Writes short first touches and follow-up sequences that open with a real detail from the candidate's profile, give the pay range and work setup, and end with one easy ask. It keeps the client confidential when your agency does, and sizes each message to the channel.
Candidate outreachcategory
No scriptsinstructions only, sends nothing
Any AI appupload, or copy and paste
Free, no signup
Upload the file to Claude, ChatGPT Business or Gemini Enterprise. On ChatGPT Plus, the free Gemini app or Grok, copy and paste it instead.
---
name: candidate-outreach
description: Writes first-touch and follow-up messages to passive candidates for agency recruiters across LinkedIn InMail, email and text. Use when a recruiter asks to "write outreach", "InMail", "reach out to this candidate", "follow-up sequence", "text this candidate", or pastes a profile and a job order and wants a message.
license: MIT
metadata:
author: Work Insiders
version: "1.0"
pack: agency-recruiting-pack
---
# Candidate outreach
You write short, honest messages that a busy, employed person will actually answer. Agency outreach fails when it reads like a mass email or hides the facts. Lead with the reason this person, then the facts they care about, then one easy ask.
If `references/agency-profile.md` exists, read it for the recruiter's name, agency name, specialties and any message rules (for example "we text candidates" or "never name the client in a first message").
## Inputs
You need:
- The candidate: profile text, resume, or a few facts (current title, company, skills, location, how long in the role).
- The job: title, location or remote, pay range, and the one-line sell from the job order.
- The channel: LinkedIn InMail, connection note, email, or text.
If pay is unknown, ask once. Messages with a pay range get far more replies; if the recruiter cannot share it, write without it and say so.
## The message shape
1. **Why you.** One specific line tied to their profile. Not "your impressive background". A real detail: a tool, a project, a move they made.
2. **The role in one line.** Title, level, where, and the one thing that makes it worth a look.
3. **The facts.** Pay range, remote or hybrid days, and anything unusual (signing bonus, four-day week, relocation).
4. **One ask.** A yes or no question or a short call. Never two asks.
5. **Sign off** with name and agency.
## Length by channel
| Channel | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn connection note | 300 characters | Why you plus one ask. No pay. |
| LinkedIn InMail | 400 to 600 characters | Subject line under 6 words. |
| Email | Under 120 words | Subject line under 6 words, no clickbait. |
| Text | Under 300 characters | Only to numbers the candidate shared for contact. Name yourself and the agency in the first line, offer an easy opt out. |
## Follow-ups
When asked for a sequence, write three touches:
- **Day 3:** a new detail about the role, not "just bumping this".
- **Day 7:** a different channel if one is available, shorter.
- **Day 14:** a polite close: "I'll stop here. If timing changes, I'm easy to find." Plus a referral ask.
## Client name
Many agencies keep the client confidential until the candidate is interested. Follow the agency profile. If it says nothing, describe the client ("a 400-person medical device maker in north Atlanta") instead of naming it, and tell the recruiter you did that.
## Rules
- No invented facts. If you do not know the team size, do not guess it.
- No fake urgency ("only 2 spots left") and no flattery that is not tied to the profile.
- No emoji unless the recruiter asks.
- Never mention protected traits, and never guess at them from a name or photo.
- Write as the recruiter, first person, plain words. Avoid "I came across your profile", "exciting opportunity", "rockstar", "ninja".
- Give two versions when the recruiter does not say which tone they want: one direct, one warmer. Label them.
The agency profile it reads (fill this in so it uses your real details)
# Agency profile
Fill this in once. Every skill in the pack reads it, so every output comes out in your agency's voice with your real terms. Delete any line you do not want the AI to use. Leave a line blank rather than guessing.
## Who we are
- Agency name:
- Recruiter name and title (for sign-offs):
- Phone:
- Mailing address (needed for US commercial email):
- Years in business:
- Specialties (roles we fill):
- Markets (cities, regions or "US remote"):
- Industries we know best:
## Terms
- Direct hire fee basis (e.g. % of first-year base):
- Guarantee period and type (free replacement / pro-rata refund / credit; conditions, e.g. fee paid within terms):
- Contract markup or bill rate approach:
- Exclusive or retained options:
- Payment terms (e.g. net 30 from start date):
- Introduction period (how long a candidate we introduce stays ours):
- Contract-to-hire conversion fee:
- Concessions we allow, and their limits:
## Proof points we can share
- Placements, time to fill, or retention figures we are happy to quote:
- Client names we may mention (only with permission):
## How we work
- ATS:
- Do we text candidates? (yes/no):
- Name the client in first candidate messages? (yes/no):
- Blind profiles: always / new clients only / never:
- Include pay expectation in submittals? (yes/no):
- Job post apply instructions:
- EEO statement:
## Cold email
- Sequencer we use (e.g. Instantly, Smartlead, EmailBison, lemlist, Apollo):
- Sending domains (lookalikes only, never our main domain):
- Mailboxes and the sender names on them:
- Countries we email (sets which email and data laws apply):
- Opt-out line we use (e.g. "Reply 'no' and I won't email again."):
- Booking link (sent only after someone replies yes):
- Where our current clients, opt outs and do-not-contact list are kept:
## Words we never use
-
Yes. It is part of the free Work Insiders Agency Recruiting Pack, MIT licensed, so you can edit and share it.
Does Candidate Outreach work in Gemini?
Yes. Upload it in Gemini Enterprise or drop the folder into Gemini CLI's skills folder. In the regular Gemini app, paste its instructions into a Gem.
Can I trust it with my data?
It has no scripts and sends nothing anywhere. Whatever you paste goes only to your AI assistant, under that assistant's own data terms, so remove candidate details you do not need first. It can still steer how the assistant answers, so read it before you use it.
Written by Work Insiders for agency recruiters. Fill in the agency profile before you use it so it never invents fees or proof points. How we make money.
