The Ultimate Guide to Writing Effective Cold Emails for Jobs (With Template and Free Tools)

If you’re looking for a job, cold emailing is a great way to reach out to potential employers. Cold emailing can be daunting, but with a little know-how, you can write an effective email that will get you a response.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about cold emailing for jobs, including how to write an effective email, what to include in your email, and how to follow up. We’ll also show you how Simplified’s AI Email Generator can help you save time and write better cold emails. Let’s dig in!

What Are Cold Emails for Jobs?

Generate cold emails for jobs that a job seeker sends to recruiters or hiring managers to introduce themselves and connect with the recruiters. They also allow you to let the HR Specialist know that you are available and qualified to do the job. 

They can be used for a variety of reasons such as setting up an interview, expanding your professional network, or following up on a job application. A cold email is an excellent way to stand out above other candidates and to let the company know that you are willing to take risks and be innovative in your career.

Bonus: How to Write a Sales Demo Cold Email That Gets Results

Benefits of Cold Emails

Cold emailing recruiters have become a go-to asset in job-seeking as it provides several benefits. Let’s take a look.

1. Convenience – Cold emailing is convenient for both you and the recipients. It takes very little time to type a quick email and click send. With pre-written responses, it takes even less time for the recruiter to respond.
2. Connection – For many job seekers, the old phrase, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know,” still rings true.  Avoid the unfamiliarity by sending a personalized cold email.  The hiring manager is more likely to remember you and more likely to reach back out if they see a genuine connection.
3. Courtesy –  Making a phone call or just showing up at their office door without warning is intrusive and will probably negatively affect your chances of being hired. Sending a cold email is a considerate way to reach out to recruiters as they can choose when and how they respond without pressure.
4. Consistency – Most HR professionals or recruiters check their emails daily, often multiple times a day, so a cold email is an effective way to reach them.  It also allows you to keep in contact with follow-up emails, but a general rule is to only follow up once until the recruiter reaches back out.

How To Cold Email for a Job

Although every cold email should be personalized to the position, recruiter, company, and your skills and qualifications, there is a formula that they all must follow to be effective or even opened.

1.Research the Position and Company

Recruiters know if you read the entire job description or if you even know the basics of what the company does.  Be sure to thoroughly research both the company and the position before reaching out.  You should always be ready with a follow-up response if the recruiter acknowledges your email.

2.Research the Recruiter

Never send a cold email with a generic title or just a simple “Hello.” Search for the person that will most likely interview and/or hire you, and address them by name. Then use the company’s About Us Page or LinkedIn to learn about the person’s professional life such as their accomplishments, the school they attended, or even people they follow on social media.  Use that information to find a connection between yourself and the recruiter.

3.Address a Pain Point or Potential Issue

Hiring managers are not going to care about who you are and what you can do until you can show them the value you bring.  Find a unique problem that you noticed on the website or something they offer that their competition does not, and highlight it in your email.  Be sure to mention how you can solve their problem or create more buzz around their unique offerings.

Bonus: How Email Personalization Can Up Your Marketing Strategy

4.Introduce Yourself

A three-page bio is not the way to introduce yourself in a cold email.  A short paragraph introducing your skills and experience is a good way to let them know more about you without boring them with the details, and it also gives them the invitation to reach back out to you.

5.Let Them Off the Hook

Forcing yourself on a recruiter is not an effective way to get a response.  Always let the recruiter know that they can respond when ready or not at all.  This shows them that you not only care about a job, but you also care about people.  

6.Follow-Up a Few Days Later

If you haven’t heard from the recruiter in a few days, feel free to send a follow-up email. They may be busy.  It doesn’t mean that they ignored your email.  Sometimes, that’s all it takes to remind them of the value you bring and decide to give you a shot.

Bonus: How to Write the Perfect Survey Invitation Email: 10 Best Practices

Cold Emailing Recruiters Template

Even though cold emails should be personal, following a general template makes writing and sending one easy and simple. Let’s take a look.

Dear [Name],

Address the pain point or feature of their company and how it can be solved (ideally, by you).

Introduce yourself and invite them to reach back out to you.

Give them an out.

Thank them.

Salutation,

[Your Name]

Sample Cold Email

Dear John Doe,

I recently read an article about how you are using sustainable energy in your power plants.  In my last position, I was able to save my company’s energy costs by 25%.  I would love to tell you how.

My name Is Jane Williams, and I have a degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Physics.  I love the work you’re doing at Energify, and I want to be a part.  Feel free to respond to this email or call me at (555) 123-4567 to set up a quick chat.

I completely understand if now is not a good time.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Jane Williams

Create Quick and Easy Cold Emails with Simplified

Using Simplified’s Job Seeking Cold Email Template, select your language, input the role you are applying for, and then briefly describe how you know the recruiter and what skills and assets you bring to the position.  In seconds, the AI writer will generate professional and effective cold emails for you to send the recruiter.