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Mastering LinkedIn Outreach: Best Email Examples for Contacting Candidates

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Top email tips to use as a recruiter

Reaching out to potential candidates on LinkedIn is a nuanced art that requires a strategic approach. Your message needs to stand out in a candidate’s crowded inbox, grab their attention, and persuade them to consider your opportunity. This blog post will guide you through creating effective LinkedIn outreach emails. We’ll cover how to craft compelling subject lines, engaging opening sentences, personalization techniques based on LinkedIn profiles, and strong calls to action.

Best Subject Lines

The subject line is your chance to make a first impression. A well-crafted subject line can significantly increase the chances of your email being opened. Here’s how to create best-in-class subject lines:

1. Keep It Short and Sweet

  • Why: Longer subject lines are often truncated, especially on mobile devices, making it hard for the recipient to see the full message.
  • Examples:
    • “New Opportunity at [Company] for [Position]”
    • “Join Our [Team/Project] at [Company]”

2. Personalize with the Candidate’s Name or Role

  • Why: Personalized subject lines show the candidate that this isn’t a generic email blast.
  • Examples:
    • “John, Exciting Role in [Field] at [Company]”
    • “Jane, Your Next Career Move with [Company]”

3. Highlight the Value

  • Why: Highlighting an aspect of the opportunity that might appeal to the candidate can pique their curiosity quickly.
  • Examples:
    • “Lead Innovative Projects at [Company]”
    • “Shape the Future of [Field] with Us”

Crafting the Best Opening Sentences

The opening sentence of your email sets the tone for the entire message and needs to grab the reader’s attention immediately.

1. Start with a Compliment or Acknowledgment

  • Why: Everyone appreciates recognition. Complimenting the candidate on a recent achievement or acknowledging their expertise makes the email personalized and engaging.
  • Examples:
    • “Hi [Name], I was really impressed with your experience in [specific field or skill].”
    • “Hi [Name], your recent project on [mention specific project or role] caught my eye.”

2. Mention a Common Connection or Shared Interest

  • Why: Establishing common ground can make the email feel more familiar and less like a cold outreach.
  • Examples:
    • “Hi [Name], we’ve both worked with [mutual connection] and I heard great things about your work in [field].”
    • “Hi [Name], I noticed we share an interest in [specific industry or subject].”

Citations:

  1. LinkedIn Sales Blog: How to Write LinkedIn Messages that Actually Get Read
  2. CoSchedule: The Data-Driven Guide to Writing Effective Email Subject Lines

Personalizing the Email

Personalization is crucial for capturing the candidate’s interest. Here’s how to tailor your message based on the candidate’s LinkedIn profile:

1. Analyze the Candidate’s Profile

  • Look at their skills, experiences, endorsements, and recent activities. Notice any projects, articles, or posts they’ve shared or liked.

2. Highlight Relevant Experience

  • Why: Relating the job to their past experiences shows that you’ve done your homework and genuinely appreciate their background.
  • Example:
    • “Your work at [Previous Company] on [Specific Project] seems particularly relevant to what we’re doing in [mention specific role or project at your company].”

3. Connect the Role to Their Skills

  • Why: A candidate is more likely to respond to a role that clearly matches their skill set.
  • Example:
    • “We are looking for someone with your expertise in [specific skill, e.g., data analytics], particularly because of your successful projects at [Previous Company].”

4. Mention Shared Interests or Goals

  • Why: This can build an instant connection and show that the role aligns with their professional interests.
  • Example:
    • “I noticed you’re passionate about [specific interest or cause]. At [Company], we also value [same interest or cause] and believe you could help us drive impactful initiatives.”

Citations:

  1. Salesforce: How to Personalize and Automate Email Marketing
  2. Hootsuite: 11 Ways to Personalize Your Email Marketing Campaigns

Crafting an Effective Call to Action (CTA)

Ending your message with a strong, clear Call to Action encourages the candidate to take the next step. Here’s how to do it:

1. Be Direct and Clear

  • Why: Ambiguity can result in inaction. Clear instructions make it easy for the candidate to know what to do next.
  • Examples:
    • “Can we schedule a quick call this week to discuss this opportunity further?”
    • “Would you be available for a brief chat to explore this role in more detail?”

2. Provide Flexible Options

  • Why: Offering different times or ways to connect shows respect for their schedule.
  • Examples:
    • “Would you be free for a call tomorrow or later this week? Let me know your availability.”
    • “I’m available for a call or a coffee chat next Tuesday or Wednesday. Which day works for you?”

3. End with Enthusiasm and Gratitude

  • Why: A positive tone leaves a good impression and builds rapport.
  • Examples:
    • “Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks for considering this opportunity!”
    • “Excited to discuss how we can work together. I appreciate your time!”

Citations:

  1. Salesforce: Best Practices for Writing Effective Email CTAs
  2. HubSpot: How to Craft the Perfect Call-To-Action

Putting It All Together: Effective Email Examples

Here are some examples of effective outreach emails that incorporate all the best practices discussed:

Example 1: Generic Role

Subject: “Exciting Role in [Field] at [Company]”

Body:

Hi [Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I came across your profile on LinkedIn and was impressed by your extensive experience in [specific skill/industry], particularly your recent work on [specific project/role].

At [Company], we are currently seeking a [Job Title] to join our team. Given your background at [Previous Company] and your success with [specific achievement], I believe you could be an excellent fit for this role.

We are excited about the innovative work we’re doing in [field/industry], and I think your skills and experiences could make a significant impact on our projects. I would love to discuss this opportunity with you in more detail.

Could we schedule a quick call this week to talk about how we can work together? Please let me know your availability.

Thank you for considering this opportunity. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your LinkedIn Profile]

Example 2: Personalized Role

Subject: “Jane, Your Next Career Opportunity in [Specific Field] at [Company]”

Body:

Hi Jane,

I hope you’re doing well. I recently came across your LinkedIn profile and was particularly impressed by your work at [Previous Company], especially your project on [specific project].

We have a fantastic opportunity at [Company] for a [Job Title], and your expertise in [Skill/Field] would be incredibly valuable to us. We are passionate about [shared interest] and are looking for someone like you to help us drive our initiatives forward.

I would love to discuss how your background in [specific skill/experience] aligns with what we’re doing at [Company]. Could we schedule a brief chat next week to explore this further?

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to the possibility of working together.

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your LinkedIn Profile]

Example 3: Mentioning Common Connections

Subject: “Your Expertise in [Field] is Needed at [Company]”

Body:

Hi [Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I noticed that we both know [mutual connection] and heard great things about your expertise in [specific field/skill].

We are looking for a [Job Title] at [Company], and your background, especially your achievements at [Previous Company], suggests you could be perfect for this role. Our team values [specific skill or interest], and your experience with [specific project or role] aligns wonderfully with our current projects.

Could we schedule a quick call this week to discuss this opportunity and how we could collaborate? Please let me know what time works best for you.

Thank you for considering this. I’m looking forward to our conversation.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your LinkedIn Profile]

Conclusion

Spending the time crafting effective LinkedIn outreach emails involves a blend of the right timing, compelling subject lines, engaging openings, personalized content, and clear calls to action. By implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve your engagement rates with potential candidates. My response rates are often over 50%, where most recruiters are lucky to have 20% – 25% response rate.

Reaching out on LinkedIn with a thoughtful and diligent approach can turn your cold emails into warm connections, making your recruitment efforts more successful. You are only going to fill that one open role with one candidate. However, getting a high response rate and creating a dialog with more candidates will eventually make recruiting for future roles much easier you grow your network and become a trusted resource for job seekers!

Sources:

  1. LinkedIn Sales Blog: 5 Proven Tips to Boost Your InMail Open Rates
  2. HubSpot: How to Write the Perfect Email Subject Line
  3. Salesforce: How to Personalize and Automate Email Marketing
  4. Hootsuite: 11 Ways to Personalize Your Email Marketing Campaigns
  5. Salesforce: Best Practices for Writing Effective Email CTAs