and compensated) me for my expertise?
Generally a good practice when asking a Recruiter to make a warm introduction would be to first ask if the Recruiter has a relationship with the company that you’re interested in. If so, you might be a perfect candidate for the recruiter to place at that company! Applying online first immediately eliminates that option.
Seek out ways you can create value for the person that you are asking to make an introduction.
By leading with the ways in which you provide value to the person you are looking to connect with, you are laying the groundwork for a reciprocal relationship. Offer value first, ask for favors second, is generally a good practice when asking for someone to make a connection on your behalf.
Be realistic in asking for an introduction. Does it make business sense for the person you are asking for the referral to vouch for you? Can you make a solid, business-minded case to yourself about why there is value for the referrer in this situation?
Use discretion when asking for referrals. Asking the same person to connect you with multiple people over a short time frame is unrealistic (if you’d like them to do it with sincerity and eagerness).
Follow up with the connector/referrer on how the connection goes.
Were you able to land an interview based on this referral? A new job? If so, it’s important to communicate with the person making the introduction. I LOVE hearing back from the connections I facilitated and learning of what has come from that connection, no matter how much time has passed since the original introduction.Similarly, if you see ways that you can help them be introduced to anyone in your network, don’t hesitate to offer that connection opportunity.
Thank them
If someone is connecting you with someone in their network, not only are they taking time out of their core work day to make this connection, but they are also (directly or indirectly) vouching for you as a person that is valued to their network. Even those that are “super networkers” are still only as good as the connections they keep. A simple “thank you” can have a big impact. It lets the person know that you didn’t take their introduction for granted, and that you highly valued the time they spent on your behalf.
