{"id":23930,"date":"2021-03-24T09:16:24","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T13:16:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calepin.co\/?p=23930"},"modified":"2021-05-06T13:09:25","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T17:09:25","slug":"writing-a-successful-cold-email","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/calepin.co\/?p=23930","title":{"rendered":"You\u2019re Only 6 Steps Away from Writing a Successful Cold Email"},"content":{"rendered":"

Not long ago, one of the deciding factors of landing a new job was first impressions of your appearance at the interview and a solid handshake. The handshake in itself can tell you a lot about a person. In today’s society, sending a cold email is the digital equivalent of a memorable handshake.<\/p>\n

Despite what some say about sending cold emails, it’s actually an effective way of landing the job you want. When structured correctly and written in a confident tone, you land your email at the top of the stack.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s get into how to write a cold email and jumpstart your career<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Do Your Research on The Company and Person Your Emailing<\/h2><\/div>

\"coldJust as you would prior to a traditional interview, research the company you\u2019re applying to and the specific person you\u2019re going to be meeting with. LinkedIn is a great resource for finding this information.<\/p>\n

LinkedIn allows you to see employees of a given company, which makes this a little easier. Generally, you can find management and HR representatives and create connections with them prior to ever sending the cold email.<\/p>\n

If the prospective hiring manager or HR person accepts your connection request, they have now seen your name and will likely glance over your LinkedIn profile. Due to that possibility, you need to optimize your LinkedIn profile<\/a> to ensure it’s up to date.<\/p>\n

Use the information you find to your advantage when crafting your email.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Grab Their Attention With a Targeted Subject Line<\/h2><\/div>

This is similar to the \u201815 second above the fold\u2019 rule we discussed in a previous blog article. Your subject line must grab their attention within the first 15 seconds of them reading it. Be specific and targeted.<\/p>\n

Your cold email subject line should entice the prospective employer to want to open the email.<\/p>\n

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Keep the subject line text short – eight to ten words max. Avoid being spammy. If you don\u2019t know what we mean, then take a look at emails in the spam folder of your email. \u201cUrgent! Please read!\u201d is a common one. Don’t be that person.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve met the person previously at an industry conference or career fair,\u00a0 include that in the subject line. Something like \u201cScott Witner from the conference dinner.\u201d If you\u2019re a student seeking an internship, you could word it something like \u201cOhio State senior interested in graphic design internship.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got no relationship at all with the hiring manager you\u2019re emailing, then the safe bet would be something like \u201cLetter of interest for the graphic designer opening.\u201d<\/p>\n

Basically, it boils down to getting to the point of the email while still sounding like a human. Check out these subject lines from Ramit Sethi<\/a> that I’ve gotten in my email. Although they are not career specific subject lines, they still give you great examples of an engaging subject line.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Open With Your Elevator Pitch<\/h2><\/div>

I\u2019ve talked to successful business owners about email communication, and the one common issue they\u2019ve all mentioned is the length of an email. They will not take the time to read a long email; it either sits in their inbox for months, or gets lost in the void. If you want to ask a question, then ask the question, stop being passive aggressive. Keep it short and to the point.<\/p>\n

Once the recipient of your cold email has decided to open your email, you need to put your value to them on the table out of the gate. In other words, captivate them with your entrance.<\/p>\n

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Give specific reasons as to why you would be the best person for the role. Put yourself in their shoes as you\u2019re developing your elevator pitch<\/a>. Why should they choose you? What makes you stand out from the other candidates?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Sell Your Strengths in The Body Of The Email<\/h2><\/div>

After you\u2019ve opened with your elevator pitch, you can now discuss your strengths that will prove beneficial to the job if you were to get hired.<\/p>\n

Be sure to tailor your strengths for the specific position you\u2019re applying for. Different positions require different strengths and skillsets, so craft your email accordingly. If you have a link to recent work or a portfolio that is relevant, then provide a link to that.<\/p>\n

As a rule of thumb, the body of your email should be no longer than a few paragraphs, and those paragraphs should be relatively short. Provide just enough detail to get them interested in wanting to learn more about you.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Nail Your Email Signature<\/h2><\/div>

Finally, add your contact information to the signature of the email. The email signature is a crucial part of your message that cannot be ignored. It should tell the prospective employer who you are and how you can be reached.<\/p>\n

A properly structured email signature<\/a> may allow you to shorten the text in the body of the email, making your message easier and quicker to digest.<\/p>\n

Your signature, at a minimum, should contain the following.<\/p>\n