A good subject line to a recruiter is crucial for getting your resume and application noticed. With so many candidates applying to jobs today, writing an effective subject line helps your message stand out in a recruiter’s crowded inbox. The subject line is often the first thing a recruiter sees, so you want it to be compelling yet professional.
Some key tips for writing a strong subject line to a recruiter include being specific about the role, keeping it short and skimmable, highlighting your top qualifications, including key skills or experience, and addressing the recruiter directly when possible. Avoid generic phrases and instead customize your subject based on each application.
With a bit of thought and strategy, your subject line can help make an excellent first impression on recruiters and hiring managers. This increases the chance that your message will be opened and your resume reviewed for job opportunities.
Be Specific With the Job Title and Company
One of the most important things your subject line should do is specify the exact job you are applying for. Generic subject lines get lost in the mix, while using the role title and company helps recruiters instantly identify what your email is regarding.
For example, “Application for Senior Accountant Role at Smith & Associates” is far more helpful than a vague line like “Accounting Position Resume Attached.”
Being specific catches the recruiter’s attention and allows them to connect your message to a particular job opening they are trying to fill. It shows you took the time to target your application rather than blasting out generic emails.
Some tips for including key details:
– Use the exact job title listed in the job ad rather than a more generic title. For instance, “Social Media Manager” instead of just “Marketing Role.”
– Name the specific company you are applying to rather than saying something broad like “Tech Company.”
– If the company has multiple locations, you can specify the city or office as well.
The recruiter should be able to glance at your subject line and instantly know which open job requisition your resume and email applies to. This organization makes their first impression of you being detail-oriented and focused on their specific needs.
Example of a Specific Subject Line
Senior Accountant Role at Smith & Associates
Keep the Subject Line Short and Skimmable
While you want to include key details about the role, it’s also important to keep the subject line short, skimmable, and scannable. Recruiters and hiring managers are often sorting through dozens or even hundreds of emails. They tend to only briefly glance at each subject line before deciding whether to open the message.
A long or wordy subject line is less likely to get read thoroughly. On the contrary, a short, punchy subject makes it easy for your message to get noticed.
Some tips for writing a short, skimmable subject line include:
– Keep it under 50 characters if possible. 1-10 words is ideal.
– Put the most important keywords and details first.
– Use the job title and company name if possible.
– Leave out extra descriptive words and details that make it lengthy.
– Avoid full sentences. Use fragments instead.
You ultimately want the subject line to act like a headline, grabbing the recruiter’s attention without overloading them with too much information upfront. Once they open the email, they can read further details in your cover letter.
Example of a Short, Skimmable Subject Line
Social Media Manager – QuickStart Software
Highlight Your Relevant Qualifications
In addition to specifying the job and company, you want to highlight some of your strongest qualifications relevant to the role. This gives the recruiter an immediate sense for how your background matches their open position.
Think about which of your skills, degrees, certifications, or years of experience would be most impressive to the hiring manager. Pick 1-2 things that are directly applicable and work them into a short subject line.
For example:
– Certified Public Accountant – Financial Analyst role at Wallace & Smith
– 10+ years Digital Marketing experience – Social Media Manager role
– MBA Graduate – Business Development Manager position
Avoid generic qualifications like “Experienced Marketing Professional.” Instead, be specific about credentials that align with the recruiter’s needs. Back these highlights up by expanding on them further in your resume and cover letter.
Example Showcasing Qualifications
CPA licensed accountant – Senior Auditor role at Thompson & Williams LLP
Include Relevant Skills or Experience
Similarly, you can mention 1-2 of your strongest skills or experiences that apply directly to the open position. This gives the recruiter an at-a-glance sense of your capabilities while still keeping the subject line brief.
For instance:
– Proficient in QuickBooks and Excel
– 5 years of social media marketing experience
– Fluent in Spanish and English – sales role
Think about what skills or qualifications are emphasized in the job posting, and highlight those in your subject if they represent strengths of yours. This shows the recruiter you have taken the time to carefully read what they are looking for and tailor your application accordingly.
Example With Skills Highlight
QuickBooks and Financial Analysis skills – Senior Accountant role
Address the Recruiter Directly When Possible
When you know the name of the recruiter or hiring manager for a job application, include it in your subject line. This personalizes your message and helps ensure it lands directly in the right person’s inbox.
For example:
– For the Attention of Jane Smith – Marketing Manager Role
– Hi John Roberts – Product Manager Application
Many job postings will list a contact person, and you can also look up the hiring manager on LinkedIn or the company’s staff webpage.
Take the extra minute to personalize and direct your subject line, as it makes a memorable first impression on the individual handling recruitment. You’ll stand out from the applicants who take a more generic approach.
Example Addressing Recruiter
For the Attention of Michael Adams – Project Manager position
Avoid Generic or Vague Phrases
On the flip side, you want to avoid broad subject lines that could apply to almost any job, such as:
– Seeking Management Role
– Marketing Professional Resume
– Accountant Job Opportunity
These overly vague subject lines won’t differentiate you from other applicants. After all, the recruiter posted the job in the first place, so they are already looking to hire someone in that field!
Make sure your subject is tailored and specific by including the exact job title and company, along with a highlight of your related qualifications. This immediately sets you apart as a qualified, serious applicant who understands the role.
Example of a Vague Subject Line
Resume for Accounting Position
Customize for Each Application
It may take a bit more effort, but try to customize your subject for each job application rather than blasting out a generic subject line repeatedly. Treat every job and application individually.
Spend time crafting subject lines tailored to each job’s specialized qualifications and your matching skill set. Don’t get lazy and reuse the same vague subject for all roles. Recruiters will notice if your emails aren’t personalized.
With most application tracking software, recruiters see all subject lines in their inbox at a glance. A series of identical, generic subjects is a red flag that an applicant is not putting thought into each individual application.
So the extra time invested to customize your subject and resonance with each job can significantly impact whether your message gets opened.
Example of Customizing Per Application
For Sales Associate at XYZ Stores – 3 years retail experience
For Project Manager at Johnson Tech – PMP Certified
Research the Company Culture
Take some time to research the culture and values of companies you apply to. Reflect a bit of their tone and personality in your subject line when possible.
For example, a startup may appreciate a subject line with a fun, casual tone like:
Seeking innovators! Product Manager role at Smartscape
While a major law firm may prefer more formal language such as:
J.D. Degree – Attorney role at Smith & Brown LLP
This shows you have done your homework to understand the company’s voice and workplace environment. But keep the subject line professional regardless of the culture.
Check for Spelling or Grammar Errors
Your subject line needs to be free of any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes. These types of errors imply you did not carefully proofread and can reflect poorly on your communication abilities.
Recruiters receive tremendous volumes of email, so they are looking for any reason to quickly weed out candidates. Don’t allow an obvious typo or error to be the reason your message gets disregarded.
After writing your initial subject line draft, always double check that every word and piece of punctuation is correct. If possible, set the email aside for a few minutes before giving it one final review. Fresh eyes can help spot problems you may have missed the first time.
Proper spelling and grammar make a strong first impression on recruiters and demonstrate your professionalism and attention to detail. These are certainly qualities hiring managers want on their teams.
A/B Test Different Subjects
If you are serious about landing interviews and jobs, consider A/B testing a few different subject line versions when you apply.
For example, you could test:
Subject A: Senior Accountant – CPA certified
Subject B: For Taylor Briggs – Senior Accountant role at Thompson LLP
Pay attention to which version garners higher open and response rates from recruiters. You can then optimize your subject based on the data over time.
Testing allows you to perfect your subject line approach based on real results. You may find certain qualifications or a personalized recruiter name works best. The key is to constantly refine and improve your subject lines using measured data.
Use Numbers or Stats
Including a number or statistic in your subject line can help grab the recruiter’s attention at a glance, especially if it conveys your value.
For example:
– Generated 10k+ leads for startup clients
– Ranked #1 salesperson 3 quarters in a row
– 15 years of QA engineering experience
Use your discretion, but hard numbers and stats that quantify your accomplishments can make your subject stand out. Just be sure you can back up any bold claims with facts and evidence if asked.
Conclusion
Your subject line is your first impression and opportunity to get a recruiter to open your email. In a crowded inbox, writing compelling, tailored subjects is crucial. Consider using the job title and company, highlighting your best qualifications, skills, or experience, and addressing the recruiter directly when possible. Keep it punchy, customized per application, and avoid errors. With thought and practice, your subject lines can help grab recruiters’ attention so your application gets thoroughly reviewed.
Do | Don’t |
---|---|
Use exact job title and company name | Generic phrases like “Accounting Position” |
Keep under 50 characters | Lengthy or wordy subjects |
Highlight relevant qualifications | Vague skills like “Experienced professional” |
Mention specific skills or experiences | Blunt repetitions of your resume |
Personalize for the hiring manager | Copy-paste the same subject for all roles |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I address the recruiter by first or last name in the subject line?
Use their full name if possible. If you only know their first or last name, address them professionally with Mr., Ms. or Dr. in the subject line.
How should I handle common names like John Smith or Emily Jones?
If the recruiter has a very common first and last name combination, consider adding their official job title as well to confirm you have the right contact. For example:
John Smith, Recruiting Manager
What if I don’t have the contact name for a job application?
Omit naming the recruiter directly, but still customize the rest of the subject line with key details about the role and your qualifications.
Should I include my name in the subject line?
Your name is not necessary. The recipient will already see who the email is from once they open it. Prioritize highlighting details about the job and your fit.
What tone should I use in a subject line?
Remain professional but also try matching the company’s culture – more casual for a startup, formal for a law firm, etc. Don’t use emojis or overly informal language.
How do I highlight qualifications without sounding boastful?
Stay humble but confident – “5 years of relevant experience in social media marketing” rather than “Best marketing pro out there!” Quantify achievements factually.
Should I follow up if I don’t get a response after 1-2 days?
Yes, consider a short follow up. Be polite and restate your interest in the role and fit. Offer to provide any additional information needed.
What if my qualifications don’t match the role very closely?
Do your best to highlight any experiences or skills that could still be an asset. Focus on conveying a passion to learn and grow in your cover letter.
How do I customize for internal recruiters at the same company?
Research different departments and open positions. Tailor each subject line to reflect the specific hiring manager and their team/role needs.
What about two-part subject lines connected by a colon?
This format can work well to convey key details concisely, just ensure the subject is still short and easy to parse.
Should I mentionReferral in the subject if I was referred by a contact?
Yes, “Referral from Jenny Smith” can help if you were referred by an employee or connection at the company.