how to get your outreach messages noticed.

Back when I was a recruiter, my inbox was full of the same message on repeat: “I saw you’re a recruiter. I’m looking for [insert title]. Here’s my CV.”

And while I loved the initiative, if that was your whole message, your odds were probably better just applying through the careers page.

I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t manage to reply to everyone. But when a message looked a little different, I’d do a tiny happy dance at my desk.

There’s no perfect template for reaching out, because every recruiter, hiring manager, or future teammate has different expectations.

But putting some thought into what you’d love to do and what you’d be great at is always a good plan.

I always recommend reaching out to someone at the company when you’re applying.

Not just to pitch yourself, but to connect, ask a few thoughtful questions, and get a feel for whether it’s even a place you’d enjoy working.

So if you want to craft a quick intro that might help you stand out, here are a few prompts:

• What’s most important to you right now—growth, stability, flexibility?

• What kind of work or team are you drawn to?

• How would you make an impact? What strengths would you bring?

• And what are you genuinely curious about—their role, the company, the culture?

Getting through a hiring process is much smoother when you connect with someone on the team, especially if that connection makes you even more excited about the opportunity.

So, putting some effort into your reachouts is always a win-win.

about the author:

Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.