How to Respond to a Job Ad by Email
As the Internet exerts an ever-growing influence over our daily lives, it is no surprise that more and more employers use this medium as a way to reach potential job candidates. From Monster.com to Your Tube video resumes, potential candidates find themselves with greater access to more jobs and a wider range of ways to apply for them than ever before. Even with all the flash and pizzazz available to you via modern technology, the initial response to any Internet want ad is the simple e-mail. To learn how to respond to a job posting by email, follow the steps in the guide below.
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Instructions
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Search the classified ads online, posted on job boards, or in the newspaper for positions you are both interested in and qualified for. Carefully write down the posted email address as well as any relevant job details, such as the name of the person you'll be addressing in your email.
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Update your resume. Ensure it is approximately one page in length. Be sure to include a valid objective and current references.
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Use your computer's word processing program to create a cover letter. Be sure to state why you feel you are a qualified candidate for the position. Highlight any relevant work experience or personal characteristics that specifically address the qualities they mentioned in their ad.
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Take advantage of both the built-in software to check both spelling and grammar. Odds are good, for a desirable position, there will be a high volume of responses. To be considered for the job, you'll have to stand out in the crowd.
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Do your homework on the company; learn all you can about them. Know their history and exactly what do they do. Mention it briefly in your letter. If you land an interview, this information will be of great use as one of the most common questions asked of a job candidate is, "Why do you want to work for ___?"
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Cut and paste your letter into the body of an email. Attach your updated resume and a current, casual photo. If you don't have a photo, have a friend snap a shot or two of you doing something sporty. You don't have to be running a marathon; hiking or bike riding are fine. Employers like energetic, active employees.
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Double check the email address and send your letter and its attachments.
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Wait a week or so and then send a follow-up note of inquiry. Keep it brief. Simply ask if your resume was received and inquire as to its status. This will show you haven't forgotten them and may just push you a little higher up the potential interview line.
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Tips & Warnings
Ensure your resume and cover letter are eye-catching and noticeable. If you need help, there are many online resume resources that you can access free of charge. Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Send your information out to many companies. According to the Department of Labor, in a stable economy a qualified applicant can expect to have competition from around a dozen others, so this means that if you apply for 12 positions you should get a reasonable number of interviews and from that be offered one position. The more places you contact the better your chance of finding employment.
