Cold email templates for software engineers

Before you use any template

Find one reason this company, in one sentence: their product, a recent launch, a blog post, the round they raised.
Pick one achievement that matches their stack or problem, and put a number on it (latency, cost, time saved, users, uptime).
Keep the whole email under about 120 words, and attach your resume as a PDF.
Send from your own email, Monday to Thursday morning in their time zone.

To a startup founder or CTO

Founders read their own email at small startups. Be brief, show you understand the product, and offer to help with something specific.

Founder or CTO

Subject: Engineer who's built {relevant thing}, for {Company}

Hi {First name},

I've been following {Company} since {launch, post or round}; {one sentence on what you find interesting about the product}.

I'm a {role} with {N} years in {stack}. At {Current company} I {built X}, which {result with a number}.

If you're growing the engineering team, I'd love to help with {specific area}. Open to a 15-minute call? Resume attached.

{Your name}

To an engineering manager about a posted role

Engineering manager

Subject: {Role} on {Team}: {one-line proof}

Hi {First name},

I saw the {Role} opening on {Team}. The work on {what the team owns} is close to what I do now: {one sentence}.

Recently I {result with a number}, using {the stack they list}.

I've applied on the careers page too. Would a quick call be useful? Resume attached.

Thanks,
{Your name}

For a referral at a large company

At large companies, write to an engineer at your level on the team, not a director. Make it easy: link the exact job, say why you fit in two lines, and offer your resume so they can submit it.

Referral request

Subject: Referral for {Role} ({Job ID}) on {Team}?

Hi {First name},

I'm applying for {Role} ({link to the job post}) on your team, and I'd be grateful for a referral if you think I'm a fit.

In short: {N} years in {stack}; at {Current company} I {result with a number}.

My resume is attached. Happy to answer anything, and no worries at all if you'd rather not.

Thanks,
{Your name}

To a recruiter

Recruiter

Subject: {Role} at {Company}: {N} years in {stack}

Hi {First name},

I'm interested in the {Role} role ({link}). I have {N} years in {stack}, most recently {result with a number}, and I'm {notice period / location / open to relocation}.

Could you tell me if my background fits what the team needs? Resume attached.

Thanks,
{Your name}

Follow-ups

Reply in the same thread, so they see your first email right above.

Day 4

Hi {First name}, bumping this in case it got buried. Happy to share more about {relevant project} if that helps. {Your name}

Day 10

Hi {First name}, one last note: {something new: a small idea for their product, a related project, or a new result}. If the timing isn't right, no worries at all. Thanks for reading. {Your name}

Questions people ask

What subject line works for a cold email to an engineering manager?

The role and one concrete proof point, such as "Backend engineer: cut API latency 60% at {Company}". Specific beats clever.

Should I attach my resume to a cold email?

Yes, as a one-page PDF. Mention it in the last line, and keep the email itself short instead of repeating the resume.

Is it better to email a recruiter or the hiring manager?

The hiring manager or a team member first, since they decide or can refer you. A recruiter is a good route when the role is posted and you can't find the team.

Let Cold Email Desk do the slow part

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