Catching Recruiter's Attention
Posted February 26th, 2019 -- 4:54 PM

February 26, 2019

5 Reasons to Write an Email to a Recruiter

1. Applying for jobs is easy, but scoring that pivotal position — the one a lot of strong candidates are competing for is a challenge. A well-written application can do a few things to make the employers pay attention to you.
2. It shows that you’re proactive. Recruiters want to see that you’re truly interested in being a part of their company and not just dropping off resumes everywhere in hopes of getting a call back from one company.
3. A well written application also demonstrates your written communication skills. The ability to put your thoughts into writing clearly is an asset no matter which position you are applying for.
4. It sets you apart from the res. Only the top 2% of candidates are considered for positions, and a well-crafted letter to a recruiter can help you stand out.
5. Another compelling reason to forge connections with recruiters: an estimated 70-80%of positions are not published. If you’re sitting around waiting for a position to appear on the job sites you frequent, you could be missing important opportunities. Being proactive can be very advantageous.

How to Email a Recruiter?

Recruiters want to hear from you. It’s their job to find the perfect candidates for the positions they need to fill, and they’re on the lookout for talent. But recruiters also get a lot of emails, and their time is precious. Make sure your letter meets these criteria.

A.    Make it Respectable 

Remember that you’re communicating in a professional capacity. Be friendly (Hi Ms. Arrey,) but not too casual (Well, hello there, Ms. Arrey!).

B.    Clearly State Your Intention 

What’s the purpose of your Email/message? You need to know what you want the recruiter to do for you (consider your resume, schedule a chat, interview you) and communicate it clearly.

C.    Be Brief

Get to the point. You don’t have to include a lot of background information; just say what you need to say.

D.    Make it Well Written 

Edit (editing software like Grammarly can help.) Get rid of filler words and phrases. Avoid clichés, abbreviations and shorthands.

E.    Be Accurate

Be sure you spell and format the company’s name correctly. Get the recruiter’s name right. Here’s a tip: Is it okay to contact a recruiter on LinkedIn? Yep. A good number of recruiters use LinkedIn regularly, including to connect with potential candidates. Just make sure you avoid these common faux pas when you reach out.

3 Sample Messages via Email Facebook/Whatsapp to a Recruiter

Make your message as customized as possible. (Whatever you do, avoid copy/paste messages. They’re easy to spot and even easier to ignore.) Use these sample messages for inspiration. 

Connecting with a Recruit

Subject: Any content Human Resources roles at ABC?

Hi Cletus,

I read the Business in Cameroon’s article last week about ABC's rapid expansion into other Bafoussam & Edéa since landing 100 million contract last February. There are a lot more people on board now! Do you have plans to expand your Human Resources and Employee Relations department? I’ve had great success as the Human Resource Assistant for ABA Solutions for the past five years.

I’m planning to move into a broader human resources management role that challenges me to grow as a manager, and ABC has been on my radar. I’d love to chat with you for 5-10 minutes to introduce myself and learn more about the company’s culture and any upcoming roles you need to fill. Would you have time for a quick phone call on Wednesday?

All the best,

Marion Ndi

The Follow-up Email

Subject: Financial Assistant at ABA – Résumé attached

Hi Cletus,

I applied for the Financial Assistant role at ABA solutions last week. I’m impressed by XYZ's crazy fast growth in the health industry, and I’m excited by the opportunity to be part of a lively team. I think I’m a great fit for this position because my ten years in Finance have made me a whiz at turning out clean, accurate accounts and reports. In 2016, I won an Award for Best Finance Manager for my work on the 123 credit union.

I’ve attached my resume so you don’t have to dig through your files to files to find my application. Would you like to schedule a time to chat about the role?

All the best,

Ayuk Raymond

Referrals to Recruiters from Friends

Hi Benoit,

I had lunch with Ayuk Raymond yesterday and he mentioned that 123 was planning to hire more commercial agents soon. I graduated from UB with a bachelor’s degree in Economics in December, and I’d love to learn more about your Marketing team and what makes them tick.

And, of course, I’d love to talk to you about open roles. Do you have a few minutes for a video chat on Wednesday at around 1 p.m.?

All the best,

Ndze Miriam

Written by:

Sylvia Waindim