Robert Parkinson, Founder and CEO of RMG Selection – a leading Asia focused executive search business.

He’s going to tell us the dos and don’ts in job seeking emails on China Radio International.

Program content:

You might be forgiven for thinking that sending a job-application email to a company is a relatively straight-forward task. However, there are quite a number of pit-falls and success strategies to set you ahead of the completion.

Let’s discuss:

1. Why it is important for job seekers to make their job-seeking emails good?

Many reasons……….here are some of the most important:

• You can make it easy to jump the queue and have your CV/application prioritized.
• First impressions matter.
• Your CV will not even be opened if the cover email is poor.
• It speaks to your personality, for example a poorly spelt CV may point to a lack of detail orientation.
• There are 2 types of application emails: As candidates we must understand that some application are for advertised jobs; but some jobs are not advertised. We need to become good at writing an ‘open application’

 2. What are the top 3 things to include in a job-seeking email?

Do:

• Think carefully about the subject – be as specific as possible “Application to the position of Engineering Manager from Bilingual MNC with 10 years experience” sounds much better than simply “Application”.
• Triple check your spelling and punctuation, especially if writing in your non-native tongue.
• Do consider using a first-name if you’re writing to a foreigner, but using the correct title (Mr, Mrs, Ms etc) if writing to a Chinese person.
• Remember conventions in English – yours sincerely, yours faithfully etc.
• Make the subject of attached files simple and easy to use. Avoid underscores and bizarre reference numbers etc.
• Highlight key points that are relevant to the job you are applying to.
• If your email is an “open application” – do consider what are your unique selling points. What makes you special?
• Put the right mobile number either in the email or in the signature. Make sure it is right.

Don’t:

• Use expressions like “Cheers” –you’re not in the pub!
• Address an email to “Dear HR” or “Dear Recruiter” – If you don’t know the name, the correct expression is “To Whom it may concern”
• Write too much. Use bullet points. This makes it easy to understand.
• Attach a cover letter as well, this is not necessary. If you are writing to a westerner and insist on adding a cover letter, add this to the first page of your CV.
• Do not ask question in the application email, especially questions like salary, benefits and holiday etc.
• A job application email should not be too long. Make it clear and short.
• Do not copy your CV in the application email.
• Do not put your photo in the application email.

 3. It is usual or advisable to attach a cover letter in a job application email in western countries. Do you think it is helpful for job-seeking in China, especially when contacting Chinese HR personnel?

• Chinese’s English skill is getting better and better. If you just want to show your experience and working knowledge, then you can use English. In this way you will have less chance of misunderstanding.
• If you think your Chinese is quite good, you can have a Chinese CV with your English CV together.

4. Do you think job seeking emails in the local language is important? For instance, should expats from non-mandarin speaking areas expert to have to write emails in Chinese?

Listen to the original program (Studio+2)