How do you write a cold email for a job?

Write to one named person, open with one fact about their company, propose a specific role with one result that proves you can do it, and ask for a short call. Keep it under 150 words and attach your resume or CV as a PDF.

What is a speculative job application?

It is an application sent to an employer that has not advertised the role, usually by email with a CV attached. The term is common in the UK; elsewhere it is called an unsolicited application or a cold email for a job.

What subject line should I use for a cold email for a job?

Name the role and one strength, for example "Warehouse supervisor with 6 years in e-commerce fulfilment". Avoid vague lines like "Job inquiry", which give the reader no reason to open it.

Should I attach my resume to a cold email?

Yes, as a PDF named with your name. The email does the persuading; the attachment lets an interested reader check the details without asking you for them.

How long should I wait before following up?

About ten working days. Follow up once by replying to your own email, in three lines, then stop or switch to a short LinkedIn message.

Is cold emailing for a job unprofessional?

No, when it is targeted and short. What reads as unprofessional is a generic message sent to many companies, or repeated follow-ups. Check the careers page first: some large employers ask you to apply only to published roles.

Application9 min read

Cold email for a job: templates, subject lines, follow-up

How to write a cold email for a job that gets a reply: finding the right person, subject lines, four templates and a follow-up that is not pushy.

By the ApplyOnClick editorial team · Published 28 September 2026

A cold email for a job is a short, direct message to someone at a company that has not advertised the role you want. In the UK it is often called a speculative application; elsewhere, an unsolicited application. It works when it is sent to one named person, says in one line why this company, proposes a specific role and asks for a small next step. Below: how to find the person, subject lines, four templates and the follow-up.

When a cold email is worth sending

The company is small or growing, and hires through people rather than job boards.
You can name the team you would join and what you would do there.
You have one concrete reason to write to this company.

Some large employers state that they do not accept unsolicited applications and ask you to apply to published roles. Check the careers page first; if it says so, set a job alert instead.

Find the right person

Write to the person who would manage you or the head of the team, not to a generic inbox. In a small company that can be the founder. Use the company's team page and LinkedIn to find the name; if an email address is not published, send a short LinkedIn message rather than guessing an address.

Subject lines

Subject lines to adapt

Warehouse supervisor with 6 years in e-commerce fulfilment
Junior data analyst interested in your pricing team
Speculative application: bookkeeper, available from March
Your new Leeds office: experienced receptionist
Following up: speculative application of 3 October

Name the role and one strength. "Job inquiry" or "Looking for opportunities" gives the reader nothing to decide on.

The structure: five short blocks

Greeting by name.
The link: one factual sentence about the company.
The offer: the role you propose and one result that proves you can do it.
The ask: a ten minute call, and your availability.
Signature: name, phone, LinkedIn. Resume or CV attached as a PDF.

Template: experienced

Subject: Warehouse supervisor with 6 years in e-commerce fulfilment

Hi Sarah,

I saw that you opened a second fulfilment centre in Coventry this summer.

I have supervised night shifts of 25 pickers in e-commerce fulfilment for six years, and last year cut our mis-pick rate by a third by reorganising slotting. I would like to help you ramp up the new site, as a shift supervisor or team lead.

Would you have ten minutes for a call next week? My CV is attached.

Best regards,
Tom Harris
+44 7700 900000

Template: graduate

Subject: Junior data analyst interested in your pricing team

Hi Daniel,

Your team's post on dynamic pricing for regional airlines is the reason I am writing.

I graduated in June in statistics, and my dissertation modelled demand for rail tickets with Python and SQL. I would love to start my career as a junior analyst in your pricing team.

Could we have a short call? My resume is attached, and my dissertation code is on GitHub.

Thank you,
Priya Shah

Template: career change

Subject: Former teacher interested in your onboarding team

Hi Emma,

Your product is used by schools, and I taught maths for eight years before retraining in customer success.

I have just completed a customer success certificate and would like to join your onboarding team: I know how teachers adopt new tools, and what makes them give up.

Would a short call in the next two weeks work for you? My CV is attached.

Kind regards,
Mark Wilson

Template: no specific role

Subject: Speculative application: office and admin support

Hi Laura,

I have followed your studio's work for a while, especially the library renovation in Bristol.

I have three years of office administration experience, including invoicing and scheduling, and I would be glad to support your team in admin, reception or project coordination.

I am available from next month. Would you be open to a short chat? My CV is attached.

Best,
Olivia Brown

Tip : even without a specific role, name a family of roles. "Any position" leaves the reader to work out where you fit, and they will not.

The follow-up

If you hear nothing after about ten working days, reply to your own email once, so the context stays visible. Keep it to three lines and offer something small.

Follow-up

Subject: Re: Warehouse supervisor with 6 years in e-commerce fulfilment

Hi Sarah,

Just following up on my email of 3 October. I am still very interested in helping the Coventry site ramp up, and happy to fit a ten minute call around your schedule.

Best regards,
Tom

One follow-up by email, then stop or try a different channel (a short LinkedIn message). More than that reads as pressure.

Mistakes that get a cold email ignored

"To whom it may concern" and no name anywhere.
A paragraph about you before any mention of them.
No role named, or "any position".
The same email sent to twenty companies with only the name changed.
Several follow-ups in a week.

Checklist

☐ One named recipient, found on the company's own pages or LinkedIn
☐ A subject line with the role and one strength
☐ One sentence showing why this company
☐ A specific role or family of roles, and one proven result
☐ A small ask: a ten minute call
☐ Resume or CV attached as a PDF, date sent and follow-up date noted

Doing it for ten companies, not one

The slow part is tailoring: a different resume emphasis and message per company. ApplyOnClick writes a tailored CV and a matching letter or message from your real experience, without inventing anything, and tracks every application with its follow-up date. You review and send it yourself. For a broader plan, see the hidden job market and how to track your applications.