Having the right subject line on emails you send to candidates can make a huge difference in their response rate.
The subject line should be short, descriptive, and attention-grabbing in order to draw the candidate’s interest and encourage them to read further. It also needs to avoid common words or phrases that may make your message get lost in inbox clutter.
Here are some tips for crafting an effective subject line when sending emails to prospective candidates.
Use Language that Reflects Urgency
When trying to attract the attention of potential candidates, using language that reflects urgency can be beneficial. This could include words like “Important,” “Urgent,” or “Deadline.”
Just remember not to use those words excessively - if every email includes urgent language, it will lose its impact over time. In addition, be sure to keep it relevant - for example, instead of just saying "urgent" as your subject line try something more specific like "urgent recruitment."
Create Curiosity
Nothing draws people in quite like curiosity! Try coming up with a creative subject line that sparks curiosity and encourages readers to learn more about what's inside the email.
Think outside the box here - don't just stick with generic phrases like "Don't miss out!" Instead come up with something unexpected that catches their eye and makes them curious enough to open the email.
Offer an Incentive
Offering incentives such as discounts or special offers can help draw attention and increase open rates for emails sent out by recruiters.
Try personalizing these offers when possible so they'll have an even greater impact on your target audience. For example, you could send out a personalized message along with a coupon code saying something like "We'd love to have you join our team! Use code XYZ for 20% off your first interview preparation package."
Avoid Overused Words & Phrases
Using common words or phrases such as "free," "reminder," or "now hiring" can cause messages to get lost in overcrowded inboxes. Instead find a way to rephrase them slightly so they stand out from the rest while still conveying their meaning effectively.
For example, instead of simply writing "Now Hiring" as your subject line you could try something like "Join Our Team Now!"
The Importance of Tone of Voice in Email Marketing for Candidate Outreach
Having a strong, consistent tone of voice in emails you send to potential candidates can be just as important as optimizing the subject line.
Using the right tone can help you create a positive and personal connection with the reader, while also building trust and confidence in your company. Here are some tips for getting your tone of voice right when reaching out to prospective candidates.
Candidate Nurturing tools like Giftem are purpose-built from the ground up to automate the entire candidate outreach. The platform helps recruiters in nurturing candidates throughout the recruiting funnel using different tone of voice email subject lines and email body templates. Additionally the platform allows for gamification and incentivizing candidates to truly amplify messages sent out by recruiters.
Keep It Human
Communicating with potential job applicants is no different than talking to someone face-to-face. Remember that real people are reading your emails, so make sure that your words sound friendly, conversational, and personable.
Avoid using overly technical language or corporate jargon - keep it simple and natural. Rather than writing "We would greatly appreciate if you would join our team" try something like "We'd love to have you join our team!"
Be Respectful & Professional
When communicating with candidates it's important to show respect and professionalism at all times. Always use polite language, avoid making assumptions about the candidate’s qualifications or experience level, and remember to thank them for their time regardless of whether they're ultimately hired or not.
Keep in mind that even if you don't end up offering them the job they may remember their experience positively and recommend your company to friends or family in the future.
Say What You Mean & Mean What You Say
It's always better to be straightforward when communicating with potential candidates than to beat around the bush.
People will appreciate it more if you clearly tell them what is expected from them without any ambiguity or blurring of lines between what’s necessary versus what isn't needed. For example instead of declaring "you should know…" try using a phrase like "you may want to consider…" as this implies that there is an option open for discussion rather than presenting an ultimatum.
Match Your Brand Voice
No matter who you're sending emails out to, your brand should come through loud and clear in every message sent out on its behalf.
This means keeping things consistent - if there is already established brand voice guidelines be sure they are followed closely when communicating with potential candidates by both recruiters and other employees within the organization who do outreach on behalf of the company.
Failing to maintain a consistent tone across different departments could lead applicants feeling confused or overwhelmed - neither of which are conducive to successful recruitment efforts!
Using a Different Tone of Voice in Email Marketing for Candidate Outreach
Having a strong, consistent tone of voice in emails you send to potential candidates can be just as important as optimizing the subject line.
Using the right tone can help you create a positive and personal connection with the reader, while also building trust and confidence in your company. Here are some tips for getting your tone of voice right when reaching out to prospective candidates.
Professional Tone
When it comes to professional settings such as candidate outreach emails, it's best to use a formal yet friendly tone. This could include phrases like "Thank you for your interest," "We appreciate your time," or "We look forward to hearing from you."
Think about how you'd speak to someone face-to-face and then write accordingly - try not to be too stiff or overly casual in order to cultivate a sense of professionalism.
Casual Tone
For situations that don't require complete formality, a more casual tone may be suitable. Phrases like “Looking forward to having a chat!” or “Here’s what I need from you” have less of an authoritative feel than their more professional counterparts and can help create an informal yet still serious environment between yourself and the potential applicant.
Just remember that using too much slang may come off as unprofessional, so exercise caution and stay clear of overly cutesy language.
Funny Tone
While there is definitely room for humor in candidate outreach emails, it should always be used sparingly. Being too jokey or lighthearted can come off as insincere, making it difficult for potential applicants take the message seriously.
That said, if used properly humorous language can break the ice and make candidates feel more comfortable - just make sure not to overdo it! For example, instead of writing something generic but boring like “Please let us know if this is something interesting for you” try saying something unexpected but still professional like “Drop us a line when this really grabs your attention!”
Ultimately when crafting a successful subject line for candidate outreach emails it's important to think strategically and ensure that it accurately describes what's inside. Using language that reflects urgency, creates curiosity amongst readers, or offers incentives will all help draw attention and encourage potential candidates to read on