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How to Create a Passive Candidate Email Template

How to Create a Passive Candidate Email Template

What is a passive candidate email and why is it important?

Your company has a role to fill and you found someone who is a good fit for it. However, this person has no plans of moving to another role, someone referred to these days as a passive candidate. Even if this is the case, consider sending what is called a passive candidate email. Unlike generic emails, it aims to get the passive candidate curious enough to connect with you. If your passive candidate email is written well, you will fill the role with a good match in no time.

What to include in a passive candidate email template?

How to approach passive candidates by email may seem like a daunting task at first, but it can be simple. Here are three things you can do to make your passive candidate take notice, at the very least.

1. Personalise your email Get to know your candidate and personalise your email. A subject line that will catch their attention can help. You can create an attention-grabbing subject line if you research enough about them. In your email, aim to sound friendly but professional. You can also refer to something they’ve done and mention why this is interesting to you.

2. Identify yourself clearly Give a brief introduction of yourself so the reader can get to know you. Include your title and why you are writing to them. Avoid writing a job description. Instead, tell them what this role will accomplish and why you think the passive candidate is a good fit.

3. Keep your email focused Focus on one purpose and get to it quickly in your email. The sooner you get your message across, the better chances you have of the passive candidate responding to you. At the end of your email, include a very clear call to action (CTA) so the recipient knows what they are expected to do next.

Email template for passive candidates

Here is a sample email to passive candidates that you can personalise.

Subject: We’re impressed with your [[Top Skill]], [[Candidate Name]] Dear [[Candidate Name]], My name is [[Your Name]], a [[Your Job Title]] at [[Company Name]]. I saw your profile on [[Platform]] and was immediately impressed with your outstanding skills [[Name a Few]] and your vast experience in [[Fill In]]. We are currently looking to hire a [[Job Title]] to join our team and I believe that you’d be a great fit for the job. You would be working on groundbreaking projects such as [[Projects]], and collaborating with a group of stellar colleagues. If you want to hear more, please get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you. All the best, [[Your Name]]

Summary

How to respond to passive candidates successfully takes practice. Making that initial contact with the help of a passive candidate email may not immediately yield the results you want but keep persisting. Just like any worthwhile relationship, connecting with passive candidates is the first step, so keep writing those emails and get ready for the next steps. If you’re eyeing to make a past candidate interested in the role, try this template instead.

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