The best way to ask old connections for help with your job search

"If you're looking for a job, now is not the time to be shy. In today's brutally competitive employment market, career advisors say networking is critical - even if that means reaching out to former colleagues, old friends, or other folks you haven't spoken to in years because they now work at a company you're targeting. Roy Cohen, a career coach in New York, said a client recently did this via LinkedIn after spotting an attractive job opening at a private-equity firm where his former college roommate is employed. Though they hadn't been in touch in over a decade, the former roommate responded by offering to make an introduction to the hiring manager for the position."

""It takes a little bit of courage to tell people you need help, but you need to try to create an advantage for yourself," said Cohen. Don't think of pinging old contacts as pestering, added Rich Gee, an executive coach in Stamford, Connecticut. Most people have either been laid off themselves or know someone who has. "Twenty years ago, it was taboo," he said. "Now companies are laying off thousands of people.""

"What to write in your message With your outreach, Gee suggests using a brief and lighthearted subject line such as It's been a while! or Long time no talk! Start the body of the message by reminding the person how you know each other, said Kevin Grunewald, a recruiter in Texas. He recently got a LinkedIn message from someone whose name he didn't recognize until the person noted that they'd worked together about eight years earlier and had spent a lot of time brainstorming ideas on a whiteboard. "It just brought me back to that meeting room," Grunewald recalled, adding that"

Networking is essential in a tight labor market and often requires reaching out to former colleagues, friends, or long-ago contacts. People are generally receptive because many have experienced layoffs or know someone who has. Reestablishing rapport can be facilitated by asking for a brief call or live chat. Use brief, lighthearted subject lines and open by reminding the recipient how we know each other. Specific outreach via LinkedIn can prompt introductions to hiring managers. Demonstrating a bit of courage and clear intent can create an advantage in competitive job searches.

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