Top 3 tips for emailing recruiters

Very often, job seekers find themselves in a "dark hole" dilemma, left puzzled if their application was reviewed at all or why it may have been rejected. Hence, there is a need to gather sufficient information and polish the presentation of your emails before you hit ‘send’ to recruiters.

Recruiters are evaluating all the bits and pieces throughout the entire process so your first point of contact needs much deliberation and thought in order to have the right impact. As you have only one opportunity to make a first impression, ensure your communication plan is in place with a logical flow of thought that follows.

1. Remember to customise and be specific

Any emailed cover letter to a recruiter that is bland or generic will be likely forgotten. Resumes which are not specific or concise enough will be left in the scrap heap. Instead go for the jugular and hone in on the tactical specifics. Customise your cover letters and rewrite resumes to accurately meet the requirements of each position.

Be sure to demonstrate and define your track record of success in your resume. You will need to show why you have applied to this particular role with this particular organisation. It is best to show interest through research and demonstrate your ability through facts.

2. Select key information

Being selective with information to prioritise or that is worth playing up is also useful for beefing up your email to recruiters.

If it’s a management role, highlight your management capabilities, and possibly your prior regional scope. It is also recommended for candidates to highlight their achievements along with responsibilities.

Capture the information that exhibits your accomplishments and relates well to strengths. Look at past projects you have been involved in and how successful they were. Key achievements and deliverables that were set when you started the role. 

3. Do a “qualification” assessment

Be attentive to the stated qualifications, required skills or desired knowledge that each position is seeking. Avoid applying for positions that are not a match in terms of career experience or interests. You may find yourself lost in applying to a huge volume of roles and nowhere closer or aligned to your career goals.

Demonstrate why you are a fit for the role and what you can bring to the table. Highlight specific projects and achievements that are relevant to the role. By doing this, you will also be more confident during an interview.

To get the best results when working with a recruiter, read our advice on how to help us help you find a job.