I am introducing the following litmus test to define what a good recruitment email looks like:

1. Message is personalized (beyond first name).
2. Sender mentions a common interest or connection.
3. Sender clearly read my blog, or my github.
4. Sender sounds like a human, not a corporate PR robot.
5. Pitch is targeted towards plausible next steps in growth of my personal career (skills, experience level, location).

Bonus points:

• Sender found a personal intro to me. (+1 point)
• Sender provides plausible next steps for me to research opportunity. (+1 point)
• Sender mentions exact salary. (-1 point)
• Sender uses the word ‘unicorn’ or draws comparison to Uber, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. (-1 point)
• Pitch is for a remote-only position or for a skill I have not used since college. (-1 point)

I strongly encourage anyone who receives a recruiter email that does not get a 4/5 on this litmus test to reply with a strong rapport-breaking message: