RESOURCES

Communicate to Success

Emails, messages, and communications that are proven to work when communicating and making an impact with the companies you want to work for.

Getting that interview takes so much more than just a job application...it's all about a system of communication and marketing outreach (aka your resume, LinkedIn page, and/or Jombine profile!) to get in front of key decision-makers and to see the results you need to ger hired in today's job market.

Use these emails, messages, and communication methods as a proven template. From the first email connection to getting that final offer letter, these communications templates have been used by hundreds to successfully to get hired.

Creating a Strategy of Attack

Fail to plan...plan to fail. This is non-truer than when building your strategy for success in getting hired. This is a process...there are no shortcuts or magical resume keywords, fancy emails, or synergistic words that will get you there.

Instead, you need to treat this strategy like you would when going to the gym to lose weight or build muscle. In other words, you won't see results with just 1 gym visit. You won't see results with just 10 gym visits. You'll only see results when you build the right habits that you execute on a daily/weekly basis over a period of time. Considering that the average amount of time it takes to get hired is 24 weeks, you may need to plan on 6 months to see the results you expect.

Use these templates and steps as your guide - as your "workout plan." Adjust each to best match your personality and goals. While these steps are proven to work, they also work best when you make it your own...with your own personality and voice.

And remember...just like a trainer won't lift weights for you, you'll need to follow this plan to your success. We're here to hold you accountable, support you along your journey, root you on, and help you find success with each step.

Okay...let's get started.

Submit Job Application

First things first...start your outreach by applying to jobs.

Create two buckets for your job application efforts.

The first is to simply submit job applications to those roles that best match your experience and career goals. In today's job market, submitting job applications has gotten much easier...especially with LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, and other site's EasyApply features.
Your rate of success with just applying to those companies in this first bucket will be much lower. As such, apply more generally while still keeping the number of applications to under 20 per week. Don't burn yourself out with the constant application game.

The second bucket is your Vision Board Companies. These are the companies that you'll take your full strategic approach to connecting. And these are the companies that you'll employ the additional strategic attack outlined below.
Per this second bucket, which is more intensive, you'll want to focus on 5-10 companies at one time...and plan to only add more companies to this list as a replacement. In other words, you don't want to have more than 10 Vision Board Companies that you are reaching out to at one time.

Emails to Key Decision Makers

Quick tips when approaching your emails.

Make sure to keep these emails short - they likely will be skimmed and you'll want them readable in just a couple of seconds.
Focus on emails that will likely be viewed on phones - keep them short and succinct.
No one email will magically work to get you a job. Instead, your full-pronged approach will be the key to your success.
Don't get discouraged if you don't get immediate replies. It may take several communications to hear back.

***click the links to access each template

First impressions are key. Yes, the job application may be a first impression, but this email is often the first and truest example of making that first impression. Remember though...this is just the first step in making that impression and making an impact with each company. As such, your goal is simply an introduction and to get your name familiar with the first key decision maker.

Jill,

I am reaching out per your Account Manager role. I've applied via your website but wanted to make an email introduction as well.

Acme Co is on my short list of companies I've targeted for my next career opportunity. Your mix of team culture and company values closely align with my career goals.

Your latest blog post on environmental stewardship certainly reinforced this.

Could you introduce me to the hiring manager for this role?

Regards,

Jack

***Here is also my LinkedIn profile and link to my online evaluation through Jombine to learn more about my experience, workplace values, references, and more.

The likelihood of a response to your first introduction email is a small percentage. As such, queue up a next follow-up email to stay at the top of their inbox. Also, make sure to reply to your first email so that these two emails stay in the same thread.

Jill,

I am checking in on your open Account Manager role. I applied via your website and reached out last week to introduce myself, but checking back in to see if this role is still open.

This next career move is very important for me and I am targeting Acme Co as a top landing spot.

Your team culture, industry, and unique approach to customer experience {add in custom note here} is a great fit for my experience and career ambitions.

Could you introduce me to the hiring manager for this role?

Regards,

Jack

***Here is also my LinkedIn profile and link to my online evaluation through Jombine to learn more about my experience, workplace values, references, and more.

After you've made initial introductions, LinkedIn connections, etc., it's important to stay in their pipeline and active with their key decision-makers. This is a great email to stay on top of mind.

Hello Jill,

I am reaching out per your recently added Account Manager role. I'll apply as well but wanted to check in on this role and the potential fit for my experience.

I've been staying on top of Acme Co is a potential next career landing spot and hope to make the formal introduction.

Could we find a time for a quick chat to discuss this role and what your team is looking for in candidates?

Regards,

Jack

***Here is also my LinkedIn profile and link to my online evaluation through Jombine to learn more about my experience, workplace values, references, and more.

Compliments are key in communications. Use this email to share your compliments and applause. This works best if the news comes from or is about the Key Decision-Maker that you are reaching out to. If this is not available though, you can still comment on the news happening in their company.

Hi Jill,

I saw your LinkedIn post about the recent acquisition of Roadrunner. Congrats! I bet that's created some great waves across your team.

Best of luck as you integrate Roadrunner into the business. Perhaps my experience in Account Management and career expertise in CPG become more valuable and would warrant a quick introduction. 😉

Could we find some time for a quick phone call to discuss my experience and career goals of working for Acme?

Regards,

Jack

***Here is also my LinkedIn profile and link to my online evaluation through Jombine to learn more about my experience, workplace values, references, and more.

After 4-5 weeks of outreach, you'll want to continue your communications. Instead of continuing to ask for a meeting though, you can use this email as a check-in and reminder for them that you care about their company and your potential fit.

Hi Jill,

I read an article that made me think of your team and culture.

This article in the Morning Brew {add name of publication} talked about how companies are taking a modern approach to workplace flexibility. Here is the article in case you haven't seen it.

Acme Co came to mind and how you've taken a top-down approach to shaking up the way you think about work schedules and locations. It also reinforced and reminded me how much I'm aligned with your culture.

It would be great to connect and chat about any open roles you have.

Regards,

Jack

***Here is also my LinkedIn profile and link to my online evaluation through Jombine to learn more about my experience, workplace values, references, and more.

LinkedIn Messages & Connections to Key Decision Makers

LinkedIn will be your 2nd pronged approach to getting in front of key decision-makers. Most hiring professionals (recruiters, hiring managers, department leads, etc.) spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. Often this strategic overlay, in addition to email, is what it will take to get that response back!

***click the links to access each template

You only get 300 characters, including spaces and punctuation, on a LinkedIn connection request. As such, you'll need to keep it short, simple, and just enough to get the connection request.

DON’T send a request without a message attached.

DON’T write multiple paragraphs about yourself or ramble on.

DON’T pitch yourself in your connection request.

DON’T ask for favors, you haven't earned that right yet.

DON’T mention that you have "X amount of connections" 🤢

QUICK & EASY CONNECTION NOTE

Hi Jill - reaching out as a comrade in the industry. Would be great to connect. Best, Jack.

CONNECT BECAUSE OF AN ARTICLE/POST/CONTENT

Hi Jill - came across your recent post on hiring for culture. Great content! Would be great to connect. Best, Jack.

MET AT A CONFERENCE, EVENT, ETC.

Hi Jill - great meeting you at Denver Startup Week. Would be great to stay in touch and stay in the loop of what you're up to. Best, Jack.

FINDING COMMONALITY

Hi Jill - LinkedIn did it's algorithm magic and showed that we're both part of the Colorado Startups group. Reaching out to get connected. Best, Jack.

COMMON CONNECTIONS

Hi Jill - noticed we share a couple of mutual connections. Connecting here to grow our networks. Best, Jack.

TO RECRUITERS

Hi Jill - noticed you're a recruiter in the food & beverage space. I'm currently seeking new opportunities as a 10-year account management pro. Thought it good to get connected. Best, Jack.

Once you've made the connection, the next step is to send a personalized message. After the connection is made...give it at least 3-4 days before sending this message.

START WITH THIS QUICK MESSAGE...DON'T SELL YOURSELF YET & JUST SHOW A THANKS FOR CONNECTING.

Jill,

Great to make the LinkedIn connection. I'll look forward to keeping in touch.

Best,

Jack

AFTER A WEEK OR SO...OR AT LEAST AFTER YOU'VE SENT THEM 2 EMAILS, FOLLOW UP WITH THIS MESSAGE.

Hi Jill,

I recently emailed you about the open Account Manager role at Acme. Email can easily get lost in the shuffle, so I just wanted to follow up here to make the more formal intro.

Acme Co is on my short list of companies I've targeted for my next career opportunity. Your mix of team culture and company values closely align with my career goals.

Could you introduce me to the hiring manager for this role?

Thanks in advance,

Jack

Engaging with either the key decision maker or the company you're strategically attacking is key in LinkedIn. Yes, it's keeping you top of mind and shows that you aren't just spamming them for a job like every other candidate who wants to get hired.

More importantly, imagine the key decision hears from you (via any of your communication methods) and they go to check out your LinkedIn page next. Then imagine when they see that you're engaging with their posts and company.

This creates immediate trust and shows you actually care to work for their company. This will differentiate you from 99% of candidates and set you up for success to get that 1st meeting/interview.

AFTER A COMPANY POST EXAMPLES

So cool to see companies caring about their people! I bet this made a big difference in employee happiness.

Great content. Thanks for sharing and caring about the environment.

So interesting. A very cool approach to technology in our industry. Did this take Acme a long time to implement such an ambitious campaign?

AFTER A KEY DECISION-MAKER POST

Great thought piece. Thanks for sharing.

Great post Jill. Do you think this will change with the evolving lean on AI?

Notice that these engagement remarks aren't just a thumbs up or a quick response. All it takes is a quick sentence or two to show extra care and to stand out. Plus, if you can ask a question and get a response, even better! It'll rank higher and get your name recognized.

Another great tip to stay top of mind and create familiarity is to simply just repost key articles and content from their company. Again, this will add this content to the top of your LinkedIn profile (which is such a cheat code when they check out your page and see their content) and will immediately differentiate yourself from 99% of candidates they meet.

Having a key decision maker feel like their content is being shared, commented on, and read is massive. They probably spent a lot of their time putting together this content. As such, this engagement shows that their efforts were worth their time.

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We recommend reading Robert Cialdini's book, Influence. Here he talks about the Science of Reciprocity. Simply put, people are obliged to give back to others in the form of a behavior, gift, or service that they have received first. If you simply comment, share, and repost, you are creating an opportunity for reciprocity. When you ask for a meeting/call in the future, the Key Decision Maker is more likely to reciprocate a YES because you've first given them your time in commenting/sharing on their work.

A quick tip to "create" engagement is to ask a key decision maker a question and/or include them in a post/comment. Here are some great examples that have helped candidates get noticed.

FIND A POPULAR ARTICLE/POST ABOUT THE INDUSTRY OR RELEVANT TOPIC. THEN REPOST OR ADD IN COMMENTS & INCLUDE KEY DECISION MAKERS USING THE @ FUNCTION.

What a great post. Super interesting to see the effect of culture on employee engagement, even those remote employees. @Jill, @Joe, @Judy - this seems super similar to what you've done in your roles and for your teams. It's great to see such progressive work being done across the industry.

Staying on Top of their Company News, Latest Jobs, & Happenings

As you progress through your strategy of attack, we recommend making sure you are staying connected to their news, events, and updates.

COMPANY NEWSLETTERS: Sign up for company newsletters and use the information in these newsletters to stay up to date with opportunities, how you can make an impact in their company, what topics to bring up when you get a meeting/interview, and to use as engagement topics when reaching out to key decision makers.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Aside from LinkedIn, we also recommend connecting and engaging on other social media platforms. While the strategy is not the same - you're not trying to make an impact with key decision makers, you will be able to learn a lot about their company, their initiatives, what they care about, and more.

JOB ALERTS: Staying on top of relevant jobs can be difficult...well, at least time-consuming. As such, we recommend setting up alerts to track relevant jobs you may be interested in. Create Job Alerts here on LinkedIn and here on Google to stay abreast of roles and be one of the 1st to apply.

Another Way of Putting a Face to a Name

A great way to get more than just your name out there is to get your face out there by attending events and places where key decision-makers will be as well. Yes, you'll need to exhibit more of your extrovert qualities by doing so, but this could be the difference maker in going from their inbox to an actual meeting.

COMPANY LED EVENTS: Most companies host events, like happy hours, customer appreciation events, and more. These are a great place to pop into, make the formal introduction to those folks you've been emailing and messaging with, and creating an opportunity for another follow-up...the "it was great to meet you" email.

CONFERENCES: Industry conferences are one of the best places to meet, great, and make an impact with key decision-makers. They show you have true care and passion for the industry...and help to build trust.

Going Old School

Everyone emails. Most are using LinkedIn. Very few use phone, mail, and in-person visits to make an impact. Be a contrarian...do what others aren't willing to do. These extra strategies could be your difference maker in going from stranger to friend with key decision-makers.

MAKE A CALL: 92% of customer interactions happen over the phone. Treat these decision-makers as customers...and you will have the same success. Here is a quick call script that our candidates have used to make an impact.

IF OVER VOICEMAIL

Hello Jill. This is Jack Smith. I wanted to follow up on my emails last week with a hello over the phone. I would love to have the opportunity to introduce myself. Acme Co is on my shortlist of companies that I've targeted as a perfect landing spot on my next career move. Your mix of culture, environmental stewardship, and approach to the beverage market is exactly what I'm looking for. Plus, my experience in the industry, my career goals within the space, and the value I can add as an Account Manager seem like a great potential fit for Acme. My phone is 303-456-7890. It would be great to connect soon. Thanks. Jack.

IF YOU CONNECT OVER THE PHONE

Hi Jill. Thanks for taking the call. My name is Jack Smith. I wanted to follow up on my emails last week with a hello over the phone.

Acme Co is on my shortlist of companies that I've targeted as a perfect landing spot on my next career move. Your mix of culture, environmental stewardship, and approach to the beverage market is exactly what I'm looking for. Plus, my experience in the industry, my career goals within the space, and the value I can add as an Account Manager seem like a great potential fit for Acme.

As such, just hoping to take the full-court press approach in saying hello and talking about your open Account Manager role. Do you have time now to discuss this role more formally?

***then...just take the conversation from there or get a time scheduled for an interview. 4/5 times they will just book an interview day/time, giving you the chance to skip the job application pre-screening process and get right to a meeting. Also, be prepared with questions to ask to keep the conversation going!

MAIL A LETTER: For the price of a stamp and a little effort, you can truly stand out by writing a hand-written note. Here is an example.

Hello Jill,

I am reaching out to introduce myself.

Acme Co is on my shortlist of companies that I've targeted as a perfect landing spot on my next career move. As such, I am writing to simply cut through the noise you are getting with resumes and job applications to get my name out there as a potential candidate.

I've also sent one of those resumes and job applications your way but thought it wouldn't hurt with a letter as well to make sure I made the connection.

It would be great to connect and chat about the role.

Thanks,

Jack

303-456-7890 / www.linkedin.com/jacksmith / www.jombine.com/jack-smith

VISIT THE OFFICE WITH A SPECIAL DELIVERY: For certain roles and certain industries, you can visit their office in person, with a resume in hand. Be mindful of the industry, office dynamics, and other factors that may prohibit or hinder your chances. For some companies though, this effort can certainly make a difference.

What we do recommend for just about any company and any industry though, especially as a stand-out method, is bringing a special treat without any expectations of meeting.

Here's the play...head to an amazing local bakery, donut shop, a nearby brewery, etc. and hand deliver a box of goodies. With this special delivery, handwrite a simple note.

Note that you don't want to include your resume with the box...you'll add a link to your Jombine profile and/or LinkedIn profile in your letter instead.

Hello Jill,

I wanted to bring some goodies from my favorite local bakery as a hello and to get my name out there.

It's a busy and noisy job market out here, so I hope that these treats will help sweeten the deal when you take a look at my background for consideration.

Acme Co is on my shortlist of companies that I've targeted as a perfect landing spot on my next career move. I've done my research on the team and company and am confident that I'd add a ton of value to the company's goals and future.

I hope to connect in the near future. In the meantime, enjoy the goodies!

Jack

303-456-7890 / www.linkedin.com/jacksmith / www.jombine.com/jack-smith

YOUR GOALS ARE OUR GOALS

This is a big strategy and we are here to support you with each method.

Lean on your Agent as you work through each communication step. We are happy to help with your copy, ideas, and ways of making sure you're making an impact with each email, message, call, and meeting.

RESOURCES

This is a big strategy and we are here to support you with each method. Lean on your Agent as you work through each communication step. We are happy to help with your copy, ideas, and ways of making sure you're making an impact with each email, message, call, and meeting.

This is a big strategy and we are here to support you with each method.

Lean on your Agent as you work through each communication step. We are happy to help with your copy, ideas, and ways of making sure you're making an impact with each email, message, call, and meeting.