When it comes to a job search, we're definitely Team Work Smart Not Hard. And any way you can automate certain aspects of your job search can be beneficial. Not only does it save you time and stress, but it can also lead to better results, especially those related to job post outreach.
We've all seen and read insights about AI and how you can use this to communicate and write better, and cold-emailing is one way you can incorporate AI in order to do so. Here's all you need to know about this and the scripts you can try out in order to land the job you want:
What Is Cold Emailing?
A cold email is something sent to someone you do not know or have no previous real-life connection with. It was traditionally used in sales and business to sell a product or spark interest in a product or service, but today, job seekers can use it to find out about new job opportunities, connect with recruiters, managers, or potential employers, or find out more information about an open role.
The method can be a hit or miss, since sometimes, cold emails end up in spam or trash, especially when the recipient receives hundreds of emails a month and barely knows you. But in some instances, it can lead to big results, like the time this entrepreneur landed an initial $250,000 in startup funds simply by sending a cold email to a potential investor.
Combined with networking and finding ways to interact with a person that’s not necessarily one-on-one but relevant, cold-emailing could be your ticket to getting at least a toe in the door when you want to apply for a certain job at a particular company, or you want to break into a new industry.
Where To Start With Cold Emailing
1. Humble Yourself.
I actually got my gig at xoNecole via cold email. I had a lot of experience at the time working in mostly newsy journalism, and I saw that xoNecole was taking submissions. Interestingly enough, I'd become familiar with the founder—through a personal online blog she had at the time—years before she'd launched this site. While we both worked in media and entertainment, we did not know one another personally, nor had I ever met or networked with her. It was a bit serendipitous that I'd end up cold-emailing to write for xoNecole.
In that moment, I had to humble myself. Though I'd worked for major publishers and had done a bit of featured writing, I was most known for formal, business-toned Associated Press-style stories, and this site's style was more down-to-earth, conversational, and free-flowing. I sent the email, thinking, "What's the worst that can happen? A rejection? No response?"
Well, five years later, here I am, an associate editor, after starting out as a contributor. I simply shot my shot to the appropriate email address, following the appropriate process detailed on the website, and then once I got a few stories published, I asked if they had any need for editing services.
2. Do Your Research.
As I stated before, I read their website to find out how I could pitch myself and the correct email address to contact for that purpose. You'll have to do the same. Do a bit of online digging and find out, first, if there is a formal process to apply for what you need or to get the information you're looking for.
Sometimes, cold emails end up in the trash because they simply went to the wrong person or the sender did not follow simple directions that are part of an already-established process. For example, if the company's website clearly states that you should contact the HR department at a set email address, it might not be wise to first send a cold email to your potential direct manager. Or, if the company requires a certain format for requests or a word count limit for emails, you might want to know that before sending your 1,000-word synopsis of why you'd be great for a job.
Another big no-no is sending an email to someone who has nothing to do with your end result. This is a common and easy mistake to make.
If your inquiry is about an IT role but you're sending it to the marketing department, again, it's easy to simply disregard it. Professionals have limited time, and some can barely manage emails from people they know, so make it harder for them to ignore you by finding out exactly who you need to be contacting.
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3. Be sure the subject line is concise, relevant, and punchy.
Put yourself in the shoes of the stranger you're emailing. Let's say you want the marketing director position that you saw listed on LinkedIn. Well, think about the first thing they'll see when they open their inbox. What would get their attention? What keywords can you use so that they can bookmark and come back to your email if needed? How can you clearly but quickly note why they should open the email in 7 words or less?
As an editor who manages hundreds of pieces of content, dozens of contributors, and gets countless pitches from people I don't know (and probably will never meet), the subject line can make or break whether I actually even read the email; great pitch or not.
Here are a few great subject lines to tweak and make your own. (And sis, please do not just copy and paste these. Customize with your own voice and savvy):
- Re: Job Title: - Your Name, Current Title (You don't have to list the company here)
- Re: Job Posting Number: Job Title, Your Name
- Re: Job Post Inquiry - Your Name
- Job Title Seeking New Opportunity
Here are a few creative subject lines that might be winners if you have a gift of gab. Be sure they're not too salesy, ingenuine, or cheesy, considering the type of job and the industry you're in:
- [Current Job Title + Current Company] – I'd Love To Work With You
- Job Applicant Referred By [name of referral] for Job Title at Company (Make sure this is true.)
- Here's Why [Your Name] Would Be The Best [Job Title] For Your Company (This is headline-style writing. Take a cue from news stories and commercials and get creative with this one. Again, make sure the tone is appropriate and you have an actual knack for this.)
- 10 Things You Didn't Know About [Your Name], [Job Title that references skill needed for the role that you can actually do] (This is another headline-style subject line. Again, only use this one if you're savvy and it's appropriate.)
- Make a great decision before your 2nd cup of coffee. Hire me (give reason)
- Award-winning [Current Job Title] looking for new opportunities
- [Your Name] – the best addition to your team
You can also use ChatGPT for this. Simply use an online platform or an app, type in a prompt or other context around what you want to communicate, and allow AI to do the work. Again, you'll still need to customize this for your own voice and tone, and be sure to proofread it as well.
Tech should complement human intelligence and skill, not replace it, and trust me; people will know when something has been pre-written or scripted and is not authentically you.
What To Include In A Cold Email
There are several key approaches, but they all have a few things in common. First, you want to be sure to get to the point early in your email (i.e., in the first or second sentence), introducing yourself, your skills, and what you need (i.e., applying for the job, requesting a 5-minute virtual meeting, more information about the role, etc).
Be direct and lean heavily into using specific keywords (those major terms about the job, company, or industry that were included in the job post or company's website). Master saying more with fewer words. Address the person by name, but if you don't know it, start with a general "Good morning," or "Good day."
Second, the email should be no more than two to three short paragraphs (maybe four to six sentences each). If they want more information, they will ask for it in a follow-up email. Give them just enough to intrigue or spark interest and make sure, again, that the information is super-relevant to your end goal and in consideration of their time. Here's a good starting point for your opening paragraph:
Good Day,
I am [name], an award-winning [title] who has a passion for [thing one, thing two, and thing three], which is why I'd be a great fit for the [job opening/position]. I have worked in [industry] doing [specific value add 1, value add 2, value add 3] for [time period], and I want to bring those skills to your company.
Reference something you read about the company or that person that inspired you to want to work there or mention a problem that you'd like to have a hand in solving. Try this:
I recently read this article where you spoke about [3-4 words describing what was intriguing] and thought this is a leader I'd love the chance to work with.
I've been following the news of your company's public offering and would like to be part of its new strategy to [fill in the blanks here].
I met you at the Leaders of Tomorrow gala, and you follow a cause that's dear to my heart as well: youth leadership and mentorship.
Long emails about your experience, why you're the best at the job, etc., might get it tossed. People often graze emails and skim because, again, time is limited.
Third, add in key, short bullet points elaborating on your relevant experience, interests, links to your work, or other applicable aspects of your talent and experience that make you competitive in your industry. If you've recently led a campaign, send a link to the actual visual outcome. If you have a professional website, include the link to that. If you've earned awards, mention them.
Again, keep the bullet points short and sweet. Stay away from vague words like "worked on" versus "led the team," or "helped advance," versus "oversaw a $1 million growth in sales." For example:
This year, I:
- Led strategic teams for a 30% increase in sales year over year
- Landed a spot on the "Top 30 Under 30 In Sales" To Watch" list for the National Association of Sales Professionals
- Completed three [list certifications or other educational background insights that were recently upgraded or obtained.)
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And don't forget to list your full name, email address, and the best way to contact you at the bottom of the page. You can attach your resume as well, but be sure this is part of their formal process. Sometimes, your LinkedIn information can suffice, and you won't be sending them large file attachments (which some people really don't like.)
Once you're done with the email, create a template so that you can simply plug the copy in when you're sending multiple emails to different people. (You can also simply save the copy as a Word or Google document and copy and paste when needed.) Avoid bcc'ing or blinding sending mass emails. It's not a good look, and you can easily embarrass yourself by referencing the wrong person, job, or company.
Be strategic by sitting down and listing companies, key people, and your "why" for each. This way, you can narrow things down so that you're not wildly overextending yourself in the process. Set a time/date for doing this, and pace yourself.
Cold-emailing should be part of a larger strategy that includes actual networking, volunteering, socializing, researching, enhancing your skills, and doing quality work in the meantime. Remember, this is simply something to add to your arsenal to put you that much closer to getting the gig.
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RELATED
So, we handpicked one hundred It Girls who embody that palpable It Factor moving through us as young Black women, the kind of motion lighting up the world both IRL and across the internet.
It Girl 100 became xoNecole’s most successful program, with the hashtag organically reaching more than forty million impressions on Instagram in just twenty-four hours. Yes, it caught on like wildfire because we celebrated some of the most brilliant and influential GenZennial women of color setting trends and shaping culture. But more than that, it resonated because the women we celebrated felt seen.
Many were already known in their industries for keeping this generation fly and lit, but rarely received recognition or flowers. It Girl 100 became a safe space to be uplifted, and for us as Black women to bask in what felt like an era of our brilliance, beauty, and boundless influence on full display.
And then, almost overnight, it was as if the rug was pulled from under us as Black women, as the It Girls of the world.
Our much-needed, much-deserved season of ease and soft living quickly metamorphosed into a time of self-preservation and survival. Our motion and economic progression seemed strategically slowed, our light under siege.
The air feels heavier now. The headlines colder. Our Black girl magic is being picked apart and politicized for simply existing.
With that climate shift, as we prepare to launch our second annual It Girl 100 honoree list, our team has had to dig deep on the purpose and intention behind this year’s list. Knowing the spirit of It Girl 100 is about motion, sauce, strides, and progression, how do we celebrate amid uncertainty and collective grief when the juice feels like it is being squeezed out of us?
As we wrestled with that question, we were reminded that this tension isn’t new. Black women have always had to find joy in the midst of struggle, to create light even in the darkest corners. We have carried the weight of scrutiny for generations, expected to be strong, to serve, to smile through the sting. But this moment feels different. It feels deeply personal.
We are living at the intersection of liberation and backlash. We are learning to take off our capes, to say no when we are tired, to embrace softness without apology.
And somehow, the world has found new ways to punish us for it.
In lifestyle, women like Kayla Nicole and Ayesha Curry have been ridiculed for daring to choose themselves. Tracee Ellis Ross was labeled bitter for speaking her truth about love. Meghan Markle, still, cannot breathe without critique.
In politics, Kamala Harris, Letitia James, and Jasmine Crockett are dragged through the mud for standing tall in rooms not built for them.
In sports, Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Townsend have been reminded that even excellence will not shield you from racism or judgment.
In business, visionaries like Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye and Melissa Butler are fighting to keep their dreams alive in an economy that too often forgets us first.
Even our icons, Beyoncé, Serena, and SZA, have faced criticism simply for evolving beyond the boxes society tried to keep them in.
From everyday women to cultural phenoms, the pattern is the same. Our light is being tested.
And yet, somehow, through it all, we are still showing up as that girl, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Because while the world debates our worth, we keep raising our value. And that proof is all around us.
This year alone, Naomi Osaka returned from motherhood and mental health challenges to reach the semifinals of the US Open. A’ja Wilson claimed another MVP, reminding us that beauty and dominance can coexist. Brandy and Monica are snatching our edges on tour. Kahlana Barfield Brown sold out her new line in the face of a retailer that had been canceled. And Melissa Butler’s company, The Lip Bar, is projecting a forty percent surge in sales.
We are no longer defining strength by how much pain we can endure. We are defining it by the unbreakable light we continue to radiate.
We are the women walking our daily steps and also continuing to run solid businesses. We are growing in love, taking solo trips, laughing until it hurts, raising babies and ideas, drinking our green juice, and praying our peace back into existence.
We are rediscovering the joy of rest and realizing that softness is not weakness, it is strategy.
And through it all, we continue to lift one another. Emma Grede is creating seats at the table. Valeisha Butterfield has started a fund for jobless Black women. Arian Simone is leading in media with fearless conviction. We are pouring into each other in ways the world rarely sees but always feels.
So yes, we are in the midst of societal warfare. Yes, we are being tested. Yes, we are facing economic strain, political targeting, and public scrutiny. But even war cannot dim a light that is divinely ours.
And we are still shining.
And we are still softening.
And we are still creating.
And we are still It.
That is the quiet magic of Black womanhood, our ability to hold both truth and triumph in the same breath, to say yes, and to life’s contradictions.
It is no coincidence that this year, as SheaMoisture embraces the message “Yes, And,” they stand beside us as partners in celebrating this class of It Girls. Because that phrase, those two simple words, capture the very essence of this moment.
Yes, we are tired. And we are still rising.
Yes, we are questioned. And we are the answer.
Yes, we are bruised. And we are still beautiful.
This year’s It Girl 100 is more than a list. It is a love letter to every Black woman who dares to live out loud in a world that would rather she whisper. This year’s class is living proof of “Yes, And,” women who are finding ways to thrive and to heal, to build and to rest, to lead and to love, all at once.
It is proof that our joy is not naive, our success not accidental. It is the reminder that our light has never needed permission.
So without further ado, we celebrate the It Girl 100 Class of 2025–2026.
We celebrate the millions of us who keep doing it with grace, grit, and glory.
Because despite it all, we still shine.
Because we are still her.
Because we are still IT, girl.
Meet all 100 women shaping culture in the It Girl 100 Class of 2025. View the complete list of honorees here.
Featured image by xoStaff
So, what causes us to have moments when we’re not experiencing the sound sleep that we so desire? While I wish that I had a black and white answer for you, the reality is that several different factors (sometimes working together) may be the cause. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that if you check out the 10 leading causes below, by process of elimination, you might be able to get to the root of your own restless evenings — so that you can finally get the kind of quality rest that you well deserve.
1. Eating (Too) Late
GiphyLet’s start off with one that has a couple of layers to it. Although it is a good idea to not have a large meal less than two hours before turning in, some experts do say that a light snack that consists of natural melanin, serotonin or tryptophan could be helpful.
The reason why eating too much before bedtime isn’t a good idea is because the digestive process can be a pretty active one. Plus, it increases your chances of experiencing acid reflux and heartburn. On the other hand, snacking on almonds or tart cherries (melatonin), cheese or pumpkin seeds (serotonin) or yogurt or peanut butter (tryptophan) can be just what you need to lull your system to sleep.
Bottom line here: It’s not if you eat but what you eat…and when.
2. Junk Food
GiphySpeaking of foods, if junk food is totally your thing, first check out “Why You Should Consider Leaving Fast Food Alone” — and then at least try avoiding that stuff if you’re heading off to bed. Fried foods are hard to digest. Sugary foods (and carbs) can raise your blood sugar levels. Processed foods contain a lot of salt and salt can raise your blood pressure which can result in sleep disturbances. So, if you’re in the habit of going through a drive-thru at night, here’s a good reason to rethink doing so in the future.
3. Your Bedroom Is Too Hot
GiphyThis one right here, I can absolutely attest to — because when I am hot in a room, I can pretty much kiss sound sleeping goodbye. SMDH. The problem here is that when your body temperature is high, that can mess with your REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Not only that but, in order for your system to produce the melatonin that it needs to keep you sleeping soundly, your body needs to be at a cooler temperature. And that is why your room sitting at somewhere around 65 degrees is ideal.
4. Your Bedding
GiphyI have a friend who just bought a house and I’m getting him a comforter for a housewarming present. Listen, don’t sleep on the power of amazing bedding because it, too, plays a role in how well you rest. Of course, you need to invest in a good mattress (you can read more about that here and here); however, when it comes to things like your sheets and your comforter, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Your sheets need to be made out of breathable fabrics like cotton, not ones like nylon, polyester or even silk. The reason why is because the latter traps in heat and we’ve already discussed what an elevated body temperature can do to you. Oh, and if you’re someone who enjoys flannel sheets during the fall and winter season, it’s probably better to get some blankets that you can “layer your bed” with instead; flannel can get mighty hot in the midnight hour too.
It’s also important that your sheets aren’t too small or too big for your mattress because that can make your bed feel uncomfortable. And comforter-wise, try and go with a color that doesn’t overstimulate you — neutrals and shades of blues, greens and yellows can accomplish this for you. And P.S., one of the best comforter brands around? Coma Inducer. I’ve been rocking with them for several years at this point and I don’t have not one regret.
5. Java and/or Alcohol
GiphyI’m not much of a coffee drinker (although I do adore coffee ice cream; go figure). I didn’t grow up with it (tea was in abundance in my home) and so it’s not something that I ever really think about. I do have friends who will drink coffee before bedtime, though, and that baffles me because coffee (due to the caffeine that is in it) is a stimulant — and that for that reason alone, you’d be better off having it in the morning instead of at night.
As far as alcohol goes, although it technically it’s a depressant, for the first couple of hours that it is in your system, it acts like a stimulant — which means that it tends to put your system on quite the roller coaster ride; one that you should want to avoid if you’re trying to get a good night’s rest.
My recommendation? Go the tea route and sip on some chamomile, lavender, ginseng, green or passionflower tea. All contain properties that are proven to relax your mind, body and spirit, so that you can fall asleep quicker and stay asleep longer.
6. Stress and Anxiety
GiphyListen, the summer of 2025 for me? Whew, chile (check out “I've Been Estranged From My Mom For Years. She Died Last Week.” and “I Was Hired To Be An Online Life Coach. Then Got Scammed For $4K. Here's How To Avoid This.”). Other than the couple of weeks when my mother was on a swift decline (and I was concerned about her physical suffering), thankfully, I didn’t lose much sleep, though — and praise the Lord for that because stress (and anxiety) definitely have a way of jacking up sleep patterns.
That’s because when you are stressed out, your cortisol (which is your stress hormone) spikes and that can hinder sound sleep — which can result in you feeling fatigued and irritable throughout the day. So, if you are stressed out — exercise, journal, meditate, spend quality time with fun and supportive people…oh, and have sex. All of these things are proven ways to calm and relax you — on a few different levels.
7. Late Day Naps
GiphyI adore sleep — always have. So, I can’t even say that it’s my age that has a sistah out here excited about taking a nap in the middle of the day (I work from home). And what I have to watch is not napping for too long or taking a nap that is too late in the day. Why? Because it can totally jack up my sleep patterns because it ends up throwing off my sleep schedule.
According to sleep experts, the way to avoid this is by scheduling your nap out about eight hours before your bedtime and also making sure that your nap doesn’t last any longer than 30 minutes (set an alarm, if you have to). If you do both of these things, you can get the benefits of a nap and the benefits of 6-8 hours of sleep without having to compromise either one.
8. Not Having a Sleep Schedule
GiphyAs humans, we really are creatures of habit. In fact, if you do something consistently enough, it can become automatic to you — it can end up being something that you do without really thinking about it at all. And that’s why it’s a good idea to at least consider coming up with some sort of a sleep schedule; that way, you can train your mind and body to have a pattern of rest.
The beauty of this is a sleep schedule can help you to reduce your stress levels, strengthen your brain, maintain a healthy weight, put you in a better mood and make you more productive throughout the day. On the other hand, not having a sleep schedule can make it really challenging for you to get quality rest at night. It only takes a few minutes to come up with a schedule and it’s well worth your time.
9. Too Much Stuff on Your Bed
GiphyEver heard that a cluttered desk reveals a cluttered mind? If you believe that, how in the world could this not translate to a bed as well? Hell, I even read an article which said that having a lot of stuff underneath your bed can wreck your sleep because it can trigger feelings of anxiety and restlessness and that’s because clutter can overstimulate you and keep you from being at peace.
Look, there’s no telling how many times I’ve said that bedrooms are for sex and sleep only (many interior designers feel the same way) — which means that your bed shouldn’t look like a makeshift office, it shouldn’t have clothes all over it and, even if you are an avid reader, it shouldn’t look like a horizontal bookshelf (where’s your nightstand at?).
You need to feel free to move comfortably about on your bed throughout the night — which ALSO means that, although I personally call pillows “stuffed animals for adults,” you still don’t need a ton of those on your bed either; two for sleeping and 2-3 more for décor purposes are typically ideal.
10. Your Damn Cell Phone
GiphyYou’ve probably heard this before and yet, since reportedly most of us check our phones somewhere around 205 times a day — I’m willing to bet that at least 10 of those times are while you’re in bed or when you’re up to make a bathroom run in the middle of the night. Yeah, as tempting as that might be, try to break that habit because the blue light that emits from your phone can disrupt how your system processes melatonin — and that is another way that you can find yourself really struggling to fall asleep again.
Whatever is on your phone, it can’t wait. It’s not worth your beauty sleep, chile.
BONUS: Imbalanced Hormones
GiphyHormonal imbalance is absolutely something that can have you tossing and turning all night long. If it’s due to all that is going on with you the week before your period, try exercising earlier in the day in order to help you sleep more soundly at night. If it’s because you are in the latter stages of perimenopause, consuming foods that are rich in phytoestrogens (plant-based estrogen) could help to level things out. Some of those foods include sesame seeds, garlic, peaches, berries and cabbage.
____
YOU NEED SLEEP. Yes, I am yelling it because nothing is worth compromising it.
So, if you see yourself in anything that I just said, try making some adjustments tonight.
Within a week or so, you should find yourself sleeping more and tossin’ and turnin’ a heck of a lot less.
Beautiful.
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