reaching out before interview, previously spoken but not since january Forum

[funkenstein]

got a screener and one of the interviewers is a person my school put me in contact with back when I was applying. We have emailed a few times and even met in person at a job fair but last time I contacted the person was in January. Now the interview is in a week. Is it worth it/even a good idea to reach out to the person before the interview?

[eyeofvigilence]

I just don't really see the benefit. You're going to meet with him one way or the other, so you could bring it up in your interview and he might be surprised. Could be a good interview moment.

[bretby]

got a screener and one of the interviewers is a person my school put me in contact with back when I was applying. We have emailed a few times and even met in person at a job fair but last time I contacted the person was in January. Now the interview is in a week. Is it worth it/even a good idea to reach out to the person before the interview?

I would reach out - will give him time to refresh his memory and you can start the interview a few steps ahead (as in, skip some of the groundwork which I assume has already been laid).

[funkenstein]

Thanks for both responses. Only problem is...they're conflicting. any other thoughts?

[Good Guy Gaud]

I just don't really see the benefit. You're going to meet with him one way or the other, so you could bring it up in your interview and he might be surprised. Could be a good interview moment.

I tend to agree with this

[Anonymous User]

I just don't really see the benefit. You're going to meet with him one way or the other, so you could bring it up in your interview and he might be surprised. Could be a good interview moment.

I tend to agree with this

+1

Reaching out this late after not speaking since January shows the only reason you are reaching out is to get a step ahead.

[eyeofvigilence]

The only reason I say that is cause I'm going through OCI right now, and you need something to talk about and break the ice with people. It would be a great start to say you spoke with the person a while back, and it will create some rapport between you two.

It will be a more effective use of the connection.

[bretby]

I just don't really see the benefit. You're going to meet with him one way or the other, so you could bring it up in your interview and he might be surprised. Could be a good interview moment.

I tend to agree with this

+1

Reaching out this late after not speaking since January shows the only reason you are reaching out is to get a step ahead.

Well.....obviously that's why he's reaching out now. Not trying to hide the ball on that one. But rather than spend the first 5 minutes of the interview reminding him that you met and emailed before and who exactly you are (which he would likely not remember on the spot), you instead give the guy time to remember you beforehand, avoid the awkwardness, and move straight into a better conversation.

[Good Guy Gaud]

I just don't really see the benefit. You're going to meet with him one way or the other, so you could bring it up in your interview and he might be surprised. Could be a good interview moment.

I tend to agree with this

+1

Reaching out this late after not speaking since January shows the only reason you are reaching out is to get a step ahead.

Well.....obviously that's why he's reaching out now. Not trying to hide the ball on that one. But rather than spend the first 5 minutes of the interview reminding him that you met and emailed before and who exactly you are (which he would likely not remember on the spot), you instead give the guy time to remember you beforehand, avoid the awkwardness, and move straight into a better conversation.

Sure. I don't think there is necessarily a wrong way to go about this and you bring up a fair point. If "meeting in person" in January was as brief as a handshake then seeya later, sending an email before the interview may not be so bad. But if you had a decent conversation and/or there are other reasons you may think the interviewer may remember you (e.g., OP is 7ft tall, has a peg leg, they had a long discussion re: x) then I would take the risk and just bring it up in the interview.

In any event, I think the only wrong way to go about it would be to neglect mentioning their previous meeting altogether.

[funkenstein]

Thanks for all the responses. Really good points and good advice. Unfortunately I am not 7 feet tall and fortunately do not have a pegged leg. I don't think our conversation was anything special such that the person would remember me so long after.

If I were to send an email (not positive I won't just bring it up in the interview alternatively yet), what would be some good things generally to say?

Something like:

Hi XYZ,

It has been quite a while since we spoke at the career fair. just wanted to reach out to you because I saw that I will be interviewing with you at OCI next week. [Express excitement about the firm in some manner]. Looking forward to seeing you again and meeting some of your other colleagues (multiple interviewers are listed).

Thanks,
funkenstein

[Good Guy Gaud]

Yea, I think something along those lines is fine. Clarify where/when the career fair was and add that sentence re the firm but nothing more. Also, make sure you proof it before you send it off. Even though your email won't be looked at for more than a minute, a typo there could really do you in.

Good luck. You're going to do well, just relax.

[bretby]

Yea, I think something along those lines is fine. Clarify where/when the career fair was and add that sentence re the firm but nothing more. Also, make sure you proof it before you send it off. Even though your email won't be looked at for more than a minute, a typo there could really do you in.

Good luck. You're going to do well, just relax.

I agree - I would add a sentence or two about what you talked about either at the job fair or over email.