Your contact wants to get to know you. Sharing something about yourself shows your contact that you’re a person, not a robot.
Examples:

• "Besides work, I write music and perform in a local band."
• "Besides work, I have a blog about trekking through Central America."
• "Besides being a student, I am an outdoor enthusiast and rock climber."
• "Besides being a student, I am a founding member of a new theater troupe."
• "Before this job, I served in the Marines in Okinawa, Japan."

Always mention your referral first and then add other commonalities.

• "I appreciate Jason Jackson introducing me to you." (If you’ve been introduced)
• "We belong to the same organization."
• "We spoke briefly at the career fair."
• "Our siblings are friends."

It’s powerful to mention a unique experience or situation that you both share, if applicable.

• "Like you, I am an African-American woman in engineering."
• "Like you, I am the first of my family to attend college."
• "Like you, I am a Navy veteran."
• "Like you, I am an international student from China."
• "Like you, I am a member of the Delta Gamma fraternity."

This sentence helps your contact know what you are trying to do. Make sure it is clear and specific.

For Job Seekers: Starting with "I am searching..." tells your contact what phase you are currently in. If you are interested in a specific position or company that's related to your contact, include that here.

Job Searching Examples:

• "I am interested in the marketing analyst position at you've done at XYZ co."
• "I am applying for marketing jobs in healthcare, similar to yours."
• "I am very interested in applying for [x role] at your nonprofit organization."
• "I am interested in HR jobs in mid-size companies, here in town."
• "I am looking for a job with a research organization in the Boston area."

You are inviting the conversation so it is your job to setup the meeting, and figure out the logistics. Conversations are best in person and coffee shops feel more casual than an office setting. Offering to come to the office may also be convenient and give you a feel for their organization. Your contact will often want to suggest a location that works well for both of you so mentioning where you are traveling from helps them.

You are inviting the conversation so it is your job to setup the meeting, figure out the logistics, and initiate the phone call, if possible.

Offer several available blocks of time over the next week or so, beginning at least three days from now. Use bullet points. When you provide times, remember to allow enough time for you to get settled in a private space for a phone call or to travel to an offsite location.

The more variety of options you provide, the better chance you have of getting a conversation scheduled immediately. One suggestion is to offer an early morning option (7:30AM – 9:00AM), a lunchtime option (11AM – 1PM), and an after work option (5PM – 8PM) across several days.