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Networking follow-up email: how to express interest after an informal meeting

You met someone interesting at a conference, a career fair, a team event, or even a chance conversation at a professional gathering. You had a real exchange — not just small talk — and you can see a genuine connection between what they do and what you are looking for. Now you are back at your desk, wondering how to follow up without seeming opportunistic, over-eager, or just plain awkward.

This is one of the most valuable emails you will ever write in your professional life, and most people either avoid it entirely or get it wrong. Research consistently shows that a significant proportion of jobs — estimates in the UK and US range from 30% to 70% depending on the sector — are filled through informal networks before they are ever publicly advertised on platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed. The person you met at that event may know about a role before it is posted, or may simply think of you when one comes up because you stayed in touch.

This guide explains when to send your follow-up, what to include, how UK and US networking culture differs, and gives you two ready-to-use templates with realistic names and scenarios that you can adapt immediately.

Pro tip

The follow-up email after a networking conversation is not a job application. It is a relationship-building message. Resist the urge to attach your CV in the first email unless the conversation explicitly invited you to do so. Build the connection first; the application comes later.

When to send a networking follow-up email

UK norm: In the UK, sending your follow-up email within 24–48 hours of the meeting is the sweet spot. British professional culture values follow-through — if you said you would be in touch, and you disappear for a week, it suggests a lack of initiative. However, same-day emails within an hour of meeting someone can feel slightly rushed. The next morning, or late the same evening, is ideal.

US norm: In the United States, especially in professional services, tech, and finance, the expectation is even quicker. Sending a LinkedIn connection request on the evening of an event, followed by a brief follow-up email the next morning, is entirely normal and expected. American networking culture rewards visible enthusiasm and speed.

Canada and Australia: Both markets follow similar timing norms to the UK. In Australia, where professional relationships often develop quickly and informally, a warm follow-up email the same day or the next morning is entirely appropriate. On LinkedIn in particular, Australians tend to follow up within hours of a networking event.

Example

You spoke with a senior hiring manager at an industry conference on Tuesday afternoon. The ideal timing: send a LinkedIn connection request Tuesday evening with a brief personalised note, then follow up with a proper email Wednesday morning. This demonstrates promptness without desperation.

What to include in a networking follow-up email

A strong networking follow-up covers five elements:

  1. The specific context — remind them where you met and what you discussed. Do not assume they remember you perfectly; events involve many conversations. "We spoke briefly after your panel session on sustainable supply chains at the Future Logistics Summit" is far more effective than "We met on Tuesday."

  2. A specific detail from the conversation — this proves the exchange meant something to you beyond a business card swap. Referencing a point they made, a project they mentioned, or a recommendation they gave personalises the email and separates you from the generic follow-up most people send.

  3. A clear expression of interest — say what you are interested in. This could be the company generally, a specific team, a type of role, or simply staying in their network. Be honest but not desperate.

  4. A concrete, low-pressure next step — propose something achievable: a brief call, a coffee meeting, or simply staying connected on LinkedIn. Make it easy for them to say yes.

  5. Brevity — keep it to three or four short paragraphs. The goal is a reply, not to impress them with your vocabulary.

UK vs US tone calibration: British networking emails tend toward understatement. Rather than "I was absolutely fascinated by our conversation and I think you are doing incredible work," a British professional would write "I really enjoyed our conversation and I have been thinking about the points you raised about talent acquisition." American emails are warmer and more direct about intent: "I'd love to explore whether there might be a fit for my background at your company." Australian emails mirror the US approach in warmth and directness.

Template 1: Formal UK networking follow-up

This template suits a UK corporate environment — finance, law, consulting, HR, or any industry where a professional but personal tone is expected.

Subject: Following up on our conversation at the TechForward Summit

Dear Rachel,

It was a real pleasure speaking with you at the TechForward Summit on Thursday. I particularly enjoyed your perspective on building data engineering teams in fast-growth companies, and your thoughts on the challenge of retaining senior talent resonated with experience I have had on the other side of the fence.

I am currently exploring opportunities in data engineering leadership and would welcome the chance to continue our conversation. If you have 20 minutes for a brief call or coffee at any point over the next few weeks, I would very much appreciate it.

Please do let me know if that would be possible. In the meantime, I would be glad to connect on LinkedIn if you are open to it.

Best regards,
James Whitfield
james.whitfield@email.com

Template 2: Warm US/Australia networking follow-up

This template suits a US or Australian context — tech, start-ups, creative industries, or any environment where warmer, more direct language is the norm.

Subject: Great meeting you at ProductCon — following up

Hi Marcus,

Really great to meet you at ProductCon yesterday! I've been thinking about what you said regarding the shift toward outcome-based product roadmaps at Luminary Labs — it's exactly the direction I'm moving in, and I'd love to learn more about how your team is approaching it.

I'm currently looking for my next product leadership role and your team seems like exactly the kind of environment I'm aiming for. Would you be open to a quick 20-minute call sometime in the next couple of weeks? No agenda other than to continue the conversation.

Thanks in advance — I'll also send over a LinkedIn request now.

Best,
Alex Chen
alex.chen@email.com
(415) 555-0187

Subject line examples

Your subject line is what determines whether this email gets opened:

  • "Following up on our conversation at [Event Name]" — clear and specific, works in all markets
  • "Great to meet you at [Event] — staying in touch" — slightly warmer variant
  • "[Event Name] — [Your Name], following up" — helps them place you if they exchanged cards with many people

Avoid generic subjects like "Following up" or "Checking in" — they could apply to anyone and give the recipient no reason to prioritise your email.

Variations and tips

If you connected on LinkedIn first and are now following up by email

LinkedIn InMail has largely replaced the cold follow-up email in some industries, but a proper email still carries more weight for a meaningful professional relationship. If you connected on LinkedIn first, reference it:

Hi Priya — we connected on LinkedIn after the People & Culture Forum last week. I wanted to reach out properly because what you shared about your team's approach to employer branding really stuck with me. I'd love to continue that conversation if you're open to it.

If you did not exchange contact details at the event

This is common. If you can find the person on LinkedIn, reach out there first and explain how you got their email if you send a follow-up: "I hope you don't mind me tracking down your email — I wanted to follow up properly after our conversation at [event]." Keep it brief and acknowledge the slight informality.

Pro tip

Always send a LinkedIn connection request at the same time as, or just before, your follow-up email. It gives the recipient a way to identify you quickly, lets them see your profile and credentials, and creates a long-term connection that survives job changes on both sides.

If you have something to offer, not just something to ask for

The most effective networking follow-ups are not one-sided. If you read an article relevant to something you discussed, found a resource they mentioned useful, or can make an introduction yourself, include it:

I remembered you mentioned you were looking for examples of product analytics dashboards — I came across this case study from Airbnb this morning that seemed directly relevant. I'll include the link below.

This transforms a transactional "can I have something?" email into a genuine exchange.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting too long. After three or four days, the context of your meeting starts to fade. After a week, you risk coming across as an afterthought. The first 24–48 hours is when the connection is freshest and the email most likely to trigger a positive response.

Being too vague. "I enjoyed our chat and would love to stay in touch" gives the other person nothing to act on. Be specific about what you are interested in and what you are asking for.

Attaching your CV unsolicited. This immediately reframes the email as a job application rather than a professional connection. Unless the person explicitly invited you to send your CV, save it for after you have established the relationship.

Not personalising the email. A generic "I really enjoyed our conversation" — without specifying what conversation — is almost indistinguishable from a mass message. The specific detail is what makes the email work.

Sending one email and giving up. If you do not hear back within a week, it is entirely appropriate to send one brief follow-up. After that, move on — but keep the LinkedIn connection alive. The relationship may activate months or years later.

Why networking follow-ups are worth the effort

A LinkedIn survey found that approximately 85% of jobs are filled through networking. In the UK, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has noted that informal referrals consistently produce higher-quality hires — which means employers actively encourage their teams to recommend people from their networks. The person you met at an event may not have a role today, but their network is wider than yours, and a well-maintained relationship dramatically increases the chances that they will think of you when something relevant comes up.

For the next steps in your job search, see our guides on spontaneous applications and following up after an application with no response.

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