Hey!!!!!
I was just thinking about all those emails you've been sending me and I just realized I have a great opportunity for you!!!!! I'm writing a blog post that you are absolutely going to love! Your eyeballs will literally pop out of you head after skimming the first paragraph. I'm not talking about the new figurative definition of literally, I'm talking literally eyeballs dangling from their gooey sockets by those weird eyeball strings that remain connected to your skull. Either way it will be one of the most intense experiences of your life!!!!!!
If you are looking for an opportunity to be a part of a cutting edge reader base with the ability to conceptualize, brainstorm, prototype, sell things, microwave things, easy-bake things, mix things, stir things, create synergy, engage with brands, ie. create the "the next big thing" in the interaction consumer space, absolutely without a doubt, contact me immediately!!!
This is going to be sooooooooooo awesome!!!!
With the sincerest of sincere yet cozy warm regards,
Matt D. Smith
Firstly, I want to point out that this post is not a public shaming of the profession of recruiting. I believe it is indeed a valuable profession - a difficult and challenging one at that.
In fact, I attribute much of my early success as an independent professional to the beckoning of an agency recruiter, who did a fantastic job of contacting me, relating to me on a human level, and helping me ease into the first contract project within the company.
I also had a good experience last year with a very large company, who was semi-recruiting me as I very briefly considered a full-time position with them. In the end things fizzled for the best, but I still have the utmost respect for their process.
My beef is with recruiters who blast out the same vomit-inducing pitch, not too unlike the one I started this post off with, and expect a genuine response. I'm sure this works for some organizations, but not one that I would want to work for. I'm also incredibly biased since I consider myself un-hirable for the foreseeable future as I maintain my role of independent business ownership.
People, Not Robots
Recruiters, remember that you are contacting a person and not a robot. If you have an opportunity, genuinely seek out a qualified candidate not just any warm body with a working set of keyboard and mouse hands.
Think of your job as a date with the intention of marriage. You are meeting someone for the first time in hopes that they will marry you, but you don't say that on the first date! What if they are psycho?
Even if they were a good fit, going on a cathartic monologue on your very first date with someone, pretty much ruins any further progression in your relationship. Instead, get to know your prospect a little bit before the big ask. Don't ask someone to marry you in your first email.
Email Script That You Should Use
Here's a little email script that you are free to use. Try this one out and see if your response rates are better.
Hey [First Name],
[Personal link bonus. Someone you both mutually know, same college, previous job, etc. This is not required, but definitely helpful.]
I've checked out lots of your work on [your portfolio, Dribbble, etc.] and I'm really impressed. I especially love [this project] and [these details].
I'm looking for a [this position type] to work with [my company] on a [contract or full-time basis]. If you're interested to hear more, I'd love to chat.
Thanks [First Name],
[Recruiter first name]
The Breakdown
Hey [First Name]
You got my name right! This is sort of important, but easily screwed up if you're blasting out the same crappy email left and right. You'll also notice that "Matt" is not "Matthew," Dan is not "Daniel," "Josh" is not "Joshua," etc. Don't mess this up.
[Personal link bonus. Someone you both mutually know, same college, previous job, etc. This is not required, but definitely helpful.]
This builds credibility from the start. If you can link yourself to me in some way that isn't creepy, then do it.
I've checked out lots of your work on [your portfolio, Dribbble, etc.] and I'm really impressed. I especially love [this project] and [these details].
This lets me know instantly that you've looked at my work and you like it. I like that you like it. It makes me feel good. The fact that you go so far as to name a specific project and details about the specific project, lets me know that you've done your homework on me and aren't just sending out a canned response, which I will instantly delete if I get a whiff of that.
I'm looking for a [this position type] to work with [my company] on a [contract or full-time basis].
This sentence lets me know exactly what you're emailing me about, which company it's for, and whether it's contract or full-time work. 99.9% of the time, I never entertain full-time asks. I will however entertain contract work under certain circumstances. I don't need to hear any buzz words like "cutting-edge" or "next big thing." That will just make me think that you are sloppy in your approach to get my attention and will put you one step closer to my trashcan.
If you're interested to hear more, I'd love to chat.
Very simple. If I'm interested, I'll let you know. Otherwise, your email was fairly short and concise - easy for me to digest. I am likely to send a reply even if I'm not interested. After all, you took the time to look at my work, compliment me on it, and tell me specific things you like about a specific project. Since you stroked my ego a bit, out of respect, I will likely politely decline your offer even if it is of no interest to me.
Thanks [First Name],
[Recruiter first name]
Hey, you remembered my name. If you got it right twice that let's me know that you may have actually thoughtfully written to me. Oh look, you put your first name too. It's like we just met and introduced ourselves in a very informal fashion.
I guarantee that if you stick to the above format, you'll have more quality responses than you'll know what to do with. But remember, I'm probably not interested.