I receive regular emails and telephones calls from students and job seekers. Some are good. Some…hmmm…not so much. My biggest pet peeve as it relates to this topic are people who send emails that don’t contain enough information for me to make even an educated guess about their skills and abilities. What may be worse are those emails that clearly show lack of professional etiquette or social training. Although I don’t have the time to respond to every unsolicited inquiry, I consider myself very responsive. When I have time I reply with an email that asks for the details that their initial email should have included. The task list that increases the likelihood that your email will not end up in my delete folder is as follows:
- Greeting – Please greet me before you tell me all about you
- Who you are – Please introduce yourself BEFORE you ask me for a job or internship
- How you learned about me – Please do your research and show that you are clear who you are contacting and why
- Career Goals
- How you see yourself fitting into my organization
- Qualifications – What qualifies you to work with me (including character traits)
- Title or Classification – Tell me if you’re a college senior or a consultant or a program manager
- Affiliations (company, school, professional organization) – Tell me what you are doing right now that hints at what you can do if you work with me. [Also shows initiative and team work.]
- Education – Degree earned or major of study (Yes some people omit this important piece of information.)
- Contact information – What is the best way to follow up with you.
- Referral Source – If you were referred by someone please mention that.
- If you are contacting me by email as a follow-up to an in person meeting or a prior telephone call please refer to that in your email
- PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE always include your resume or curriculum vitae (this email can serve as your cover letter)
You can find more job search strategies in my book “Get Hired Toolbox: 30 Ways to Land The Job Of Your Dreams” {Kindle Edition}
Nicki Sanders, Chief Visionary Officer of Packaged For Success, helps both youth and adults discover their personal power, dream big, and achieve success on their own terms. Ms. Sanders is an experienced trainer, group facilitator, and program manager who holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. Ms. Sanders has over fifteen years of direct experience with diverse populations in residential, school-based, and community based agencies.
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