When reaching out to a hiring manager on LinkedIn, the subject line of your InMail can make or break whether your message gets opened and read. With so many unsolicited messages flooding recruiters’ and hiring managers’ inboxes daily, crafting a compelling subject line is crucial for standing out from the pack and getting your foot in the door.
The goal of your InMail subject line is to pique the hiring manager’s interest and curiosity to open your message. To achieve this, the subject line should be:
- Short, clear, and attention-grabbing
- Relevant to the role you’re applying for
- Focused on providing value to the hiring manager
Here are some tips for writing effective InMail subject lines to hiring managers:
Include the job title
Including the specific job title you’re applying for in the subject line helps provide important context right away. For example: “Product Manager application – Claire Smith”. This gives the hiring manager key details upfront and signals that your message is a job application.
Highlight relevant experience
Briefly pointing out experience that makes you a strong candidate helps show the value you can bring to the role. For instance: “10+ years analytics experience – Business Intelligence Manager role”. This makes it easy for the hiring manager to see your relevant background.
Pose a compelling question
Asking an intriguing question related to the role taps into human curiosity. For example: “Growth strategy insights for your Director of Marketing role?”. This gives a reason for the hiring manager to open your message.
Offer value
Communicating the unique value you can provide piques interest in your background and talents. For example: “Award-winning product designer interested in UX role”. This highlights your impressive credentials.
Reference common connections
Name-dropping shared connections makes your outreach more warm and personalized. For instance: “John Smith referred me – Social Media Intern application”. Mentioning a mutual connection helps establish legitimacy.
Keep it short and scannable
Subject lines with 60 characters or less have higher open rates since they are easy to quickly read. Cut out unnecessary fluff and boil your subject line down to the essential details.
Avoid generic subject lines
Vague subjects like “Job opportunity” or “LinkedIn introduction” are easily overlooked and ignored. Always customize your subject line to the specific role and company.
Proofread to prevent errors
Typos or grammatical errors in a subject line suggest laziness and undermine your message. Double check your subject line before sending to ensure it’s polished and professional.
Test different options
There is no one-size-fits-all perfect subject line. Craft and experiment with various options to see which ones perform best and get opened.
By following these tips, you can write InMail subject lines that cut through the noise to deliver your message and opportunities right to the hiring manager’s attention.
Personalize with the hiring manager’s name
Including the hiring manager’s first name personalizes the subject line and makes it feel more tailored to them specifically. For example: “Mobile app designer role – Olivia Wilson”. Use their name but avoid sounding too casual.
Be clear it’s a job application
Subject lines that explicitly state the InMail is a job application prevent confusion about your intent. For instance: “Job application for Front End Developer position”. Clarity is key.
Spotlight transferable skills
Even if your experience doesn’t perfectly match the role, highlight transferable skills you can apply. For example: “Marketing Manager with strong organizational skills”. Focus on versatile competencies.
Keep the company name visible
The company name provides helpful context don’t bury it in the middle. Put it at the start or end for visibility. For example: “Smith & Johnson – Project Manager Opportunity”.
Emphasize shared goals
Underlining how your goals align with the company’s goals emphasizes fit. For instance: “Passionate about green energy – Wind Technician role”. Shared objectives build connection.
Be clear and straightforward
Often simple, direct subject lines are most effective at conveying key details at a glance. For example: “John Doe – Business Analyst Application”. Don’t get too clever or vague.
Reference someone at the company
Name dropping an employee at the company makes your outreach feel more targeted and researched. For instance: “Mary Brown said I should connect with you – Marketing Assistant role”. Mentioning a current employee catches attention.
Highlight relevant credentials
Touting credentials that make you qualified, like degrees or certifications, can capture interest. For example: “CPA seeking Financial Analyst role”. Hard skills often resonate with hiring managers.
Include keywords from the job posting
Weaving in keywords from the job description signals your qualifications and interest. For instance: “Experienced QA Manager with automation expertise”. Mirror language from the posting.
With a compelling, value-focused subject line, your InMail has a strong chance of making it into the hiring manager’s inbox. Follow these tips to craft subject lines that get your application noticed and read.
How to find the hiring manager’s name
Knowing specifically who the hiring manager or recruiter is allows you to directly address them in your InMail subject line. But finding their name can be tricky. Here are some tips for identifying the right hiring personnel:
- Check the job posting for a contact – Sometimes their details will be listed there
- Look on the company’s careers page – This may reveal the recruiting team
- Search for employees with recruiting titles – Ex: Talent Acquisition Manager
- Use tools like LinkedIn Recruiter and RocketReach – Help identify key recruiters
- Ask network connections who work there – Leverage your network for insights
- Make an educated guess – Ex: FirstName LastName, Hiring Manager often works
- Use a generic title if unsure – Ex: Dear Hiring Manager still personalizes
Uncovering the right contact allows for more targeted, effective subject lines. But even generic addressees like “Dear Hiring Manager” are better than no name at all. With some sleuthing and guesswork, you can likely pinpoint the hiring decision-maker.
Subject line examples
Here are some example subject lines for different scenarios:
- Operations Manager Role – Jane Smith – Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification
- Digital Marketing Specialist – Social media and SEO experience
- Are you still looking for a Director of Engineering? Agile team leadership skills
- Passion for sustainability – Materials Engineer opening
- Mary Evans referred me – Mobile App Developer position
- CPA with 5 years experience – Accounting Manager role
Keep subject lines concise and customize them to highlight your most relevant qualifications. Use the hiring manager’s name when possible, or a generic title if name unknown.
Subject lines to avoid
Certain subject lines are prone to being ignored or perceived negatively. Here are some types to stay away from:
- Too long – Keep under 60 characters
- Typos or grammatical errors – Double check for mistakes
- Too salesy/spammy – Ex: “Act Now!”
- Too vague or generic – Ex: “Job Opportunity”
- Too casual – Avoid slang, emojis, or text speak
- Too formal/stiff – Ex: “I would like to submit my résumé”
- Too aggressive – Ex: “Give me a shot!”
- Too many caps – Avoid ALL CAPS in subject lines
The subject line sets the tone for your message, so keep it professional. Avoid anything that might come across as sloppy, salesy, or overly pushy.
Tone and voice
The tone and voice of your InMail subject line should be:
- Professional – Keep it polished, respectful
- Friendly – Warm but not too casual
- Succinct – Quickly get to the point
- Helpful – Offer value to the hiring manager
- Thoughtful – Show you did your research
- Engaging – Pique interest and curiosity
Avoid sounding overly salesy, formal, or aggressive. Strike the right balance of professional, friendly, and compelling.
Common questions
Should I address them by name in the subject line?
Yes, using the hiring manager’s first name personalizes the subject line and grabs their attention. But don’t use nicknames or be too casual.
How can I customize for different companies/roles?
Research each company and role to highlight your most relevant credentials and value. Adjust keywords, experience mentioned, tone etc. based on the specifics.
What if I can’t find the hiring manager’s name?
Generic options like “Hiring Manager” or “Recruiter” still work. Or research the company for other names of people in talent acquisition.
Conclusion
A strong InMail subject line is crucial for getting your message opened by the intended hiring manager. Craft subject lines that showcase your value, highlight relevant experience, and demonstrate passion for the role and company. Personalize your outreach, emphasize shared connections, and provide compelling reasons for them to open your InMail. With a great subject line, you can make your job application stand out.