First touch · Candidate spec-in

Recruiter spec-in email: pitching a candidate (template)

A spec-in email introduces one strong, anonymised candidate to a hiring manager with a matching open role. Give three short bullets on experience, a recent achievement and what they want next, then ask if they'd like the full CV.

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First touch Candidate spec-in Recruiting & staffing

a [the role] for {{company}}

Alex <alex@[your company].com>
to {{first_name}} · Hiring Manager at {{company}}

Hi {{first_name}},

Saw {{company}} has a [the role] opening. I'm working with someone who I think would fit it well, and they won't be on the market for long.

A quick profile, anonymised for now:
- [years] years in [their specialism]
- Recently led [specific achievement]
- Looking for [what they want next], open to hybrid or remote

They've seen the role description and it's close to what they're after.

Would you like the full CV?

Alex

P.S. If you've already filled the role or prefer not to work with agencies, a quick note is fine and I won't follow up.

Grade subject Spam check 77 words
Worked example

The same email,
filled in.

How it reads once every bracket holds a real detail. The company and people are invented.

a senior data engineer for Corvel Analytics

Alex
Example email

Hi Tom,

Saw Corvel Analytics has a senior data engineer opening. I'm working with someone who I think would fit it well, and they won't be on the market for long.

A quick profile, anonymised for now:
- 8 years in data platform engineering
- Recently led a warehouse migration that halved nightly load times
- Looking for a lead role on a small platform team, open to hybrid or remote

They've seen the role description and it's close to what they're after.

Would you like the full CV?

Alex

How to personalise it

What goes
in each bracket.

[the role]
Use the job title exactly as it appears in their advert on their careers page or a job board, so the hiring manager recognises it at once. Add seniority if the advert does.
[years]
The candidate's relevant years of experience as a plain number, taken from their CV. Count only experience that matters for this role, not their whole career.
[their specialism]
The area of expertise that matches the role, in the advert's own language. "Tech" is weak; "data platform engineering" is strong because it maps straight onto the job description.
[specific achievement]
One recent, concrete thing they led, without naming the employer. "Worked on big projects" is weak; "led a warehouse migration that halved nightly load times" is strong. Confirm it with the candidate first.
[what they want next]
What the candidate is looking for, from your screening call. Make it fit the role honestly, such as "a lead role on a small platform team". Don't stretch it to match.
Why it works
  1. 01

    It leads with a person, not an agency pitch, which is what a busy hiring manager actually wants.

  2. 02

    Three short bullet points are enough to judge fit without revealing who the candidate is.

  3. 03

    Asking 'want the CV?' is a single, easy yes that starts the relationship.

When to use it

Use it when you have a genuinely strong candidate who matches an open role. Don't send the same profile to every company hiring that title; it shows, and it damages trust with the candidate too.

Avoid this

Don't share details that could identify the candidate (current employer, exact title) before they've agreed to be put forward.

Send nextFollow-up 1: a useful resourceOpen template →
FAQ

Questions
about this email.

Many recruiters do, but check the careers page first, as some companies say they won't accept agency CVs. Keep the profile anonymised and agree terms before you share the full CV.

A handful of genuinely good matches, with the candidate's agreement. Sending them everywhere damages trust on both sides.

Usually not. Share them once the hiring manager asks for the CV, so the conversation starts with fit rather than cost.

More templates
for the same moment.

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First 90 days in a new role

For someone who's just started a senior role: offer help with an early win, without assuming what their priorities are.

Open template → Event · Manufacturing

After the conference

For manufacturing contacts you crossed paths with at an industry event: pick up a topic from the event, not a sales pitch.

Open template →
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