The Ultimate Secret of How to Apply for a Job via Email

Most large companies have automated application systems, but that’s not the case with smaller employers. Suppose you’re interested in a job opening at a lesser-known company. Here are a few helpful job application email tips to help you get your first job.

Make Sure Your LinkedIn Profile Is Flawless and Matches the Job You’re Applying For

Surveys show that no matter how detailed and well-thought-out a candidate’s job application is, most recruiters and employers will still find their LinkedIn profile and other social media. They might be looking for discrepancies between your application and profile, so make sure there are none before sending the email. Everyone appreciates integrity.

Sure, if you send out a bunch of emails to apply for different positions, you can’t change your LinkedIn profile to match each of them. And there’s no need to. But you need to ensure that nothing in your LinkedIn contradicts what your resume, cover letter, and job application email say about your skills, education, and experience.

If you’re about to apply for your dream position or a company you’ve always wanted to work at, consider refining your LinkedIn profile. Among other things, this implies expanding your network, creating a catchy and informative headline (that reflects what you do), and getting rid of buzzwords akin to “good under pressure.” Recruiters are tired of seeing the same phrases for a gazillionth time.

Include Your Resume, a Well-Written Cover Letter, and, if Needed, Your Portfolio

An email is important because it ties your job application together. But the attachments tell your potential employer or recruiter everything they need to know about you as a professional. That’s why you must spend enough time polishing your resume, cover letter, and portfolio samples before writing the first line of the application email.

Both a resume and a cover letter are mandatory. Add it even if there’s no explicit cover letter requirement in the job listing. It’s your chance to tell your potential employer who you are on your terms. If you can afford this, hire a cover letter writing service such as one from skillhub.com, to help you draft a cover letter that’ll make everyone reading it want you as their employee. It’s an art, and it requires some serious writing skills.

Whether or not you need to attach portfolio samples depends on your career and the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, SMM manager, or writer, your portfolio is by far the most critical part of your resume. But if you’re an accountant or an HR professional, you’re lucky—no one expects samples from you.

Follow the Standard Format

A job application letter isn’t the best place to unleash your creativity. It’s a formal piece of writing that serves a specific purpose: to let your potential employer know that you’re interested in the job opening and introduce the documents you’re attaching. Job application letters are supposed to follow a standard format. Here are their key elements:

• An introductory paragraph where you explain why you’re writing. Once you’ve added a concise subject line and greeted the reader, specify the position, you’re interested in because companies often have several job openings simultaneously. Do everything to prevent confusion.
• One or two body paragraphs where you explain why you think you’re a good fit for the position. If you’re attaching a cover letter, stick to just one section to avoid repeating the same things repeatedly.
• One more paragraph where you mention everything you’re attaching. Also, thank your potential employer for taking the time to review your application. Showing gratitude is a massive part of business etiquette and is very relevant in a job application email.
• Formal or semi-formal closing followed by a signature. Ideally, your email signature should include your contact information to make things easier for the people who’d like to talk to you over the phone instead of simply writing an email response.

The Ultimate Secret: Show That You Aren’t Just Copying and Pasting the Same Email Application Over and Over Again

The most important secret (which isn’t a secret, really) about writing a winning job application email is ensuring that it seems honest and authentic to the person reading it. Recruiters and employers appreciate candidates genuinely interested in the company and will show impressive work commitment if hired.

Most job application letters out there are generic. Job seekers use them to apply for multiple positions without changing anything. Don’t make the same mistake. To convince the reader that you’d like to fill their job opening (and not just any job opening), be specific. Talk about what you want from the job and what makes you a perfect candidate

Double-Check Everything

Finally, ensure that the job application email you’re about to send is flawless. It is the first thing that a recruiter or potential employer will read about you, so you need to make a good first impression. An unprofessional email address, typos, and inconsistent fonts affect your hiring chances.

One of the worst yet very common mistakes is forgetting to add attachments. Many candidates fail to attach resumes and cover letters before hitting “send.” Unfortunately, not all recruiters and employers are polite or interested enough to write back to such candidates and ask them to attach their resumes. So basic inattentiveness might cost you your dream job.

In a Nutshell

Writing a job application email isn’t all that difficult, but it still requires research and practice. A good email introduces the applicant and their goals to potential employers and lists everything they’re attaching to the email (resume, cover letter, portfolio samples). It also follows the standard format and communicates the applicant’s desire to fill the position they’re applying for.