A good message to a hiring manager is short, specific, and asks for one small thing.

Template

Hi [Name] — saw you're hiring for [Role] at [Company]. I'm interested because [one specific reason about their team or work — reference something concrete].

Quick context on me: [one sentence — current role + relevant experience].

Would you be open to a 15-minute call to learn more about the team?

Thanks!

— [Your Name]

That's 50-80 words. Done.

What to include

  • Specific reason for reaching out. Reference their team, recent work, or something concrete.
  • One-sentence credibility. Current role + most relevant experience.
  • Small ask. 15-minute call, not a job offer.

What to skip

  • Long backstory
  • Resume dump
  • Asking for a referral or job in the first message
  • Generic flattery ("I love your innovative culture")
  • "Hope this finds you well"

When to message vs apply normally

  • Senior or specialized roles: message the hiring manager directly. They make the call.
  • Volume hiring: the recruiter is the right contact, not the hiring manager.
  • Connection-based: if you have a mutual connection, mention them in the first line.

Follow-up

If no reply in 7 days, one follow-up:

Hi [Name] — bumping this up in case it got lost. Still very interested in [Role]; quick reason I think I'd contribute: [one specific thing]. Open to a 15-minute chat anytime.

After that, stop.

When this works

  • You can find the hiring manager (LinkedIn search).
  • You have a specific reason that isn't "I want a job."
  • You're applying to senior roles where the manager makes the hire.

When it doesn't

  • Mass-messaging 50 hiring managers with the same template.
  • Applications already in queue with active processes (let the process run).
  • Roles where the recruiter explicitly handles all candidates.

The bigger pattern

A direct message to a hiring manager can compress a 3-week wait into 3 days. Worth doing for high-stakes roles.

For volume, you don't have time to message every manager. Sorce auto-applies to 5M+ jobs for you — 40 free swipes a day, AI agent submits.

For more: informational interview, how to write a job application email, follow up email templates.