# Outreach Templates — quick-reference Every outreach script from the book, ready to copy. Replace bracketed fields. Keep it short — under 100 words for LinkedIn DM, under 150 for InMail, under 200 for email. **The rules** (from Chapter 11): - One question per message - Lead with something specific about *them* / their work - One quantified achievement to prove you're real - Make the ask explicit by line 3 - Never apologise for "bothering" them --- ## 1. After applying — recruiter ping > Hi [Name] — just submitted my application for [Role] at [Company]. I'm a [Years]-year [Role] currently at [Company / freelance], based in [Country]. Most relevant background: [one specific achievement that maps to the JD, with metric]. I'm fully eligible for [VISA] and can relocate to [City] within [N] weeks. > > Happy to share any context that's useful — would a 15-min intro chat make sense? > > Cheers, [Your name] **Send:** within 60 minutes of submitting. **Reply rate:** 25–40% when timed right. --- ## 2. Hiring manager cold (no application yet) > Hi [Name], saw your team's recent [specific thing — recent launch, talk, paper, hiring post]. I've been working on [related thing] at [Company] for the past [N] years — [one quantified achievement that's directly relevant to their work]. > > Considering applying to [Role] on your team. Two quick things: (1) does the team currently sponsor visas / relocation to [City]? (2) is it OK if I mention you when I apply? > > Either way, your work on [thing] is the kind of stuff I want to be doing — wanted to make sure my application gets read carefully. **Reply rate:** ~30% with strong personalisation, ~5% generic. --- ## 3. Internal referral request (warm contact) > Hey [Name], hope you've been well. I noticed [Company] is hiring for [Role] — that's the kind of work I've been doing for the last [N] years (most recently [one specific project/achievement]). > > Would you be open to referring me internally? I know the bar is high so completely understand if you'd rather not — happy to send my resume and a tailored summary so you can decide. No hard feelings either way. **Always offer them an out.** Pressuring people to vouch is how you ruin the relationship. If they say yes, send within 30 minutes: - Resume PDF, named `Resume_LastName_Company_Role.pdf` - 4-line summary they can paste verbatim into the referral form - The exact role link - One line on why you specifically want this role at this company --- ## 4. Follow-up — 5 working days, no reply > Hi [Name], following up on my application/note from [day]. Re: [Role] — I'd love to be considered. If timing's bad, totally understand; if there's anything I can clarify (visa, availability, salary expectations), just say the word. **Send once.** No third follow-up. Some people are just busy. --- ## 5. Post-interview thank-you (within 24 hours) > Hi [Name], thanks for the conversation today — I particularly enjoyed [specific thing they said or asked]. Wanted to reinforce one point on [topic that came up]: [a 2-line clearer answer / additional context you didn't get to]. > > Looking forward to next steps — let me know if I can provide anything else. **Trick:** pick the question where you wished you'd given a better answer, and give the better answer here. Hiring managers love this — it shows reflection and depth. --- ## 6. Post-final-round nudge — 10 working days > Hi [Name], wanted to check in on the [Role] process — last we spoke, I think next steps would be around [date]. I'm continuing to interview elsewhere and have a couple of conversations advancing; before making any decisions, I want to make sure [Company] has what they need from me. > > Happy to wait or to provide anything that would help close it out. **Honest light pressure.** Don't lie about other processes — but if you have them (and you should), name them. --- ## 7. Recruiter cold — no specific role > Hi [Name], I'm a [Years]-year [Role] specialising in [domain]. I'm not seeing an open role on the team I'd want to join at [Company], but I'd love to be on your radar for when one opens up. Most relevant work: [achievement]. Eligible for [visa]; could move within [N] weeks of an offer. > > Worth a 15-min chat at any point? **Reply rate:** 10–20%. Often results in a recruiter who pings you when something opens. --- ## 8. Asking a stranger for a 15-minute "informational" For people you want to learn from, not get a job from (yet): > Hi [Name], I'm exploring a move into [domain/region/role-type] — currently [your role] at [your company]. I really respect what you're doing at [their company]; one thing in particular caught my eye: [specific recent thing]. > > Could I bother you for 15 minutes to learn from your experience? I'll come prepared with 3 specific questions and won't go over time. Happy to do video or audio at your convenience. **Reply rate:** higher than you'd expect, ~25%, when personalised. --- ## 9. Following up after a coffee chat (warming a relationship) > Hi [Name], thanks again for the chat last [day]. The point you made about [specific thing] really stuck — I followed up by [specific action you took, e.g., "applying to your team's senior role," or "reading the paper you mentioned"]. > > Wanted to keep you in the loop. Will let you know how it goes — and please ping me anytime there's anything I can do for you. **Why this works:** signals you take their advice seriously and gives them something to remember you by. --- ## 10. Salary negotiation — initial counter (email) > Hi [Name], > > Thanks again for the offer at [Company] — I'm genuinely excited about [specific aspect of the role]. I've taken some time to review the package and want to come back with a counter so we can land on something that works for both sides. > > Based on data from [Levels.fyi / Honeypot / equivalent] for [Role] at [seniority] in [City], market for someone with my experience and the achievements we discussed sits in the [low end]–[high end] range. Combined with the relocation friction on my side, I'd ask for: > > - **Base:** [specific number] > - **Equity:** [specific equity ask, if relevant] > - **Sign-on:** [specific number] > - **Relocation:** [specific items: visa fees fully covered, 60 days temp accommodation, one-way flights for me + partner] > > If base is constrained, I'd be open to making up the difference in a higher signing bonus or additional equity. I'd love to make this work — happy to talk through any of this on a call. > > Best, > [Your name] **Counter once.** If they say it's their best offer, decide based on your three numbers (walk-away, acceptable, reach). --- ## 11. Declining gracefully When you're rejecting an offer or stepping away from a process: > Hi [Name], I really appreciate the time and energy your team put into this. After thinking it over, I've decided to [accept another opportunity / stay at my current role / take a different direction]. The decision wasn't about the strength of the offer — it came down to [a brief, honest, neutral reason]. > > I'd love to stay in touch. [Company] is doing impressive work and it's possible our paths cross again — please keep me in mind for future roles, and let me know if I can ever be helpful. **Burn no bridges.** The recruiter you reject today might be the recruiter who hires you in three years. --- ## Common mistakes that kill replies - **Too long.** Cut by 30%. Then 30% again. - **Too generic.** "I love your mission" is meaningless. Show you read something specific. - **No metric.** "I have lots of experience" — prove it. Numbers. - **Multiple questions.** One. Question. Per. Message. - **Burying the ask.** Lead with context, but make the ask explicit by line 3. - **Pity framing.** "I'm desperately looking" — instant rejection. - **Asking for "any opportunities."** Specific role. Specific team. Specific reason. - **Apologising.** "Sorry to bother you" — signals low value. Don't. --- ## Outreach cadence If you're seriously job hunting: - 25 applications + 25 outreach messages per week, paired (same companies) - Reply rate target: 10–15% - Pipeline goal: 8–15 active processes at any time