Cold Email Templates for Jobs, Referrals, and LinkedIn (2025 Guide)

In today’s fast-paced job market, effective communication is key to making a memorable first impression. Whether you're reaching out to a hiring manager, requesting a referral, connecting on LinkedIn, or following up on an application, how you craft your message matters. These customizable templates will help you navigate common professional scenarios with confidence and clarity. Always tailor your emails to the specific company, role, and recipient, as generic messages are less likely to stand out or pass ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).

This guide includes templates for:

  • 📧 Job Inquiry Emails: Capture attention and showcase your enthusiasm.
  • 🎓 Internship Inquiry Emails: Highlight your academic and project experience.
  • 🤝 Referral Request Emails: Request referrals professionally and tactfully.
  • 🔗 LinkedIn Connection Requests: Build meaningful professional connections.
  • ⏰ Follow-Up Emails: Stay top-of-mind without being intrusive.
  • 📄 Cover Letters: Present your skills and passion persuasively.

📧 Job Inquiry Email

Craft a concise, enthusiastic email to express interest in a specific role and demonstrate your fit. Research the company’s recent projects or values to make your enthusiasm authentic, and mention a specific detail to show you’ve done your homework.

Subject: Inquiry About [Job Title] at [Company Name]

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I’m [Your Name], and I’m excited about the [Job Title] opportunity at [Company Name], which I discovered on [Job Board/Company Website]. With my background in [Your Field/Industry] and expertise in [Specific Skills/Relevant Experience], I’m confident in my ability to contribute to your team’s success.

I’m particularly inspired by [Company Name]’s [specific company value, project, or mission, e.g., "commitment to sustainable innovation"]. My experience in [specific skill or achievement] aligns closely with the role’s requirements, and I’m eager to bring my [specific quality, e.g., "problem-solving skills"] to [Company Name].

Please find my resume attached for your review. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills can support [Company Name]’s goals. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[LinkedIn Profile or Portfolio Link, if applicable]

🎓 Internship Inquiry Email

Showcase your academic background and enthusiasm for learning in this professional outreach. Highlight a specific course, project, or skill that directly relates to the internship, and emphasize transferable skills from academics or extracurriculars if you lack professional experience.

Subject: [Internship Title] Opportunity at [Company Name]

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I’m [Your Name], a [Your Year, e.g., "junior"] at [Your University], majoring in [Your Major]. I’m reaching out to inquire about potential [Internship Title] opportunities at [Company Name] for [desired time frame, e.g., "Summer 2026"].

I’m inspired by [Company Name]’s [specific project, value, or achievement, e.g., "innovative AI solutions"]. Through my coursework and projects, I’ve developed skills in [relevant skills, e.g., "data analysis and Python programming"], which I believe align with your team’s objectives.

My resume is attached for your review. I’d be thrilled to discuss how I can contribute to [Company Name]’s mission. Thank you for considering my inquiry.

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[LinkedIn Profile or Portfolio Link, if applicable]

🤝 Referral Request Email

Politely request a referral while showing appreciation and alignment with the role. Build rapport by referencing a shared connection, event, or mutual interest, and be clear that the referral is optional to avoid seeming pushy.

Subject: Request for Referral: [Job Title] at [Company Name]

Hi [Referrer's Name],

I hope you’re doing well! I’m exploring opportunities in [industry/field] and noticed that [Company Name] is hiring for a [Job Title] role. Given your experience with the company, I’d greatly appreciate it if you’d consider referring me for this position.

I’m excited about [specific aspect of the company/role, e.g., "their focus on user-centric design"], and my experience in [relevant experience or skill] makes me a strong fit. I’ve attached my resume for your reference.

If you’re comfortable, I’d also love to hear your insights about [Company Name]’s culture or the role. No pressure at all, and thank you for considering my request!

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[LinkedIn Profile or Portfolio Link, if applicable]

🔗 LinkedIn Connection Request Message

Make a professional and concise connection request to grow your network. Personalize the message by referencing a specific post, project, or achievement from the recipient’s LinkedIn profile to make it more engaging.

Hi [Recipient's Name],

I’m [Your Name], and I’m passionate about [industry/field]. I was impressed by your work in [specific area, e.g., "cloud computing solutions"] and would love to connect to learn from your insights.

I’m currently [briefly describe your role or goals, e.g., "a software developer exploring AI-driven projects"]. I look forward to staying in touch and potentially collaborating in the future.

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]

⏰ Follow-Up Email for Job Inquiry

Gently follow up to stay on the hiring manager’s radar while reinforcing your interest. Keep follow-ups concise and send them 7-10 days after your initial application unless otherwise specified in the job posting.

Subject: Follow-Up on [Job Title] Application

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I’m following up on my application for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], submitted on [date]. I remain enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to [specific company goal or project, e.g., "your mission to advance renewable energy solutions"].

Please let me know if there’s any additional information I can provide to assist in the decision-making process. I’d be happy to discuss my qualifications further.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[LinkedIn Profile or Portfolio Link, if applicable]

📄 Cover Letter Template

Present your qualifications and enthusiasm in a professional, ATS-friendly format. Use keywords from the job description to make your cover letter ATS-friendly, and quantify achievements (e.g., "increased sales by 15%") to add impact.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Today's Date]

[Hiring Manager's Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I’m excited to apply for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as advertised on [Job Board/Company Website]. With [Number] years of experience in [Your Industry or Skill Set], I’ve honed skills in [specific skills, e.g., "project management and data analytics"] that align with your team’s needs.

At [Previous Company], I [specific achievement or responsibility, e.g., "led a team of five to streamline operations, saving 20% in costs"]. This experience strengthened my ability to [specific skill or knowledge], which I’m eager to apply at [Company Name].

I’m inspired by [Company Name]’s [specific aspect, e.g., "commitment to cutting-edge technology"]. I’m confident my background in [relevant skills or experience] can contribute to your continued success.

My resume is attached for your review. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills align with [Company Name]’s goals. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

🙏 Post-Interview Thank You Email

Send a concise, professional thank-you note within 24 hours of an interview to reinforce your interest and leave a positive impression. Reference a specific topic discussed during the interview (e.g., a project, challenge, or value) to personalize the message, and adapt the tone based on whether the interview was virtual, in-person, or panel-based.

Subject: Thank You for the [Job Title] Interview

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

Thank you for the opportunity to interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name] on [date]. I enjoyed our [in-person/virtual] discussion about [specific topic discussed, e.g., "your team’s innovative approach to cloud-based solutions"], which deepened my enthusiasm for joining [Company Name].

My experience in [relevant skill or achievement, e.g., "designing scalable systems"] aligns closely with [specific role requirement or company goal, e.g., "your goal of enhancing system efficiency"], and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team’s success. If you were part of a panel interview, consider addressing all interviewers or the lead interviewer and mentioning a collective highlight, e.g., "the team’s shared passion for innovation"].

Please let me know if there’s any additional information I can provide. Thank you again for your time and consideration, and I look forward to the possibility of joining [Company Name].

Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[LinkedIn Profile or Portfolio Link, if applicable]

Additional Resources

By using these templates as a foundation and customizing according to your requirement, you’ll be well-equipped to make a strong impression in your professional communications.

🧰 Useful Resources for Your Placement Prep