Write personalized recruiting outreach messages to passive candidates and referral requests.
---
name: sourcing-outreach
description: When the user needs to write recruiting outreach messages to attract passive candidates or request referrals.
related: [job-description, interview-kit]
reads: [startup-context]
---
# Sourcing Outreach
## When to Use
Activate when the user asks to write cold outreach to potential candidates (LinkedIn InMails, cold emails), craft referral request messages, build a multi-touch follow-up sequence, or improve response rates on existing recruiting outreach. Also activate when the user is sourcing for a specific role and needs help personalizing messages at scale.
## Context Required
- **From startup-context:** Company name, one-line mission, stage/funding, notable investors or customers, recent milestones, and team size.
- **From user:** Role being hired for, the candidate's name and background (LinkedIn profile, blog posts, talks, open-source work), what specifically drew the user to this candidate, and the communication channel (LinkedIn, email, Twitter DM).
## Workflow
1. **Research the candidate** - Review the candidate details provided by the user. Identify 1-2 specific, genuine connection points: a project they shipped, a talk they gave, an open-source contribution, a blog post, or a career pattern that signals fit.
2. **Choose the outreach template** - Select from: cold LinkedIn InMail, cold email, warm intro request, referral ask, or follow-up. Each has different length and tone constraints.
3. **Draft the message** - Write a short, personalized message using the PRC framework (see below). Keep LinkedIn InMails under 300 characters for the preview. Keep cold emails under 150 words.
4. **Add a clear, low-friction CTA** - The ask should be small: a 15-minute call, a reply with interest level, or permission to send more details. Never ask for a resume or formal application in cold outreach.
5. **Build the follow-up sequence** - Draft 2-3 follow-ups spaced 4-7 days apart. Each follow-up adds new information (a company milestone, a team blog post, a relevant data point) rather than just "bumping" the thread.
6. **Review for tone** - Ensure the message sounds human, not templated. Check that personalization is specific enough that it could only apply to this candidate.
## Output Format… load the full skill through Skill Me