Outreach to Passive Candidates: The Power of Personalization

Mastering In-house Executive Search

With executive search, connecting with passive candidates is both an art and a science. We have found that personalization and persistence (it may take 3 or 4 messages) is the key to success in this crucial aspect of recruitment. Let's go beyond AI generated outreach and dive into why tailored messaging is more effective and how you can implement it in your strategy.

The Power of Personalization:

• Tailored messages see nearly 50% higher open rates and 22% higher reply rates

• Referencing former employers increases responses by 27%

• Mentioning shared connections significantly boosts engagement

Crafting Your Personalized Approach:

1. Reference Specific Work Experiences or Skills
   Don't just compliment their background — highlight particular achievements or expertise that caught your eye. This shows you've done your homework and genuinely understand their value.

2. Use "You" to Make It Conversational
   Frame your message as a dialogue, not a sales pitch. This personal touch can make the difference between a response and radio silence.

3. Keep Subject Lines Concise and Intriguing
   Subject lines with 3 words or fewer can increase response rates by 14%. Spark curiosity without giving everything away.

4. Leverage Shared Connections
   Mentioning mutual contacts or shared professional groups can increase your chances of a response by 21%.

5. Engage Before Reaching Out
   Interacting with their content on social media before your initial outreach can double your response rates.

6. Reference User-Generated Content
   Show you've taken the time to understand their professional interests by mentioning their recent posts or achievements.

7. Highlight Commonalities
   Whether it's a shared alma mater, former employer, or professional interest, finding common ground can significantly boost your connection rate.

Remember, your goal is to start a meaningful conversation about career growth, not just fill a role. By investing time in personalization, you're demonstrating respect for the candidate's unique professional journey and increasing the likelihood of a positive response.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls:

• Steer clear of mass copy-paste outreach — it's a surefire way to get your message deleted

• Don't ask for too much too soon — save detailed discussions for later

• Avoid long personal intros — candidates can see your name in the header

• Don't make it all about you or your company initially — focus on the candidate

By mastering the art of personalized outreach, you're not just improving your response rates — you're laying the groundwork for meaningful professional relationships that can benefit your executive search efforts for years to come.