Make the next step small and honest
Course overview · 4 min reading + 12 min practice, estimated
Principles and method
Match the request to the relationship. A first contact may ask permission to share details rather than demanding a calendar commitment. State who you are and your relationship to the opportunity accurately. Do not imply exclusivity, a retained mandate or an employer relationship you do not have. Avoid collecting a CV before explaining why it is needed. Provide a usable reply route and respect channel preferences. A concise message should still contain enough context to avoid bait-and-switch conversations.
Worked example
A recruiter has market knowledge but no live mandate. The message invites a market conversation and says that plainly. It does not advertise a fictional vacancy to gather candidate details.
Put it into practice
Write two calls to action: one for a confirmed role and one for a market conversation.
Use fictional information and keep your work in your own notes.
Compare your approach: self-review guidance
The confirmed-role request can offer a brief. The research conversation must identify its actual purpose. Neither should imply a guaranteed interview, offer or confidential client mandate without evidence.
Sources and further reading
Original Academy teaching and fictional examples. These references provide context, not endorsement. Edition 2026.09; updated 2026-09-24.
- CIPD: Recruitment
Professional context for the recruitment lifecycle.
- ICO: Recruitment and selection
UK guidance. Check its current status and updates before implementation.