Are you a recent graduate or someone looking to change jobs? Have you decided to pursue your dream job, but don't know how to get started? With the changing job market, the ways of applying for jobs and making connections are also evolving. Nowadays, it's possible to land your dream job by sending cold emails.
What is a Cold Email?
Cold emails are unsolicited messages sent to people with whom you have no prior relationship or communication. The goal of a cold email is to initiate a conversation for collaboration, build professional relationships, or pursue business opportunities such as acquiring new customers or clients. Cold emails are commonly used for networking or job searching, but they are also frequently employed in sales and marketing to promote goods or services. For a cold email to be effective, it should be personalised, relevant, and well-targeted. However, if not done properly, it may be perceived as spam or unwanted communication.
Whom to cold mail or massage?
Before diving into the steps and examples of cold emails, it's important to know to whom you should be sending them. If you're reaching out to a small business with 40 or fewer employees, try to target the CEO, CTO, or founding members. For mid-sized and larger companies, look to see if they have a designated HR department. LinkedIn can be a useful tool for identifying specific decision-makers or hiring managers within a company. You can often find their email address on their profile or on similar websites. Alternatively, you can connect with them and send a direct message by following the steps outlined for cold emailing.
Or in the worst-case scenario for small businesses, it's typically just the founder's first name@firm domain. Together with first initial and last name, [email protected] also works effectively for mid-sized businesses.
- Give a small introduction and the reason for contacting
It's important to introduce yourself in a cold email and provide information about who you are, where you work, how you obtained their information, and why you're interested in their company. Clearly state your purpose early on in the email to capture their interest and give them a reason to continue reading. With the average attention span now at around 8 seconds, it's crucial to make a strong impression and grab their attention in the first few lines.
- Mention a few accomplishments of yours (if any)
Think of your cold email as a sales pitch and use it to showcase your skills and qualities. Don't hesitate to mention your achievements and highlight your past experiences. Explain how you plan to use these experiences in the future and why you believe you would be a valuable asset to their company. By promoting your strengths and abilities, you can demonstrate why you're a good fit for the position and why they should consider you.
- Have a specific and reasonable request
It's important to avoid coming across as too demanding when sending a cold email. Instead, focus on building a relationship with the recipient. Asking for the job directly can be too upfront and may turn off the reader, potentially damaging your chances of making a connection. Instead, try to set up a time for a chat or call to discuss potential opportunities. Ask about the interview process or inquire if there are any recent job openings that might be a good fit for your skills and experience. By taking a more indirect approach, you can establish a connection with the recipient and build a relationship that may lead to future job opportunities.
If you don't receive a response to your cold email within a week, it's acceptable to send a brief follow-up email. Keep in mind that the person you're reaching out to may be busy and may have a backlog of emails to respond to. It's often necessary to follow up at least three times before giving up. Sending a great email only once may not be enough to be effective. In fact, several successful cold emails that resulted in interviews were only answered after several follow-ups.
Tips for do’s and don’t-
DO’s
Email addresses that begin with fancy, unusual names, or numerals may not be taken seriously by potential employers. To make a good impression, it's best to use a professional-looking email address that includes your first and last name. This can help convey a sense of professionalism and seriousness to your potential employer.
- Write a strong subject line and keep it short
When crafting a subject line for your cold email, it's important to keep it short, creative, and practical enough to entice the reader to open and read your message. You may want to consider using a common contact name or position within the company you're targeting to create a subject line that is both relevant and attention-grabbing. By doing so, you can increase the chances of your email being noticed and read by the recipient.
- Leave room for conversation (build relationships)
When closing your cold email, it's important to avoid using a closed-ended statement and instead, leave room for the next person to reply. If you have a connection with the recruiter or company, it's a good idea to mention it in your email. You may also want to try finding any alumni from your university who have worked with the company and mention that in your email as well. By doing so, you can demonstrate that you have a genuine interest in the company and increase your chances of getting a response.
DONTs
- Don’t follow up obsessively
Following up on a cold email is essential, but it's important to avoid spamming the recipient with too many emails or messages. Instead, aim to follow up in a professional and courteous manner, and be patient in waiting for a response.
- Try not to look for HR always
If possible, try to get in touch with the founding members or someone in charge of the recruiting process instead of relying solely on the HR department. While HR may receive a lot of these emails, there is a chance that yours could be overlooked. By targeting specific decision-makers within the company, you can increase the likelihood of your email being read and considered.
- Don’t send the same mail to everyone
Personalization is the key to crafting a successful cold email or message. Before you begin writing, do your homework on the person and company you are contacting. Avoid sending the same generic email to everyone with only minor changes to the name and address. This approach suggests a lack of effort and interest in the recipient and is unlikely to result in a positive response.
"Before sending cold emails, ensure that your resume is up-to-date. Keep in mind that cold emails typically have a low response rate and an even lower conversion rate. To improve your chances, consider sending 3 to 4 emails per day. With consistent effort and a well-crafted message, cold emailing can open the door to your dream job."
Samples-1
Dear/Hello/Greetings (First Name or Mr./Ms. Last Name)
Hope you are doing well.
My name is (your name) and I’m 21 years old. I am a (your profession). Have worked/done an internship with (provide company name) before. Currently looking for opportunities. I have experience in (name the fields). Your assistant provided me with this email so I could get in touch with you [or state the specific way you located the person's name and email].
The purpose of the mail is whether we can get into a call/meeting to discuss your career and whether there may be any upcoming opportunities with your company.
I have a flexible schedule so I can schedule a meeting or call at a time convenient for you.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
Sample-2
Dear/Hello/Greetings (First Name or Mr./Ms. Last Name)
Hope you are having a great day.
I applied for an open position at (Company name)/ for the position of (the position you applied for) on your online career site. I believe the position fits incredibly well with my 15 years of experience in (your field). Attaching my profile for you to have a look at my work and experiences. (profile link).
I recently followed you on the same business social media page and I appreciate the interesting articles you provide for job seekers and how you interact with candidates. We also have a common interest in AI.
I'd love to schedule a call and talk with you further about the position and my experience. I can be available for next week's working hours. I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
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