In a professional setting, the way we refer to past relationships can have a significant impact on how we are perceived. When discussing someone you used to work with, saying “former colleague” is a common and polite phrase. However, there are times when you might want to diversify your language and use different terms that convey the same meaning, especially in formal writing or conversations. In this article, we’ll explore 11 professional synonyms for “former colleague” that can help you express yourself more precisely and add variety to your communication.
Why Should We Say “Former Colleague”?
Referring to someone as a “former colleague” is not only respectful but also neutral and professional. It indicates that you had a working relationship with the person without delving into personal details. Using this term or its synonyms allows you to maintain professional boundaries and avoid unnecessary familiarity, especially when networking, writing a recommendation, or discussing past work experiences in an interview.
Here’s the list of professional synonyms for “former colleague”:
- Ex-Coworker
- Previous Associate
- Former Team Member
- Past Colleague
- Ex-Associate
- Previous Colleague
- Former Work Partner
- Prior Colleague
- Previous Workmate
- Ex-Team Member
- One-Time Collaborator
Ex-Coworker
A common and straightforward term, “ex-coworker” refers to someone you worked with at a previous job. It’s simple and casual, yet professional enough for most conversations.
Subject: Reconnecting After Our Time at Hiteck
Hi John,
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to reach out and reconnect after our time as ex-coworkers at [Hitech]. It was a pleasure working alongside you, and I’d love to catch up and explore any potential opportunities to collaborate in the future.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Devon
Previous Associate
This term is a bit more formal and professional. “Previous associate” emphasizes that you were in a business relationship with someone in the past.
Subject: Opportunity to Collaborate
Dear John,
I hope all is well. I am reaching out as a previous associate from our time at Hitech. I have been following your work, and I believe there may be potential for us to collaborate once again. If you have some time, I’d love to discuss this further.
Best regards,
Devon
Former Team Member
This phrase highlights that you worked together on a team. It suggests a collaborative working relationship and mutual efforts toward shared goals.
Subject: Catching Up with a Former Team Member
Hi John,
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to reconnect as a former team member from Hitech. Working with you was a fantastic experience, and I’d love to catch up or discuss any projects you’re currently involved with.
All the best,
Devon
Past Colleague
“Past colleague” is a neutral and professional term that keeps the relationship context simple without extra implications of closeness.
Subject: Reconnecting with a Past Colleague
Hi John,
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to reach out and reconnect as a past colleague from [Hitech]. It was always great working with you, and I’d love to hear more about what you’ve been up to since.
Best regards,
Devon
Ex-Associate
Similar to “ex-coworker” but a little more formal, “ex-associate” refers to someone you had a professional working relationship with in the past.
Subject: Reaching Out as an Ex-Associate
Hi John,
I hope you’re doing well. As an ex-associate from Hitech, I wanted to reconnect and see if there might be an opportunity to work together again in the future. Please let me know if you’d like to chat.
Best regards,
Devon
Previous Colleague
This term keeps things formal and professional, similar to “past colleague,” but emphasizes the previous nature of the working relationship.
Subject: Catching Up with a Previous Colleague
Hi John,
I hope this message finds you well. I was reflecting on our time as previous colleagues at Hitech, and I’d love to reconnect and explore if there are any opportunities for collaboration in the near future.
Best,
Devon
Former Work Partner
This term suggests a closer working relationship, emphasizing partnership or joint effort in the work you did together.
Subject: Reaching Out to a Former Work Partner
Hi John,
I hope you’re doing well. As a former work partner at Hitech, I wanted to touch base and see if there are any upcoming projects where we could collaborate again. Let me know if you’d be open to discussing further.
Best regards,
Devon
Prior Colleague
This is a slightly more formal and polished way of saying “former colleague.” It’s ideal for professional correspondence.
Subject: Reconnecting with a Prior Colleague
Dear John,
I hope you’re doing well. As a prior colleague from our time at Hitech, I wanted to reconnect and explore if there are any opportunities where our paths may cross again. Please feel free to reach out.
Best,
Devon
Previous Workmate
“Workmate” is a term more commonly used in British English. It’s friendly yet professional, making it suitable for less formal communications.
Subject: Connecting with a Previous Workmate
Hi John,
I hope everything’s going well. I’m reaching out to reconnect as a previous workmate from Hitech. I always enjoyed our collaboration and would love to catch up soon.
Warm regards,
Devon
Ex-Team Member
This term highlights that you were part of the same team in the past. It’s a bit more personal and emphasizes the collaborative nature of your past relationship.
Subject: A Note from an Ex-Team Member
Hi John,
I hope this finds you well. I wanted to reach out as an ex-team member from Hitech. It was great working with you, and I’d love to hear about what you’ve been up to lately. Let me know if you have time for a catch-up.
Best regards,
Devon
One-Time Collaborator
This phrase implies that you worked together on a specific project or task, making it ideal when discussing short-term or freelance work.
Subject: Reconnecting with a One-Time Collaborator
Hi John,
I hope you’re doing well. As a one-time collaborator from our project at Hitech, I wanted to reach out and see if there’s any chance to work together again. Let me know if you’d be interested in catching up.
Best regards,
Devon
Conclusion
Using different terms to refer to a “former colleague” not only helps you maintain professionalism but also adds nuance and variety to your communication. Whether you’re sending an email, updating your LinkedIn, or speaking in a professional setting, selecting the right synonym can enhance clarity and reflect the nature of your past working relationship. By incorporating these alternatives, you can craft messages that are both respectful and engaging, ensuring that you leave a positive impression every time you reconnect with a former associate.
