When reaching out to a recruiter, your message needs to catch their attention quickly. Recruiters are very busy, so you need to communicate who you are, what you’re looking for, and why you’d be a great candidate all within the first few sentences.
Some key things to include in your outreach messages to recruiters:
- A clear statement of your purpose for contacting them
- Highlights of your relevant background and qualifications
- Specific roles you are interested in applying for
- Customization based on the recruiter, their company, and the types of roles they fill
Follow these best practices, and you’ll increase your chances of getting a positive response from recruiters. Keep reading for more details and examples of how to craft an effective recruiter outreach message.
Outline Your Purpose Upfront
Don’t make the recruiter guess why you are contacting them. State your purpose clearly within the first 1-2 sentences of your message.
For example:
“I’m reaching out because I’m very interested in Software Engineer roles at your firm. I saw on LinkedIn that you recently shared some openings for web developers, and I think my background would make me a strong candidate for positions like these.”
This opening clearly indicates that you have a specific interest in applying for roles the recruiter is trying to fill. Stating your purpose upfront signals that this is a targeted, relevant message, not just a generic spam approach.
Some other good opening lines that outline your intent include:
– “I’m writing to express my strong interest in Senior Product Manager roles at your company.”
– “My experience aligns well with the Data Scientist opening you recently posted, which I’d love to be considered for.”
– “I was excited to see your posting for a front-end web developer position. I have 5 years of relevant experience, and I think I would be a great fit.”
The key is directly stating that you are interested in actual open roles the recruiter is trying to fill. This helps them immediately understand why you are reaching out.
Summarize Your Relevant Qualifications
After introducing yourself and stating your purpose, briefly call out 2-3 of your most relevant qualifications for the types of roles you are seeking.
For example:
“In addition to a computer science degree, I have 3 years of experience developing front-end web and mobile applications using React.js and React Native. I also have strong skills in UI design and UX.”
“Along with an MBA from UC Berkeley, I have over 8 years in product marketing including leading cross-functional teams and managing $5M product budgets.”
“My background includes a statistics PhD and 5 years of experience applying machine learning algorithms to analyze large datasets for predictive modeling.”
The recruiter will still need to look at your full resume, but highlighting key qualifications upfront shows your experience matches their open roles. Use the job description for context on which credentials and competencies to emphasize.
Mention Specific Open Roles You’re Targeting
When possible, call out 1-2 of the specific job titles or postings you have your eye on. For example:
“I saw you recently posted an opening for a Senior Python Developer on your careers page that looks like a great match for my skills. I’d love to be considered for this role.”
“On LinkedIn, I saw you shared an opening for a Director of Marketing in Chicago. This strongly appeals to me given my 10+ years of marketing leadership experience in the Midwest.”
“Your job description for a React Front End Engineer is exactly what I’ve been seeking for my next challenge. I would be very interested in learning more and interviewing for this position.”
Naming actual open roles shows the recruiter you’ve done your homework and aren’t just blasting out generic messages. It also gives them a better sense right away of what types of positions may be a potential fit.
Research the Company & Recruiter
Personalize your outreach by demonstrating that you’ve done research on the company and recruiter. Mention brands, values, culture, recent news, projects, clients, or other specifics that show your interest is genuine.
For example:
“I’ve been impressed with BrandCorp’s commitment to sustainability based on the goals outlined in the latest CSR report – this is one of the key reasons I’m interested in applying.”
“Reading about the culture and values on your careers site, especially the emphasis on diversity and inclusion, reaffirms my desire to work for an organization like yours.”
“I saw on your LinkedIn profile that you also worked at Acme Co. prior to joining XYZ Corp. That background and experience seems very relevant for the types of tech roles I’m applying for.”
Personalized details like these indicate you are truly interested in their organization for the right reasons, not just blindly reaching out. It also gives the recruiter some specific talking points to reference in their response.
Be Clear If You’ve Already Applied
If you have already formally applied for a role through their careers site, be sure to mention this in your note to the recruiter. For example:
“Along with connecting here, I applied last week for the open Senior Account Executive position and am very interested in moving forward.”
“I recently completed your online application for the Program Manager role posted on your careers page. I look forward to discussing this further and interviewing for the position.”
Letting the recruiter know you have already applied provides helpful context. They can easily pull your application and resume from their systems instead of asking you to resend everything.
Highlight Any Connections
If you have any personal connections to the company or recruiter, briefly mention this as well. For example:
“I’ve heard great things about your organization’s culture from my colleague Daniel Smith who previously worked in your engineering team.”
“We went to the same university and even had a few classes together, so I was really glad to connect with you here on LinkedIn.”
“In my current role at Acme Co., I’ve worked closely with many of your vendors including ABC Consulting and XYZ Designs.”
Any insider connections, even loose ones, can give you a boost during the recruiting process. It also builds rapport with the recruiter by highlighting what you have in common or in your networks.
Close With Next Steps
Wrap up your message by clearly stating any requested next steps, or asking to further discuss potential opportunities. For example:
“Please let me know if you would like me to formally submit my application for the Project Manager role.”
“I would love to schedule a quick call to discuss any Associate Product Marketing Manager positions that may be a fit.”
“If you have any appropriate openings on your team, I am happy to provide you with my resume and any other materials needed.”
“If you could review my background and let me know if any Software Engineer roles seem like a potential match, I would greatly appreciate it.”
Giving the recruiter clear guidance on your availability for next steps makes it easy for them to engage. Whether you request a call, ask for an application review, or offer to provide more info, closing with a specific ask or offer sets the stage for continuing the dialogue.
Proofread Your Message
Before hitting send, carefully proofread your recruiter outreach message. Double check for any spelling or grammar errors that could undermine the professionalism you aim to convey.
Read the message aloud to make sure it flows well and sounds natural. Have a friend or career advisor review the note as a second set of eyes.
With a well-crafted message that immediately grabs their attention, recruiters will be more inclined to respond. Spending time refining your outreach will pay dividends by boosting your chances of getting a foot in the door.
Examples of Effective Recruiter Outreach Messages
Here are several examples pulling all these best practices together into impactful recruiter introduction messages:
Example 1)
Subject: Interest in Senior UX Designer Role
Hi Joan,
I’m reaching out because I saw the Senior UX Designer position you recently posted on the Acme Co. careers page. With 5 years of relevant UX and design experience, this role seems like an excellent match for my skills and interests.
In addition to a degree in visual design, I have experience leading end-to-end design processes including research, prototyping, and usability testing. I am well-versed in design principles and current UX trends. Outside of work, I stay up to date by attending industry conferences and participating in AIGA. I was also impressed to see on the Acme Co. blog that user-centered design and accessibility are priorities for your products.
Please let me know if you would like me to submit a formal application for this role. I have attached my resume for your reference. I’d be happy to discuss my background and interest in Acme Co. in more detail anytime. Looking forward to learning more!
Best,
[Your name]
Example 2)
Subject: Interest in Software Engineering Opportunities
Dear Mohamed,
My colleague Daniel Smith, who previously worked in your engineering department, mentioned I should connect with you. I have over 8 years of software engineering experience with a focus on building scalable cloud-based applications, and Daniel said you are the right person to speak to regarding any related opportunities.
In addition to leading projects from concept to launch, I consider myself an innovative problem solver passionate about developing solutions with strong technical design. I have created original applications using cutting-edge tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and various NoSQL databases.
I would welcome the chance to discuss any open software engineering positions on your team. Please feel free to reach me anytime at the email and phone number below. I have attached an updated resume and am happy to provide any other information needed. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Regards,
[Your name]
[Your contact info]
Key Takeaways
– State your purpose for outreach and interest in specific open positions upfront
– Summarize 2-3 of your most relevant qualifications and experiences
– Personalize the message with research on the company, recruiter, and any connections
– Mention if you have already formally applied for a role
– Provide clear next steps for the recruiter to engage with you further
– Proofread carefully before sending your note
Following these best practices in your outreach will grab the recruiter’s attention, motivate them to review your background, and increase your chances of landing interviews. Treat your message as a personalized sales pitch on why you are an excellent match for the company and available roles. With a well-crafted introduction showcasing your capabilities, recruiters will be responsive and eager to further the conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my message to a recruiter be?
Aim to keep your introductory message concise – generally 3-5 paragraphs or around 150-250 words. You want to be brief but still include all the key details. Leading with an overly long message can dilute your main points or cause the recruiter to lose interest. You can always elaborate further in follow up correspondence.
How should I format my message to a recruiter?
Use a standard professional letter format. Include a clear subject line indicating the reason for your outreach, such as “Interest in Product Manager Positions”. Address the recruiter directly by name if contacting them individually. Organize your message insuccinct paragraphs with line spacing between each one. Close appropriately with a salutation like “Best” or “Sincerely”.
What is the best way to send my message to a recruiter?
Email is the most common channel for introductory recruiter outreach. Find their corporate email address through their LinkedIn profile or the company website. You can also send InMail messages via LinkedIn. Avoid informal channels like text or social media for initial contact. Always follow up your outreach with a phone call.
What should I avoid in messages to recruiters?
Don’t make claims that can’t be backed up by your actual resume. Avoid overused clichés and buzzwords that sound meaningless. Don’t apply for roles clearly mismatched to your background. Sidestep controversial topics or negativity regarding past employers. Be cautious about sharing salary requirements early unless specifically requested.
Conclusion
Making an effective first impression with recruiters requires a tailored, compelling message. Be clear on your purpose, highlight relevant background and fit, research the role and company, and provide next steps to continue the conversation. With a well-crafted outreach message, you can grab a recruiter’s attention, convey your value, and achieve your goal of landing exciting new job opportunities.