job search and networking etiquette
February 29, 2012 11:52 PM Subscribe
What is the etiquette for contacting a former (short-term) supervisor about new job leads?
I'm on the hunt for some new opportunities, and I have a contact with whom I worked until about February of last year. We worked together for about 5-6 months, and didn't really keep in touch very well at all since then. We got along well and he approved of my work (he was kind of a supervisor), so I think he would be a good contact and possibly a reference.
I'm wondering if it would be kosher to reach out to him to see if he has any leads at his company or elsewhere. If so, how do I approach him? Do I ask him to coffee, or just drop all pretense and ask him about job leads? Do I ask him to be a reference and hope he'll offer some info about positions? I don't want to offend anybody or make a wrong move.
I'm on the hunt for some new opportunities, and I have a contact with whom I worked until about February of last year. We worked together for about 5-6 months, and didn't really keep in touch very well at all since then. We got along well and he approved of my work (he was kind of a supervisor), so I think he would be a good contact and possibly a reference.
I'm wondering if it would be kosher to reach out to him to see if he has any leads at his company or elsewhere. If so, how do I approach him? Do I ask him to coffee, or just drop all pretense and ask him about job leads? Do I ask him to be a reference and hope he'll offer some info about positions? I don't want to offend anybody or make a wrong move.
Just ask him. There's nothing wrong with this, it's totally normal. No need to do anything extra like have lunch.
posted by John Cohen at 5:41 AM on March 1, 2012
posted by John Cohen at 5:41 AM on March 1, 2012
Thirding "just ask." Don't ask him out to coffee or anything; if someone asked me out to coffee to ask me for job leads, I would probably be a little miffed, because it's taking more of my time and seems disingenuous.
"I enjoyed working with you. I'm job hunting and wanted to know if you had any leads for the kind of work I'm interested in." Also ask permission to use him as a reference.
posted by The Deej at 5:54 AM on March 1, 2012
"I enjoyed working with you. I'm job hunting and wanted to know if you had any leads for the kind of work I'm interested in." Also ask permission to use him as a reference.
posted by The Deej at 5:54 AM on March 1, 2012
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posted by saraindc at 11:59 PM on February 29, 2012 [2 favorites]