Interview prep

Proven strategies to cold email recruiters

Reaching out directly is always better than just applying on the website.

Your strongest advantage in finding a new job fast is to leverage off of your existing network by reaching out and asking for referrals. Most of the time these will guarantee an interview or, at the very least, an informational call with a recruiter/hiring manager. However, if your network is fairly limited, we strongly recommend reaching out to recruiters directly in addition to your application.

Why is an Application Not Enough?

Frankly speaking, most applications end up in a system like iCIMS, where recruiters spend several seconds looking at your profile before moving on. If you don't have anything that will stand out, like a nicely formatted resumé, there is very little chance you'll get noticed.

Something else we don't talk about enough: recruiters simply do not look at all resumés that come in. And when they do look at them, it's not on a first-come-first-serve basis. So, in the end, a lot of the selection process is pure luck.

This is why you need to reach out with a personalized email. Before you do, here's a quick checklist to ensure that you're prepared. Make sure...

  • Your resumé should be nicely formatted
  • Your LinkedIn is cleaned up
  • You've done your research on the company
  • You've found the correct recruiter

Find the Correct Recruiter

You can use LinkedIn to find the correct recruiter by using the keyword "recruiter" when looking up the company name. Make sure you read their bio and profile carefully- almost all recruiters will specify what business unit they recruit for.

Alternatively, check out Candor's tech recruiter database to search for recruiters by company, location, and specialty. For every recruiter, we've crowdsourced information on what they were like for candidates to deal with, so you'll go in with eyes open.

You will sometimes even have their email listed. If you're a Candor member, we will source you with any recruiter email you want (as long as you promise not to spam them).

Lastly, be aware of the hierarchy:

  • Recruiting Sourcer - Entry-level, finds candidates, no decision-making power
  • Recruiting Coordinator - Schedules interviews for candidates already in the process
  • Recruiter - Bingo, that's who you should email

Craft Your Message With This Template

Your email needs to be personalized for every recruiter. Do not BCC 50 people with the same message.

Here's a template you can use:

The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice and should not be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security by Candor, its employees and affiliates, or any third-party. Any expressions of opinion or assumptions are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results and the opinions presented herein should not be viewed as an indicator of future performance. Investing in securities involves risk. Loss of principal is possible.

Third-party data has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable; however, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Candor does not receive compensation to promote or discuss any particular Company; however, Candor, its employees and affiliates, and/or its clients may hold positions in securities of the Companies discussed.