5 Great Cold Recruiting Email Templates To Copy & Paste

Reaching out to potential candidates with a cold email can be tricky, but we're here to make it simple. We've put together five types of recruiting email templates designed to help you connect with top talent.

Working from a template gives you a proven structure, so you can spend less time writing from scratch and more time personalizing your message for the right people.

Tips for Writing Cold Recruiting Emails

• Nail the subject line. This is your first impression. Keep it short, personal, and intriguing. Avoid generic titles like "Job Opportunity." Try something like "Question about your design work" or "Connecting from [Your Company]."
• Show you did your homework. A generic blast won't work. Mention something specific you admire about their work—a project on their portfolio, a recent article, or even a comment they made on LinkedIn. It proves you're reaching out to them for a reason.
• Make it about them. It's tempting to talk all about your company, but flip the script. What's in it for the candidate? Frame the opportunity around their potential growth, the interesting problems they'll solve, or the impact they can make.
• Keep it brief and scannable. No one wants to read an essay from a stranger. Use short sentences and paragraphs. Your goal is to get a response, not to tell your company's entire life story in one email.
• Have a clear, low-effort ask. End with a simple question that's easy to answer. Instead of "Let me know if you're interested," try "Would you be open to a 15-minute chat next week to hear more?" It's a small commitment that's much easier to say yes to.

Types of Cold Recruiting Email Templates We Will Cover

1. Job Opportunity Email Template
2. Networking Request Email Template
3. Talent Acquisition Email Template
4. Company Introduction Email Template
5. Collaboration Proposal Email Template

5 Cold Recruiting Email Templates

1) Job Opportunity Email Template

<template>

Subject: Regarding your work and an opportunity at [Your Company Name]

Hi [Candidate Name],

I came across your profile on [Platform, e.g., LinkedIn, GitHub] and was particularly impressed with your work on [Specific Project or Accomplishment]. The approach you took to [mention something specific, e.g., solve a particular problem, design a feature] really stood out.

At [Your Company Name], we are looking for a [Job Title] to join our team, and your experience seems like a strong fit for what we're building. We are focused on [briefly describe the company's mission or a key project], and this role is central to that effort. It involves [mention 1-2 key responsibilities or exciting challenges].

We think you could make a real impact here. Would you be open to a brief chat next week to explore if this aligns with your career goals? You can view the full job description here.

Best,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Company Name]

[Link to Your Company Website]

</template>

2) Networking Request Email Template

<template>

Subject: Question about your work in [Their Field]

Hi [Candidate Name],

I’ve been following your work for a while, and your recent [Article, Project, or Talk] on [Specific Topic] was particularly insightful. I admire how you approach [mention something specific you learned from their work].

At [Your Company Name], we are always looking to connect with talented people in the [Industry/Field] space. While I don’t have a specific role in mind that’s a direct fit right now, I believe in building relationships with sharp individuals like yourself.

Would you be open to a brief chat sometime in the next few weeks? I'd love to learn more about your experience and share what we're building. No strings attached—just a conversation between two people in the same field.

Best,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Company Name]

[Link to Your Company Website]

</template>

3) Talent Acquisition Email Template

<template>

Subject: Your work in [Their Field] & [Your Company Name]

Hi [Candidate Name],

I'm part of the talent team at [Your Company Name]. I came across your profile and was impressed by your background in [Specific Skill or Area], particularly your work on [Specific Project or Accomplishment].

We are always looking for talented people to join us on our mission to [briefly describe company mission]. While I don't have a specific role that matches your profile today, we are growing quickly, and your expertise is exactly the kind we look for. We believe in building relationships with promising individuals before a need arises so that when the right role does open up, we're already connected.

Would you be open to a brief, exploratory chat in the coming weeks? I'd be happy to share more about our vision and learn about what you're looking for in your next move.

Best,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Company Name]

[Link to Your Company Website]

</template>

4) Company Introduction Email Template

<template>

Subject: An introduction to [Your Company Name]

Hi [Candidate Name],

I'm reaching out to introduce you to [Your Company Name]. I came across your work on [Platform or Specific Project] and appreciated your thoughtful approach to [mention something specific, e.g., user interface design, system architecture].

At [Your Company Name], we're focused on [describe the company's mission in a simple, powerful way, e.g., helping small businesses create beautiful emails]. We believe that powerful tools don't need to be complicated, and we're building a platform that puts design and simplicity first.

I'm not writing with a specific job opening in mind, but rather to connect with people who are passionate about [mention a key value, e.g., craftsmanship, user-centric design]. We are building a team that values this, and your work suggests you might, too.

If our mission resonates with you, feel free to explore our work at [Link to Your Company Website]. We'd be glad to keep you in mind as our team grows.

Best,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Company Name]

</template>

5) Collaboration Proposal Email Template

<template>

Subject: Collaboration idea: [Your Company Name] x [Candidate Name]

Hi [Candidate Name],

I’ve been following your work on [Platform, e.g., Instagram, your blog] and appreciate your perspective on [Specific Topic, e.g., brand building for creatives]. Your recent post about [mention a specific piece of their work] was particularly interesting.

At [Your Company Name], we help small businesses create beautiful emails that grow their brand. We believe good design should be accessible to everyone. Given your expertise in [Their Field], I see an opportunity for us to collaborate on [Specific Collaboration Idea, e.g., a joint webinar, a co-authored guide]. I think our audiences would find a lot of value in our combined insights on [Shared Topic].

Would you be open to a short call next week to discuss this idea? I'm keen to hear your thoughts.

Best,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Company Name]

[Link to Your Company Website]

</template>

What About Using Flodesk?

Once you've personalized these cold recruiting email templates, Flodesk provides the platform to send them. We offer intuitive email marketing tools built for small businesses, helping you build your candidate pipeline and connect with talent. You don't need coding or design skills to create and send emails that engage your audience and represent your brand professionally.

Our platform gives you access to an easy-to-use email builder, powerful automations, and thoughtfully designed forms. Flodesk brings together everything you need for your email outreach in a single, straightforward system. This allows you to send visually appealing emails that make a strong first impression, all without the typical complexity of email marketing software.

Wrapping Up

With these templates, you have a clear starting point for your recruiting outreach. The key is to personalize your message to show candidates you've done your research.

When you're ready to send your emails, Flodesk helps you do it with style and simplicity. Sign up to start connecting with your future team.