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The Guide To Writing a Proper, Yet Direct, Email to a Recruiter

You’re committed to finding a new job in 2023 — and to be honest, the sooner the better. However, you’ve realized you need a little help finding the right job for you. Therefore, you’ve decided to reach out to a recruiter to request assistance with your search.

This is the first time you’ve done this, so you’re not quite sure how to word your email. You want to make a great impression, so you’re searching for tips to get it right. Here’s some advice that ensures your message will be warmly received.

Five Tips to Effectively Email a Recruiter

Maximize Your Subject Line

Recruiters get a lot of emails, so it’s important to ensure yours doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. The best way to do this is using your subject line to make the purpose of your email clear — i.e., “Customer service professional seeking assistance finding a management position.” This shows the recruiter your email is legit, increasing the chances they’ll open it.

Get Personal

No one wants to read an impersonal email. You know the recruiter’s name, so address them personally. This will make them feel valued, because it shows you really want to work with them. Even if you’re sending feelers out to several recruiters, always address the email directly to each person, as anything else can easily feel like spam.

Summarize Your Experience

Chances are, a recruiter isn’t going to open an attachment with your resume and spend time carefully reading it from an initial email. Therefore, it’s best to offer a summary of your career experience in the body of the message. Briefly explain your current role, years of experience and career highlights. Give them enough information to understand who you are and what you have to offer, without expecting them to read a pages-long email.

Explain What You Want

Many recruiters specialize in certain areas, so it’s important to tell them what you’re looking for in a new job, so they can determine whether they can help you. It’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you want, but at least offer a general idea of the job or career change you’re looking for, so they can get a better understanding.

Request a Chat

Let the recruiter know why you decided to reach out to them. Ask if they have a few minutes to talk with you about your career goals to see if they might be able to help you. Giving a clear call to action will inspire a prompt reply, because it’s clear that you’re a motivated candidate who is serious about making a career move.