The subject line of your email when applying for a job is one of the most important parts of your application. It’s often the first thing the hiring manager will see, so you want to make a good first impression. The goal is to catch the hiring manager’s attention and get them to open your email and resume.
A good subject line is clear, concise, tailored to the specific job, and highlights your top qualifications. Avoid using vague phrases like “Job Inquiry” or just the job title. You want to differentiate yourself from the many other applicants.
Here are some quick tips for crafting an effective subject line for your job application email:
– Include the job title and your name. This allows the hiring manager to quickly identify what the email is regarding. For example: “Marketing Manager Application – John Smith”.
– Focus on your top qualification or achievement. Summarize in a few words your most relevant experience or certification. For example: “PMP Certified Project Manager Seeking IT Position”.
– Refer to a connection. If someone referred you or you have a contact at the company, mention their name. For example: “Lucy James Referral – Store Manager”.
– Be clear you’re applying for a job. Phrases like “Job Application” or “Seeking Social Media Manager Role” make it readily apparent the email is a job application.
– Avoid overused phrases like “Application for Job”. Strive for original and descriptive subject lines tailored to each job.
The key is being concise, specific, and compelling enough to get the hiring manager to open the email. Keep subject lines under about 60 characters. It takes time to craft effective subject lines, but it’s worth the effort to get your application noticed.
Tailor the Subject Line to Each Job
One of the most important tips for your subject line is to tailor it specifically to each job you apply for. Avoid just using a generic subject or copy-pasting the same line for every application.
Read over the job description and identify the key requirements and responsibilities. Think about how your background and experience align with those needs. Choose important keywords from the posting and work them into the subject line.
This shows the employer you have the qualifications and experience they are seeking for that particular role. It makes you stand out from applicants who just submit a generic subject line not connected to the job.
Some examples of tailored subject lines:
– “7 Years Experience in Social Media Strategy for Social Media Manager Role”
– “Supply Chain Optimization Certification – Logistics Manager”
– “Financial Analyst with CPA – Richmond Branch”
– “Recent College Graduate and Internship Experience for Junior Engineer Opening”
As you can see, these subject lines specifically mention the job title and are customized to highlight the relevant qualifications and experience for that position.
If it’s challenging to summarize your experience in a compact subject line, just focus on your most important qualification or key certification that matches the job requirements. The subject line alone likely won’t get you the job, but it can get your foot in the door.
Keywords to Include
Certain keywords in a subject line can help your email get past initial application filters and catch the hiring manager’s attention. Include keywords and phrases pulled directly from the job posting.
Here are some examples of good keywords to work into your subject line:
– Job title – This helps identify the specific role you are applying for. E.g. “Marketing Manager Application”.
– Industry terms – Include terminology used in the job posting to show your knowledge. E.g. “Supply Chain”, “Software Engineer”.
– Software/tools – Mention experience with software or tools listed in the posting. E.g. “5 Years Experience with Ableton Live”.
– Certifications – Highlight relevant certifications required for the role. E.g. “PMP Certification”.
– Company name – If the hiring manager may not know the name, include the company. E.g. “John Smith – ACME Inc Application”.
– Location – If location is important, add the city, state, or branch location. E.g. “Chicago Marketing Manager”.
– Years experience – Summarize your experience level in the field or industry. E.g. “8+ Years QA Testing Experience”.
The goal is to demonstrate through your keywords that you have the qualifications, experience, and background the employer is looking for. Just avoid stuffing too many keywords in or it will look spammy. Be selective.
Formatting Tips
Here are some formatting tips when writing a subject line for a job application email:
– Keep it short – Stick to about 60 characters or fewer. Long subject lines may get cut off.
– Put keywords first – Front-load the most important keywords and information.
– Use title case – Capitalize the first letter of each word, except articles like “a” or “the”.
– Include your name – Put your first and last name at the end after a dash. E.g. “Marketing Manager – John Smith”.
– Avoid punctuation – Exceptions are dashes when separating phrases or periods in abbreviations.
– Spell check – Double check for any typos or spelling errors before sending.
– Test it out – Check how your subject line looks on both desktop and mobile. Confirm it is compelling and clear.
An example putting these tips together:
“Supply Chain Optimization Certification – 8 Years Inventory Management – Priya Patel”
Following proper formatting ensures your subject line will be easily readable by the hiring manager. A clean and scannable subject line encourages them to open the email.
Power Words to Include
Using power words and phrases in a subject line can help strengthen the impact on the hiring manager. Here are some examples of power words to work into your job application subject line:
– Achieved – Used to highlight an accomplishment. E.g. “Achieved 20% Cost Reduction in Current Role”.
– Skilled – Demonstrates your capabilities. E.g. “Skilled Social Media Marketer and Manager”.
– Leader – Shows management and leadership skills. E.g. “Proven Supply Chain Leader”.
– Increased/Decreased – Shows measurable impact. E.g. “Increased Website Traffic by 30%”.
– Created/Launched – Displays initiative. E.g. “Created New Product Launch Strategy”.
– Award Winning – Shows prestigious recognition. E.g. “Award Winning Marketing Director”.
– Successful – Highlights achievements. E.g. “Successful Software Product Manager”.
– Expert – Demonstrates deep knowledge. E.g. “SEO Expert – Website Manager”.
– Trusted – Evokes reliability. E.g. “Trusted Project Manager and Leader”.
– Top Performer – Indicates strong capabilities. E.g. “Top Performing Sales Manager”.
Use these types of power words strategically in your subject line without going overboard. They can help you stand out from other applicants and convey your value quickly.
Words to Avoid
There are also certain words and phrases you’ll want to avoid including in a job application subject line:
– Desperate sounding – Avoid saying “urgent” or “asap”. E.g. “Urgently Seeking Job”.
– Too casual – Don’t use informal language like “Hey” or “Yo”.
– Too salesy – Don’t overdo power words and seem like clickbait. E.g. “Amazing Marketing Guru”.
– Too vague – Steer clear of overused phrases like “Job Opportunity” or “Interview Request”.
– Too negative – Don’t mention layoff, firing, or desperation. E.g. “Just Laid Off – Need Work”.
– Too convoluted – Avoid cramming in too much info. Keep it simple.
– Too dry – Don’t just put the job title and name. E.g. “Marketing Manager – Jane Doe”.
– Spelling errors – Double check for typos which will reflect poorly.
The goal is to be professional, compelling, and focused. Avoid anything that seems off-putting or casts you in a negative light as a job candidate.
Examples of Effective Subject Lines
Here are some examples of effective subject lines for a variety of different job applications:
– Senior Graphic Designer with 5+ Years Agency Experience – Jane Doe
– Certified Nursing Assistant Seeking Position – CNA Certified in Patient Care
– PMP and Six Sigma Black Belt Certified Project Manager
– Social Media Manager – Grew Instagram Followers by 30%
– Fluent in Mandarin Chinese – Seeking International Business Development Role
– Ruby on Rails Developer with CS Degree – 5 Years Experience
– Award Winning Marketing Director – Laura Lee
– Restaurant General Manager – Opening 5 New Locations
– CPA Accountant – 10 Years Experience in Financial Analysis
As you can see, each of these incorporates keywords relevant to the applicant and role while highlighting important qualifications and achievements. They are compelling without being overly promotional.
This gets the employer’s attention quickly and encourages them to dive deeper into the full application. The subject line alone won’t get you the job, but it can provide that critical first impression.
Subject Line Examples by Industry
The right subject line will look different depending on your industry and the specific job. Here are some examples tailored for popular industries and roles:
For engineering and tech roles:
– Software Engineer – 5 Years Java and Python Experience
– PMP Certified Technical Project Manager
– C++ Developer – Computer Science Degree
For business and consulting roles:
– Results-Driven Account Executive and Top Sales Performer
– Market Research – 5 Years Experience with Statistical Analysis
– Finance Manager – CPA Certified Public Accountant
For healthcare roles:
– Pediatrics Nurse – BSN Nursing Degree and 2 Years Experience
– Physical Therapy Aide – Seeking Position at Growing PT Clinic
– Pharmacy Technician Certification – Inventory and Patient Experience
For education and academic roles:
– Microsoft Certified IT Instructor and Computer Science Teacher
– High School English Teacher – MA in Literature, 10 Years Experience
– Math Tutor for Grades 6-12 – PhD Candidate in Mathematics
For marketing and communications roles:
– Digital Marketer – 500% Increase in Site Traffic Through SEO
– Public Relations Manager – Tech and Consumer PR Experience
– Social Media Strategist – Award Winning Content Creator
As you can see, the keywords are matched to each field and role. This is key for making a strong first impression on hiring managers reviewing many applications.
Mistakes to Avoid in Your Subject Line
While a compelling subject line can improve your chances, there are also some mistakes to avoid:
– Don’t simply repeat the job title as the subject – E.g. “Marketing Manager Application”. Add keywords tailored to you.
– Avoid generic phrases like “Job Opportunity” or “Seeking Position” – Be specific instead.
– Don’t just say your name without any context – E.g. “John Smith”. Give keywords on your background.
– Don’t overuse superlatives and power words – E.g. “Most Amazing Software Developer in the World”.
– Don’t misspell words or include typos – This reflects poorly on your communication skills.
– Don’t use an excessively long subject line – Keep it under 60 characters.
– Don’t use odd formatting like all lowercase letters – Use proper title case.
– Don’t come across as desperate or overly salesy – E.g. “Please Hire Me Immediately”
Avoid anything misleading, overly promotional, or spammy. And never send a blank or vaguely worded subject line. Craft your subject line carefully to make the right first impression.
Tips for Subject Lines When You Lack Experience
If you are light on directly relevant job experience, adjusting your approach can still lead to an effective subject line:
– Focus on transferable skills from other roles or assignments. E.g. “Team Leadership and Project Management Skills”.
– Highlight related internship experience. E.g. “Finance Internship Experience – Business Analyst”.
– Reference relevant coursework if a recent graduate. E.g. “Business Administration Graduate – Statistics and Analytics Coursework”.
– Show willingness and ability to learn quickly. E.g. “Fast Learner – Entry Level Developer”.
– Emphasize passion for the field. E.g. “Passionate About Teaching – English Teacher”.
– Mention volunteer work if applicable. E.g. “Youth Mentor Volunteer – Social Work”.
– Use power words like “motivated”, “dedicated”, and “hard working”.
– Consider including years of work experience even if not directly related.
The focus should be presenting yourself as trainable and competent – not apologizing for what you lack. With creativity, you can craft a subject line that intrigues employers.
Following Up
It’s important to follow up with employers after submitting your application by:
– Following up after about 1 week if you have not heard back. Reach out to the hiring manager.
– Following up again after 2-3 weeks if you still have not heard back. Be politely persistent.
– Calling if possible rather than just emailing – this can help get you noticed.
– When following up, briefly reiterate your top qualifications and interest in the role.
– If rejected, politely ask for any feedback the employer is able to provide.
– Continue networking, applying, and seeking other opportunities while waiting to hear back.
With persistence and regular follow up, you can sometimes turn a non-response into a job interview. Don’t just assume a lack of response is a rejection. Find polite ways to stay on the employer’s radar.
Conclusion
Your subject line is one of the most critical parts of a job application, but it’s also one of the hardest to perfect. With careful targeting, compelling power words, and proper formatting you can craft subject lines that make you stand out. Customize your subject line to the target role, avoid common mistakes, highlight your best qualifications, and influence the employer’s first impression. A compelling subject line can be the key to getting your application opened and read.
Industry | Example Subject Line |
---|---|
Technology | Java Developer – Computer Science Degree |
Healthcare | 5 Years Pediatric Nursing Experience – BSN Certified |
Education | Experienced 3rd Grade Teacher – MA in Education |
Marketing | Digital Marketer – 500% Increase in Traffic Through SEO |
Finance | CPA – Financial Analyst with 10 Years Experience |