Is it okay to cold email for a job?

Cold calling is one of the most effective ways to land your next job -- especially if you're looking for an entry-level position or want to get back into the workforce after having been unemployed for some time. But sometimes in order to find and fill those positions, you'll have to reach out to someone who's already employed (and maybe even with another company). So how do you go about doing this without coming across as too desperate?

Well, here are four tips from our own experience as well as advice we've read online that can help make sure you don't sound like a stalker asking for a job. You could also use these tips to warm up before reaching out to a potential employer via phone call or email -- which will work better than trying to come off as "too eager." It might not be possible for you to meet face-to-face, but by following these guidelines, you're more likely to avoid making any mistakes.

If you think you may want to follow along with us and apply what we discuss below to getting hired at your dream job, check out our guide to cold calling employers.

Is it weird to cold email a recruiter?

Yes...but only because they probably won't respond. Recruiters receive thousands of applications every week, so chances are good that yours isn't going to stand out among them. But since recruiters know exactly why you sent them an unsolicited message, they will appreciate hearing from you. And since recruiters often send applicants resumes to their hiring managers, you can always pitch your skills to them instead.

That said, even though it's unlikely a recruiter will reply to your email or take action on your resume, it's still important to treat each and every applicant with respect. Even if you never hear back, you can still thank them sincerely for taking the time to look through your resume. If you feel uncomfortable with this approach, then perhaps it would be best to skip the recruiter route altogether. Instead, try using networking events or other opportunities to connect with decision makers within your field.

Is it okay to cold email a recruiter?

We say yes! In fact, many companies hire based solely on what they see in your LinkedIn profile rather than what you tell them over the phone. Plus, recruiters tend to prefer candidates who aren't afraid to ask questions and offer constructive feedback. For example, it's common practice for a candidate to ask, "What steps did you take to research my background?" Or "Why was I rejected from a previous role?" A lot of times, recruiters will answer these kinds of questions honestly and give you valuable insight into the process. When you're talking to them, keep in mind that they're usually busy professionals whose days aren't filled with coffee chats or office gossip. Showing respect to them means being honest and upfront while simultaneously providing value.

The point is that it's perfectly fine to contact a recruiter and ask questions about jobs. Just remember that you shouldn't bother them unless you really want to pursue a particular opportunity. Asking to speak with a manager or human resources representative is less invasive and takes much less effort on their part. They'll typically direct you towards the appropriate person.

How do you write a cold email to a recruiter?

You don't necessarily need to craft a fancy cover letter or elaborate sentence structure to impress a recruiter. All you really need to do is show that you understand the industry and demonstrate that you possess the necessary qualifications. The key is conveying enthusiasm for the position. This is something that recruiters can easily spot.

For instance, the following cold email offers a unique perspective on the topic from a student who wants to learn more about working in software development:

Hello [recruiter name],

I am currently enrolled in University X studying Computer Science/Software Engineering. I'm very interested in finding a full-time job related to computer science, and after researching your website I realized that I'd fit the bill quite nicely. My area of study focuses mainly on Java programming, and although I haven't worked with C# yet, I believe I could pick it up quickly enough given a little bit of training.

In addition to my academic credentials, I have several years of professional experience under my belt. Most recently I spent six months working as a developer analyst where I analyzed data, developed reports, and assisted clients in various projects. Additionally, throughout high school I took a course in Advanced Python Programming and taught myself HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, and jQuery.

My goal is to become proficient in multiple languages, and I'm confident that my ability to adapt to new environments would serve me well in the career world. Furthermore, I love interacting with others and learning new things, so my passion for education makes me a great asset to any team. Finally, I'm extremely detail oriented and enjoy solving problems.

So, please let me know if I can provide additional information regarding the current openings available at your organization. Thank you for your consideration. Have a wonderful day.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Is it okay to email recruiter directly?

While it's certainly acceptable to email a recruiter, you'll want to stick with the basic rules outlined above. Remember, recruiters don't care whether you were born yesterday or have 10 years' worth of relevant experience. What matters is that you're qualified to perform the tasks required for the position. If you're willing to put forth an extra effort and prove that you can handle whatever the job entails, then you can expect to get noticed.

And lastly, one thing that you absolutely must avoid is applying to hundreds of jobs at once. While it sounds amazing to land 100 interviews, it's far more beneficial to focus on one opportunity at a time. By approaching multiple roles all at once, you run the risk of losing track of the ones you actually want and wasting precious time. Also, if you end up accepting a job offer, you'll no longer have access to the other opportunities. So, choose wisely!

Hopefully, now you'll feel comfortable applying for jobs using cold emails. If you ever encounter issues, feel free to leave comments below and we'll be happy to assist you further. Until next time, stay curious and keep growing!

When I was young and naïve about my career path, I would send an unsolicited email to anyone with a title of "recruiter" or "headhunter." This was back before LinkedIn existed as we know it today -- so if they didn't have an online profile, then no luck.

I'd be excitedly typing away at this job-hunting letter (yes, all caps) only to receive a generic rejection response from their spam folder. Sometimes these rejections were even accompanied by a nasty comment like "please don't ever contact me again!"

But what if one day your life depended on getting into a high level position within your company? What if you needed them to hire you because time is running out and you're already late? You can't afford any more delays!

Maybe now is the time to learn how to use cold email to land a new job. After all, most companies will respond better to someone who reaches out to them rather than waiting around hoping to hear back through other channels.

So here are some tips on using cold email effectively to help you succeed when applying for a job. And yes, sometimes you may want to go directly after a CEO instead of trying to find a lower-level employee.

Can you get in trouble for cold emailing?

It's important to remember that while many employers frown upon unsolicited emails, it doesn't mean they'll fire you over it. In fact, if you really need a job, it might actually work against you if you've been too aggressive with your approach.

The best way to make sure everything goes smoothly is to always act professionally. For example, if you write something along the lines of, "Hey [name], I'm interested in learning more about [job] opportunities,"  make sure you include details about why you're passionate enough to apply. Your passion shows through in every word you say, so show off your skills without feeling desperate.

If you do come across as overly enthusiastic, keep reading below for tips on how to craft a successful cold email.

What is cold email strategy?

Cold email is basically anything sent via email that isn't meant to build rapport or create a relationship between you and the person receiving it. It could be your first introduction to meeting a potential employer, for instance, or simply asking a question such as "How does X work?" Or maybe you want to ask for advice about some aspect of the business.

There's nothing wrong with sending cold emails, but you must understand how to properly execute them. Otherwise, you risk coming off as annoying or pushy.

Here are some general rules of thumb to follow when crafting a perfect cold email:

Be specific. The goal of each message is to answer a single question. If you aren't clear on exactly what you're looking for, how can a human being possibly give you good answers? Be concise, and try to limit the number of questions asked.

Focus on the positive. Don't start off saying, "Hi [Name]," unless you know that name well and feel comfortable doing so. Instead, begin your email by complimenting the recipient on something she has done recently. That simple action creates instant connection and makes her much less likely to delete your email immediately.

Don't forget to include links. Even though cold emails often contain fewer words than traditional forms of communication like phone calls and meetings, they still require effort on behalf of the sender to write them correctly. Links let readers see that you took the extra step to provide additional information that helps them navigate through your email.

Keep things professional. When writing cold emails, avoid personal language and tone. Use proper grammar and spelling, and avoid slang terms. Avoid excessive capitalization, bold fonts, exclamation marks, emoticons, and emoji characters (unless used in moderation).

Avoid typos. These mistakes make you look sloppy and careless, which is never a good impression. Remember to proofread your emails carefully.

Always close with a relevant call to action. Most cold emails end with an invitation to connect further or offer up suggestions. While this doesn't necessarily guarantee results, it gives recipients pause to think whether or not you're worth pursuing further.

Is it okay to cold email recruiter?

Yes, and no. Recruiters are paid professionals whose primary role is to source qualified candidates for open positions. They typically screen applicants based on experience, education, and skill sets required for certain jobs.

That said, recruiters are also human beings who care about building relationships with their clients. So if you happen to notice that a particular member of staff seems particularly friendly towards you, consider reaching out to him/her privately via email or social media.

You shouldn't expect a reply from a recruiter, but at least you won't seem like a complete stranger either. There's always a chance he/she will reach out to you personally once his/her team completes its initial screening process and decides to pursue you further.

What should you not email a recruiter?

While cold emailing a recruiter can be effective, there are times when it's inappropriate. One thing to avoid is contacting a recruiter during their vacation period or sick days. Also, refrain from sending direct messages to the hiring manager or senior management whenever possible.

For example, if you want to submit a resume for consideration, wait until after the HR department receives it. Similarly, if you want to request feedback regarding your qualifications, interview schedule, etc., ask your interviewer after the event.

Lastly, don't bombard your entire network with tons of irrelevant requests for assistance. If you haven't heard back from a prospective employer yet, chances are your network knows somebody else who works at the same place and is happy to spread the news.

Instead, focus on finding ways to improve your own interviewing skills. You can read our guide on improving your resume and cover letters for free. Then take advantage of networking events to meet people working in areas related to your desired field. Finally, make sure you practice your elevator pitch regularly to become excellent at communicating succinctly with strangers.

Why is this an issue?

I'm not sure why this is still happening in 2019. Maybe because our brains are wired to be wary of strangers who ask us for money (as opposed to asking for help). Or maybe it's just a cultural thing where people don't want to be contacted without permission.

Regardless, it does happen more than I think most people realize. So here's what can go wrong when you're trying to get your foot into the door at one of these companies.

You'll miss some opportunities based on bad timing.

They might not respond in time for you to follow up.

The company may believe that you've already been hired but haven't yet started working there.

It could turn them off from hiring you again in the future.

What makes me nervous is the fear that someone will see it and assume that I'm desperate!

If I were to give myself advice when cold calling, it'd be to stay calm and keep things professional. Don't over-think it or make excuses for anything you say -- you should always remember that every single person has something good going for him/her in their head.

So let's look at some examples of common mistakes that you can avoid while using cold emailing as part of getting ahead in life.

You've applied online and maybe even sent an e-mail or two. You're waiting anxiously for your phone to ring with excitement about getting hired at your dream company. Then nothing happens...or worse yet, something bad does happen! Maybe you were too forward in your message and got rejected as spam, or perhaps you made a mistake in your cover letter and they never saw it because of some typo error. Or maybe you didn't get any response whatsoever.

Regardless of why you haven't heard back from your target employer, sometimes when it comes to landing the job, you need to put yourself out there by sending a few cold emails to the right people. The problem is many of us are afraid to send these messages because we don't know what's "acceptable" when it comes to being bold enough to ask someone to interview you for a position.

So let me be clear here — if you want to land this job but have been holding off on making contact, cold emailing could be exactly what you need to break through the noise and make your dreams come true.

For example, imagine you work at a large tech firm where you'd like to move up within the organization. One day you see a hiring manager post on LinkedIn looking for a new employee who will help them manage their social media accounts. They say they're open to all candidates, so what better time than now? It seems simple, right? Send an introductory message asking whether you can set up an appointment to talk more about the role and then follow up after one week -- if there was no reply, that would be fine. But if you did hear back, great! And if you didn't, well at least you tried. That's pretty much how most recruiters approach cold calling anyway -- just trying to reach out to anyone and everyone in hopes of finding some sort of connection, which may lead to an opportunity down the road.

Now let's take it a step further and apply those same principles to a situation where you wouldn't normally think of contacting a potential employer (such as a small business owner). Say you're interested in starting your own consulting practice and you find a listing on Craigslist advertising a particular niche area of expertise that interests you. So you decide to write a couple of quick sentences inquiring about the possibility of working together on a project. Again, assuming you receive a positive reply, you might schedule a meeting over coffee to discuss the details. If not, you'll have learned valuable information about the person you were reaching out to, as well as the type of clientele he/she works with. Either way, you've done something productive -- you reached out and asked questions.

But wait – what if you received a negative response? Shouldn't you immediately delete the message without thinking twice? Well, yes, you absolutely shouldn't. In fact, once you start receiving responses, you should keep responding until you feel confident that you found the best match possible. Even though the initial contact wasn't ideal, chances are you still have plenty of other connections to pursue and learn from. Plus, you'll have built a relationship with the potential employer, which means you'll probably have access to future opportunities. This is especially important if you're applying for a specific kind of role at a certain level within a company, since you won't always know ahead of time what kind of positions are available.

Ultimately, the key to succeeding with cold emailing isn't necessarily the quantity of contacts you try to make, but rather how effective each individual message is. As long as you stay professional and polite while keeping things lighthearted, you should have little trouble coming across as genuine and interesting, regardless of your industry or experience level.

Below are three guidelines to follow when composing a successful cold email. These tips aren't meant to be rules, but simply suggestions based upon common sense and research. Each tip also contains an explanation of what makes it good or bad depending on your current circumstances.

Should I cold email a company for a job?

If you're at the point where you're ready to submit your first cold email, consider doing so only for jobs that fit into one of the following categories:

1) You already have a personal connection to the company or its representatives. For instance, you worked previously at another company owned by the same parent company, or you attended a networking event organized by the company itself.

2) You're seeking employment with a similar company to one that you currently work or recently graduated from college. A recent graduate has a different perspective than someone who spent years in the workforce before leaving.

3) You're applying for a high-profile senior position at a very reputable company. Your ability to impress the decision makers will likely determine whether or not you're offered an interview.

4) You're applying directly for a director or C-level executive position. While a lower title may seem less appealing, higher titles often require additional qualifications.

5) You're specifically targeting a specific department within a company. You wouldn't typically apply for sales management unless you had prior success selling products or services in a related field. Likewise, you wouldn't expect a finance manager to respond to your e-mail if you're searching for a marketing specialist position.

6) You're applying for an entry-level position with a smaller company that doesn't offer career advancement options. Although this scenario is rare, you may be able to negotiate salary increases or benefits packages based upon performance during your probationary period. Also, if you're applying for an internship, remember to mention that you're willing to volunteer your free labor for extra hours or days during office hours.

7) You're applying for a low-paying internship with a larger corporation that offers generous compensation plans (upwards of $100k per year), full health insurance, 401K matching, etc. Internships provide invaluable training and exposure to real world situations, which ultimately leads to greater career satisfaction. However, you must realize that internships are intended to enhance skillsets, not replace actual paid positions.

8) You're unemployed and desperate for work. Many employers view applicants with unemployment benefits as highly motivated and capable workers who are eager to prove themselves.

9) You're self-employed and looking for clients. Employers tend to prefer individuals who have established relationships with past customers or clients.

10) You're looking for a part-time job. Answering ads for part-time positions requires patience and persistence, which pays off in the end. Try to remain upbeat and optimistic throughout the process.

11) You're applying for a freelance gig. Freelancers usually face a longer turnaround time due to their lack of formal organizational structures. Be prepared to dedicate several weeks to building rapport with prospective clients.

12) You're looking for a short-term contract position. Depending upon your skill set, you may qualify for a temporary assignment instead of a permanent position. Keep in mind that contracts tend to pay slightly below market rates compared to other types of positions.

What should you avoid when cold emailing?

As mentioned earlier, there isn't really such thing as a perfect email template. Every single message will differ based upon the recipient's expectations and personality. Therefore, it's impossible to tell you what NOT to say, but here are a few general areas to steer away from:

1) Don't use overly aggressive language. Being direct and assertive is acceptable, but using phrases like "urgent," "serious," "I'm dying," or anything else that implies urgency will result in a swift rejection. Instead, focus on creating value for both parties. Ask questions that demonstrate sincere interest and curiosity about the position.

2) Avoid mentioning previous employers. Unless you're applying for a managerial position, it's unlikely the hiring manager knows much about your history outside of your education and relevant work experiences.

3) Do your homework. Always ensure that you understand every detail regarding the job description and requirements. Make sure you fully grasp the responsibilities involved in the position. Otherwise, you risk sounding arrogant and insensitive.

4) Never promise unrealistic results. No matter how badly you want the job, it's essential to maintain professionalism and humility. Saying "We can achieve X amount of revenue in Y months, guaranteed!" sounds too greedy for many companies' tastes.

5) Stay focused. Too many people tend to ramble on endlessly within their messages. When writing an introduction paragraph, stick to the point. Only explain your reason for wanting to work with the company or agency in question. Mention why you're qualified for the position, and highlight your strengths. Save your emotional attachment for later.