A cold email is often the first step for college students and young professionals looking to get their feet in the door of their target industry. However, this is often a daunting task – especially for those with no work experience.
Cold emails are a great way to network in areas of potential interest, Monster career expert Vicki Salemi told CNBC Make It. Grim emails set you apart from other candidates and allow you to demonstrate your willingness to think outside the box.
“When you email someone, you’re building a relationship. Don’t think of work as a deal. Think of it as a long-term relationship where you want to build and build a strong connection to take that first step step,” Salemi said. “Your peers and co-workers aren’t necessarily going to do that. So it’s a way to stand out and connect with people who can help you and advance your career.”
To successfully send a cold email and get the attention of your dream company, recruiting experts share their tips in this step-by-step guide.
1. Do your research
It’s important to do your homework before hitting send, says Salemi. Consider whether the company has any job openings, or if you are contacting for informational purposes.
“Determine what you want from your email,” she says. “Determine your goals: What are the expected outcomes? Are you seeking an informational interview? An interview based on a job you recently applied for? Taking the first step? Once identified, you should make that clear in your email.”
In addition to determining what you want from your email communications, it’s also important to identify the right people to contact. Often a two-pronged approach is required, Salemi said, and young professionals should consider reaching out to recruiters and members of the target department.
Most importantly, it is very important to find specific contacts for the target company. The key to avoiding the spam folder, Salemi said, is finding a specific name rather than emailing “careers@company.com.”
“Determine who you want to contact; definitely target a person, not a generic email address.”
2. Establish a connection
How to master the art of cold email? Career Strategy Lab founder and CEO Sarah Doody told CNBC Make It that the key is to have a strong anchor.
“When I was doing recruiting and I got cold emails, I didn’t pay close attention to them,” Salemi added. “Usually I’d give some general response like ‘Thank you for the email, we’re reviewing your resume and will get back to you as soon as it’s appropriate.'” However, I don’t have the time to invest in someone I don’t know or have connections with people. “
However, for emails she receives that include points of contact — whether shared experiences or recent conferences she attended — Salemi said she is more likely to respond.
“Connection is key,” she said. “Use the subject line in your email. For example, “greetings from (insert name of alma mater) alumni” or “connected via (insert name of mutual contact)” or (professional industry organization).”
In the end, says Salemi, warm emails based on common ground are often more successful than cold emails. “Try changing your mindset from cold emails to warm emails,” says Salemi. “Network your way so when someone gets this email, they connect with you.”
She adds, “You can still cold email. I’m not saying never do it, but a warm email connection can dramatically increase the chances of someone getting back to you and engaging with you, helping you get promoted to the next level. ”
3. Cut to the chase
Treat your email as Cover letter or elevator pitch: This is your chance to sell yourself quickly to recruiters and upper-level employees at the target company, Salemi says.
“Ask specific questions. Don’t ask other people’s opinions. Ask what you want,” Doody said.
Like a cover letter, the email should highlight your requirements, two or three experiences that set you apart, and a link to your professional account.
“It should be concise and highlight your strengths. The first sentence should be a friendly greeting and your goals,” Salemi says. “The middle section introduces your strengths and why they should be interested in talking to you. Then, you should end it with an expected outcome, such as ‘Hope to hear from you soon.'”
When it comes to emails, the shorter the better, Doody says. “Keep the request short. There are so many people writing fiction that you lose interest right away. Instead, ditch the small talk and get right to the point,” she says.
4. Be patient
It’s important to take your time before hitting send. Don’t rush to send emails, says Salemi. A misspelled or wrong recipient name could lower your chances of being promoted at the company.
Especially if you’re using a cold email template, make sure you’re sending to the right people and companies before sending.
After the email is sent, continue to wait patiently.
“Align your expectations with time,” says Salemi. “Especially for Gen Z, they are digital natives. They are used to instant communication and instant feedback. It won’t be an instant process. “
She added, “It could take a day or two. It could take a week or two, that’s okay, it’s normal, it’s similar to finding a job.”
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