- Email subject lines can be tricky to get right.
- When you're looking for a job or applying for an open position, the pressure's on to write a stellar subject line.
- Here are some tips on how to craft the perfect email subject line for job hunting and more — with examples.
- Click here for more BI Prime stories.
The subject line of an email is the first thing a recipient sees, and with more than 300 billion business emails sent every day, it's harder than ever to get noticed.
Whether you're cold-emailing potential mentors, scouting for open positions, or even applying for a job, you're competing for a slice of attention that grows slimmer by the day.
The subject line not only communicates who you are and what you want but also can be a marketing tool that shows off your qualifications and helps you stand out.
Business Insider talked to career and communication experts about what you should keep in mind when writing your next subject line. These tips could motivate your reader to give you their time, and help launch your next professional endeavor.
Here they are, with examples.
DON'T MISS: How to write an excellent email subject line
SEE ALSO: 6 reasons this is the perfect thank-you email to send after a job interview
Keep it short
A typical inbox reveals about 60 characters of an email's subject line, while a mobile phone shows just 25 to 30 characters, said Amanda Augustine, career expert at TopResume.
Capture the heart of what you're trying to say in those limited characters, and leave the recipient with a clear idea of what they're going to open.
It's best to do this in about six to eight words.
Example: Human Resources Assistant Application
Place the most important words at the beginning
A whopping 50% of emails are now read on mobile phones, said Dmitri Leonov, a vice president at email management service SaneBox.
Since you don't know how much of the subject line hiring managers would be able to see from their smartphones, it's important to put the most important information at the beginning of the subject line. Otherwise, compelling details could get cut off.
Example: Marketing Manager with 8 Years of Experience
Be clear and specific
Recruiters spend just six seconds reviewing a résumé, said Augustine, so they likely spend even less time scanning a job seeker's email.
The subject line should communicate exactly who you are and what you're looking for without a recruiter needing to open the email.
Don't use a vague subject line like "résumé for opening," and instead specify which opening you're applying for.
Example: John Smith Following Up on Sales Position
Use logical keywords for search and filtering
Hiring managers typically have filters and folders set up to manage their email and probably won't focus on your message when they first see it, Leonov said.
That's why it's important to include keywords like "job application" or "job candidate" that will make the email searchable later.
Example: Job Application: John Smith for Social Media Manager
Include the position and your name
For a standard job application, Augustine said the most important information to include in the email subject line is the job title and your name, as well as the job's ID if it has one.
Anything less will require the hiring manager to spend time opening the email and trying to decode it.
Example: Data Scientist, No. 123456 — John Smith Application
List your designations to show that you're qualified
The subject line should be a place to distinguish yourself and immediately catch a recruiter's eye.
Augustine said to include any acronyms you have that are pertinent to the job. For example, you might add MBA, CPA, or Ph.D. after your name, depending on its relevance to the position.
Example: Marketing Director — John Smith, MBA
If someone referred you, be sure to use their name
If you've been referred by a mutual acquaintance, do not save that for the body of the email, Augustine said. Put it in the subject line to grab the hiring manager's attention right away.
Moreover, she suggests beginning the subject line with the person's full name.
Example: Referred by Jane Brown for Technical Writer position
Don't use ALL CAPS
Using all caps may get someone's attention, but in the wrong way. It's the digital equivalent of yelling, and your job is to make the email as easy as possible for a recruiter to read rather than giving them anxiety, said Leonov.
Instead, use dashes or colons to separate thoughts, and avoid caps and special characters like exclamation points.
Example: Job Inquiry: Award-Winning Creative Director now in New York
Avoid clickbait
The subject line should get the reader's attention — but not at the expense of accuracy.
Make sure you can deliver what you promise in your subject line. Get to the point in the first few lines of the body of your email. If the recipient feels misled, there's a good chance they won't open emails from you again.
Example: CEO Recommended Me for This Job
Staying out of the spam folder
If there are certain words in the subject line of the email, it may get flagged as spam.
Here's a list of more than 400 spam keywords that the workplace software company Automational said are needy, sleazy, manipulative, cheap, far-fetched, and shady. Avoiding these words will help you stay out of the spam folder.
Example: Please read, 100%, #1, Dear friend.
This is an updated version of an article previously written by Jenna Goudreau.
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