The Job Search Emails You Should Send Regularly

The job search emails you send, and the way you communicate in them, matter a lot.

Everyone you deal with in job search (your network, recruiters, other hiring professionals, etc.) will appreciate your strong written communications skill.

And the fact that you stay in touch and top-of-mind with all kinds of people will help you stand out, in the best way.

That is, of course, unless you take it too far and annoy people with too much communication.

The Job Search Emails or Notes You Need to Send Regularly

Leadership communications expert Judith Humphrey suggested a number of job search emails or notes you should be sending to various people. Some of these may have more impact if they’re handwritten notes snail-mailed:

Job search email to a networking contact

It’s probably no surprise to you that networking is a big part of executive job search.

In fact, it’s likely that a lot of networking will be needed to land a job with an employer you want to work for.

That means you’ll be sending a lot of job search emails to people in your network to ask for meetings with them.

“Show respect and explain why you believe that person is well-positioned to help you. Emphasize their stature, reputation, or career savvy.”

Highlight just what you hope to accomplish with the meeting and the potential value you offer your target employer:

“Use confident language: no caveats (“possibly,” or “maybe”), no tentative verbs (“I think,” “I feel,” or “I might”), and no filler words ( “like.”)”

Wrap it up with a next-steps action statement, such as:

“I would appreciate an in-person meeting or Zoom call some time next week, if possible.”

Email after each networking meeting

So many job seekers neglect sending thank you’s to people who take the time to meet with them, or otherwise help them reach their career goals.

If you do send thank you notes, you will be appreciated and remembered.

Respond with your thank you the same day. Within hours is optimal.

If you have a physical address, a handwritten note is wise, but an email is also good.

“Use a simple three paragraph formula.
Open with a message of gratitude.
In the middle paragraph emphasize what you have learned from your contact and how helpful the discussion was.
In the closing paragraph, mention the next steps agreed upon at the meeting, whether those steps are to be taken by you or by your contact.”

Cover letter email message accompanying your resume

Always take the time to write a customized cover letter email message. Some people don’t like to receive them, but you’ll never know who does and who doesn’t want them.

Play it safe and include a cover letter that:

Opens by explaining why you believe you’re a good fit for the role,
Then underscores your strengths, and
Closes by defining what you’d like to happen next.

“A good cover letter lets your personality come through. Use warm, energetic language. Talk about your “passion,” your “excitement,” your “confidence,” and your “career success.” In short, be positive about what you’ll bring to the employer and make the letter inspiring.”

Note following up a job interview

A thank you note immediately following an interview is, of course, an opportunity to once again thank the people you spoke with or met in interviews.

It’s also an opportunity to reinforce the positive things you brought out in the interview.

And, it’s also your chance to relate important things you may have forgotten, or didn’t get the chance, to say in the interview.

Begin with a brief “thank you” along with how much you enjoyed or learned from the interview.

Emphasize how certain you are that you are right for the role.

“In the next paragraph talk about the reasons for your excitement and the role you see yourself playing, should you be chosen.
The last paragraph is your call to action: Recap what the next steps are and your excitement about the opportunity of moving forward.”

Email if you’ve been ghosted

You’re not alone if, after an interview, you never hear back from the employer. Weeks can go by and you don’t know whether they’re still interested or they’ve hired someone else.

Most job seekers will tell you they’ve been ghosted by an employer.

You could still be in the running, so it’s a good idea to send them an email followup after a week has passed. If you hear nothing after that email for, say, another week, try calling them or emailing someone else you met at the company.

“In your correspondence, don’t show any signs of impatience, anger, or even uncertainty. Don’t imply that what you have already shown them is inadequate (as in, “if you need anything more from me, just let me know.”)
Instead, stay strong and project confidence. It’s very possible that they do want to hire you, but there could have been a change of personnel, or the hiring process may be delayed. Remember: It’s not always about you. Other factors come into play.”

“Wow, I got the job” email

You will most likely have plenty of people in your corner who have helped you in your job search.

You should let them know, once you’ve landed a job, whether or not they were directly responsible for helping you get that particular job.

Informing them keeps them from assuming you’re still looking. It’s a courtesy that should be honored.

When you don’t let those who have helped you know that you’ve landed the job, they will be disappointed in you, and probably won’t want to assist you next time you’re looking for work.

Saying “thank you,” should be a no-brainer when you get that dream job. It’s a win for you and a win for those who were there when you needed them.”

And, if someone in your network is a job search reference who is being contacted to vouch for you, you shouldn’t leave them hanging, and not knowing if they will still be contacted. Let them know as soon as possible that you landed the job.