How to politely remind someone to reply

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cold email communication MBB networking

Recent activity on Apr 29, 2017

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Anonymous asked on Apr 29, 2017

Hi there,

I was going through my e-mails and compiling my networking endeavors from the present month and notice that a few of them were left in a "limbo".

(Example: early in the month I sent a message to a partner at Strategy& for us to have a talk and he replied asking for my CV and that we would schedule a chat soon. I replied with my CV and waited, that was roughly 3 weeks ago.)

My question is, usually how long would you wait before approaching him again and how would you politely remind him about our previous exchange?

Thank you!

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Answer 1

Best answer

Originally answered question:

How to reach someone if email not working?

Vlad

Expert

Content Creator

replied on May 14, 2018

McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

And what's the objective of your e-mail? Partner is a vary serious role, so not sure how he can help you.

Partners don't leave the e-mail unanswered, so most probably he saw the e-mail and decided not to answer. Or It was blocked as spam.

Another option may be linkedin.

Best

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Ross on May 15, 2018

Hi Vlad, the objective is to solicit a conversation with him and introduce myself as someone worthy enough for an interview. Is he too senior of a person for my networking efforts?

Answer 2

Francesco

Expert

Content Creator

replied on Apr 29, 2017

#1 Expert for Coaching Sessions (3.700+) | 1.300+ Reviews with 100% Recommendation Rate | Ex BCG | 8+ Years of Coaching

Hi Nuno,

as for the waiting time, I usually suggest to send a reminder after one week from the first email; if you do not get a reply, you can send an additional one after another week. If you still do not get replies, I would suggest to consider the lead dead, and move to the next one.

As for the content of the reminder, I would reply to the last email and propose a day to have a chat related to what you mentioned in you first email the following week, proposing 2 or 3 slots. In this way you would make it easier for the other person to give a “yes” for some of the potential days/times.

Best,

Francesco

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Answer 3

Originally answered question:

How to reach someone if email not working?

Guennael

Expert

replied on May 15, 2018

Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

And one more thing... I hate trackers, and can't be the only one. If you send me an email with tracker request, we are starting on the wrong foot. I'd use this feature with extreme caution, and never when I am asking for someone I dont know to help me.

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Ross on May 15, 2018

Guennael, I agree that the tracker request would likely be off-putting; however, the tool I use does not request a read-receipt or anything similar - it's an inconspicuous tag in the email that only I can see. But I do agree with your premise in general, thank you for the comment

How to politely remind someone to reply

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