What to write in a message to a hiring manager
Five lines: who you are, the role, one proof, and a question. No “I hope this email finds you well.”
They skim on a phone between meetings
A hiring manager does not owe you a read of your life story. The message has one job: make it easy to see that you applied, or that you should.
If it is longer than a short paragraph, it will be saved for later, which often means never.
Use this order
Line one: your name, the role, and where you saw it. Line two: one result that matches the posting. Line three: you applied, or you are about to, and a single question only if you truly need an answer.
Attach nothing they did not ask for. A CV link is enough if the form already has your file.
- Role and where you found it.
- One proof, with a number or a scope.
- The ask: a look at the application, not a coffee.
Skip the warm-up
“I hope you are doing well” and “I came across your impressive profile” waste the only lines they will read. Start with the job.
Do not ask for “15 minutes to pick your brain.” Ask them to consider the application. If they want a call, they will say so.
A note you can send
“I applied today for the communications role in Beirut. I rewrote a retailer’s refund replies and the repeat tickets dropped. The posting says this seat owns the client update, which is the work I want. Happy to clarify anything in the application.”
Change the city, the proof, and the task. Send it once.
One follow-up, then leave it
If you hear nothing in a week, send two lines that point back to the first note. Do not add a new pitch.
After that, apply elsewhere. A third message is how a careful candidate starts to look stuck.
