Finding a new job can be a challenge. In fact, 10% of job seekers say that this experience is “very difficult,” according to a recent YouGov report. Of course, you need a great CV and killer cover letter, but it doesn’t end there. Sending a message to the hiring manager can give you the competitive edge. It’s a quick way to make your mark on them and ensure you stand out.
However, you can’t just send any message to the hiring manager. Getting the tone, content, and approach right is a must. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In the following guide, we share expert-backed tips and advice for how to get this right, plus some examples for inspiration.
Reasons to send a message to the hiring manager
Before you send a message to the hiring manager, let’s talk about why it matters. You don’t want to send a message for the sake of it. However, there are some truly valid reasons to get this right. Here are the benefits of going the extra mile:
Make yourself memorable
Hiring managers review tons of CVs and meet loads of candidates. If you want to increase your chances of landing a job, it’s important to make the right first impression. Sending the hiring manager a message makes you more memorable. When they are filling the next role, you want to make sure that your name is fresh in their mind for all the right reasons.
Add to your application
Want to add some supplementary information? Messaging the hiring manager is a great way to bolster your application. Make sure that your note adds true value to your application. You can do this by including results-based points and backing up each claim you make with evidence.
Ask any questions upfront
Before you apply for a specific role, you might have some questions in mind. If that’s the case, sending a message to the hiring manager is the answer. You can outline any queries you have and get the answers that you need. This approach will save you time and energy, should you find out that this vacancy is not a good match for your needs.
Build a sense of rapport
Your personality matters more than you imagine. Creating an authentic connection with the hiring manager is a smart way to increase your chances of landing your next job. In your message to the hiring manager, do your best to build a sense of rapport. That way, when your potential new boss is considering applications, you will be at the top of the list.
Examples of how to message the hiring manager
Now that you understand why you should send this message, let’s talk about what you should say. As we will cover in these examples, there are different times when you should send a message to the hiring manager. Check out our short message to the hiring manager sample for each of these instances.
Pre-application message to hiring manager example:
Dear Mr. Jenkins,
I hope that this message finds you well. Having worked in the sales sector for 10+ years with a 70% customer retention rate, I am certain I would be of real value to Hereford Motors.
I understand you will be announcing a senior sales vacancy in the coming month and I will be applying for the role through the formal stream. In the meantime, I wanted to introduce myself and share my LinkedIn profile for your consideration.
I look forward to learning more about the position soon.
Kind regards,
Gemma Simons
[LinkedIn Profile]
Message after applying for a job example:
Dear Mrs. Dereks,
I hope this message finds you well. I recently applied for the position of senior leader at CGS Inc. and wanted to reach out to express my enthusiasm for this vacancy.
With a proven track record of results training new recruits and more than seven years of experience in management, I am certain I can fulfil the expectations of this role.
Should you require any additional information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Daniel Grahams
Speculative message to hiring manager example:
Dear Mr. Gilmore,
I hope this message finds you well. I’m a recent journalism graduate who graduated with honours and has been published in the Metro and iPaper. I am now seeking my first staff writer position.
As an avid reader of the Tribune, I have been impressed by the publication’s standard of journalistic integrity and dedication to well-researched, hard-hitting features. As such, I am reaching out to enquire about any entry-level vacancies you may have.
I would love the opportunity to speak with you about this matter and share some recent clippings. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Jennifer Jones
Message to a hiring manager you’ve met example:
Dear Mr. Lancaster,
I hope this message finds you well. Having watched your insightful talk at the MADE Festival and had the pleasure of speaking to you briefly afterwards, I wanted to reach out.
I am getting in touch to register my interest in the marketing intern role you mentioned. As a recent marketing and communications graduate, I am eager to hone my skills with the right company. I am well-versed in the latest marketing principles, social media advertising, and content marketing. I believe I could add real value to this upcoming position.
Please let me know what the formal application process entails. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Jeff Nicholls
Follow-up message to hiring manager example:
Dear Mrs. Carlos,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my gratitude following my recent interview for the team supervisor position. It was nothing short of a pleasure to learn more about the work that Hyland Hires does.
I want to take the opportunity to further elaborate on my experience, as we did not have time to cover it during the interview. At my previous employer, I held a 86% success rate in placing new workers in long-term positions. My current manager can attest to this track record and is more than happy to provide a reference upon request.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Sam Sanders
How to write a message to hiring manager: tips
Ready to start working on your message to the hiring manager? Before you start typing, there are some final things you should consider. Take a look at our expert tips below:
Lead with your main value
Remember, this message should strengthen your application. With that in mind, you need to lead with your main value. What are you bringing to the table? Specific achievements can back up claims that you make in this message. For example, you could add some statistics that prove your value or include specific numbers that do the same.
Avoid fluff or too much information
Spoiler: the hiring manager doesn't have time to read an epic letter. When writing this message, you should keep it short and sweet. It may be a case of drafting the message to the hiring manager and then editing it back. Take out any sentences or phrases that don’t add anything.
Use formal yet friendly language
The language that you use makes an impression on the reader. Since this is a formal correspondence, you need to use formal language. However, as we’ve already mentioned, you’re trying to build a sense of rapport with the hiring manager. For that reason, it’s important to use approachable language that draws them into the conversation. It may take a few attempts to get this right, but the end result is worth your time and energy.
Always include a call to action
Towards the end of your message to the hiring manager, include a call to action. This could be a line encouraging them to reach out to you for more information, for example. This sentence lets the hiring manager know that you are eager to hear from them. It also ends the communication on a positive foot which shows that you are optimistic about the future.
Key takeaways
Writing a message to the hiring manager is a nifty way to get their attention. However, you should make sure that your message has a point. In this guide, we’ve shared everything you need to know about perfecting this art along with some examples. Use them as inspiration when it comes to writing your message to a hiring manager.
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