Cold email for a job is a powerful outreach strategy that increases the chances of connecting with employers and potentially landing your dream job. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to hiring managers or recruiters and show genuine excitement for the position you’re interested in.
In this guide, we’ll explain what a cold email for a job is and how to write one. Then, we’ll equip you with some useful cold email templates and examples. Finally, we’ll give you five essential tips to keep in mind when creating a cold email.
There’s plenty to explore, so let’s begin!
Key Takeaways
- A cold email for a job is an outreach strategy that increases the chances of securing an interview.
- Your cold email for a job should always be personalized, with an eye-catching subject line and an emphasis on the strengths that make you the perfect fit for the role.
- To find the right person to contact, look at platforms like LinkedIn, use prospecting tools, and research the company’s website.
- Increase the chances of getting a reply by keeping your cold email short, highlighting your research, sending it at the right time, and including your availability.
What is a Cold Email for a Job?
A cold email for a job is a personalized way to send your job application. Instead of applying from job search platforms or company career pages, you’re directly reaching out to employers. It’s an effective approach to show interest in the position while demonstrating that you know what the company is all about.
Cold emailing to recruiters has many benefits. Here are the main ones:
- Offers an opportunity to demonstrate your personal brand and unique strengths
- Gives you time to craft a thoughtful message
- Allows recruiters to get back to you at their own pace
- Shows your proactivity and genuine interest in contributing to the company
- Creates a networking opportunity for future collaborations
Sometimes, starting a conversation is enough to build valuable connections. Even if there’s no current job opening for the role you want to pursue, sending a cold email for a job can still lead to referrals and advice. This will help you navigate your career path, potentially leading to opportunities you haven’t considered until then.
Do Cold Emails for Jobs Bring Results?
Generally, sending a cold email for a job does bring results, and here’s why. When a job posting goes public on job boards like LinkedIn or other employment platforms, there’s often an easy-apply option. This means job seekers worldwide send their resumes and cover letters instantly, leading to a flood of applications for recruiters to sift through.
This is where the beauty of cold emailing comes into play. It’s your opportunity to stand out and show genuine enthusiasm for the position. Unlike other candidates, you’ve taken the time to thoroughly research the company, the employees, and the job responsibilities. It’s a personalized approach that increases the likelihood of getting noticed in a sea of emails.
As with anything, there are some downsides to cold emailing for a job. This includes the risk of being marked as spam or your email going unnoticed.
All things considered, should you cold email for a job? Most certainly, yes. Even if you don’t hear back from hiring managers or recruiters, this personalized approach only increases the chances of landing your dream job.
How to Write a Cold Email for a Job
You must do in-depth company research to write an effective cold email for a job. This includes knowing the founding year, founder, current CEO, departments, company’s market focus, and key cultural points. And, of course, all the responsibilities and requirements of the position you’re applying for.
Let’s take a closer look at how to cold email for a job:
#1. Write an Eye-Catching Email Subject Line
The subject line in cold emails for a job can make or break the email. In fact, nearly 64% of email recipients open their email based solely on the subject line. That’s why it needs to be catchy, short, and relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Be careful not to go too far; an overly flashy approach can look spammy. Let’s see what an eye-catching subject line for your cold email for a job might look like:
- Bringing [Specific skill] to [Company]
- Ready for the [Position] at [company]
- Excited to Contribute to [Company]’s team
#2. Personalize Your Greeting
To personalize your greeting in a cold email for a job, always mention the person by their name. This adds a touch of warmth and is a simple and effective way to build rapport. If you want to set a more professional and formal tone, you can include their last name, too. Some good examples of a personalized greeting include:
- Dear, [Last Name]
- Hi, [First Name]
- Dear, [First Name + Last Name]
Avoid using time-sensitive greetings like “Good morning,” “Happy Monday,” or similar because you don’t know when the employer will open the email, losing its relevance. Lastly, it’s best not to use a greeting like “To whom it may concern,” as this generic phrase shows that you didn’t make an effort to personalize the email.
#3. Write an Engaging Introduction
In a cold email for a job, the introduction should instantly highlight your excitement and enthusiasm towards the position. Thus, it wouldn’t be a good idea to start with: “I hope this email finds you well.”
Instead, simply explain why you’re reaching out and how enthusiastic you are that you found out about this opportunity. You can mention a recent project or accomplishment of the company and express your admiration for their success. Let’s see what that would look like in an example:
“When I saw your job listing for [Position] at [Company], it instantly made me want to be a part of your team. I loved [Recent accomplishment], and I’d be more than happy to use my expertise to support your goals.”
#4. Provide a Specific Value Proposition
In this part of the cold email for a job, you’ll be demonstrating your strengths. Provide measurable examples of your past achievements that align with the company’s needs. Your goal is to make it easy for the employer to see the benefits of hiring you.
Consider this value proposition:
“In my previous role at [Company], I [Accomplishment (e.g., took blog views from low hundreds to over 45K monthly)]. I’m confident my [Skill] would allow me to bring similar growth to your company.”
#5. Close With a CTA and a Signature
The Call-to-Action (CTA) of your cold email for a job should invite the employer to take action. Generally, asking if they’re available for a meeting or a call is a good practice. You can also let them know you’re open to providing more information if needed.
Here’s an example of a good CTA:
“I’d love to schedule a time to discuss my suitability for the role. Please let me know about your availability. Should you require any additional information, I’ll provide it immediately.”
End the email with a professional signature that includes your first and last name, phone number, and relevant links, such as your LinkedIn profile.
How to Find the Right Person to Contact
There are a few handy options to find the right person to contact, such as doing a LinkedIn search, using a prospecting tool, and checking the company’s website.
To perform the LinkedIn search, go to the platform and type in the company you’re interested in working with. Next, you’ll notice a “People” tab; this is where the company’s employees are, including the CEOs, hiring managers, and recruiters. Look for employees with the “hiring” badge on their profile picture.
You have two options now. If their email is publicly visible, you’re in luck—you can go ahead and start your outreach. If not, you can simply send them an InMail, which can serve as your initial cold email for a job on LinkedIn.
Typically, professionals keep their emails private to avoid inbox overflow. So, to get the contact information, you might have to look into prospecting tools like Hunter, Kaspr, or RocketReach. These tools are very handy, as they pop up directly on LinkedIn, allowing you to get the emails in just one click.
The last option is to research the company’s website. This is a very straightforward process, but the success of finding the email can vary, as it depends on how much the company shares publicly.
Generally, the contact information of employees is under the “Contact Us” or “About Us” page. Many companies also provide leadership sections with bios and executives’ profiles. Although recruiter or hiring manager information may not be listed, you’ll likely still be able to find useful information for your cold email.
Cold Email for a Job Template
When reaching out to multiple companies, it’s useful to have a cold email for a job template you can refer to. Here’s one template that will help you structure the right message:
| Subject: [Insert an eye-catching subject line]
Dear [Name], My name is [Name]. I recently came across the [Position] at [Company name], and I’m very interested in working on your team. Your [Specific achievement] resonates with me, as I’m extremely passionate about [Related passion]. I have adequate experience in [Relevant skill or experience] based on my past job at [Past company name], which I think can be a great asset to your team. What excites me the most is [Specific info about the company], and I know that I can bring [Specific value] to help with your efforts. If you’re available for a brief talk with me, please let me know. I’m free on [Time and date], but if it’s inconvenient, I can accommodate. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, [Name] |
Cold Email for a Job Examples
If you’re still unsure about what to write in a cold email for a job, take a look at the following three practical examples tailored to different seniority levels for inspiration:
#1. Cold Email Example for Entry-Level Positions
If you’re looking to enter a certain field and your background consists of education, internships, volunteering, and certifications, focus on these aspects in your cold email. You should also highlight your excitement and willingness to learn. Here’s an example of a cold email for entry-level positions:
| Subject: Excited to contribute to LongIsland’s team
Dear John Smith, My name is Laura Bay. I saw your job posting on LinkedIn for the Marketing Assistant position, and I’m excited about the opportunity. I have a background in marketing through my recent internship at ShineBright and a number of relevant certifications, which you can check out in the CV I attached below. I admire your innovative marketing strategies, especially on social media, where I would love to apply my skills and contribute to your success. I’d be thrilled to connect with you and discuss how my skills can help meet your goals. Please reach out if you need any additional information. Thank you for considering my application. Sincerely, Laura |
#2. Cold Email Example for Mid-Level Positions
Mid-level positions require a few years of experience—ideally three to five. When writing your cold email for this position, you’ll need to highlight your greatest accomplishments and skills you’ve developed through the years. Here’s what that would look like in an example:
| Subject: Bringing Innovation to PixelForge
Dear John Doe, My name is Earl Grey. In your recent job posting, I saw that you’re seeking innovative individuals for the UX/UI designer position. I would be really excited to contribute to your team, especially because I admire your recent app redesign, which aligns with my values as a designer. I have three years of experience working for a software company in the UX/UI role. As a part of a team project, we were able to improve the mobile app usability, resulting in a 30% increase in user engagement. I’m skilled in Figma and Adobe XD, and I’m passionate about finding creative solutions. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my skills match the position. For your consideration, I’ve attached my resume and cover letter below. Please let me know if you have any questions. Best, Earl Grey |
#3. Cold Email Example for Senior-Level Positions
As a senior job seeker, mentioning your leadership skills and providing measurable work results is crucial. Here’s how you can accomplish that:
Subject: Ready for the Senior Content Writer Position at InkPulse
| Dear Peter,
My name is Carl Sanders. I’m currently researching new opportunities for a senior content writer position. I saw your ad on ZipRecruiter and was immediately drawn to your commitment to SEO best practices and high-quality content. I have over 10 years of experience in content writing and SEO, successfully creating high-quality content optimized to rank highly on search engines. I specialize in technical SEO, analytics, and link building. At my last company, I managed a team of SEO specialists and achieved a 35% boost in conversion rates and increased organic traffic by 45%. It’d be great to talk about how my expertise and strategy can help meet your goals. I’d appreciate it if you could provide your availability to schedule a meeting in the upcoming period. Thank you for your consideration. Best, Carl Sanders |
5 Essential Tips for Creating and Sending Cold Emails for a Job Inquiry
If you’ve never sent a cold email before, you may not know where to start. Nevertheless, with the right strategies and tips in place, you’ll be ready to craft an email every employer will immediately open.
Here are five essential tips for creating and sending a cold email for a job:
#1. Send the Email at a Convenient Time
Sending a cold email for a job at a convenient time shows your professionalism and increases the chances of the email being open. According to HubSpot’s research, the best time to send an email is on a Tuesday, between 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 12. p.m.–6 p.m.
Naturally, avoid sending the cold email late at night or over the weekend. That way, you’re running the risk of your email being buried under other messages, minimizing the possibility of getting a response.
Pro tip: Check the employer’s time zone to ensure you’re sending the email at a suitable time.
#2. Keep it Short
Employers have busy schedules, and keeping your email short shows you value their time. Be concise and direct, providing only the information the employer would find useful. Going overboard about your experience or skills is not a good practice.
If they’re interested in hiring you, they’d see your value at a glance, increasing the likelihood that they’ll respond. Remember, less is more—stick to what’s relevant for the position and let them request more information if interested.
#3. Highlight Your Research
Personalization is crucial for your cold email because it helps you build an instant connection and show that you truly care about working for the company. Mention an accomplishment, award, or project the employers have been involved with to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework.
#4. Proofread Your Email
Proofreading your cold email is crucial because it helps you avoid mistakes and demonstrates professionalism, helping you create a strong first impression.
To ensure the email is ready to land in the employer’s inbox, start by properly checking the subject line and capitalizing the letters. Then, verify if the employer’s name is written correctly, as that’s a job application mistake you don’t want to make.
Next, review the body of the email for any spelling or grammatical errors. You can use a tool like Grammarly to help you with this step.
Finally, verify if your contact information is correct and you’re ready to hit send.
#5. Include Your Availability
Including your availability in a cold email for a job eliminates the back-and-forth of finding a convenient time that suits you and the employer. Plus, it demonstrates your readiness and eagerness to discuss the opportunity as soon as possible.
Let the employer know the exact time and date you’re available while clarifying that you’re flexible based on their preference.
Moreover, if the job posting states an urgent and immediate hire, let the employer know when you’re ready to start working.
Should You Follow Up After Sending a Cold Email?
After sending the first cold email for a job, it makes sense to follow up—it shows that you’re genuinely interested in filling the position and willing to go the extra mile to get in contact with the employers.
There are a few things to remember when writing your follow-up email. First, consider the timing. Avoid sending a follow-up email just a couple of days after the first one. Give it at least a week, as you don’t want to come across as too aggressive.
Next, think about the structure of your email. For instance, you could gently remind the employer that you’ve already reached out and acknowledge their busy schedule. Subtly mention your interest in the position and why you think you’d be a good fit. Finally, close it with a strong CTA, and remember to leave your contact information.
Here’s an example of a well-structured follow-up email:
| Subject: Following Up on My Application for the Marketing Assistant Role
Dear John Smith, I wanted to check in regarding my previous email concerning the marketing position. I understand you have a busy schedule, but I just wanted to know if you had the chance to look at my application, as I’m very eager to contribute to your team. If you need anything more from my side to help with your decision-making process, please let me know. If I can answer any questions or have further discussions on how my skills and experience align with your company’s goals, I’m happy to do so. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you. You can message me here or call me at 999-999-999. Best regards, Laura Russell |
Final Thoughts
Writing a cold email for a job may seem daunting, but following the best practices we provided in this guide will most likely get you a response. Be sure to include a catchy subject line, keep the message personalized, and highlight the value you bring to the company.
Remember, patience and persistence are game changers when it comes to the job-hunting process. If you don’t get a quick response, don’t panic. Wait for about seven to ten days, then craft a compelling follow-up email to gently remind the employer about your enthusiasm for the role.
