1. Use Appealing Subjects
There are two things a candidate will see in their inbox when you send them an email. The first is who it’s from, and the second is the subject line. Since the candidate will not recognize your email address, you need to hook them with the subject line. The subject should be to the point, but sexy too. Instead of writing “Job Opportunity” in the subject line, try using an enticing headline with a specific call to action. “New Position open for Fortune 500 Company. Interviewing Next Week,” is a much better subject line. Writing “Fortune 500 Company” automatically will pique their interest and writing “Interviewing Next Week” creates a sense of urgency and will encourage candidates to open the email sooner, rather than putting it off for weeks.
2. Include Personalized Greetings
The next step in crafting your email is to include a personalized greeting. Canned salutations like “Dear Madam” or “Dear Sir” are generally found in spammy emails and is the quickest way to get your email deleted or flagged as spam. Instead, try to address the person by their name, or use a greeting like “Hello” or “Good Morning.” These personalized greetings should even be used when using an email marketing software when emailing multiple people at the same time. Using a personalized greeting is key in getting your email opened.
3. What’s In It For Them
After creating an appealing subject line and personalized greeting, the next step is to create the body of the email. The content in the body should be as succinct as possible, but should also be geared toward what would benefit the candidate.
Here is an example of what to say in the body of your email: I am networking with sales professionals that have shown a strong track record of success. I came across your information and you look like someone that fits that mold. I work with top employers across the nation and often have outstanding opportunities for people like you. I would love to chat with you for a few minutes about your goals.
This example is to the point, and describes a hand-picked opportunity for the candidate that will encourage them to respond to your email Resist the temptation to copy and paste the entire job description into the email. If the candidate responds to your email and they are interested in the position, then you can send them the complete description and requirements.
The body of the email is also a good place to mention any other relevant or noteworthy points about the position. If a company made Inc’s Top 1000 or recently won an award, for example, then you should include these in the body of the email. The point of the recruiting email is to appeal to top candidates so they will want to work for the company, and it’s crucial that this is conveyed in your bullet points.
A good recruiting email can be the difference between having a pool of potential candidates to hire from, and having only one option. Follow these tips for writing a successful recruiting email and increase your odds of connecting with your ideal candidate.
