If you’ve ever tried to find a job, you know how difficult and frustrating it can be. You might have sent out hundreds of applications and gotten no response at all. Or maybe you got one or two responses but never heard back after that initial contact.
It’s easy to feel like there’s nothing you can do about your situation and perhaps there isn’t but cold emailing can help!
The trick is knowing what messages will get past the gatekeepers and into the inboxes of potential employers. Here are some tips for making sure your cold emails stand out from all the other messages in their inboxes:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Cold emailing is a powerful strategy for advancing your career. |
| 2. Personalize your emails to make a genuine connection with recipients. |
| 3. Craft compelling subject lines that grab attention and spark curiosity. |
| 4. Clearly communicate your skills, experiences, and the value you offer. |
| 5. Include a strong call to action, encouraging recipients to respond. |
| 6. Follow up politely if you don’t receive a response after a reasonable time. |
| 7. Research and target the right individuals and companies for your emails. |
| 8. Continuously refine your email approach based on feedback and results. |
| 9. Networking through cold emails can lead to informational interviews. |
| 10. Persistence and a strategic approach are key to successful cold emailing. |
1. Make Sure You Have Something To Offer
Before you even dip your toe into the cold email waters, make sure you have something to offer.
If a hiring manager is going to invest their time in reading through your resume and cover letter, they want to know that this person has something special up their sleeve. Here are some ways that you can demonstrate value:
Be able to show why you are a good fit for the job. This means showing how you’ve demonstrated certain skills or experiences that directly relate to what’s being asked for.
For example, if someone says they want someone who takes initiative, tell them how often at work or school (or elsewhere) did you take on projects with minimal direction?
Be able to show why it would be beneficial for both parties if this position/role were filled by someone like yourself (this includes both long-term and short-term benefits).
Remember that employers don’t just hire people because they need help they also hire people because they believe those employees will bring something positive into their workplace culture as well as make an immediate impact on company goals.
This second point often gets overlooked but is particularly important when considering whether or not there’s a mutual benefit between potential employer and employee and should always be included in any application materials sent out during the hiring process
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2. Find A Connection, Even If It’s Small
So, how do you reach the person you want to reach?
The first thing to do is make a list of everyone who knows the person. This is much easier if they work together or have a mutual acquaintance in common.
If they don’t know each other directly, try going through one of their acquaintances a friend of a friend (or someone who knows them both). Look for anyone who might be able to connect your cold email with their inbox and/or calendar!
If all else fails and there’s no connection at all between them, consider sending a blind email anyway.
Remember: this isn’t about getting an immediate response; it’s about setting up an initial conversation so that future emails will be more likely to land on their desk rather than straight into their trash folder!
3. Don’t Write A Generic Email
- Don’t send the same email to everyone.
- Don’t just send your resume and cover letter to everyone. When you do this, it is hard for the hiring manager to tell if you are interested in their company or not.
Do some research on the individual who will be reading your email and customize it slightly so that it reflects that person’s interests and personality traits (if possible). This could mean writing something like “I noticed from your website that you’ve been an avid traveler since childhood.”
Don’t just ask questions after they’ve turned down an interview request or job offer – even though this is perfectly acceptable behavior in many situations, cold emailing is different.
Because it allows for more flexibility than other types of communication when interacting with potential employers/employees alike!
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4. Ask For What You Want, But Be Polite About It
Once you’ve established a rapport with your contact, it’s time to ask for what you want. But be careful this is where things could get tricky.
If you don’t know exactly what you’re asking for, or if the person doesn’t have an idea of where your interests lie, then they’ll feel confused and possibly defensive.
Make sure that before reaching out with an email, everyone involved has a clear idea of why this conversation is happening and what kind of outcome would be ideal for everyone involved.
It’s important here not to ask too much or too little: if someone makes it through two rounds of interviews with several different companies then sending them another cold email isn’t necessarily going to help their cause so much as waste their time on something that won’t result in any kind of pay off (i.e., getting hired).
On the other hand though…if someone only applied once then sending an additional email might make them feel like there’s no need since they already did everything possible; however when it comes down it actually does take more than one try before landing on something solid enough
To summarize: Be polite but firm about what you want! Don’t be afraid that being direct will offend people if anything it shows respect for both parties’ time
5. Go Into The Email to start A Conversation And Build A Relationship, Not Just Getting What You Want
The first thing to do is to be clear about what you’re offering and why it’s valuable. You want to be specific, but not too much, so as not to overwhelm your reader.
Think of this paragraph like an elevator pitch: you need to give someone enough information that they understand what’s going on without making them feel like they’re talking with a salesperson.
The second thing is the most important: introduce yourself! Make it clear who you are, what your qualifications are and why these things make you a great candidate for this position (or whatever).
This may seem obvious but there have been many times where I’ve seen emails that don’t mention anything about who sent them! Don’t be like those people it might seem like common sense but it’s easy for me when I get hundreds of cold emails every day (not complaining here).
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6. Always Do Your Homework
The best way to avoid sounding like a robot, or even worse: someone who has no idea what they’re talking about, is to do your homework.
Take some time before you send the email out and research the company itself. Find out as much information on them as possible their background, their business model, how long they’ve been around and who their competitors are.
Doing this will give you an edge over other applicants who haven’t bothered with the research.
Then it’s time for the basics: find out all about yourself! Look at your skill set and see which ones would be relevant for this role (or any role).
Think about what value can you bring to them from these skills if there’s not much crossover between your skill set and what they need then it might be worth reconsidering whether this role is right for you at all.
Finally ask yourself: What do I want? Why am I applying here? If these questions don’t lead straight back into one of those first two points then perhaps it’s time to rethink things..
7. Don’t Be Afraid To Use First Names
Use first names when you can, but don’t be pushy. Some people are more comfortable with being addressed by their last names, while others prefer to use first names.
If you’re not sure how someone would like to be addressed, ask them directly. “Ms./Mr. _” is a nice way of addressing someone formally if they aren’t comfortable with you calling them by their first name yet and it’s always okay to ask!
Use first names when you are addressing them directly. It’s important that cold emails sound conversational and natural so that your message doesn’t seem like spam or marketing material (though some people actually like those kinds of messages).
A good rule of thumb is: if it feels weirdly formal in an email conversation between two friends, then your tone probably needs adjusting somewhere along the line before reaching out again.”
8. Send The Email At An Appropriate Time Of Day And Day Of The Week
It’s easy to assume that you should send your cold emails at a specific time of day. After all, that’s when you want to be working, right? But there are some downsides to sending emails while everyone else is working.
If your potential employer or hiring manager receives an email from someone who looks like they’re looking for work on Friday afternoon at 3pm, they’re going to think “this person doesn’t have anything better to do than job hunt now?
They must not have much going for them! I’m definitely not interested!” This is why I recommend sending your cold emails early in the morning on weekdays.
It’s also why Sunday mornings are out of the question unless you know for sure it won’t bother anyone if you reach out then (and even if it doesn’t bother anyone, there’s still a chance that whoever receives the email might be too lazy/tired/hungover on Sunday morning and thus unresponsive).
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9. Follow Up If You Don’t Hear Back Promptly
If you don’t receive a response, it’s best to follow up in as timely a manner as possible.
For example, if your first email is sent on Monday morning, and you haven’t heard back by Thursday morning (or even right away).
It’s okay to send another email saying something like “I know you’re busy but I wanted to check in! I’ve been working hard this week and would love the opportunity to show off my work.”
You might also want to try following up with someone else in the company or department who works on similar projects they might be able to give you more insight into why they aren’t hiring at the moment or suggest another person who could help.
Finally, if all else fails (and especially if you’re worried about being seen as a nuisance) give them a call! A phone call can still be friendly and professional just make sure it doesn’t cross into over-zealous territory (e.g., calling every hour for days).
10. If You Get A Response That Isn’t What You’re Looking For
If you receive a response that’s not what you’re looking for, don’t get discouraged. It’s all part of the process and it doesn’t mean that you weren’t qualified enough.
If someone isn’t interested in hiring or working with you, don’t take it personally. If their feedback has anything to do with your ability to perform the job well, then use that as a learning opportunity so that next time when they hire someone else they will consider hiring you too.
Don’t give up! Simply send another email this time with more information or a different angle on how your skills fit their brand/company needs (it’s always possible).
11. Remember That There Is No Such Thing As Too Many Emails
You can’t be afraid to keep trying. If you’re looking for a job, remember that there is no such thing as too many emails.
You’re not being annoying or desperate if you send the same email to multiple people it’s just a great way to show that you’re serious about working at their company and have done research into what they (and their hiring managers) are looking for in candidates.
If someone responds with an email saying “We don’t have any positions available right now,” don’t be afraid to respond and ask them for advice on how else you might proceed. They may even refer you to another company where they think your skills would be better suited!
Crafting compelling cold email templates is an essential skill for anyone looking to make a lasting impression. Explore our collection of 13 Cold Email Templates that you can put into action right away. From networking to job applications, these templates offer a range of approaches to help you achieve your goals.
Conclusion
There are a lot of ways you can get started with cold emailing. As I mentioned earlier, the key is to start small and build your confidence gradually. When all else fails and everything seems overwhelming, remember that these strategies work for a reason: because they’re effective!
So don’t be afraid to try something new if it helps you enjoy your life more. Best of luck on your journey toward success!
Further Reading
Explore these additional resources to enhance your understanding of effective cold emailing strategies for career advancement:
Cold Email for Job Search
Learn how to use cold emailing as a powerful tool for finding job opportunities and networking in the competitive job market.
Breakdown of an Effective Cold Email Template
Delve into a detailed analysis of a successful cold email template and understand the elements that make it effective in grabbing the recipient’s attention.
Writing a Cold Email for a Job: Tips and Examples
Gain insights into crafting compelling cold emails tailored specifically for job applications, along with useful tips and real-world examples.
FAQs
How can cold emailing benefit my job search?
Cold emailing can help you access hidden job opportunities and establish connections with professionals in your desired field, potentially leading to informational interviews or job referrals.
What elements should I include in a cold email for job inquiries?
An effective cold email should include a personalized introduction, a clear explanation of your background and skills, your intent or request, and a compelling call to action that encourages the recipient to respond.
How do I find the right contact for cold emailing?
Conduct thorough research to identify individuals who are relevant to your career goals, such as hiring managers, recruiters, or professionals working in your target companies or industries.
What’s the key to writing a subject line that stands out?
Craft a subject line that is concise, intriguing, and relevant to the recipient’s interests or pain points. Avoid generic subject lines and focus on offering value or addressing a specific need.
Should I follow up after sending a cold email?
Yes, following up is crucial to increase your chances of receiving a response. Send a polite and concise follow-up email after a week or two if you haven’t heard back, expressing continued interest and reiterating your value proposition.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.