The dos and dont of your job application email
So you’ve worked on your resume all week and are ready to take the big leap of faith and send out that job application email, what should you consider? Just like with resume reading statistics, recruiters are bombarded with hundreds to thousands of applications per week. You have to go the extra mile to stand out and invite the recruiter to check out your resume. Your emails, just like your resume, should reflect the kind of professional you are or aspire to be. With only 15 seconds to grab someone’s attention, your scrappy emails won’t get you so far. So here’s what you can do to improve your chances of getting noticed through your email application;
- The Unsolicited email
I got my first job through an unsolicited email. This means you send out your job application to a recruiter or employer when they have not advertised a suitable job position for you. This is usually to let them know that you are available and actively(or passively)looking for a certain type of job and are open to a discussion when a suitable opening comes up. You could do this if you’re desperately or actively looking for a new job eg recent COVID layoffs or if you’re really keen on working for your dream employer are keen on going the extra mile in your job search. There’s no harm in shooting your shot. Fortune does favor the bold and statistics also show that majority of positions aren't advertised across job boards. You literally have nothing to lose here by sending that email. For a great unsolicited application, template check this out.
- The job application email
This is sent out by candidates who wish to apply for advertised positions by a company or recruiting agency.
So whether your email is solicited or not, here are some dos and don’ts;
The subject
Your email subject is as important as the email itself. It’s how recruiters screen/filter email applications very fast. Most job ads will specify what you should indicate in the subject line. DO NOT ignore that. Simply copy-paste the job title AS IS to your email subject line. Do this even when not specified and in the unsolicited email as well. Be clear about the job position you’re applying to or are interested in in the future. A good example of a subject like this is “Application for Social Media Manager Position at Apple Co.” Keep it short and precise.
The email itself
Do not be one of those countless applicants who submit hundreds of emails per day to companies and don’t personalize. The recruiter wants to feel like you are interested in the job position and the company. If you’ve done your homework well and have researched the job and employer well, be sure to highlight these 3 key things and present a strong argument on -
Why this particular job?
Why this particular company?
Why are you the best person for this job?
Keep the content short and precise. Remember the goal is to get them excited enough to want to read your resume which offers a better representation of your professional qualifications and achievements. You can also attach a cover letter or copy-paste it here to summarise your resume.
The resume
Do not forget to attach your resume or any other documents that the job ad requires. If you’re using modern emailing tools like Gmail or Zoho fortunately they will remind you to upload one if you’ve forgotten. Make sure your resume is in good format and helps you win. Check out our earlier pieces on this before clicking send. Remember to also label your resume/cv correctly. Use such titles as John_Doe_Resume2020 or John_Doe_Social_Media_Manager. This will be helpful when the recruiter wants to easily find you or your application.
The address
For years candidates have been told that everything in their application matters. It's the little things they say. One of those little things that can easily show a bad impression of you is your email address. Yes! sexychic@yahoo.com may work for email alerts from advertisers but you cannot use such addresses for professional purposes. Be sure to have an address that most likely has your full name in it. Again for visibility & search because you want to be easily found. Email tools will usually inform you which good addresses are available upon sign up and you can choose the easiest to remember. Doing this will also help avoid your email going to the SPAM folder of recruiters, just like with a good subject line.
The salutations
Some commonly accepted salutations for job applications may include Dear John Doe, Dear Miss Jane Doe, Hello Miss Jane Doe, Dear Recruiter/Recruiting Manager/Director, Good morning/afternoon/evening Sir/Madam/. Stay away from the casual language in your emails such as Hi or WhatsApp or Hey. Keep it formal and professional.
The close
The same principle applies to the close. Keep it formal by using terms like Kind Regards, Sincerely, Faithfully, etc.
Cross-check that everything looks OK before hitting the send button. Use grammar tools like Grammarly to check for spelling & grammar errors for free. You can also share the email with a friend for a second opinion. Also, check this out for templates and examples that you could borrow as well.
If you’re feeling satisfied with everything, click send and cross your fingers. If it was meant to be it will be. All the best.
Do you have any more tips for candidate's emails? Feel free to drop them in the comments below.
Still looking for more, check out our earlier piece with more info on unsolicited applications and job search tips. “Our top 6 job search tips for fresh graduates”
New Addition: Use CHATGPT
All the best.
Still looking for more? Check out https://medium.com/jobonics/what-every-candidate-should-consider-when-writing-their-cv-part-2-6a397855fae7
