Tips for Emailing Job Applications

A few helpful tips for when it comes time for you to apply for job opportunities. These quick tips may look simple, but please don't overlook them. Put them to work and you'll increase your chances of landing the dream job you're after.

1. Make sure your CV stands out

Studies show that recruiters and hiring managers spend on average 6 seconds looking at a resume. Before you hit that ‘Apply for job’ button, triple check your cover letter and resume. Is it up to par with industry standards? Is it catered to the job you’re applying for? Is it aesthetically pleasing with balanced white space? If you’re having trouble, we’re here to help! Our pals at VisualCV have built a super easy resume builder that’ll help dress your cover letter and resume into a neat little package. Check out their free templates so you can get hired faster.

2. ALWAYS include a message in your email

Yes, this may sound basic, yet many people still apply for jobs by only sending their resume...and fail to include a personalized message to the employer. Simple rule: No message sent, no reply to be expected.

3. Being DIFFERENT is your best way to get noticed

How can you do that? Take a few minutes before you apply for a job to look into the company. What is their core business? How did they get started? What do you like best about them? Then when you apply for the job you can impress the employer with your knowledge and attention. Of course, be sure to let them know why you are the right person for the position.

4. Don't Just copy and paste your email

Sure, it's easy to simply copy and paste your email...changing only the name of the company and the position when applying for multiple jobs. But employers are sharper than you may think and they can easily detect recycled applications. Especially when they included specific instructions that aren't followed such as "include a cover letter outlining your ideal work environment" or "name three references".

We do see applicants who apply to many jobs all at once. Take an extra couple of minutes to customize your application to show you're taking this seriously and you're one step ahead of the competition.

5. Avoid Large attachment sizes

To ensure successful delivery keep your email attachments small. The rule of thumb is to limit the total filesize to 8MB Max. If your attachments are too large, search online for free pdf and image file compression tools to reduce their size.