Yes, writing a killer resume is important to get noticed by your employers. But, even before they look at your resume, they are most likely to analyse the email that you sent. And one trivial mistake can land your email and your resume in the trash folder of your employer’s mail. Whether you use a resume builder or write the resume on your own, your hard work may just go down the drain if you do not write the email properly. So, here are the six major steps you must follow while emailing the resume to your potential employers. These steps ensure that you tick all the checkboxes and make sure your email is noticed by hiring managers.
- Read the directions mentioned on job descriptions carefully
Let’s say the job that you are applying for has mentioned that the resume should be in the format of a nursing resume. But, you end up writing the resume in a completely different format. Would your potential employer be interested in reading your resume or contacting you for further interviews? No, because you didn’t cater to their requirements, and hence they won’t spend their valuable time reading your email.
Make it a point to read and follow the directions mentioned in the job descriptions carefully. If the direction asks you to save the resume in a specific name, do that. If you are asked to implement a particular format, you do that too. Potential employers are most likely to be interested in your application only if it has followed all the essential guidelines.
- Use an appropriate subject line
An appropriate subject line increases the chances for your job application mail to be opened and seen by your hiring managers. It is, in fact, your first chance to leave a good impression on your potential employers. So, take your time to write this line and catch the readers’ attention.
Here are some steps to follow to write an impressive subject line for job applications:
- Cross-check the instructions
See if your job description has mentioned anything about writing the subject lines. If not, you can use the standard format like:
Job Application-Job Title, Your Name
- Clarify the purpose of your email
Mention the terms ‘job application’ or ‘job title’ in the subject line to help your hiring managers understand what your email is about.
- Include job-specific keywords
Including your job-specific keywords can help you make it through the filters that might be present in your recipient’s inbox.
- Address the recruiter by her/his first name
This tip will come in handy if you already know the recruiter’s name. Addressing the recruiter by her/his first name helps you add a human touch to the email, thereby setting your job application apart from the rest. However, you can just use ‘Recruiter’ if you don’t know the person’s name yet. Here are some examples to help you understand this point better.
If you know the recruiter’s name
- Hi “First Name”
- Hello “First Name”
If you don’t know the recruiter’s name
- Dear Sir/Madam,
- Dear Recruiter,
You don’t want to offend your readers when it comes to getting job applications approved. Do you? Thus, it is imperative to address the recipient appropriately so that your application doesn’t go unnoticed.
- Write clear and concise opening lines
Do not divert from the purpose of sending the email. You want your potential employers to notice, open, read and take action after reading your job application. The recruiters out there are not your friends, and they will not be interested in your personal stories or experiences, no matter how serious they are. Thus, the opening lines of your email should be clear and concise. Do not beat around the bush since 40% of recruiting managers spend less than a minute reviewing resumes.
Examples of how opening lines in a job application email should look like:
Incorrect
Hi there Marty!
My entire family, including me, have always been regular watcher of your TV show. My sister would not eat her food if she missed even of your episodes. It has my dream to work on the sets of your show, and it will be an honour if I am able to do so.
Correct
Hi Marty,
I have attached my resume, as mentioned in the job description. Kindly have a look at it.
- Name the attachment and add a signature
Certain job descriptions may instruct you to paste the resume in the email body. In that case, the resume should occupy the body of your email. There’s no need to attach the resume as a separate file. However, if nothing as such is mentioned in the description, you need to attach the resume as a separate file and name it appropriately.
Your employers can see the name of the attachment. So, make sure it sounds professional and relevant to its nature and purpose. Include your name as well in the title of the document. So, the format looks something like this:
First name – Last name – Resume
Avoid using a generic name such as ‘Resume’ or ‘Resume1’ since that not only appears unprofessional but also leaves a bad impression on your recipients. Add your signature along with your contact details at the bottom. The signature should consist of your name, phone number, email address and the URL of your LinkedIn profile.
- Keep it simple
Your hiring managers are busy people. They are just looking for candidates who have the potential to add value to their organisation and boost their productivity. So, convey the same in your job application email without exaggerating anything. Write relevant content only related to why you might be the perfect fit for the job. Instead of writing a lengthy email, keep it brief and simple. Use a simple easy to read font and style.
Here’s what you shouldn’t use:
- HTML text
- Emoticons
- Coloured fonts
- Images
Wrapping Up,
You must have been very focused and careful while writing your resume. Do not lose focus even when you are writing your job application email. From the subject line to the signature, every aspect of your email is important. One pesky error can make your hiring managers believe that you might not be serious about this job. So, follow the steps mentioned above and send your resume without a second thought. You will get positive responses from your dream job.
Author Bio:
Rene Wilson is a recruiting manager at a reputed firm in the United Kingdom. She also guides students on how to use topic generator at MyAssignmenthelp.com. Rene loves to watch movies in her free time.
