How ChatGPT Can Help You Network: Part I

We’ve been talking a bit about how ChatGPT can help you prepare for a job interview, tailor your resume and cover letter to a job description, and research potential employers, but did you know it can also help with professional networking? That’s right, ChatGPT can assist in drafting different types of emails and messages that can be used in networking, so with the right prompts it can be a very helpful tool.

Before we begin, it’s important to remember that AI tools like ChatGPT shouldn’t be relied upon too heavily. Written communication skills are incredibly important, and while ChatGPT can be used as a crutch for beginners or those who lack strong writing skills, the end goal should always be to develop yourself as a well-rounded professional. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at how ChatGPT can help you contact potential network connections.

When it comes to networking, you’ll most often find yourself reaching out to an industry leader or an individual that shares similar professional and personal interests. In the event you don’t already know the person, it would be advantageous to find out as much as you can about them by checking out their social media presence and website. The more information you can provide in your prompt, the more detailed ChatGPT’s response will be. Here is an example of a generic prompt along with ChatGPT’s response:

Example prompt: Can you provide an example of an email that is making contact with a potential networking connection? I am an engineer with 5 years of experience, and I greatly admire the achievements of the individual I’d like to connect with.

ChatGPT: Dead [Recipient’s Name]

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am a professional engineer with five years of experience specializing in [specific field, e.g. mechanical/electrical/software] engineering. I have been following your impressive work at [Recipient’s Company/Organization] and have been greatly inspired by your achievements, particularly [mention a specific project, innovation, or publication they are known for].

I am reaching out to express my admiration for your contributions to the field and to explore the possibility of connecting with you. Your innovative approach to [specific aspect of their work] has profoundly influenced my own perspectives on [related topic or field], and I am eager to learn more about your experiences and insights.

A brief overview of my background: I hold a [Your Degree] from [Your University], and my career thus far has been with [Your Current/Previous Company], where I had the opportunity to work on [briefly describe a key project or responsibility]. I am particularly passionate about [specific areas of interest or emerging trends], and I am always looking for opportunities to broaden my knowledge and network with leaders in the industry.

I would be honored if you could spare a few moments for a virtual coffee or a brief phone call at your convenience. I believe that connecting with you could be incredibly enriching, not only for my professional growth but also for gaining new insights into the innovative work you are doing.

Thank you very much for considering my request. I am looking forward to the possibility of connecting with you and discussing our shared interests.

Best regards,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Your Company]
[Your LinkedIn Profile URL]
[Your Contact Information]

ChatGPT’s example email is rather formal, which is preferable if you’re reaching out to an industry leader or someone you’ve never met before. You may want to edit some of the language so your email comes off as being more natural and “human.” For example, instead of saying “…have been greatly inspired by your achievements, particularly [mention a specific project, innovation or publication they are known for],” try something like “Your work on [specific project, innovation or publication] was really inspiring.”

Indeed, the danger in using ChatGPT to write networking emails for you is coming off as too robotic, as the recipient might believe they received an automated email of some kind. The point is, use ChatGPT to draft up an email for you, but make sure you add your own personal touch. If you’ve already met the person in question and you’re at least a little familiar with each other, you can tone down the formality a bit.

Next, let’s say you previously attended an event and exchanged email addresses with someone who you want to establish a further connection with. In this situation, you can feed ChatGPT a prompt in which you’re reintroducing yourself, mentioning the previous event, and requesting to connect with the person in question. Check out this example prompt and ChatGPT’s response:

Example prompt: Can you provide an example email where I am following up with someone I met at a recent industry event? We had previously exchanged email addresses and I would like to inquire about the possibilities of establishing a professional connection.

ChatGPT: Dear [Recipient’s Name]

I hope this email finds you well. It was a pleasure meeting you at [Event Name] last [day of the week]. I enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic you discussed], and I appreciated the insights you shared regarding [specific aspect of their expertise or industry].

As we exchanged email addresses at the event, I wanted to follow up and express my interest in establishing a professional connection. Your experience in [specific field or role] at [Recipient’s Company] is particularly inspiring to me, given my own background in [briefly mention your field or experience, e.g. “mechanical engineering with a focus on renewable energy solutions”].

To provide a bit more context about myself, I have been working as an engineer for the past five years at [Your Current/Previous Company], where I have had the opportunity to work on [briefly describe a key project or responsibility]. I am very interested in [specific areas of interest or emerging trends], and I believe that connection with professionals like yourself can be mutually beneficial as we share ideas and insights.

I would love to continue our conversation and explore potential opportunities for collaboration or simply to learn more from your experiences. If you are available, I would be delighted to arrange a time for a virtual coffee or a brief call at your convenience.

Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to the possibility of connecting further.

Best regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Your Company]
[Your LinkedIn Profile URL]
[Your Contact Information]

Of course, there’s more to networking than just making the initial connection. The best network connections are ones that you regularly interact with in one way or another. This might include commenting on a social media post, sharing ideas via email or over the phone, or even meeting up at industry events. Next time, we’ll show you how ChatGPT can be used to draft follow-up messages, mentorship requests and more, so be sure to check back soon for part two.