As a graduate, you’ve got a lot of competition for landing your dream job. Many graduates are scouring the job listings in the months before graduation, but there is another way of getting noticed. If you send an excellent outreach email to your dream employer, you can get an interview and even land a job! Here’s how you can get started.
Warm emails vs. cold emails
There are two types of outreach emails: warm and cold. A warm email is one that’s written to a person you’ve met, or have communicated with in the past. A cold email is one that’s sent with no prior contact. Both types of email can land you a job, but your approach may differ slightly with each one.
If you’re writing a cold email, make sure you do the research on who you should email. There’s nothing worse than crafting a perfect essay, then sending it to the wrong person in the company. Make sure that you’re communicating with the right person to get you in.
Introduce yourself
The first thing you’ll do in your email is introduce yourself. Tell the reader who you are, and what you do. For example, you could write, ‘My name is Penelope Harris, and I’m an app developer currently working in Seattle.’ This can show the reader that you already have a link in their industry.
Make yourself relevant
HR Manager Philip Jones at Resumention says: ‘When writing an outreach email, make sure that you’re presenting yourself in the best possible light. You want to be relevant to the reader’s needs. Show them why your skills are valuable, and why they should hire you.’ Remember, you need to sell yourself. Consider how you can help the reader’s business. Many emails are trashed just because writers don’t remember this.
Create a connection
This will differ depending on whether you’re writing a cold or warm email. If it’s a warm email, you can refer to your last meeting, and establish that you wanted to follow up with them. If it’s a cold email, do your research and talk about how the reader’s latest article or work inspired you to get in touch.
Watch your grammar
Good grammar can make all the difference in an email. This email is showing the reader that you’re a good communicator, and that you care about how you come across in the written word. If grammar isn’t your strong point, tutors at writing communities like Paper Fellows can help you out.
Proofread your email
Don’t just dash off your email and hit ‘send’. Leave it for a while, and then come back to it. Are you happy with it? You’ll find at least one error that you’d hadn’t spotted as you were writing. You’re looking to make a good impression, so make sure your writing is flawless. Use online tools and services such as Proofread Bot, Essay Editing, and Easy Word Count if you need help.
Use a call to action
Sales writers use a call to action in order to get the reader to buy from them. You can use the technique to show the reader what to do next. This may differ whether you’re writing a old or warm email. You may need to meet up with them in person to discuss opportunities, or you can jump to discussing a specific opportunity. Decide on what you want to happen next, and make sure you communicate that to the reader.
A well written email can convince a recruiter to bring you in and give you a chance. Use these tips and convince them that they need you aboard.
