Job Searching

4 Tips to Write the Perfect Job Application Email

Sarah O’Mahoney

Marketing Specialist and Freelance Writer


Job application emails are a necessary part of your job hunting checklist. Applying for jobs can be done in many different ways, such as online platforms, by email, and if you like to be old school, you can drop off your resume by hand. In current times, applying for jobs through email is a popular method. With this in mind, it’s important to know what exactly a job application email should include and how to compose one. So let’s break it down bit by bit and gain a better understanding of job application emails. This article will equip you with everything you need to write a perfect professional job application email in no time. 

What Exactly is a Job Application Email?

Essentially, a job application email is a cover letter. The email should include everything you would normally put in a cover letter, such as which job you are applying for, a little bit about your skills and experience, and why you are great for the role. This email is also an opportunity to let the interviewing panel know when you are available for an interview and how best to contact you. The overall goal of this email is to entice the hiring person reading the email to go ahead and open your attached resume. 

You must remember that the hiring team could be receiving hundreds of job application emails, so it’s essential you put some time aside to make sure it is well put together, professional, and engaging. Your job application email should only be one page in length, so it’s key to find all the relevant information to fill this short space.

So, now that we know what exactly a job application email is, let’s try and get a better idea of how to write one. We will provide you with the best advice on how to write a job application email that will put you on the right track to bagging your dream job. 

Tips for Writing a Professional Job Application Email

Consider Your Subject Line

Like all professional emails you send, your subject line needs to be clear and straight to the point. As we mentioned earlier, hiring managers and interviewing panels will receive many job application emails, so ensure yours is brief and to the point. Making the hiring process as easy as possible for the hiring team should be your top priority. Having a well-written subject, which gives them an insight into what the email contains will work in your favor. 

It may be useful to include the job title you are applying for. This is because the company may be hiring for a few different positions at the same time. For example, the hiring team may want to look at applications for the Operations Manager role first, as opposed to the Business Analyst role that they are also recruiting for. Again, this goes back to making life that little bit easier for the hiring team and manager. Also, keep in mind that the job application may require you to write something specific in the subject line, so make sure to double-check.  

Here are some examples of what you could write for your job application email subject line:

Whichever subject line you end up choosing to go with, just make sure it is to the point and professional! 

Keep It Professional

By now, we’ve established that a job application email should be kept professional. This is not the time to use colloquial language or slang. First impressions are super important when it comes to applying for a job, and first impressions begin from your first communication with the company. Being professional in your emails is a great way to put your best foot forward when applying for any job. It will help you to across as competent, efficient, and experienced. 

In order to stay professional in your job application email, discuss aspects that are only related to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a job in video editing, there is no need to mention your love for gardening in this email. Keep the more personal stuff for chit-chat when you land the job!

Include Everything Relevant

Your job application email needs to include everything that a cover letter would. This is your chance to prove why you are the perfect candidate for this role. Make sure your job application email includes the following:

  • Why you are writing: This is simple. You are writing to apply for a job. It should be noted, once again, that you need to include the name of the job you are applying for. Just to reiterate, this is to let the employer know right away which job you want. It also avoids confusion if the company is hiring for a couple of different roles. 
  • Your skills and qualifications: Remember the email should only be about a page long, so there is no need to go into too much detail here. You can just briefly highlight your previous work experience that is relevant to the job you are applying for. Your resume will go into more detail on your skills and experience so it’s okay just to write a sentence or two on the email. 
  • Your contact information: It is super important to include your up-to-date contact information in the email. This is for reasons that may seem obvious. For one, the interviewing panel may need your details to contact you for an interview. 
  • How you can contribute to the role and company: This links back to your skill and qualifications, so you can keep this brief. Try and highlight why you are the best for the role, and briefly mention what you can bring to the table. Highlighting something unique about yourself can help you set yourself apart from the crowd. Consider your accomplishments and see if they are relevant here.

Proofread Everything!

We have mentioned previously that first impressions are super important when applying for a job. Seeing as your job application email will be the first point of contact between you and the company you are applying to work for. It needs to be polished. 

We are all capable of making a typo or silly grammar mistake. Usually, they are not the end of the world, but they can have a more serious implication when it comes to a job application email. Even if your resume is top class and you tick all the right boxes for the company, something as small as a spelling error can jeopardize your chances of getting hired. 

It can be helpful to ask a friend to give a look over your email. Often, a fresh pair of eyes will spot out errors more than you might, seeing as you’ve been looking at the email for quite some time. If you don’t have someone else to have a look at it for you, not to worry. Just read over the email slowly and carefully, and try to take in each word. It may take an extra few minutes to complete this step, but it is definitely worth it. 

Example of a Job Application Email

Now that you have the main tips on how to compose a job application email and what to keep in mind when doing so, let’s have a look at an example. You can let this example act as a rough guide for your own email. It may be helpful in terms of structure and what to include. 

Subject: Marketing Manager at Company X – John Smith 

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the job of Marketing Manager at Company X, as advertised online. I am very interested in this role and it matches perfectly with my experience, qualifications, and skills. Company X has always been a company that I admired and aspired to work with one day, so it is with great pleasure that I submit my resume for your consideration.

I graduated from NYU with a Master’s degree in Marketing Management in 2010. Since then, I have worked in the industry in roles such as Marketing Assistant, Social Media Manager, and most recently as Marketing Manager. In my last job as Marketing Manager, within the hospitality sector, I oversaw all marketing projects and campaigns, put together budgets for the campaigns, worked with advertising agencies, and reviewed and approved all marketing material. As a manager, I also ran the marketing department and ensured all objectives were accomplished, as well as managing staff, training, and ensuring a safe and secure work environment within the department.

My previous roles in the area of marketing have enabled me to develop excellent analytical thinking skills, as well as problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills, which are all critical to this role.

I would be happy to discuss my skills and experience in greater detail during an interview. I am available at your convenience and can be contacted by phone at 287-868-0088. 

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Sincerely, 

John Smith 

Conclusion

So there you have it! Job application emails hopefully are not as daunting as you may have thought after going through our complete guide. We have covered everything from what a job application email is to the best tips to consider when writing one. We also included an example to help you piece it all together. 

A few important takeaways from this article include:

  • First impressions matter – Take your time writing the email, and don’t forget to proofread.
  • Put your best foot forward – Make sure to highlight why you are the best candidate for the job. It is worth remembering that they may be hundreds of applicants applying for the job, and these candidates likely have similar experiences and qualifications, so set yourself apart. 
  • Be professional – this is not the time to be casual or informal. Remain professional throughout your email. This will help you project a good first image and will work in your favor.

Now you are officially equipped to write a killer job application email, go and smash it! Happy Job Searching!

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