Reader,

On Monday we covered who to contact and when.

You did the work, found the right recruiter and team. Now what?

Let’s talk about the message itself.

I read a lot of outreach. And I'll be direct: most of it sounds the same.

Not because the people sending it are bad candidates, but because they're following an outdated professional template that signals "I didn't really think about this."

I’m guilty of it myself.

I have looked back and read outreach for sales activity I’ve done and cringe. Like, where did I really want that to go? If it’s not clear to me, it won’t be clear to the other party.
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Here's what I see and what works instead.

The Mistakes I See Constantly

1. Leading with pleasantries

"Hope you're doing well!" is fine in a reply.

In a cold message to someone who doesn't know you? It's just filler that delays getting to the point.
Recruiters are busy. They'll skim right past it.

2. Describing your background and asking if they have anything for you

This is the most common version of outreach I see, and it almost never works on its own.

You've just asked a busy person to:

• do work
• read your background
• think through their open roles
• assess the fit
• ...and get back to you.

That's a big ask from someone who has no relationship with you yet.​
Just because that person has a role open does not mean there is an expectation of communication.

3. Attaching your resume right away

Unless someone asked for it, sending a resume in a first message puts the cart before the horse.

It can feel presumptuous, like skipping the handshake and handing someone your portfolio before they've even said hello.

And I don’t know this person. What would they even consider impressive?
If that isn’t clear, don’t give more info than asked.

The Core Principle: Make Yourself Relevant, Make It a Low Ask

Here's the reframe:

That means two things have to be true:

1. Your message needs to feel relevant to that specific person.
2. The ask has to be small.

These people are busy. If responding to you requires effort, most won't bother, not because they're rude, but because you're not a priority yet.

Your job is to become one.

What a Good Message Actually Looks Like

A strong outreach message is short, specific, and leaves the door open without demanding anything.

Think three to four sentences max.

Reference something real, the specific role, a detail about the team, something that shows you actually looked.

Then signal your relevance quickly (one line about why you're a fit is enough).
Then make a small, easy ask. Not "I'd love to chat", that's vague and puts the scheduling burden on them.

Something more like: "I had a quick question about the role if you have a minute" or "Are you still looking for top talent or all squared away?”

The goal isn't a job offer from one message. The goal is simply to climb the ladder.

That reply is the start of the conversation.

On Following Up

If you don't hear back, follow up but wait a few days and do it with a reason.
Not just "checking in" (that's the message equivalent of a blank stare).

Reference something new:

• a recent company announcement
• a project you wrapped up
• a role update you noticed

Give them a reason to re-engage, not just a reminder that you exist.

If you can’t think of one, wait to respond.

I’ll miss all the shots I don’t take but I need to split the bill between scrap and strategy.

Why blow a second “knock on the door” on a “hey just checking in” tap when I see they’ve posted 3 times since I reached out. Someone is monitoring that page, they got your note, they just haven’t responded.

And be realistic with yourself: if someone isn't responding after one or two thoughtful attempts, they're likely not prioritizing this right now.

That's not a reflection of your worth, it's just timing. Move on, and don't take it personally.

The Bottom Line

Outreach that gets noticed isn't about being the loudest or the most polished.

It's about showing up in the right place, at the right time, with a message that respects the other person's time and makes it easy for them to say yes.

Get those three (four?) things right and you're already ahead of most people in the pile.

Good luck out there.

-Jaclyn