Sending a professional and effective job request message is an important step when reaching out to a potential employer or recruiter. With the prevalence of digital communication, email has become one of the main ways to express interest in an open position or pitch yourself as a candidate. While the job search process can seem daunting, thoughtfully crafted messages can help your qualifications and experience stand out from the competition.
Research the Company and Role
Before you begin drafting your message, research the company, department, and specific role you are targeting. Read through the job description closely, making note of the required and preferred qualifications. Visit the company website to get a feel for the products/services, mission, culture, and initiatives happening across the organization. Follow the company and department on LinkedIn to see current employees and announcements. This context will help you tailor the message and show your interest in that particular opportunity. Demonstrating this awareness is a quick way to stand out from applicants that blast out generic messages.
Key Areas to Research
- Company products/services/mission
- Initiatives or projects happening across departments
- Skills, qualifications, and background required for the role
- Company culture and values
- Work environment and perks
- Department team members and leaders
Craft an Effective Subject Line
Along with customizing the content within your job request message, take time to craft an engaging subject line. Recruiters and hiring managers are more likely to open messages with strong subject lines that immediately establish your purpose for contacting them. Don’t simply write “Job Inquiry” or the generic job title. Instead, include key details like the role title and ID number. You can get creative and use the subject line to highlight a qualification or achievement. Just keep it concise, specific to the opportunity, and professional.
Job Request Email Subject Line Examples
- Application for Senior Marketing Manager (#145692)
- John Smith – Product Designer with 5 Years UI/UX Experience
- Research Assistant Candidate with Biology Degree and Lab Skills
- IT Project Manager Certified in PMP and Six Sigma
Create a Personable Opening
The first paragraph is your chance to introduce yourself and quickly establish your purpose for reaching out. Start by addressing the recipient directly by name and position. Share a brief overview of your background, interest in the company/role, and reason for applying. You want to come across as friendly yet professional. Speak directly to how you are a great match for the open position based on the qualifications and responsibilities.
Job Request Opening Paragraph Examples
- Dear Ms. Davis, My name is John Smith and I am a Certified Public Accountant with seven years of audit experience. I was excited to see your posting for a Senior Auditor role with Reynolds & Associates. Your firm’s commitment to sustainability and nonprofit industry expertise strongly aligns with my own values and interests. I believe my background in external financial statement audits would make me a great addition to your team.
- Hello Mr. Lee, I came across your posting for a Front End Web Developer on Greenhouse Technologies’ website. As a developer with three years of experience coding responsive web applications using React, I was intrigued by the role. Given Greenhouse’s industry leadership in SaaS HR solutions, I would be thrilled to contribute my skills in user-centric design and agile development. Please find my resume attached outlining my experience and technical expertise. I look forward to discussing whether I may be a good fit for your team.
- Dear Ms. Robinson, My name is Sarah Smith and I am an educator with over ten years of experience in elementary school settings. I was excited to see Lewis Public Schools has an opening for a 4th Grade Teacher for the 2022-2023 school year. As a lifelong resident of Lewis County invested in the community, I am confident my student-focused approach and passion for fostering learning would make me an asset to your district. Please find my resume and cover letter enclosed summarizing my qualifications and interest. I welcome the opportunity to join the LPS team as a 4th Grade Teacher.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Experience
The body paragraphs are your chance to expand on your background and directly tie it to the role. Pull out key details from the job description and illustrate how your past experience and qualifications match those needs. Show off the specific skills you have cultivated and quantifiable achievements that would add value. You can also speak to transferable soft skills related to work ethic, problem-solving, collaboration, or communication. Discuss why you are drawn to the company and team’s initiatives happening in that department. Keep it focused on your professional experiences, capabilities, and strengths relevant to the open position.
Tips for Detailing Your Fit
- Refer to the required/preferred qualifications and directly match your background
- Mention specific skills in technologies, systems, or programs required
- Quantify results and impact from past projects or roles
- Connect experiences to current initiatives happening at the company
- Align your values, passions, and interests with the role and company mission
- Avoid generic or exaggerated claims – provide clear examples demonstrating fit
Express Enthusiasm and Gratitude
Close out the message with a short, positive summary statement. Reiterate your interest and enthusiasm for the role within the company. Thank the reader for their time and consideration. Let them know you welcome the opportunity to further discuss your qualifications and fit. Offer to provide any additional information needed as they move forward with the hiring process. Giving your contact information again is also helpful. End with a professional closing like “Best regards” or “Sincerely” and your full name.
Example Closing Paragraphs
- Thank you again for reviewing my resume and background. I am truly excited by the Senior Marketing Manager opportunity at Acme, Inc. and believe my experience would make me a great addition to your innovative team. Please let me know if I can provide any other details regarding my qualifications and interest in the role. I welcome the chance to further discuss how I could contribute to Acme’s continued growth and success. Best regards, John
- In conclusion, I am confident my technical expertise and passion for improving healthcare accessibility through technology would allow me to excel as your Front End Web Developer. I appreciate you taking the time to consider my qualifications and experience. Please let me know if there is any other information I can provide regarding my candidacy. I look forward to hearing from you and further discussing the role. Sincerely, Samantha
- Thank you for reviewing my application materials. I am thrilled by the alignment I see between my background and Lewis Public Schools’ 4th Grade Teacher role. Your district’s commitment to fostering growth and leadership in students strongly resonates with my own educational philosophy. I would be honored to join your team. Please let me know any next steps in the interview process, and I can make myself available at your earliest convenience. I look forward to learning more about this exciting opportunity to help shape young minds. Best, Sarah
Proofread before Sending
Before hitting send, be sure to carefully proofread your job request message. Check for any spelling errors, strange autocorrect changes, or grammatical mistakes. Read the message aloud to ensure the tone and flow makes sense. You want to come across as professional and put together, so fixing any issues or awkward phrasing is key. Consider having a friend or career counselor review the message as a second set of eyes. You only have one chance to make a strong first impression with that initial outreach.
Areas to Review
- Spelling of the hiring manager’s name and company
- Job title, department, and other key details
- Typos or incorrect words
- Odd autocorrect changes
- Grammar and sentence structure
- Logical flow and transitions
- Professional, friendly tone
Job Request Email Template
Putting all these tips together, here is an example job request email template you can use when reaching out to potential employers:
Subject: John Smith – Application for Senior Marketing Manager (#145692)
Dear Ms. Davis,
My name is John Smith and I am a marketing professional with over seven years of experience driving strategic campaigns and content initiatives. I was excited to see your posting for a Senior Marketing Manager role with Acme, Inc. Given your company’s industry-leading work in cloud computing and commitment to environmentally sustainable practices, I am confident my background would make me a great addition to your marketing team.
As outlined in my attached resume, I have cultivated expertise across campaign management, content strategy, email marketing, social media, SEO, and marketing analytics. In my current role as Marketing Manager at CloudCore, I oversaw a 25% increase in website traffic and 15% bump in lead generation over the past two years. Core strengths I would leverage in this position include:
- Developing data-driven campaigns aligned to business goals
- Collaborating cross-functionally to create cohesive brand messaging and experiences
- Leading agile teams and initiatives using project management best practices
- Leveraging emerging technologies and channels to expand audience reach and engagement
I am inspired by Acme’s plans to expand its renewable energy solutions in the coming year. I would welcome the opportunity to join your creative marketing team during this period of growth and innovation. Please let me know if I can provide any other details regarding my background and qualifications. I am excited about the prospect of contributing to Acme’s continued success as your Senior Marketing Manager. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
John Smith
Adjust this template to fit the specific company, role, and your own experiences. The key is highlighting the relevant qualifications from your background while conveying genuine enthusiasm.
Follow Up if No Response
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t immediately hear back after sending your job request message. Give it at least one week before following up and reexpressing your interest. Send a brief email checking on the status of the application and reiterate your fit and enthusiasm. If the role has been filled, respectfully ask if they have any other openings that may be a match. Following up shows you are serious about pursuing the opportunity.
Job Request Follow Up Email Example
Subject: John Smith – Follow Up – Senior Marketing Manager Application
Dear Ms. Davis,
I wanted to follow up regarding the Senior Marketing Manager position I recently applied for with Acme, Inc. I’m very interested in joining your team and believe my marketing expertise would make me a strong addition. Please let me know if you need any additional information to further assess my qualifications.
I understand you are likely still reviewing applicants and filling the role. However, I am happy to answer any questions you may have or provide more details about my background. Thank you again for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
John Smith
Don’t bombard the hiring manager with constant follow up messages. But occasional check-ins illustrate you are serious about the role and eager to learn more. Timely and professional follow up can work in your favor during the competitive job search process.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key best practices when crafting effective job request messages:
- Research the company, role, and department
- Create a strong, tailored subject line
- Open with a personable introduction
- Match your skills and experience to the position
- Close expressing enthusiasm and appreciation
- Carefully proofread before sending
- Follow up if you don’t immediately hear back
Customizing your outreach and highlighting the fit shows respect for the recruiter’s time and role. With these tips, you can craft engaging job request messages that help you land an interview and get your foot in the door.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you address the recruiter or hiring manager by name?
Yes, absolutely address them by name if it is included on the job listing or contact information. Using their name helps personalize the message rather than a generic greeting like “To whom it may concern.” If you cannot find a name, “Dear Hiring Manager” is better than no name at all.
How long should a job request email be?
The ideal length is 3-5 paragraphs or around 300-500 words. You want enough space to summarize your background while being concise enough not to lose their attention. Anything less than 3 paragraphs likely won’t provide enough detail. More than 500 words risks being too long-winded.
Should you re-attach your resume and cover letter?
Yes, you should attach your resume and cover letter again, even if you already submitted them through an online portal. It ensures the hiring manager can easily access them from your message rather than digging back into the system.
What is the best time to send a job request email?
Aim to send job request emails in the morning, ideally between 8-11am. Sending later in the day risks the message getting buried or overlooked. Morning increases the chance they read it in a timely manner.
How soon after applying should you send an email?
Try to send the job request email within 1-3 days of submitting your full application. Quickly following up expresses extra interest. But give them a day or two to potentially register your existing application before reaching out.
Table of Content Strategies
| Strategy | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword optimization | Researching keywords related to your content topic and incorporating them throughout your content and metadata. | Increases odds of appearing in search results for relevant keyword searches. |
| Competitor analysis | Analyzing content from competing sites in your industry to identify gaps and opportunities. | Creates content differentiated from competitors and targets customer needs. |
| Link building | Strategically acquiring backlinks from authoritative sites to point back to your content. | Signals relevance and drives referral traffic from quality sites. |
| Visual assets | Incorporating visual elements like images, graphics, videos and illustrations. | Improves user experience, engagement, and social sharing. |
| Content amplification | Promoting and repurposing existing content across platforms. | Extends reach and lifespan of evergreen content. |
This table overviews 5 core content strategies, including a brief description and key benefits of each approach. Keyword research ensures you are targeting terms and phrases users are actually searching for. Competitor analysis identifies competitive gaps and customer needs. Strategic backlinking builds credibility. Visual assets boost engagement. Amplifying and repurposing content increases exposure. Together these strategies help create a robust, search-friendly content marketing program.
Conclusion
An effective job request email is critical for getting your foot in the door and securing an interview. Customizing your message to the company and role illustrates genuine interest and fit for the position. Highlight transferable skills and achievements from your background that map to the qualifications needed. Maintain a professional yet personable tone. Follow up if you don’t hear back within a week. With a thoughtful introduction, strong alignment to the role, and polite persistence, you can craft messages that compellingly convey why you are an excellent candidate. Using these tips and templates as a guide will take your job search messaging to the next level.
