Job Enquiry Email

Also see: Qatar Jobs Advice | Qatar CV Tips | Qatar Jobs Listing | Qatar Visitor Job Tips

How to Write Emails that Get Jobs

Why write job emails?

Traditionally, job seekers are advised to send out written letters to enquire about jobs. However, the reality is that both employers and employees are increasingly relying on the internet to fulfil employment needs. While jobs sites and listings are increasingly popular, some employers rely solely on resumes sent to them to find new employees.

Quantity

To get a job in this way, you need to send out a lot of emails. Your email, with its cv attached, has to land on the desktop of an employer at a time when he/she is thinking of employing someone, and match their needs at that time.

That might seem hard - but I have both seen it happen and got jobs in this way myself. And if your email/cv does match the company's needs, you are saving your potential employer the time and expense needed to go out and hire staff himself.

Quality

However, as employers receive lots of these emails, your email needs to be reasonably correct. (Depending on the position, allowances may be made for non-native speakers.) It needs to stand out. And it also needs to be short - busy business people do not have time to read long job emails.

Unfortunately, many of the email enquiries sent in Qatar do not match the standard required. We should know - we receive lots ourselves, and most of them are awful. If you are a job seeker, this is good news; the competition is bad, and by following the steps here, you should greatly increase your chances of finding work.

Key points

1. Style

Be formal - you don't know the person - and make it short. If you don't know the name, finish the letter with 'Yours faithfully', if you know the name use 'Yours sincerely'.

2. Points to include

• Experience.
• Qualifications.
• Why you want to work at the company/what you can bring to the company.
• Availability to work.

3. What you don't need to include

• The date - it is already there!
• Address and too many personal details (address etc) - this will be on your cv

4. Personalisation

Create a basic template - but make sure you personalise the email for each employer.

5. Grammar/punctuation

If you English is not your first language, your English is probably not perfect. Don't worry - few people in Qatar speak English as a first language. However, do:

• use standard phrases (see letter below) - if you can copy you won't make a mistake with this
• check and recheck - it is surprising how many people don't do this!
• get a friend to check
• get the basic punctuation right. Capital letters at the start of a sentence and for names. Full stops at the end of a sentence. Leave a line between paragraphs.

Jobs Enquiry Email Template

Dear Sir

I am writing to enquire/ I would like to enquire if there is a position at __________ (name of company).

I have a __________ (qualification) in __________ (subject) and have __________ years of experience in __________ (industry/company).

I would love to work for (name of company) because ___________ (reason).

or

I believe my ___________ (years of experience/enthusiasm/skills/knowledge etc) will be of great benefit to your (name of company).

I will be available for work from __________ (date).

Please find my CV attached.

Yours faithfully

_____________ (name and qualifications in letters)

Finally...

Remember it is no good writing great job enquiry emails if you have a terrible cv - so check out our Tips and Tricks on How to Write a Great Resume !

Ready to start job hunting? Return to our Qatar Jobs Listings, or check out tips for finding work in Qatar.