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March 26, 2008
E-Mail Communication: Dos and Don’ts
If you choose to follow-up with employers to which you’ve applied by e-mail or to reach out to networking contacts using e-mail, keep in mind that, in order to be effective, your e-mail communication needs to be professional, clearly written, and error-free. Some things to keep in mind:
1. Use a Specific Subject Line. Imagine you’re looking an in-box filled with numerous e-mails that all have the same subject line – “Summer Associate Position.” Seems pretty easy for all of those e-mails to run together, doesn’t it? Be specific in your subject line. If you’re following up on a position to which you’ve applied, consider using something like “John Smith’s Application for 2008 Summer Associate Position.” If you’re seeking a networking meeting with an alum consider using something like “Networking Meeting – Case Western Reserve University School of Law.” This will allow the person to whom you are sending the e-mail to immediately identify the purpose of your message.
2. Make your Message Easy to Respond To. Take time to draft a well-written and focused e-mail that clearly articulates why you have contacted the person and allows the person to provide you with a quick response. If you’re following up on an application, clearly say that you are writing to check on the status of the hiring process and/or to see whether the employer’s hiring needs have changed (depending on the status of your application). If you’re requesting a networking meeting, ask the person if there’s a convenient time to schedule an in-person meeting.
3. Spell Check. You should treat all correspondence with a potential employer with the same care that you use when drafting a cover letter. That means no errors.
Posted by kcc17 at March 26, 2008 09:32 AM