Ever wonder how to send a cold email for job inquiries or how long you should wait before following up? We’ve got you covered. Below, Lily Herman, a contributor for TeenVogue.com, Allure, Refinery29, and The Muse, answers your burning questions on all things email-related—because there’s never a second chance to make a first impression.
NEWSETTE: Is sending out a cold email through LinkedIn appropriate? Do you have any tips on writing these kind of emails?
LILY: Sending a message through LinkedIn is entirely appropriate! In fact, connecting on LinkedIn can be a great way to reach out to people. The only problem to keep in mind, however, is that some people don’t check their LinkedIn messages, so if someone lists an email or something else as their preferred method of professional contact, use that instead.
When it comes to cold-emailing any professional, regardless of subject matter, there are a couple of important takeaways to keep in mind:
1. Keep your message short (only five or six sentences at most). You shouldn’t be writing your life story in an email to people you don’t know. If you do, their eyes will glaze over (or worse, they’ll think it’s spam!).
2. Make your request small and specific. You’re much, much more likely to get a response from a stranger if you’re straightforward and realistic about what you want. Sending someone you don’t know an unsolicited email asking for a job will most likely yield zero results (and a lot of eye rolls). In contrast, asking someone you admire in your field for a 15-minute informational phone interview to learn more about an industry or a company is much more specific and doable for a busy professional.
3. Give the person multiple ways to connect with you. Many professionals don’t have the time to get up for an hour and meet you for coffee, so offer to send questions via email, hop on the phone or Skype for a 15-minute chat, or meet in person. Others will appreciate that you’re flexible and understanding of their time.
The biggest takeaway? Even if you’re job-searching, you should primarily focus on building a connection first before asking for favors.
N: What are your tips when it comes to conjuring a subject line that will make someone click on the email?
L: Be straightforward with your subject line; don’t be dramatic (“OPEN THIS EMAIL OR ELSE YOUR LIFE WILL BE TERRIBLE!!!!”), clickbait-y, or cute-sy. A straightforward “College Student Seeking Entry-Level Editorial Career Advice” tells someone what to expect if that person opens your message. You can add a little more flavor depending on the industry and type of company (for example, startups are a little more fun with stuff like subject lines), but remember to keep it professional and match the tone of the company.
N: How long should you wait before sending out a follow-up email and how many times is too many times when it comes to following up?
L: You should typically wait five to seven days if you’re following up with someone about networking or job application purposes. Typically one follow-up is standard, so unless there’s a more dire reason to reach out for a third time, cap your emails at two total.