AI technologies impact – sometimes in a pretty confusing way! – more and more aspects of professional and everyday life, and the job market is no exception. With recruiters widely applying AI resume screening to facilitate candidate selection and using AI checker GPT to filter out applications generated by chatbots, it has become increasingly challenging to draw attention to your CV. Addressing the hiring manager directly and applying by email instead of a job search platform can increase your chances of being considered for your dream position – especially, if you accompany your resume with a strong email. Let’s see how to approach crafting one so you sound convincing and professional!

Find the right recipient

Even the best email on the planet is powerless unless it reaches the right person. The best approach will be to find the hiring manager on LinkedIn or the company website and contact them directly, addressing them by name.

Example: Hello Kelly Fisher, / Dear Jamie Taylor,

✨Pro-tip: Consider the time for sending your email. Ideally, you want it to be among the first things the recruiter sees when opening their mailbox in the morning. Hence, sending the application early, before 8 am, can increase your chances of being noticed. Also, the later in the week you apply, the more probable the recipient is already snowed up under the correspondence and won’t consider your letter. The best option is to send an email on Monday. At the same time, you don’t want to be late with the application; so, if you see your dream vacancy on Wednesday, you’d better not postpone it till Monday. Go craft that email and send it before 8 am Thursday!

Write from a professional email

Your email address is the first thing your recipient will see – ensure it makes the right impression! So, better avoid writing from a personal mailbox, especially if it includes the nickname you had when you started it in your twenties. Also, better refrain from using numbers and exclamation marks. Your full name will be the best option; if it’s already taken, come up with an address based on your initials.

Example: aleksanderwatts@email (alexwatts@email; awatts@email)

✨Pro-tip: Write your full name and contact information in the email footer to add credibility. You may also want to mention your position and add a link to your LinkedIn profile there.

Make it clear from the start

Along with your account details, the subject line is your first touch with the manager. Make sure it gives a clear understanding of the content of the email. It will also help the recruiter to find your letter in the future! Mention your name and the position you are interested in. You may also want to include the person who recommended you the job if it’s applicable.

Example: Job Application – Marketing Manager – Carolyn Styles

Referral from Joshua Nickson: Job Application – Marketing Manager – Carolyn Styles

✨Pro-tip: The same rule applies to the names of the documents you attach – they should reflect the content and make it easy to find your files. Include the type of the document (Resume / CV / Cover letter), your name, and the position you are applying to.

Keep it short but informative

Remember that your goal is to catch attention and provide the recruiter with a reason to open your resume, not to retell it in your email. Write two to three paragraphs up to three sentences each, including the following information:

  • Introduce yourself: My name is Katherine Smyth, and I am interested in applying for the position of…
  • Mention experience relevant to the position. You will elaborate on your skills and previous jobs in your resume; here focus on the key points that make you a match for the particular role.
  • Demonstrate how you can contribute to the project. This will show you’ve done your homework researching the company details, and prove your genuine interest in the job.

✨Pro-tip: If you are switching positions, focus on your soft skills and previous tasks and experiences that will help you bring benefit to the company in a new role.

Add a personal touch

What is your biggest professional accomplishment you are really proud of? What makes you passionate about your job and inspired about the role you are applying to? How do you think you can empower the team you want to join?

Briefly mention it in your letter to make it more personal and stand out among the hundreds of other candidates. Conclude with your contact information and a suggestion to reach out to you for any further questions.

✨Pro-tip: It’s a common practice to send a follow-up email in case you haven’t heard from the employee in a week or two. You can ask if they require any additional information from you – just ensure to keep it brief and polite!

Proofread before sending

Ensure the final text is nice and polished by sending it to yourself to look at the email from the receiver’s position. Also, ask a couple of trusted friends or a professional consultant to read it and give feedback – it may be hard the see the obvious when you are focused on writing, and sometimes it’s all about typos that we can’t notice after spending hours working with texts!

✨Pro-tip: The company you’re interested in may have specific guidelines regarding applying to the position. In this case, make sure to follow them closely, as it is the safest way to pass through the screening process.

Don’t forget that an introductory email can make a good impression and encourage the HR specialist to consider your application, but you still need a strong and relevant resume to get the job you want:)

PlagiarismCheck.org can help you sound more confident and avoid originality-related worries. Scan for plagiarism and AI traces and proofread your writing before sending it so your text fully reflects your shiny and professional self! Join us now to get a comprehensive toolkit for any writing tasks.