How to Find a Hiring Manager's Email: A Detailed Guide for Job Seekers
A lot of you reach out to me with questions about whether you should contact the hiring manager directly, how to find a hiring manager's email, and how to get in touch with them.
In today's competitive job market, the struggle to stand out from the crowd can feel absolutely daunting. It's like every application you send out disappears into the ATS black hole, and even when you're a perfect match for a role, you're left wondering why no one's giving you a call. And who do we often end up blaming? Recruiters. We're often seen as gatekeepers, making candidates think we're ruining their chances.
As a job seeker, you may find yourself wondering: "How can I skip those recruiters and contact the hiring manager directly?"
That's why a lot of folks on the internet suggest reaching out to the hiring manager directly as a way how to skip recruiters. Sometimes, they even share simple tips on finding their email address.
Those tips are actually from folks who’ve never worked in recruitment, so they really don’t have a clue about the recruitment processes in place or the rules that recruiters and hiring managers need to follow.
Even though their advice might seem great, it won't magically open a door and get you a job. If you don't have the right skills and at least match 70-80% of the requirements, no matter how many times you contact the hiring manager, it won't make a difference.
In this newsletter issue, I'll not only share the benefits of this approach but also spill the tea on the drawbacks and give you a little sneak peek into the processes they need to follow. You can also give these tips a shot to connect not just with the hiring manager, but also with recruiters.
Reaching Out to the Hiring Manager Directly
When it comes to job search, there are some advantages and a few things to consider when finding and reaching out to a hiring manager directly. By taking this approach, you get a chance to establish a more personalized connection and show your enthusiasm in a way that might not be possible through traditional applications.
However, it's important to be cautious as not all hiring managers may appreciate unsolicited contact, and it may require some extra effort on your part to research and find the right person to reach out to.
Benefits of Reaching Out to the Hiring Manager
Bypassing the Recruitment Black Hole: Often, job applications submitted through traditional channels end up in the so-called "black hole" of recruitment, where they are lost among hundreds, if not thousands, of other applications. By contacting the hiring manager directly, your application can stand out from the sea of resumes, increasing your chances of being noticed.
Personal Connection: By reaching out to the hiring manager, you establish a direct line of communication. This allows for a more personalized conversation about the role and your qualifications, helping you create a memorable impression.
Demonstrates Initiative: Your proactive approach won't go unnoticed. When you reach out to a hiring manager directly, it shows that you're taking initiative and demonstrating dedication, which are qualities that are highly valued in any professional setting. This is particularly beneficial, especially in the sales industry!
Potential Drawbacks of Contacting the Hiring Manager Directly
While this strategy can be beneficial, it's also essential to understand the potential drawbacks.
Wrong Hiring Manager: In big companies, it can sometimes be quite challenging to track down the right hiring manager. Even if the role is for the UK, the manager could be based in Germany, Singapore, or anywhere around the globe. So, you might end up reaching out to someone who isn't the correct hiring manager, and unfortunately, they might just ignore your request. It's definitely a frustrating situation to navigate!
Risk of Overstepping Boundaries: Some companies or hiring managers might view direct contact as a breach of professional boundaries, particularly if they have explicitly mentioned not to contact them outside of established channels.
May Irritate the Hiring Manager: If not done correctly, reaching out directly can sometimes be perceived as intrusive or desperate. It's essential to use a professional, respectful tone in any communication.
Starting Wrong with Recruiters: While it may be tempting to go directly to hiring managers to avoid recruiters, it's actually not that simple. Recruiters play a crucial role in scheduling interviews, conducting prescreening calls, and sharing their recommendations with hiring managers. So, trying to skip them could end up backfiring in the long run.
My Two Cents: A Brief Take on It
Over the years I've noticed that reaching out directly to hiring managers doesn't always work. Companies have various rules to follow, both internal and government-related (like GDPR), that affect the handling of resumes.
So even if your email doesn't get blocked by the spam filter, they might forward it to the recruitment team as part of their hiring process. In many cases, they might not reply due to being busy or thinking it's just another long spam email.
If you’re looking to reach the hiring manager, make sure you ALWAYS apply directly on their career site before you reach out to them about the role you like. The recruitment team will ask you to do it anyway because they need to gather interview feedback there. So applying for the role there will speed up the process for you!
Is it a good idea to reach out to the hiring manager directly?
Well, it depends on the situation, the industry, and the size of the company. Personally, I would only reach the hiring manager if it's a small company, startup, or scale-up. For larger companies with 500+ employees, it seems like the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.
How to Find a Hiring Manager's Email
Armed with an understanding of the pros and cons, let's explore how you can find a hiring manager's email.
How does one locate such a hiring manager's email address?
Step 1: Start with LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a great place to start. Search for the company you're interested in and browse through the list of employees. Take note of their names for your next step.
Sometimes hiring managers might have their email address mentioned in one of their LinkedIn posts or on their profile. Checking the history of their posts could totally help you find it.
Step 2: Visit the Company Website
Many company websites have a team or 'about us' page where they list their staff along with their contact information. If you're lucky, you might find the hiring manager's email here. This works great for startups, but for corporations, you can totally skip this step.
Step 3: Use Email Lookup Services
If steps one and two don't work, consider using email lookup services. Websites like Hunter.io can help you find email addresses associated with a particular domain. Be aware that these services often have usage limits unless you pay for premium access.
There are a few reasons why I recommend it. The starter version allows you to easily connect your email address and reach out to hiring managers you find on LinkedIn.
Plus, it has a link tracking feature that lets you know if they click on the hyperlink you added to your email. And let me tell you, their Domain Search is amazing! You can simply search for Tesla.com and get all the email addresses Hunter.io has for that company.
You can also use Apollo.io – it's got a huge database of contacts for you to explore.
Step 4: Guess the Email Address
If you do not want to use lookup services you can guess the email address. Many businesses use a standard format for their email addresses, such as first.last@example.com or firstinitiallastname@example.com. Try to guess the hiring manager's email using these formats and the name you found in step one.
But guessing is tricky, that's why step 5 should be your next move!
Step 5: Verify the Email Address
Before sending your email, make sure it's valid. Use tools like Hunter.io or Debounce.io to confirm the email address's accuracy to avoid sending your message into the void.
I really like Debounce.io because it's not just an accurate tool for verifying email addresses, but it also has awesome features like Lead Finder and Data Enrichment. I use Lead Finder to find people and their email addresses (check out the image below!), and Data Enrichment is a fantastic feature for discovering who's behind an email address.
Step 6: Craft a Polite and Professional Email
Just a friendly reminder that when reaching out directly to a hiring manager, it's important to strike a delicate balance of assertiveness and respect. Start by introducing yourself, state your purpose briefly, and express your appreciation for their time.
Don't forget to attach your resume and include the link to your LinkedIn profile!
Finding a Hiring Manager's Email Strategy
So, here's the thing: finding a hiring manager's email isn't too hard. The real trick is finding the right email address for that particular hiring manager. You can actually use the same approach to find the email for a recruiter. This way, you can reach out to them directly if you're unable to identify the right hiring manager.
Now, keep in mind that in 99% of cases, their response will be pretty much the same—they'll ask you to apply through their ATS system. I know, I know, it's frustrating, but trust me, it's for the same reasons I mentioned earlier. They all have rules they need to follow!
But recruiters aren't gatekeepers! Having a good relationship with a recruiter can open doors at a company more than any email you'll send to a hiring manager.
Listen, not all strategies work all the time. So, don't blindly follow every tip you come across on the internet. Just like any other job search strategy, it's all about how you use this tool and adapt it to your own circumstances.
6 Templates for Emails to Hiring Managers
Throughout the years, I've been sharing these six incredible email templates with job seekers I've worked with. These proven templates are perfect for reaching out directly to hiring managers or recruiters in any country or industry. Not only that, but they're also crafted in different tones, so you can choose the one that suits your specific situation.
Start leveraging these powerful tools today and watch your job search soar!