Can you imagine communicating without email? It is part of our everyday life and the way many employers receive cover letters and resumes from potential candidates. So, if you don't know email etiquette, you're in for a rough ride.
Related: Follow Up Tips: What To Do When Your E-mail Goes Unanswered
Even if you think you have it down, you should take another look at the tips below.
Subject Line
The first thing seen is the subject line so make that work for you. For example, “Over 10 Years Ranked as the #1 Sales Performer" will certainly demand reading. Even if you have to reference the job posting number, include a summary of who you are in an attention getting way.
Email Tone
Respond with the same tone or err slightly more conservatively than the employer presents itself in the job posting to be on a common ground for communications. Remember that people hire people they like and every communication is a chance to build rapport, so keep it conversational and not too stuffy.
Embedding Graphics
You don't know if the employer is on the same email system as what you use, so while that fancy graphic may look nice, it may come out to look like a broken image file upon receipt. Avoid embedding logos and graphics to email.
Email Length
The only purpose of the email, just like a cover letter, is to get them to read your resume. Keep your email short and to the point of what you can do for them. Have short paragraphs and make sure it is easy to read.
Read Receipt
You may want to know when your cover letter and resume has been received and read, but the employer receiving the email with the request for read receipt can get turned off quickly. Not only does it send a signal that you don't trust the employer and the process it has in place, but employers do not have an obligation to respond to each email received and requesting for it is imposing that on them.
Urgent Delivery
Marking your email as urgent or of high importance does not necessarily give it special attention. Employers may find it annoying that the feature is being abused when you're applying to the job like every other job candidate.
Keep these tips in mind the next time you're applying for a job via email or in correspondence with a potential employer. The last thing you want to do is irk the employer and loose a chance at the job opportunity or an interview.
This post was originally published on an earlier date.
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