Job Application Email in 2021
Making a good first impression during an interview is important.
Usually, this forms the criteria by which interviewers assess you as a candidate.
With the turn of the 21st century, many job applications have gone online. For a job seeker, your first impression becomes your job application email. This is the first piece of correspondence between you and the recruiter.
Therefore, the structure of your job application email indicates if you’re the type of candidate they’re looking for.
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How to write a formal email for a job application?
Learning to craft a job application email is important given the volume of emails hiring managers receive. Your email must be well-structured and void of errors to maintain a professionalism. Your message must also be concise to avoid becoming cumbersome.
Structure your job application email within a maximum of three paragraphs, consisting of three (3) sentences per paragraph which cover three critical areas:
What do you write in an email when applying for a job?
Address the email appropriately
Sometimes the job advertisement may specify how to address the email – Attn: Mr. /Mrs. /Ms. Other times, it may be up to the applicant to use their discretion. Start your email with a proper salutation – ‘Good morning’, followed by the name of the person you’re addressing. In the event a name is not provided, you can use ‘Sir/Madam’.
Market yourself
Anytime you apply for a job, you are essentially selling your worth to the organisation. Within your email, it is imperative that you state your contribution to the company. Why are you the best candidate? What sets you apart? Why should they hire you? Answer these questions concisely in order to convince the hiring manager of your worth.
Establish your area of expertise
To manage the length of the email, do not regurgitate your entire CV. instead, state your qualifications, your background and years of experience under your belt.
What is the best subject line for a job application email?
In some instances again, the job advertisement would clearly outline what subject line to include. Always follow the instructions specified in the advertisement. If no instruction is given, an appropriate subject line would be to include your name, the word ‘Application’ followed by the job title of the position you’re applying.
For example, a suitable subject heading would be – (Your name) – Application for (Job title). Such a subject line indicates clearly to the recruiter the nature of the email and makes it easy to retrieve your application for future reference.
Email body for job application
After your subject line and initial salutation, it is time to construct the body of your email. Your email can be structured as follows:
First paragraph
Include the following items in your first paragraph:
- Your full name
- The job position you’re applying for
- Where did you come across the job advertisement?
- Your interest in the job
Second paragraph
In this paragraph you market your capabilities by stating your experience and qualifications for the role. Important things to include are:
- Educational background
- Years of experience
- Relevant skills
- One thing you did at your last place of employment that makes you a valuable candidate for this position.
How to close your job application email
Third paragraph
Your last paragraph should reiterate your interest in the position, indicate what documents you have attached and close on a warm note. Thank the recruiter for their time and express your anticipation for their response. It is essential to include:
- CV, cover letter, copies of qualifications or other supporting documents.
- Repeat your interest in the company and position
- Expression of gratitude
- Ending with ‘Yours Sincerely’ and your electronic signature (Full name, phone number)
Errors to avoid in your job application email
Ensure that your email is error free. Errors on job applications diminish your chances of being shortlisted. Edit and proofread your email to avoid the following errors:
- Spelling, grammatical or punctuation mistakes
- Rambling on how much you love their company or reciting your entire CV
- Lengthy paragraphs and complicated language
- Too formal or casual tone. Make it conversational (writing as you speak in standard English)
- Abbreviations, contractions, slang and inappropriate language.
Final tips for your job application email
When editing and proofreading your email, it can be possible to forget to attach your CV and supporting documents. In addition, remember to:
- Send your CV and supporting documents as a PDF. Your recruiter may have a different version of Microsoft Office and your information could become distorted.
- Edit your message to be concise yet conversational and proofread twice. Having a third party to proofread also is beneficial.
- If you know the name of the person to whom you are addressing the email, state it in the opening greeting. If you are unaware of their name, you can use ‘Dear Sir/Madam’.
- Keep it at around three paragraphs maximum.
- Use a professional email address. Your email should be your name followed by your email service provider.
Job Application email template
Download our Job Application Email Template
Subject: Name of Applicant – Name of Position, Job Reference Number (if applicable)
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,
I came across an interesting job position on your website that I believe am well qualified to perform. I am applying for the position of Business Development Officer, within your Marketing & Sales department. After careful consideration of the job description, qualifications required and necessary experience, I firmly believe that I would be a valuable asset to your organisation.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the University of the West Indies. I have five years of sales experience from leading companies in the financial sector. I am looking for an opportunity to leverage my skills in a multinational company like yours. As a sales professional, I have received several awards from past employers for exceeding sales targets as well as qualifying to attend international conferences.
I have attached a cover letter, CV, and copies of my certificates for your consideration. Kindly peruse to get a better understanding of my competency as a sales professional. Thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing back from you regarding my application.
Yours Sincerely,
Name
Phone Number
Keep reading
- Job application email tips
- How to write a job application letter
- How to follow up on a job application email
