1.If
You’re 100% Not Job Searching
You love what you’re
doing, and there’s nothing anyone can say or do to convince you to
consider a new opportunity — at least not for the foreseeable future. But, you
don’t want to close the door on what could be a potentially helpful
relationship down the line either.
Hi [Name],
Thanks for reaching out!
This certainly sounds like an interesting job, and I appreciate your
consideration.
I really love the work
I’m doing for [Your Company] and am not in the market for a new opportunity at
the moment. That said, if I find myself looking to make a change in the future,
I’ll be sure to get in touch.
Thanks again!
Best
Best
[Your Name]
2. If You’re Open To The
Right Opportunity
Hi
[Name],
Thanks for getting in
touch!
I’m pretty happy in my
current role with [Your Company] and am not actively looking to change jobs,
but I’d be open to discussing this role, as I never turn down a chance to chat
about [compelling trait about the job description, e.g., software development
or sales enablement]. Would it be possible for us to connect sometime next
week? I should be available for a quick call on [dates and times that’ll work
with your schedule].
Moving forward, you can
reach me directly here: [your email address and/or phone number].
Looking forward to
speaking with you!
Best,
[Your
Name]
3. If You’re Actively Searching But Aren't Interested In This Job
When
you’re in the market for a new job, hearing from a recruiter’s really
exciting—until you realize that the job she’s approached you about isn’t at all
what you’re looking for. But don’t worry too much about the role itself; this
is a great opportunity for you to establish a relationship with someone who
might be able to help you find the right one. Now’s your chance to tell them
what you’re looking for and ask whether they know of anything that lines up
with your goals.
Hi [Name],
Thanks for thinking of
me for this role! I am currently exploring new opportunities, but would ideally
like to find a position that would allow me to [traits of your ideal position
here, e.g., work from home, expand on my content development experience, step
into the nonprofit space, earn at least $X annually, etc.]. It sounds like this
particular role isn’t quite what I’m looking for, but do you happen to know of
any other opportunities that may be a better fit? If so, I’d love to connect!
I’ve attached my resume
for your review, and can be reached directly at [your email address and/or
phone number] moving forward.
Best,
[Your Name]
4. If You’re Intrigued
By This Opportunity
Now
we’re talking! You’re open to new opportunities, and this one sounds like it
could have some serious potential. You can keep your response pretty
straightforward—the goal here is to confirm your interest and get an initial
interview on the calendar.
Hi [Name],
This sounds like a
really interesting opportunity—thanks for thinking of me!
As you probably saw on
my profile, I have [X years] of experience in the [industry or job function,
e.g., digital marketing or project management] space, and am particularly
interested in opportunities that allow me to [relevant job duty/deliverable,
e.g. leverage my creativity in a design-focused role or build new programs from
the ground up]. Based on the information you’ve shared, it sounds like the role
certainly could be a great fit!
I’d love to schedule a
time for us to discuss how my skills and experience could benefit the team;
would it be possible for us to connect sometime this week? I’ve included my
availability below:
[dates/times]
You can reach me
directly at [your e-mail address and/or phone number]. Looking forward to
connecting!
Best,
[Your Name]
5. If This Is Hands
Down Your Dream Job
Be
cool. Your dream job just
literally fell into your lap. You’ve got this.
Demonstrating
enthusiasm for a role’s always a great move (recruiters love working with
motivated candidates), but don’t forget that you’ll want to highlight the
myriad reasons that you’re absolutely perfect for this job. A response that
demonstrates your excitement and emphasizes your transferable
skills should all but guarantee that you’ll land an initial
interview.
Hi [Name],
Thanks for getting in
touch! Based on what you’ve shared about this role, I’d be eager to learn more.
It sounds like you’re
looking for an [job title] with [relevant skills/experience] expertise and a
talent for developing [insert outcomes, e.g., unique and compelling marketing
campaigns across a variety of digital channels]—that’s me!
As someone with [X years
of experience] in the industry, I know what it takes to deliver [deliverables
based on job description, e.g., flawlessly executed e-mail campaigns from start
to finish]. In my current role at [Your Current Company], I [description of
relevant experience and tangible results based on job description, i.e., guide
the production and execution of 25 unique monthly email campaigns and have
grown new lead generation by 50% in just six months].
I’d love to schedule a
time for us to discuss how my skills and experience could benefit the [Company
Name] team; would it be possible for us to connect sometime this week? I’ve
included my availability below:
[dates/times]
You can reach me
directly at [your e-mail address and/or phone number]. Looking forward to
connecting!
Best,
[Your Name]
