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UK Application Emails · Recruiter Guide

Thank You Email After Networking Event Template (UK 2026)

Alex By Alex · 12-year UK recruiter · Updated April 2026

Why this matters

Most UK networking is wasted because people don't follow up. The candidates and contacts who build strong UK networks all do the same thing: they send a 100-word thank you within 48 hours of meeting someone, reference the specific conversation, and propose something concrete. Done consistently for 12 months, this builds a network of 30-50 warm contacts who will take a call when needed.

Email template

Subject: Great to meet at [Event name] — [Your name]

Dear [Their name],

It was great to meet you at [Event name] yesterday. I particularly enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic — be concrete, not generic].

[One sentence — either: a thought you've had since on the topic; a relevant article/resource you'd recommend; a question you didn't get to.]

If you'd be open to a 20-minute call over the next few weeks, I'd love to continue the conversation about [specific topic or proposed area]. Happy to do video or phone, whichever you prefer.

I've attached my LinkedIn — feel free to connect, and I'll do the same.

Best regards,
[Your name]
[LinkedIn URL]
[Phone number]

Replace bracketed text [like this] with your details. Specificity is what gets responses.

Step-by-step

  1. 1 Send within 24-48 hours of the event
  2. 2 Subject line includes the event name — anchors their memory
  3. 3 Reference the specific conversation, not generic 'great to meet you'
  4. 4 Add one new piece of value — thought, resource, question
  5. 5 Propose a concrete next step (20-min call) rather than vague 'let's stay in touch'
  6. 6 Connect on LinkedIn within the same week
  7. 7 Keep total length under 150 words

Common mistakes

  • Generic 'great to meet you' with no specific reference — feels mass-sent
  • Waiting more than 3-4 days — the moment passes
  • Asking for too much in the first follow-up — coffee is fine, but not 'I want a job'
  • Sending without proposing a next step — leaves the contact passive
  • Skipping the LinkedIn connection — half the relationship building is digital
  • Long emails over 200 words — networking thank-yous should be light

Recruiter pro tip

The strongest networking follow-ups I see add one piece of new value: a relevant article they'd find interesting, a connection they should make, an answer to something the contact mentioned they were exploring. This converts the email from 'thanks for chatting' into 'this person is useful'. Do this consistently for 12-18 months and you'll have one of the strongest networks in your sector.

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