Help with starting an email

I had dinner at my cousin's family friend's place about three months ago (I even followed up with a handwritten thank you note), he is very high up in a bank here in Japan (he's American), and I think he would be a good contact to get in touch with about a job in banking/business in general in Japan. I have the main part of the email written explaining that I want to remain in Japan for work (after I finish my current job) and that I'm wondering if he has any contacts, etc. But I don't know how to start it off.

I feel as if "Hi, Mr. XXXXXX, we had dinner together three months ago" wouldn't exactly be the best way, so I'm wondering what you all would suggest.

 

What I have so far is

"I'm hoping to stay in Japan, but am looking to move into a career more closely related with my study of economics and business in college. I'm wondering if you had any advice on finding a job here in Japan."

I graduated in May 2011 by the way if it makes a difference

 
helpmepleasethx:
What I have so far is

"I'm hoping to stay in Japan, but am looking to move into a career more closely related with my study of economics and business in college. I'm wondering if you had any advice on finding a job here in Japan."

I graduated in May 2011 by the way if it makes a difference

This is good. I would not ask for contacts, especially after meeting just once. You want to express your interest to learn and use a 'pick his brain' approach while praising him for taking time out of his day to respond to you.

If he is going to help you, he will most likely refer you to someone who is in charge to bringing on graduates to the bank (in whatever sector you so desire). This would be huge for you.

 

Thanks for the help rothyman, I'm very excited about this opportunity. Would you (or anyone else) suggest offering to grab coffee or something with him? He's about a $150 train ride away, but I think it's obviously worth it if it leads to full time employment. Or would the offering to get coffee with him be too big of a step? He's already helped me out once in the past with finding some religious services...Just exactly how should I phrase it?

Also, still looking for some advice on how to start off the email...

 
Best Response
helpmepleasethx:
Thanks for the help rothyman, I'm very excited about this opportunity. Would you (or anyone else) suggest offering to grab coffee or something with him? He's about a $150 train ride away, but I think it's obviously worth it if it leads to full time employment. Or would the offering to get coffee with him be too big of a step? He's already helped me out once in the past with finding some religious services...Just exactly how should I phrase it?

Also, still looking for some advice on how to start off the email...

$150 is pretty steep, and it's probably a better idea to let him respond before you ask for a meet. If you were a subway stop away that's one thing, but you don't want to travel all that way just for him to refer you to someone else who you would have to meet again. It sounds like he's pretty high up and while he may have some good information for you, he may have someone else he wants to refer you to as well who would actually be supervising/supporting whatever side of the business you want to get into.

Your email is fine. The only thing I would add is what you generally want to get into. Keep it short. No one wants to read a long email from some kid (no offense).

 

None taken, makes perfect sense, thanks so much! Still not sure what the first sentence of the email should be though, should I just jump right into it? Should I make some sort of reference to the dinner and him helping me out before? I feel like making that reference will come across as very awkward, but jumping right into what I already have might be a little too forward...

 

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