Boost Your Candidate Reply Rates Today

Candidate Outreach in today’s market is the need of the hour. Without candidate outreach, you are fishing for plastics in a vast ocean. While you wait for the candidate to appear magically on your doorstep, the plan is doomed to bomb.

It is time you find your zen. With a proactive approach in identifying and engaging potential candidates, you’re not just finding the right candidate but cultivating a pipeline of qualified candidates eager to join your team. This approach is essential for various reasons

1st, it allows you to enter the hidden job market where the talent crowd is lurking around,
2nd, it helps you build a strong employer brand by demonstrating your company’s commitment to finding the best people,
3rd, it engages you to establish relationships with some of the best potential candidates before your competitors do.

Alrighty then! Before we get started with the bases to cover, let me talk to you about the first best thing in candidate outreach: The Story.‍

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The Story

“A narrative must be a well-crafted story; the hook to draw the reader in, evoke emotions, and build connections.”

Build your candidate outreach email as a tale. You're M. Night Shyamalan or Kathryn Bigelow! The audience is curious. Your goal? Weave a story that resonates, highlighting a shared challenge or a potential solution. The human connection is what bonds you and the reader. You are more likely to increase the candidate reply rate and spark a conversation. Remember, people buy from people. Craft a story as good as the 6th Sense or Point Break.‍

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Perks of using P.S.

The P.S. in a candidate outreach email is often overlooked, but it can be a powerful tool for making a lasting impression. In the world of candidate outreach, the P.S. can be used to:

• Reinforce your call to action: Encourage the candidate to reply or schedule a call.
• Highlight a key benefit: Briefly mention a unique selling point of your company or the role.
• Create intrigue: Tease an upcoming event, webinar, or exclusive opportunity.
• Add a personal touch: Share a quick anecdote or inside joke to build rapport.

By strategically using the P.S., you can increase your candidate response rate and move candidates through the hiring process. Here’s a quick example of how to use and how not to use P.S. in an email:

2.1 The Good Way

Dear [Candidate Name],

I hope this email finds you well.

My name is Rohit, and I'm a recruiter at [Company Name]. I'm reaching out because I came across your profile on [Platform], and your skills and experience align perfectly with a Java Developer position we're currently recruiting for.

[Company Name] is a dynamic and innovative tech company focused on [brief company overview]. We're looking for a talented Java developer to join our team and contribute to exciting projects.

The ideal candidate will have [required skills and experience]. If you're interested in learning more about this opportunity, hit a Hi and let’s connect. I've attached the job description for your review.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]

P.S. We offer competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

2.2 The Bad Way

Dear [Candidate Name],

I hope this email finds you well.

My name is [Your Name], and I'm a recruiter at [Company Name]. We're currently hiring for a Java Developer position.

If you're interested, please send your resume to [email protected]

Thank you,
[Your Name]

P.S. We're a great company.

2.3 Takeaway:

Let's be honest, the second one was a downer by a long way. The first example gives you proper information and a to-the-point CTA, while the second feels like a robot and doesn’t add any value.

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How Video Content Makes a Difference

We've all sent countless emails, hoping for a response. Text is great, but sometimes it just doesn't cut through the noise. So what would work?

Imagine a personalized video message welcoming a candidate to the interview process or introducing your company culture. It’s engaging & memorable, thus humanizing your brand. Plus, tools like Synthesia can even create AI-generated videos with the candidate's name, adding that extra personal touch.

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1-Liners for Follow-ups

Here’s one truth and a lie.
Truth: Attention spans are shorter than ever.
Lie: The truth is not a lie.

This is annoyingly true when it comes to email communication. An impactful message is much needed to capture the recipient’s driving desire to reply. While crafting your outreach emails, remember the 11-second rule. Avoid the unnecessary BS and skip to the important card.

The 11-second rule allows you to dedicate more time to building relationships and nurturing leads. The first 3 lines are your magnet: Pull them in with the right details and use abbreviations if needed.

The final whistle result is to maximize your impact with minimal effort. Here’s an example:

4.1 The Good

Hi [Candidate Name],

Your [Skill] skills caught my eye. We're hiring a [Job Title] at [Company Name]. Interested? Let's chat.

[Link to Job Description]

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]

4.2 The Bad

Dear [Candidate Name],

I hope this email finds you well.

My name is [Your Name], and I'm a recruiter at [Company Name]. I came across your profile on [Platform], and I was impressed by your experience in [Specific Skill].

We're currently hiring for a [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. We're looking for a candidate with your skill set to join our team.

If you're interested in learning more about this opportunity, please feel free to reach out to me for a confidential conversation.

I've attached the job description for your review.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]

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How a Good Subject Line and Pre-header Impact Open Rate

Your subject line is your golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s Factory.

Keep it short, sweet, and intriguing. Here's the trick:

• Be clear and concise: State the purpose of your email directly.
• Create intrigue: Spark curiosity with a question or a promise of value.
• Personalize: Use the recipient's name or company for a personal touch.

Example:

• Instead of "Job Application for Marketing Position," try "Your Marketing Dream Job Awaits."
• Instead of "Following up on our last conversation," try "Let's Discuss That Project Next Steps."

Your only goal is to entice the candidate to open the mail and read more, not to Trash. Make the first words count. Bonus tip: Use strong action verbs to create a sense of urgency or excitement.

Candidate outreach is no longer an option; it’s essential for building a strong talent pipeline. Incorporate storytelling, strategic P.S lines, and video content, and you can craft compelling messages like no other. Ready to dance?

Join our webinar featuring industry experts Ben Rasmussen (Founder, SalesBlast.io) and Sailesh Dev (Co-Founder, Nurturebox) as they unveil winning sales email techniques designed to transform your outreach strategy.

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Sign Up today, this is a once in a lifetime thing!

Signing off.

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