Your first impression often isn’t a handshake. It’s a subject line.
Recruiters spend hours crafting the perfect message to candidates, only to see it go unopened. The truth? Even the most compelling opportunity won’t matter if your email never gets clicked. A strong subject line can be the difference between a missed connection and your next great hire.
Jay Schwedelson, founder and CEO of GURU Media Hub, has built and led businesses that have generated over $400 million in revenue, all by doing what most marketers are too afraid to try: breaking the so-called “best practices.” He joins the podcast to talk about what subject lines actually increase open rates and what best practices you should ignore.
5 Proven Strategies for Higher Open Rates
Here’s how to write recruiting subject lines that actually increase open rates, plus examples you can start using today.
Cleared candidates likely receive dozens of messages a week. Many are vague, overly generic, or clearly mass-sent. Job seekers have learned to ignore them.
A great subject line does three things:
- Feels personal
- Highlights value
- Creates curiosity (without being misleading)
If it looks like spam, it gets treated like spam.
1. Personalize Whenever Possible
Adding a candidate’s name, skill set, or current company can significantly boost open rates.
Examples:
- John, your TS/SCI experience caught my eye
- Quick question about your cybersecurity background
- Opportunity for a cleared DevOps Engineer in Denver
2. Be Clear About What’s in It for Them
Candidates care about growth, compensation, mission, flexibility, and impact, not just job titles.
Examples:
- Remote Cyber Role Supporting National Security
- $160K+ Software Engineering Role | TS/SCI Required
- Lead a Cloud Migration for a Federal Program
3. Keep It Short and Mobile-Friendly
More than half of emails are opened on mobile devices. If your subject line gets cut off, you lose attention. Keep subject lines under 6–8 words or about 40 characters when possible.
Examples:
- Cleared Network Engineer – DC
- Ready for Your Next Mission John?
- Security Architect | Remote !!!
4. Create Curiosity (Without Clickbait)
Tease the opportunity without being vague.
Examples:
- A role that aligns with your clearance
- Confidential program hiring cleared talent
- Katie, can we talk about your next move?
Test and Track What Works
What works for cleared engineers may not work for logistics professionals. A/B test subject lines across similar candidate pools and monitor open rates. Even small adjustments like adding a location or compensation range can make a measurable difference.
Recruiting emails don’t compete with other recruiters, they compete with everything else in someone’s inbox. A thoughtful, concise, and relevant subject line signals respect for a candidate’s time and attention.
Before you hit send, ask yourself: Would I open this? Because in recruiting, opportunity starts with an open.
