Recruiters don’t have time to decode your riddles, so make it simple. Here are 5 tips to make sure you sound professional when you send a job email to a potential employer!
Table of Contents
1. Proofread, proofread, proofread any job email to employers
Always proofread to make sure it says EXACTLY what you want it to say. There is nothing more annoying – or embarrassing for you – than reading any email, let alone a job email, riddled with mistakes.
Capitalise the correct letters, spell and use the right words, and make fully formed sentences with the correct punctuation.
2. No Shorthand
While it may look cool af 2 txt your m8s lyk dis, recruiters will not be as interested in your abilities of shortening words and phrases to a few letters and numbers.
If you would like to be taken seriously then leave the abbreviations, emojis and slang for your mates, to make sure that nothing gets past and potentially fast tracks your application to the ‘STFU & GTFO Pile’.
3. Active writing is effective communication in job emails
The passive voice is where the subject is acted upon instead of acting itself, it makes for long and wordy sentences that use up your space. University lends itself to a passive academic writing style, but on your applications you should always be active.
Forget the long fancy wording and phrasing and get straight to the point, you do not need unnecessarily long descriptions or words.
- Active; I created the current sales strategies being used at company X.
- Passive; I was responsible for creating the new sales strategies, that are now currently being used by company X.
4. Avoid quick-fire job emails
If you are using email, then make sure to review the tone, quality of content and especially the language before you hit send. Make sure that you do not make enemies or upset a potential employers.
5. The 3 P’s
You should always think about these when contacting potential employers, recruiters or during your application process.
- Punctual: If they contact you do not wait days, weeks, or even months to send them a response, try to respond within a 48-72 hour window maximum. This will show that you are a serious candidate but also gives you enough time to draft and proofread an appropriate job email.
- Professional: Remember to always go for a more formal approach than casual, to avoid coming across unprofessional. Especially if you are unsure of who will be reading your application or job emails.
- Polite: Manners go a long way, especially when contacting people you wish to work with or for. Keep in mind that demanding and taking a harsh tone will definitely not put you in the good books.
If you need some more tips for effective communication with employers check out; Tips for communicating successfully with recruiters.
Now that you know how to effectively communicate with potential employers, check out Magnet.me to connect with companies that are looking for someone like you!