How to write a subject line for a recruitment email that gets noticed

Professionals are feeling increasingly fatigued as they spend several hours a day attending to emails. As their inboxes bulge, important messages can easily get overlooked. When the average American has more than 1,600 unopened emails, having a compelling subject line for your recruitment emails is more vital than ever. Writing an irresistible subject line can increase your chances of cutting through email fatigue and attracting the best people.

Customize your message

Customizing your email's subject line helps you connect with the reader. Adding the recipient's name is one of the easiest and most effective ways to personalize a subject line. It can also increase your open rate, as studies show emails with subject lines featuring a recipient's name get opened an average of 39% more than those without. Using only the person's first name can make your subject line feel friendly. Other ways to personalize your subject line include adding the recipient's location or current job title.

Be specific

A specific subject line about your reason for emailing may entice people interested in making career moves to open your email and learn more. Consider the subject line as your email's headline, which gives the main information while encouraging your recipient to continue reading. For example, you might state you have a job opportunity matching the individual's skillset or would like to conduct an informational interview. Vague subject lines for recruitment emails, such as “Just checking in” or “Quick question,” can seem spammy. They're more likely to go unanswered, as they don't clarify why readers should care about your email.

Promote your strengths

Promoting the strengths of your proposition in your subject line lets recipients immediately know what's in it for them. If you're recruiting for a major corporation or a buzzworthy smaller company, drop its name in the subject line. If it's a cold email job application subject line for a work-from-home position, you could mention flexibility, as these roles are especially in demand. You could add the dollar amount to your subject line if the job has an attractive salary. These perks are likely to get attention and encourage your recipient to click through.

Be concise

It takes just a few seconds for someone to scan your subject line and decide whether they want to open your email, so get to the point fast. A concise email presents your message efficiently and clearly. Keep your subject line short, as email clients may truncate your message. That's especially true of mobile email clients, which typically display between 25 and 30 characters, or half as many as desktop clients. However, emails with the shortest subject lines don't have the best read rate, as they can be less meaningful.

Writing a concise recruiter email subject line with as many characters as needed and no more is a better approach. Eliminating filler words, replacing complex words with simpler ones, and using numerals and symbols can reduce your character count. You could also eliminate some information to make the most compelling points more impactful. Once you've drafted your subject line, take steps to shorten it without diluting the message.

Put key information first

Including the most relevant details in the first 30 characters can make a recruiter subject line of any length more compelling. Arranging your subject line this way ensures your recipients get the most important information, even if they read just a few words. It also makes your subject line more mobile-friendly. With 83% of Americans using their phones to check emails, you'll want to ensure the most important details get to this large demographic.

Recruitment email subject line templates and examples

Following a template and seeing examples may inspire your recruiter subject lines. Feel free to play with the suggested formats and inject your personality into your subject lines when you're recruiting candidates over email.

A [department] job opportunity from [company name] for [first name]

This subject line is clear and to the point. Including the recipient's first name and a department relevant to their skills ensures it feels tailored rather than generic. It also clearly promotes the recruiting business. As it's relatively simple, this kind of subject line works best for a business whose reputation sells itself.

Example: “A software development job opportunity from Microsoft for Stephanie”

"Consider the subject line as your email's headline, which gives the main information while encouraging your recipient to continue reading."

[First name], love your [skill] skills; we've got a [job title] job for you

This friendly, personal recruiter subject line starts a direct conversation with the reader. Complimenting the recipient's skills shows you know the value they could bring to your business. Recognizing these abilities and how they align with a relevant vacant role may encourage the individual to learn more about the opportunity.

Example: “Jonathan, love your photography skills; we've got a photojournalist job for you”

Seeking [value adjective] people like [first name] to join the [company name] family

This subject line works similarly to the previous example because it recognizes the value the recipient could bring to the company and compliments them. However, unlike the previous example, it focuses on values that may help the reader fit in with the organization's corporate culture. This approach is ideal if you're recruiting for businesses where values and soft skills are key requirements for new hires.

Example: “Seeking caring people like Simon to join the Allied Health family”

[Company name] is hiring [job titles] in [location] now!

This subject line raises awareness of jobs in the recipient's local area. Using the word “now” and an exclamation point encourages the reader to quickly open and act on the email to secure a position. Subject lines such as this could boost your recruitment strategy if you're hiring many people for similar roles.

Example: “FedEx is hiring delivery drivers in Los Angeles now!”

WFH jobs with [company name] for [first name]

This subject line promotes a business' work-from-home opportunities. Using the well-known acronym WFH helps make this subject line more concise. As there are many working-from-home scams, adding the company name adds credibility. This kind of subject line works best for a well-established business with a good reputation. Including the individual's first name makes it seem less spammy and builds a connection between the business and the recipient.

Example: “WFH jobs with Udemy for Jessica”

We only hire the top 1%, so we'd love to talk to you [first name]

This subject line compliments the recipient and lets them know that accepting a role with the company would see them working alongside the very best. It's an ideal approach when you're recruiting for jobs requiring very skilled candidates. Writing 1% rather than a more general term such as “the best” makes this subject line more eye-catching and adds credibility to the claim.

Example: “We only hire the top 1%, so we'd love to talk to you, [first name]”

With so many Americans feeling fatigued by their inboxes, it takes a special subject line to make someone sit up and take notice. So think carefully about how you can grab the attention of your candidates with subject lines that encourage them to open your emails and consider your propositions.