Writing the perfect subject line when youre looking for a job

Writing the perfect subject line when youre looking for a jobWriting the perfect subject line when youre looking for a jobWith an estimated 269 billion business schmelzglasles sent every day, its harder than ever to get yours noticed.And since email is often the first point of contact for job seekers and hiring managers, the subject line can make all the difference.It 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.So how do you motivate a reader to click on your email and give you their time?Depending on the context, career and communication experts offer the following advice that job seekers should bear in mind when crafting their job-search subject lines.Heres how to write the perfect subject line for your next job search, complete with some examplesKeep it shortA typical inbox reveals about 60 characters of an emails subject line, while a mobile phone shows just 25 to 30 characters, sa id Amanda Augustine, career expert at TopResume.With such limited space, eliminate any unnecessary words like hello and thanks, and get right to the point in about six to eight words.Example Human Resources Assistant ApplicationPlace the most important words at the beginningA whopping 50% of emails are now read on mobile phones, said Dmitri Leonov, a VP at email management service SaneBox.Since you dont know how much of the subject line hiring managers would be able to see from their smartphones, its 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 ExperienceBe clear and specificRecruiters spend just six seconds reviewing a resume, said Augustine, so they likely spend even less time scanning a job seekers email.The subject line should communicate exactly who you are and what youre looking for without a recruiter needing to open the email.Dont use a vague sub ject line like rsum for opening, and instead specify which opening youre applying for.Example John Smith Following Up on Sales PositionUse logical keywords for search and filteringHiring managers typically have filters and folders set up to manage their email and probably wont focus on your message when they first see it, said Leonov.Thats why its 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 ManagerInclude the position and your nameFor 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 jobs 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 ApplicationList your designations to show that youre qualifiedThe subject line should be a place to distingui sh yourself and immediately catch a recruiters 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, MBAIf someone referred you, be sure to use their nameIf youve been referred by a mutual acquaintance, do not save that for the body of the email, said Augustine. Put it in the subject line to grab the hiring managers attention right away.Moreover, she suggests beginning the subject line with the persons full name.Example Referred by Jane Brown for Technical Writer positionDont use ALL CAPSUsing all caps may get someones attention, but in the wrong way. Its 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 excla mation points.Example Job Inquiry Award-Winning Creative Director now in New YorkThis article first appeared on Business Insider.