Reconnecting with past candidates is a goldmine for recruiters. You've already invested time in screening candidates, so re-engaging them can be more effective than starting from scratch.
These email templates will help you reach out to past candidates in various scenarios. From silver medalists to candidates from acquired companies, we've got you covered. You can also use these to improve your candidate experience.
Table of contents
Crafting Your Re-engagement Email: The Key Ingredients
Template for reconnecting with past candidates
Template for contacting candidates who declined offers
Template for reaching out to silver medalists
Template for contacting candidates from acquired companies
Template for re-engaging with passive candidates
Template for seasonal hiring from past applicants
Pitfalls to Avoid in Sourcing Past Candidates Emails
Download Sourcing Past Candidates Email Templates in multiple formats
Wrapping Up
Crafting Your Re-engagement Email: The Key Ingredients
Reaching out to past candidates can be a goldmine! But a sloppy email can undo all your hard work. Let's break down the key components of an email template that will get those candidates excited about new opportunities.
Subject Line: Make it clear and engaging. Think 'New Opportunity at [Company Name]' or '[Job Title] Position - Remember Us?' to grab their attention.
Personalized Greeting: Ditch the generic 'To Whom It May Concern'. Use their name and reference something specific you remember about their past application or interview; maybe you recall they had great [problem solving skills].
The Opportunity: Clearly and concisely explain the new role. Highlight how their skills and experience align with the position, and why you thought of them.
Call to Action: Make it easy for them to respond. Include a direct question like, 'Are you interested in learning more?' and provide a link to the job description or a way to schedule a quick chat.
Template for reconnecting with past candidates
This template is designed for reaching out to candidates who previously applied but weren't selected. It's a great way to tap into your talent pool and potentially fill new positions with pre-screened candidates.
Subject: Exciting Opportunities at [Company Name] - Let's Reconnect!
Hi [Candidate's Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I'm [Your Name], a recruiter at [Company Name]. We previously connected when you applied for the [Previous Position] role. Although we went in a different direction at that time, I was impressed by your skills and experience.
We're currently exploring candidates for a new opportunity that I believe aligns well with your background. If you're open to discussing this, I'd love to reconnect and share more details.
- Position: [New Position Title]
- Location: [Location or Remote]
- Key Responsibilities: [Briefly list key responsibilities]
Please let me know if you're interested, and we can set up a time to chat. Feel free to reply to this email or reach me at [Your Phone Number].
Looking forward to the possibility of working together.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Template for contacting candidates who declined offers
Use this template to reconnect with candidates who previously turned down job offers. It's an opportunity to gauge their current interest and potentially bring valuable talent on board.
Subject: Reconnecting with an Exciting Opportunity
Hi [Candidate's Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to reach out and touch base with you. We were really impressed with your skills and experience during our previous discussions.
We have a new opportunity that I believe aligns well with your background and interests. If you're open to exploring this, I'd love to provide more details.
Please let me know if you have some time to chat this week. Looking forward to catching up!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Company Name]
[Contact Information]
Template for reaching out to silver medalists
This template is perfect for contacting runners-up from previous hiring processes. It allows you to revisit strong candidates who narrowly missed out on roles in the past.
Subject: Checking In - [Previous Role Title] at [Company Name]
Hi [Candidate Name],
I hope this email finds you well.
My name is [Your Name] from Adaface, and I'm reaching out from [Company Name]. We remember you from your application for the [Previous Role Title] role back in [Month, Year]. While you weren't selected at that time, we were very impressed with your [mention 1-2 specific skills or experiences].
Since then, things have been moving quickly here at [Company Name], and we have some new opportunities that might be a good fit for you.
- Are you still open to new opportunities?
- Would you be interested in a brief chat to discuss your career goals and see if there's a potential match?
Please feel free to reply to this email or schedule a time directly on my calendar: [Link to your calendar]
Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Title] [Company Name] [Your Contact Information]
Template for contacting candidates from acquired companies
Use this template when reaching out to employees from recently acquired companies. It's a tactful way to explore potential fits within your expanded organization.
Subject: Exploring Opportunities at [Your Company] Following [Acquired Company] Acquisition
Hi [Candidate Name],
I hope this email finds you well.
My name is [Your Name] and I'm a recruiter at [Your Company]. As you know, [Your Company] recently acquired [Acquired Company].
We're excited about bringing together the talent from both organizations and are exploring opportunities for individuals from [Acquired Company] to contribute to our team. Your background in [Candidate's Area of Expertise] caught our eye, and we believe your skills could be a great asset to [Your Company].
We understand that acquisitions can bring about change, and we want to make this transition as smooth as possible. We're currently looking for talented individuals in roles such as:
- [Relevant Role 1]
- [Relevant Role 2]
- [Relevant Role 3]
Of course, these are just examples, and we're open to discussing other possibilities as well.
Would you be open to a brief conversation to discuss your career goals and how they might align with opportunities at [Your Company]? Please feel free to reply to this email or schedule a time that works best for you here: [Link to Scheduling Tool (Optional)]
We look forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,
[Your Name] [Your Title] [Your Company] [Your Contact Information]
Template for re-engaging with passive candidates
This template is designed for rekindling conversations with passive candidates you've previously engaged. It's an effective way to maintain relationships and explore new opportunities.
Subject: Catching Up - [Your Company] & New Opportunities
Hi [Candidate Name],
Hope you’re doing well!
It's been a while since we last connected, and I wanted to reach out and see how things are going. I remember being impressed with your background in [Candidate's Skill/Area of Expertise] when we spoke about the [Previous Role] role.
At [Your Company], we've been working on some exciting new projects, and I thought your skills and experience might be a great fit for some of the opportunities we currently have. We are always looking to grow our team with talented people.
Would you be open to a quick chat to discuss your career goals and see if there's a potential match? No pressure at all, just exploring possibilities.
Here are some of the areas we are looking at:
- [Area 1]
- [Area 2]
- [Area 3]
If you're not looking right now, no worries at all! I'm always happy to connect and stay in touch for future opportunities.
Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Your Name] [Your Title] [Your Company] [Your Contact Information]
Template for seasonal hiring from past applicants
Use this template when sourcing candidates for seasonal positions from your past applicant pool. It's an efficient way to staff up quickly with pre-vetted candidates.
Subject: Seasonal Opportunity at [Company Name] - Your Skills Needed!
Hi [Candidate Name],
Remember applying to [Company Name] before? We do!
We're gearing up for our seasonal hiring and thought of you. We have an opening for a [Job Title] position that might be a great fit.
Here's a quick rundown:
- Position: [Job Title]
- Location: [Location]
- Duration: [Start Date] - [End Date]
- Key Responsibilities: [List 2-3 key responsibilities]
Interested in learning more? You can:
- Review the full job description here: [Link to Job Description]
- Reply to this email with your updated resume and a quick note about your availability.
We're looking to fill these roles quickly, so don't hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name] [Your Title] [Company Name]
Download Sourcing Past Candidates Email Templates in multiple formats
Pitfalls to Avoid in Sourcing Past Candidates Emails
Reaching out to past candidates can be a goldmine for recruiters, but it's easy to stumble. Let's explore some common mistakes to steer clear of when crafting these emails.
Generic messaging: One-size-fits-all emails rarely hit the mark. Personalize your message by referencing the candidate's specific skills or previous interactions with your company.
Ignoring timing: Contacting candidates too soon after a rejection or too late after their initial application can be off-putting. Strike a balance and consider the candidate experience when timing your outreach.
Lack of context: Failing to explain why you're reaching out now can confuse candidates. Clearly state what's changed or why the new opportunity might be a better fit.
Overlooking data privacy: Always ensure you have permission to contact past candidates. Respect data protection laws and give recipients an easy way to opt out of future communications.
Wrapping Up
Sourcing past candidates is a powerful strategy to expand your talent pool. By using these email templates and following best practices, you can effectively re-engage with potential hires and streamline your recruitment process.
Remember to personalize your approach, maintain a professional tone, and provide clear next steps. With these tools in your arsenal, you're well-equipped to tap into a valuable resource of pre-screened talent for your organization's hiring needs.
Sourcing Past Candidates Email Template FAQs
Why should I re-engage with past candidates?
Past candidates are a known quantity. You already have their information and some insight into their skills and experience, making them a potentially faster and more cost-effective hire.
What's the best way to approach a candidate who declined an offer?
Acknowledge their previous decision and express that you understand their reasons. Highlight any changes within the company or the role that might make it more appealing this time around.
How can I keep past candidates engaged even if I don't have an immediate opening?
Candidate nurturing is key. Share company updates, industry news, or relevant job postings to stay top-of-mind. Consider creating a talent community for ongoing engagement.
What should I avoid when re-engaging with past candidates?
Don't assume they remember you or the previous interaction. Personalize your message and provide context. Avoid generic, mass emails that feel impersonal.
How can I track the success of my re-engagement efforts?
Use recruitment metrics like response rates, interview conversions, and ultimately, hires. This data will help you refine your approach and measure the ROI of your re-engagement strategy.
Should I mention why the previous candidate wasn't selected?
Generally, it's best to focus on the present opportunity and the candidate's potential fit now. If they ask directly, provide constructive feedback tactfully.
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