Most candidates send their CV with no message or with an elaborate text that repeats what’s already in the attachment. Both approaches are wrong.

The message to a recruiter (sometimes called a cover letter or intro message) is a short text in the body of an email or in the “message” field on a recruitment platform. Its job is to convince the recruiter to open your CV and spend more than 10 seconds on it.

The problem is that recruiters receive dozens, sometimes hundreds of applications for a single role. Your message gets the same amount of time as your CV: a few seconds. If it doesn’t grab attention quickly, it won’t grab it at all.

Why most recruiter messages don’t work

The most common mistakes are sending no message at all or sending a message that adds nothing.

Some candidates send a CV with no text. Just an attachment. The recruiter opens the email, sees an empty message with a file, and has to guess what position you’re applying for and why. This looks like lack of engagement.

Others write long, formal texts full of generalities. “I am writing to express my interest in the position…”, “I am a motivated specialist with many years of experience…”, “I kindly request consideration of my application…”. This sounds like a template copied from the internet. The recruiter will read the first sentence and move on.

Still others copy the entire summary from their CV into the message. This wastes the recruiter’s time. If everything you write in the message is already in your CV, why read it at all?

What a recruiter message actually is

It’s not a cover letter in the traditional sense. You don’t have to write a formal half-page document. It’s a short, direct message that answers one question: why you, for this role, right now?

The message should be in the body of the email or in the text field on the recruitment platform. Don’t attach it as a separate file. Recruiters want to read it immediately, not open another document.

Length: 3 to 5 sentences. Maximum 150 words. If you can’t present your candidacy in this space, the problem isn’t the length of the message, it’s that you’re trying to say too much.

Structure that works

A good recruiter message has three parts: hook, justification, and call to action.

First sentence: the hook

Start with what’s most relevant about you for this specific role. Not “I am writing to express my interest in the position…”. That’s noise that says nothing.

Instead: “I’ve spent the last 5 years leading product teams in B2B SaaS, and your Head of Product role looks like the right next step.”

This sentence says who you are, what you do, and why you’re applying. One sentence is enough. Make it specific and directly related to the job offer.

Middle: one or two concrete reasons why you fit

Choose one or two points from your CV that most directly match the job requirements. Don’t list everything. That’s what the CV is for.

“In my current role at [Company], I led a team of 8 and took the product from 0 to 50k users in 18 months. I noticed you’re looking for someone who can build from early stage. That’s exactly where I do my best work.”

This shows you read the job description, understand the requirements, and have specific experience that fits the role. You’re not saying “I have experience in product management.” You’re showing what you did and how it answers the company’s needs.

Closing: clear next step

End with a simple, confident call to action.

“I’d welcome a call to discuss. Happy to work around your schedule.”

Don’t write “I kindly request consideration of my application.” That sounds archaic and passive. Don’t write “I hope to hear from you.” That sounds uncertain.

End confidently. You’re assuming you’re a good candidate and that a conversation makes sense. If you don’t believe that, the recruiter won’t either.

How long should it be

3 to 5 sentences. No more than 150 words. If you’re writing more, you’re probably repeating what’s already in your CV or going into details that can be saved for the interview.

Recruiters don’t have time to read long messages. If the message is shorter than the CV, they’ll read it first. If it’s longer, they might skip it entirely and go straight to the CV.

Common mistakes to avoid

Copying the summary from your CV word for word. If the message is identical to the first paragraph of your CV, why write it at all? Use the message to add context or emphasize something that’s not in the CV.

Starting with “My name is…”. The recruiter sees your name in the “from” field of the email. Don’t waste the first sentence introducing yourself. Start with why you’re applying.

Explaining gaps or weaknesses. The recruiter message isn’t the place to explain why you don’t have all the required skills or why you have a gap in employment. Focus on what you have, not what you don’t. If the recruiter has questions, they’ll ask in the interview.

Using generic phrases. “I am a motivated specialist with communication skills” fits any job at any company. It says nothing. Be specific. Refer to the job requirements and show how your experience matches them.

Attaching the message as a separate document. Don’t create a PDF file with the message and attach it with your CV. Put the message in the body of the email or in the text field on the recruitment platform. Recruiters want to read it immediately, not open another file.

Writing about what the company can give you. “This role is a great opportunity for my development” sounds selfish. The recruiter isn’t hiring to help you with your career. They’re hiring to find someone who will solve the company’s problem. Focus on what you can give the company, not what the company can give you.

Tone: formal or conversational?

It depends on the company culture. If you’re applying to a startup that writes job postings casually, your message can be less formal. If you’re applying to a law firm or consulting company, the tone should be more professional.

If you’re not sure, choose something in between: professional but warm. Not stiff, but not too casual. Avoid slang and emojis (unless the company clearly uses them in communication). Write as if you’re talking to someone you respect but don’t know personally.

Is a recruiter message always necessary?

Not always. If the recruitment platform doesn’t have a message field or explicitly says “don’t attach a cover letter,” don’t write one. If the job posting says “send CV to address X,” send the CV without additional text unless you have a specific reason to write more.

But in most cases, a short message helps. It shows you took time with the application and that you understand what the company is looking for. It distinguishes you from candidates who send just a CV with no context.

How AI can help write recruiter messages

The hardest part of writing a recruiter message is phrasing why you fit the role in a specific and convincing way. It’s easy to fall into generalities or repeat what’s already in your CV.

FitMyCV generates a recruiter message alongside your CV, tailored to the specific job offer. The tool analyzes the job requirements, identifies the most relevant elements of your experience, and creates a short, direct message you can edit before sending.

This saves time and helps avoid common mistakes (too long message, generic phrases, repeating the CV).

Try FitMyCV for free →