Free templates

Job search email templates

Four short emails for the moments that matter: asking for a referral, following up after you apply, checking in after an interview and saying thank you. Copy one, fill in the brackets and send it.

Copy-ready templates

Words in square brackets are yours to fill in. The Copy button includes the subject line.

Referral request

To someone you know at the company, before you apply, with the job link to hand.

Subject: Referral for the [Job title] role at [Company]?

Hi [Name], I hope you are well. I saw that [Company] is hiring a [Job title] ([link to the posting]) and I would like to apply. Would you be comfortable referring me? A quick summary of why I think I fit: [one or two lines on your most relevant experience]. I have attached my resume. If a referral is not possible, I would still be grateful for any advice on the team or the hiring process, and no problem at all if now is not a good time. Thank you, [Your name]

Recruiter follow-up after applying

When the date the posting gave has passed with no reply, or after a week or two if it gave none.

Subject: Following up on my application for [Job title]

Hi [Recruiter's name], I applied for the [Job title] role ([job ID or link]) on [date] and wanted to follow up to make sure it reached you. I am interested in this role because [one specific reason tied to the team or the work], and my experience in [relevant area] matches what the posting asks for. I am happy to share anything else that would help. Thank you for your time. Best regards, [Your name] [Phone number] | [LinkedIn URL]

Follow-up after an interview

When the timeline you were given has passed and you have not heard back.

Subject: Checking in on the [Job title] role

Hi [Name], Thank you again for speaking with me on [date] about the [Job title] role. I wanted to check in on the timeline for next steps. I am still very interested in the role, especially [something you discussed]. If you need anything else from me, such as references or work samples, I can send it straight away. Best regards, [Your name]

Thank-you note after an interview

The same day as the interview, or the next morning, to each person you met.

Subject: Thank you for today

Hi [Interviewer's name], Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today about the [Job title] role. I enjoyed hearing about [a specific topic from the conversation]. Our conversation made me more confident that [one specific way your experience fits what the team needs]. Please let me know if I can provide anything else. I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, [Your name]

Make a template sound like you

Fill every bracket

A template with one bracket left in reads as a mass email. Read it once more after you paste it.

Name one specific thing

The line about the team, the posting or the conversation is the part that shows you wrote it for them. Make it concrete.

Keep it short

Each of these fits on one phone screen. If yours does not, cut the summary of your experience first; your resume carries that.

Questions

Outreach email questions

Before you hit send

Most of these emails go out with a resume attached or a link to one. Run it through the free resume checker first. Leaving a job as well? The resignation letter generator writes that one for you.

Send a resume that matches the email

A good note gets your resume opened. The free check shows what a parser finds in it and what to fix first, with no account.

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