Key takeaways
- The first message is a congratulation, with no ask attached.
- A specific memory of your work together shows the note is personal.
- Give them time to settle before you suggest a conversation.
- A promotion at the same company calls for a different second message.
Why the congratulations email should ask for nothing
The congratulations email should ask for nothing because a person in their first week is flooded with messages and is still learning the new job. A note with a pitch attached reads as opportunism, even when the product would help.
A note without an ask stands out for the opposite reason. It tells them you valued working together, and it makes the later conversation easier to start.
What to send once they have settled in
Once they have settled in, usually after a couple of weeks, send a short note that asks about the new remit and offers help if it fits. Ask what they are taking on before you suggest anything.
- 'Hi [first name], hope the first weeks at [new company] have gone well. If [the problem you solved together] is on your plate there too, I would be glad to compare notes. If not, no need to reply; I am pleased for you either way.'
How do you know a contact changed jobs
You usually learn it yourself: a post in your LinkedIn feed, an out-of-office reply, a bounced email or news from a mutual contact. Check the change is real before you write, since a congratulation for a job they did not take is awkward.
When their old email bounces, also update the record at the old company and find out who now owns the relationship there.
How a congratulations on promotion email differs
A promotion at the same company changes the second message, not the first. Congratulate them in the same way, then later ask how the wider remit affects the work you already do together, since they may now own a bigger budget or more teams.
How to reach out after a job change, step by step
Confirm the change before you write.
- Confirm the new role from their own post or profile.
- Send a short congratulation that names one piece of work you did together.
- Update their record and find the new owner of the relationship at the old company.
- After a week or two, ask about the new remit and offer help only if it fits.
The job change congratulations email
Send it within a few days of seeing the news. Change the shared-work line first; it is what makes the note personal.
Subject: Congratulations on [the new role]
Hi [first name],
I saw the news about [the new role] at [new company]. Congratulations, that is a great next step.
I still think about [a specific piece of work you did together, such as the roll-out you led last spring]. [New company] is lucky to have you.
Good luck with the first few weeks.
[your name]
Leave out any link, product mention or meeting request. Those belong in the later message, if at all.
Where Pebbles Ai fits
- FoundationAgent memoryPebbles Ai does not track job changes; you spot them yourself. Ask an assistant to remember the shared project details, and they are there when you write.
- CapabilityProspecting & customer recordsUpdate the contact in the CRM (in Beta) and add the new company as its own record, so the history of the relationship stays linked.
Common questions
Should I congratulate a contact on LinkedIn or by email?
A comment or message on LinkedIn suits a light congratulation; an email suits a closer working relationship. Use the channel you usually talk on.
How soon after a job change should I reach out?
Within a few days for the congratulation. Wait a week or two more before any business conversation.
Is job change outreach worth it for someone I barely knew?
A short congratulation is fine, but skip the follow-up unless you have a real reason. The approach works because of the past relationship.
About this page. Written by the Pebbles Ai team for people who run sales, marketing and growth. Last updated .
