How to Reach Out After Losing Touch

Introduction

What's worse than having the perfect person to reach out to about a job opportunity, a career switch and not being able to do so because you've lost touch?

Important

The bad news is that it happens more often than you might think.

The good news is that it's possible to reconnect with people, even if it is after months or years gone by.

The Passage of Time

The passage of time is not a good enough reason to let a potential connection go to waste.

Important

If you have someone you've been meaning to reach out, here are easy steps to make that potentially connection less painful and potentially profitable.

Acknowledge the Lapse in Time

There's nothing more annoying than receiving a call or an email from someone you haven't heard from in ages who acts as if you're best friend.

Instead, acknowledge the lapse of time and give a reasonable reason.

Acknowledge the Lapse in TimeExamples

I wanted to reach out to say hello. I know it's been ages since we've spoken but I've thought of you often over the years and I've always wanted to reconnect.

John, how are you? I'm sure you're surprised to hear from me — the last time we spoke I was headed off to graduate school. I moved to Washington D.C. where I've been for the last five years.

Explain “ Why now?” There are infinite reasons why

you'd need or want to reach out to someone after losing touch.

In any cases, it's important to think about why you're reaching out now, after all this time, and be transparent about your motive.

Explain “Why now?”Examples

I wanted to reach out to you to let you know that I'm headed to Asia next month to work in GE's plastics division. Last I heard you were working in Tokyo. I thought you might be a great person to reach out to before heading abroad.

I've just begun the application process to graduate school and I know you had a great experience at Duke. I was wondering if you might have some time to talk about your MBA experience with me.

A Quid Pro QuoA favor for a favor

Finally, throw in an offer of help or reciprocity for good measure.

Be polite and emphasize that you'd like to be helpful to them as well.

You're much more likely to get a response when you think about a two-way benefit and not just how you can take advantage of the other person's expertise or connections.

Lico Reis Consultoria & Línguas

Roberto Lico Reis

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