Nowadays, business communication often takes place through the Internet. Among its many advantages, e-mail can be a much faster and efficient way to communicate, and also provides each party with a written transcript of their exchange.
However, it is very important to keep in mind that e-mail, although often less formal than other forms of written communication, is nonetheless a business exchange. When you are applying for a job using e-mail, treat the communication professionally and avoid common errors.
When sending an e-mail in response to a job posting, you should always paste your resume and cover letter into the body of the message, in case the recipient is unable to open an attachment. However, you should also attach both your cover letter and resume to the message, which will make it easier for the hiring manager to print a hard copy.
Many e-mail programs allow you to tailor the formatting of your message. Take advantage of that feature when sending a job application electronically.
Before you send any communications to a prospective employer, be sure to spell check the text in a word processing program first. While typos and mistakes may be acceptable in a regular e-mail, you need to present your best communication skills when applying for a job.
Make sure the subject line of your e-mail clearly refers to the job position you are applying to. Since many people receive a large number of unsolicited e-mails, your message could end up in the trash if the recipient doesn’t recognize your name.
Always re-read emails you have received and make sure you thoroughly understand what was written before responding. The informality of e-mail can often lead to miscommunication.
Before you click “send,†double check that you are sending your email to the correct person.
In every e-mail you send to a prospective employer, use formal written English with correct grammar and punctuation. Even if you receive an informal e-mail from your potential employer, resist the temptation to respond with a series of exclamation points or an emoticon.
