What is one tip for reconnecting with a previous colleague or boss while networking?

When reconnecting with a previous colleague, thank them for something they taught you while you worked together. It might be related to your industry, dealing with people, or a computer shortcut they showed you. But when you appreciate someone for something specific, it jumpstarts the relationship on a personal and authentic level. A simply, "I remember you taught me about such and such, thanks for helping me learn that," will go a long way as you reconnect.

If it has been a long time since contacting a former colleague or boss, you should be as professional as possible when reaching out and reconnecting. Even though you no longer work together, your impression still matters, so it never hurts to keep a professional tone of email or private message on Linkedin, for example. These old professional contacts serve as valuable resources as references or sources of advice, so be as polite and professional as possible.

Starting a conversation is the most awkward thing in reconnecting with a former colleague. So let me share one helpful tip: remind them of something you experienced together. It’s the perfect icebreaker because you both will feel better when you remember your good times together. Also, a sentimental mindset increases the possibility of keeping the conversation going.

Reconnecting with an old colleague or boss can be awkward, yet, do not make it more so by making assumptions when reaching out to them, instead be positively assertive. There are many factors that play into one's thoughts when getting a connection request from someone that you lost contact with, including the time lapse, status of the previous relationship, and where they are personally and professionally. Beginning your email with “I hope you remember” or “you may not remember me” not only infers negative assumptions about your relationship, but can be insulting. By being positively assertive by making no memory references, and simply identifying yourself at the end, you are both signifying that they are still prominent in your mind, while not unintentionally implying ideas that can be misread, beginning the process off on the wrong foot.

If your purpose is to try to go back to working at a company where you worked previously, be friendly with your connections at this company. Do not ask about any open positions without being warm, grateful for your past work experience with them, and wishing them well. If you simply ask about coming back to work with them and nothing else, you may come off as too desperate or demanding. It is important to be gracious and polite during this process.

If you’re aiming to reconnect with a former colleague or manager, the nature of how you can reconnect with them turns largely on how you left your previous company. If you left under less than desirable circumstances, reconnecting may be harder and take more work. But, as in most cases, if you left under amiable conditions and maintained strong relationships when you left, it won’t be as difficult. But regardless of the circumstances, one suggestion to make reconnecting easier is to offer your former colleague or boss a recommendation on LinkedIn. Write a short paragraph about your experience working with them on LinkedIn, endorsing their skills and being sure to include how they excelled in their role. No matter how you left things, good or bad, this is sure to warm things up for a recommendation. Everyone likes having nice things said about them, even the most humble of us.

Be sure to create an interesting subject line. It could consist of your name and where you met the colleague, for example. People are receiving hundreds of emails per day, so it's best to get right to the introduction. If you're networking to discuss future opportunities, you can do so in the body of the email. But the subject line needs to stand out to draw attention. Not only is this helpful in networking, but helps with creative communication skills moving forward.

It is always a good idea to keep in touch with past colleagues or employers; you never know who might be an important person in your life down the road. Find a way to maintain a relationship with them, and then when you reach out to reconnect, it will feel natural. Email is always a professional yet casual way to reach out. Check-in and ask how they are doing, what projects they have been working on, and ask them if they are available for a chat over the phone or coffee. If you maintain positive relationships, it will make reconnecting so much easier.

It may have been years or even decades since you spoke to one another, and the people you are trying to reconnect with may have very different lives, moving on to other jobs or even other countries. So one way to begin reconnecting on the right note is without expectations and assumptions. For starters, do not assume they will remember, do not expect an enthusiastic or even warm welcome, and do not expect them to set aside time for you. And certainly do not assume that they will accord you the importance you think you deserve. Begin with zero expectations and take it upon yourself to rebuild the severed relationship.

Be genuine. Use professional social media, such as LinkedIn, to find previous colleagues, employers, and classmates. Look over their latest accomplishments or recent post and send them a message addressing one of these and briefly reminding them who you are. Leave the door open for future interaction. My name is Liz Hogan and I am a career expert, job search strategist, and CPRW at Find My Profession. My writing on career development and resume advice has been featured in sites such as FairyGod Boss, Oracle, POCIT, Jobillico, Medium, Careers In Government, Hackernoon, and others. Website: https://www.findmyprofession.com/career-advice/

When networking, show the other person that you truly want to reconnect with them. Personalize your message by providing specific details unique to the person, such as congratulating them on a recent promotion or bringing up a topic you have discussed with them in the past. If the email appears generic, they may think you are sending the same message to multiple people.

Bring up a memory with them that was funny or where you learned a valuable lesson. It’s a great way to bring you both back to the time when you worked together. Particularly in the case of ex-bosses, they may not realize the impact they had on you and your professional development, so this is a great opportunity to let them know. Conversations like these are so much better than a generic email, and they tend to open the door to more broad discussions about where you two both are in your current work lives. It could even help you towards your next work opportunity.

If you're looking to reconnect with a previous colleague or boss, why not turn to the world's leading professional network — LinkedIn? Making a friendly connection on this platform can be even more effective than sending a message to their email address. Plus, LinkedIn gives you both the opportunity to engage with each other's posts and content, paving the way to a genuine reciprocal professional relationship with room to flourish.

Reconnecting with a former colleague or boss can be as simple as picking up the phone and calling them. But you'll want to make sure that you have a clear goal in mind for the call, whether it's to catch up on old times or to see if they might be able to help you with your current job search. Before you make the call, take some time to review your contact's profile on LinkedIn or Facebook. That way, you'll have an idea of what they've been up to since you last spoke. And when you finally do reach out, make sure to be friendly and polite, and avoid bombarding them with too many questions at once. Instead, take things slow and let the conversation flow naturally.

One of the biggest and best tips for reconnecting with a previous colleague or boss while networking is to be sincere and appreciative with them! If this previous colleague or boss was a great help to you in your career and skill growth, or even just an old friend, let them know that and be appreciative! Remind them of good times working together and the challenges you overcame. It's important to also be sincere with them as well, you never should just reconnect with someone and be nice to them only just to get contact info or a number for other job opportunities. Giving a solid, nice greeting and then letting them know why exactly you're contacting them is a perfect reconnection strategy. Never lie to them either with your questions or responses, being sincere and appreciative is key!

The better the relationships you maintain with the folks from your previous company, the better your future will shape up to be. For instance, you might one day be interviewing at your dream company and be able to use references from executives from past jobs to boost your standing during the interview process. Or, you may someday find yourself seeking advice, support or collaboration from a previous company who offers something you need. Sending occasional friendly email check-ins to past associates, or even scheduling coffee chats a couple times a year will go a long way in the future.

It is very easy to reconnect with a previous colleague via LinkedIn. Sending a message is always great, and it does not have to be as formal as if you were sending a cold message or to someone where the relationship is not established. Keep a professional tone, but it does not have to be as formal.

Don’t assume the person you’re reconnecting with remembers you by name. He or she probably does, but in order to avoid any awkwardness, you should open with a quick anecdote that would help jog his or her memory. Mentioned a shared experience that the two of you had. Afterward, play to that person’s interests and strengths by saying something like, “I know you’ve worked most of your career in the digital marketing space, so you were the first person I thought of when I made my latest career pivot. I’m hoping to connect with the right people and I know you could provide me with the right guidance and wisdom.” Write an effective email. Show your contact that you have initiative and enthusiasm.

Reconnect with previous bosses or colleagues with whom you had a good rapport. It’s probably not the best idea to speak again with people you worked with in the past whom you did not get along with very well. Remember that even if you have not seen someone in a while, being around them again can bring up old memories. So, if possible, try to connect with people whom you have had a positive connection with in order to make the most of your networking process.

Reach out through social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Facebook, and be sure to personalize your message, stating why you would like to reconnect. By starting with a warm and clear message, you may be more likely to get a response.