How-to-Career series: Cold Calls/Emails

As I go through a period of job uncertainty, I’ve decided to document my journey, sharing how I’m navigating different situations and creating how-to guides along the way. I hope that by being transparent about what’s working (and what’s not), I can help even one of you who’s going through something similar.

Disclaimer: Everything I share is based on my personal experience. This isn't a one-size-fits-all strategy, so please feel free to fine-tune the advice based on your own unique situation.

I Just Had a Cold Call with a Stranger on LinkedIn

I recently reached out to someone on LinkedIn who worked at a company I’m deeply interested in. I found their profile while researching employees from that company—and I decided to cold message them.

But this post isn’t just about the outcome of that message. It’s about how to approach cold calling or emailing in a way that’s genuine, respectful, and effective.

Step #1: Know Who You're Looking For—and Why

I’ve seen people cold email others with a one-line message asking for a referral. In all honesty, that approach feels… shallow.

There’s a real person on the other side of that message. A stranger. You're essentially asking them to vouch for your character and skills—without knowing anything about you.

So before you hit “send,” ask yourself:

• Where am I currently in the job market?

• What am I hoping to gain from this interaction?

• What do I want to learn from this person—not just get from them?

Personally, I’ve transitioned from a non-tech background in Accountancy into tech as a Data Engineer. Now, I want to pivot into Geospatial Data Analysis. So I started looking for people who had made a similar leap. I didn’t just want a referral—I wanted to learn from someone who had already walked a similar path I’m about to take.

Step #2: Picture Your Dream Call

Imagine the ideal person you want to speak to. Think of it like prepping for an interview with your celebrity crush or an industry icon who inspires you.

Once you’ve found someone, study their LinkedIn profile like it’s a case study:

• Read their About section.

• Look at their Featured content.

• Dive into their Work Experience.

• Explore Recommendations (who wrote them and what they said).

• Check for Mutual Connections.

Find something genuine that resonates with you. Maybe you both studied the same major. Maybe they transitioned from a different career path too. Maybe a post they shared struck a chord with you.

This shared ground is where connection begins. People are more open to helping when they feel seen, not just used.

The Message I Sent

I wanted my message to feel human, specific, and intentional. No spammy copy-paste stuff. Here's the exact message I sent:

Hi <name> ,

I hope you're doing well! I'm <introduce yourself, your current position and what you are currently doing> , currently exploring opportunities at <name of the company>. Your role as a <the person’s job position> caught my attention—I'm fascinated by how <describe USP of a company you’re interested in working in>

I'd really value any insights you might have on working with <what the company does>, and how someone with a <current background> could support or transition into <work that you want to do>. Happy to share my CV if relevant.

Thanks in advance, and hope to stay in touch!

Why This Worked

This message checks a few important boxes:
✅ Personalized – I referenced their background and why I reached out.
✅ Respectful of time – I left the door open for either a chat or quick pointers.
✅ No asking for a referral – I made it about learning, not gaining.
✅ Gratitude + Permission – I thanked them, gave them an easy out, and made it clear I wasn’t entitled to their time.

And… they responded! 🎉

Step #3: The Conversation

Since first impressions really matter, I made sure to be intentional in how I approached the call. Here's what I did to set the tone and make the most of our time together:

1. I Came Prepared with a Clear Agenda

I created a simple PowerPoint slide outlining the agenda. This helped the other person know what to expect and showed that I respected their time.
In the call, I walked them through:

• My career journey so far

• Where I currently am professionally

• The direction I’m hoping to move toward (Geospatial Data Analysis)

I also highlighted the similarities between our journeys so they could better connect with my experience and understand why I reached out.

2. I Asked Thoughtful, Focused Questions

I prepared just five deep, open-ended questions—enough to spark a meaningful conversation without overwhelming them.
The questions were designed to invite storytelling, reflection, and insights that could open up into broader discussion points.

3. I Followed Up Thoughtfully

After the call, I thanked them and gave a quick verbal recap of what we discussed.
Later, I sent a follow-up message to:

• Express gratitude again

• Share a written summary of our conversation (a mini “meeting minutes”)

• Note the next steps we had agreed on (in this case, she shared her CV and resume as references and even offered to review mine. She also referred me internally to a role at her company.)

Our quick 15-minute chat turned into a 30-minute deep-dive.

Here’s what stood out:

• People genuinely enjoy reflecting on their journey. Your curiosity is more powerful than you think.

• The insights I received weren’t Google-able. Real-world experiences can’t be replaced by online articles.

• She offered to connect me with someone on her team who’s currently in the role I’m aiming for—something I would’ve never known about without this call.

But most importantly:
The conversation felt warm and generous—because I led with honesty and intention, not a hidden agenda.

To Summarise…

1. Be curious, not transactional. Your message should sound like a conversation starter, not a request form.

2. Don’t skip the research. People notice when you’ve actually read their profile.

3. Don’t force a referral. Build a connection first. A referral might come naturally—but that’s not the goal.

4. It’s okay to be nervous. But the more you do it, the more natural it feels.

Bonus: How to Follow Up (Without Being Annoying) & What to Do If They Don’t Reply

So far, we’ve covered how to find the right person to reach out to and what kind of message to send.

But what happens after you send that cold message?

• What if they don’t reply?

• When should you follow up?

• How do you keep the conversation alive without sounding desperate?

Let’s talk about it.

If They Don’t Respond… Don’t Panic

Let’s normalize this: a lot of people won’t reply. It doesn’t mean you failed. It means:

• They might be busy.

• They might not check LinkedIn DMs often.

• They may not feel equipped to help.

Here’s what you shouldn’t do:
❌ Take it personally.
❌ Send a passive-aggressive follow-up.
❌ Give up entirely.

How to Follow Up (Politely)

Here’s a simple follow-up message I’ve used when someone hasn’t responded after 5–7 days:

Hi [Name],
Just following up in case my earlier message got buried.

I completely understand if now’s not a good time. I really admire your path into [their field] and would be grateful for even a quick tip or pointer when you're free.

Wishing you a smooth week ahead!
[Your Name]

Why this works:
✅ It’s polite and non-demanding.
✅ It gives them a graceful exit.
✅ It reminds them why you reached out.

If they still don’t reply? Let it go and move on. You planted a seed. Focus on the next connection.

If They Do Respond: Keep It Alive

Let’s say you’ve had the call or exchanged a few messages—now what?

This is where connection turns into a relationship.

Here’s how to nurture it:

1. Send a thank-you message after your chat.

   "Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience—it really gave me clarity on X. I’ll definitely follow up once I try Y."

2. Update them later. People love to hear they made an impact.

   "Hey [Name], just wanted to share that I landed an interview with [company]! Your advice on [topic] helped a lot—thank you again!"

These moments of genuine connection matter. Over time, they can turn into opportunities, mentorships, or even friendships.

Final Thoughts

Cold calling and emailing isn’t about tricking someone into helping you. It’s about starting conversations with people who have walked a path you admire.

Sometimes, those conversations spark change.
Sometimes, they don’t.
But each message builds your skill in storytelling, outreach, and human connection.

What’s Next in the Series?

In upcoming posts, I’ll cover:

• How I write my resume

• How I prepare for informational interviews

• Survival Guide to Networking (as an introvert)

If this series is helping you, let me know on LinkedIn or leave a comment! And if you're trying this for yourself, I’d love to hear how it goes.

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I’m documenting my journey through job transitions, career pivots, and all the messy, meaningful moments in between. You’ll get:

• Real-life cold calling/emailing strategies

• Lessons from informational interviews

• Templates, tips, and career how-to guides

• Honest reflections from someone figuring it out in real time

Follow along to stay updated on new posts—and hopefully find a little clarity or encouragement for your own path.

Let’s navigate this career maze together 🚀 ~Aishwarya