How to Craft the Subject of Email for Job Application [30+ Subject Lines]

How to Write an Email Subject Line for a Job Application

Crafting the perfect email subject line for a job application when you are in a job search is crucial as it's often your first impression on a potential employer.

A compelling subject line can make the difference between your email being opened or overlooked.

Below, we discuss the importance of getting it right and provide actionable tips to ensure your application stands out. Here how you should craft your job application subject line step-by-step:

Start With the Job Title

• Clearly state the position you're applying for. If the job posting includes a reference number, include it here.
• This directly aligns your application with the job vacancy, making it easier for the hiring manager to categorize your email.
• If the job title is "Senior Marketing Manager," your subject line could be, "Application for Senior Marketing Manager - Jane Doe."

Personalize Where Possible

• If possible, address the hiring manager by name. Personalization can increase your email's open rates by up to 50%.
• It shows attention to detail and effort in finding out who's in charge of hiring.
• Use LinkedIn or the company website to find the hiring manager's name. Example: "John Smith Applying for Senior Marketing Manager."

Mention a Referral (If Applicable)

• If you were referred by someone within the company, mention their name. Referral emails have a 70% higher open rate.
• Referrals add credibility and increase the likelihood your email will be prioritized.
• "Referred by [Referrer’s Name]: Application for Senior Marketing Manager - Jane Doe."

Be Specific and Concise

• Keep your subject line to 50 characters or less to ensure it's fully visible on mobile devices, where over 50% of emails are opened by hiring managers of a job candidate.
• Long subject lines may get cut off, potentially losing vital information that could pique the hiring manager's interest.
• Avoid filler words. Use "Application for Senior Marketing Manager - Jane Doe" instead of "I am writing to submit my application for consideration for the position of Senior Marketing Manager."

Highlight a Unique Qualification or Achievement

• If space allows, add a brief mention of a unique qualification or achievement that sets you apart.
• This can intrigue the hiring manager and prompt them to open your email.
• "Summa Cum Laude Graduate Applying for Research Analyst Position."

Use Keywords

• Incorporate relevant keywords from the job posting, especially if the company uses automated screening tools.
• This can help ensure your email passes through any initial automated screenings.
• If the job posting emphasizes "experienced project manager," include "Experienced Project Manager - Jane Doe."

Email Subject Line Examples

• "Application for Digital Marketing Manager – Jane Doe, Google Certified"
• "Experienced Project Manager Applying for [Company Name] Position"
• "Applying for Senior Graphic Designer Role – Portfolio Linked"
• "John Smith – Bilingual Customer Support Specialist Application"
• "Jane Doe: Award-Winning Copywriter Seeking New Challenges"
• "Software Developer with 10+ Years in Fintech – Application"
• "Data Analyst Candidate – Advanced in SQL and Python"
• "SEO Specialist Application – Increased Organic Traffic by 150%"
• "Application: Jane Doe for Non-Profit Marketing Coordinator"
• "John Smith Applying for Remote Web Developer Position"
• "Lead Graphic Designer Role – 5 Years of Agency Experience"
• "Creative Director Candidate – Driving Brand Growth Through Innovation"

What to Avoid When Writing your Subject line

While it's crucial to stand out, there are common pitfalls that could negatively impact your chances before the hiring manager even opens your email.

Understanding what to avoid is as important as knowing what to include. Let’s explore some of these common mistakes and how to steer clear of them.

1. Being Too Vague

• Avoid generic phrases like “Job Application” or “Resume Submission.”
• Such phrases do not differentiate your email from the hundreds of others in a hiring manager’s inbox. Specificity helps your email stand out.
• Instead, specify the job title, your name, or a unique qualifier: “Application for Graphic Designer Role - Alex Smith.”

2. Overusing Caps Lock or Special Characters

• Excessive use of ALL CAPS, emojis, or multiple exclamation points (!!!) can be off-putting.
• It can make your email appear unprofessional or spammy, reducing the likelihood it’s taken seriously.
• Maintain professionalism by using standard case and limiting special characters. “Graphic Designer Role - Recommended by Jane Doe.”

3. Including Misleading Information

• Don’t promise what you cannot deliver or imply connections that aren’t there.
• Misleading a potential employer can damage your credibility and professional reputation.
• Be honest and straightforward in your subject line. If you were referred by someone, mention it accurately and have a look at job description carefully

4. Making It Too Long

• Keep your subject line under 50 characters to ensure it's fully visible on mobile screens.
• Over 50% of emails are opened on mobile devices. Long subject lines get cut off, potentially hiding important information.
• “Application: Senior Accountant - Pat Lee” is concise and informative.

5. Neglecting Keywords

• Failing to use keywords related to the job title or industry can mean missed opportunities, especially if the company uses filtering software.
• Keywords help your email get noticed both by software and hiring managers looking for specific qualifications.
• Incorporate relevant keywords smoothly. “Digital Marketing Specialist Application - SEO & Analytics Expert.”

Importance of Your Email's Subject Line

The subject line is the first thing a hiring manager sees and can be the deciding factor in whether your email is opened or ignored. Given the volume of applications a typical job opening receives, your subject line must be both compelling and informative.

Let’s delve into why the perfect subject line holds so much weight and how you can optimize it to increase your chances of getting noticed.

The Role of the Subject Line

• Grabs Attention: With hiring managers inundated with emails, a clear and relevant subject line ensures yours stands out.
• Sets the First Impression: It's your first opportunity to demonstrate professionalism and attention to detail.
• Determines Email Open Rates: Statistically, emails with personalized subject lines are 26% more likely to be opened.

Why It Matters

First Point of Contact

• Your subject line is the handshake before the conversation starts.
• It sets the tone for your application and can immediately convey your professionalism and relevance to the position.
• Use the job title and your name to make it clear and personal: “Application for Content Writer Position - Jamie Lannister.”

Efficiency in Filtering

• Hiring managers use subject lines to filter and prioritize applications.
• Clear subject lines help them easily identify which emails are relevant to specific job openings.
• Including keywords like the job title and reference number (if applicable) aids in this process.

Avoiding the Spam Folder

• Certain words or phrases in subject lines can trigger spam filters.
• Emails that look like spam can be automatically filtered into the junk folder, never to be seen by the hiring manager.
• Avoid using overly salesy language or excessive punctuation to keep your email out of the spam folder.

Highlighting Your Unique Selling Point (USP)

• A well-crafted subject line can hint at what makes you a standout candidate.
• With limited space and time to make an impression, your subject line can tease your USP, encouraging the reader to learn more.
• If you have a notable achievement or a highly relevant skill, consider including it succinctly in your subject line.

30 Best Email Subject Lines for Job Applications

Crafting effective email subject lines is crucial for making a great first impression during your job search. These scenarios range from applying for a specific position to following up after an interview, catering to different stages of the job application process.

1. Applying for a Posted Job

1. "Passionate [Your Profession] Excited to Contribute to [Company's Name]'s Success"

2. "Application for [Job Title] - [Your Name] with [X] Years of Experience"

3. "[Your Name]: Driving Innovation in [Industry/Field] - Applying for [Job Title]"

4. "Eager to Elevate [Company's Name] with My Skills in [Specific Skill/Field] - [Your Name]'s Application for [Job Title]"

5. "[Your Name] - Ready to Make an Impact as [Job Title] at [Company's Name]"

2. Job Referral Subject Line

1. "Referral by [Referrer's Name] for [Job Title] Position"

2. "[Referrer's Name] Recommended: [Your Name] for [Job Title]"

3. "Potential Team Addition: [Your Name], Referred by [Referrer's Name] for [Job Title]"

4. "[Your Name]: [Referrer's Name]'s Top Pick for [Job Title] Role"

5. "[Referrer's Name]'s Referral: Exploring [Your Name]'s Fit for [Job Title] at [Company Name]"

3. Cold Emailing for Potential Openings

1. "Exploring Future Opportunities: [Your Profession] with [X] Years of Experience"

2. "[Your Name] - Seeking New Challenges in [Industry/Field]"

3. "Driven [Your Job Title] Interested in [Company Name] Innovations"

4. "Could [Your Skill/Expertise] Be What [Company Name] Needs?"

5. "Eager to Contribute to [Company Name]'s Success as a [Your Profession]"

4. Applying for a Position After a Career Break

1. "Re-Entering [Industry/Field] with Renewed Passion: [Your Name] for [Job Title]"

2. "Eager to Bring [X] Years of Experience Back to [Industry/Field] - [Your Name]'s Application for [Job Title]"

3. "[Your Name]: Returning to [Industry/Field] with Fresh Perspectives for [Job Title]"

4. "Leveraging My [X] Years of Experience and Recent [Course/Training] for [Job Title] at [Company Name]"

5. "Re-Igniting My Career in [Industry/Field] as a [Job Title] - [Your Name]'s Application"

5. Applying for a Senior-Level Position

1. "Experienced [Your Job Title] Ready to Lead [Company Name]'s [Department/Team] to New Heights"

2. "Senior [Industry] Executive: [Your Name]'s Application for [Job Title] Position"

3. "Driving Success in [Industry/Field]: [Your Name]'s Vision for [Job Title] at [Company Name]"

4. "[Your Name] - [X] Years of Leadership Experience Ready for [Job Title] at [Company Name]"

5. "Strategic Leader Seeking [Job Title] Role to Transform [Company Name]'s [Area of Focus/Department]"

6. Subject Line for Job Inquiry Email

1. "Inquiring About Future Opportunities in [Department/Field] at [Company Name]"

2. "[Your Name]: Exploring Career Opportunities in [Industry/Field]"

3. "Passionate [Your Profession/Expertise] Seeking New Challenges at [Company Name]"

4. "Are You Growing Your Team in [Department/Field]? [Your Name]'s Inquiry"

5. "Open to Discuss Potential [Job Title/Field] Opportunities at [Company Name]?"

7. Following Up After Submitting Application

1. "Following Up on My Application for [Job Title] - [Your Name]"

2. "Eager to Discuss My Candidacy for [Job Title] Further"

3. "Checking In: [Your Name]'s Application for [Job Title] at [Company Name]"

4. "Update Request: Status of [Job Title] Application"

5. "Continuing Interest in [Job Title] Role - [Your Name]'s Follow-Up"

8. Follow-Up After an Interview

1. "Thank You for the Inspiring Conversation About [Job Title] Position"

2. "Reflecting on Our Interview - [Your Name]'s Interest in [Job Title] Remains Strong"

3. "Eager to Contribute to [Company Name]'s [Specific Project/Goal] as [Job Title]"

4. "Following Up: Next Steps After Our [Date] Interview for [Job Title]?"

5. "Grateful for the Opportunity to Discuss the [Job Title] Role - Looking Forward to Next Steps"

Final Thoughts on Writing a Good Subject Line for Job Application

When writing subject lines for your job application emails, it's crucial to keep them professional and clear. A well-crafted professional subject line ensures that your email stands out to the hiring manager and increases your chances of being noticed as a job candidate.

Remember, the goal is to make a strong first impression, so choose your words wisely to reflect both your professionalism and the specific position you're applying for.

Further Reading

Improve your job application process and communication strategies with these insightful articles from Aloré's blog. Each piece is designed to provide you with valuable tips, best practices, and innovative ideas to make your job application stand out and enhance your overall approach to professional communication:

1. Maximizing Email Re-Engagement for Job Seekers: Learn the secrets to increasing the re-engagement rate of your job application emails. This guide offers practical advice on making your emails more compelling to potential employers. Read more
2. Crafting the Perfect Follow-Up Email: Master the art of the follow-up with this comprehensive guide. Learn when and how to send follow-up emails that make a positive impression without being intrusive. Read more
3. Email Etiquette for Job Seekers: Navigate the nuances of professional email communication with our etiquette tips for job seekers. Ensure your emails reflect your professionalism and attention to detail. Read more
4. Optimizing Your Professional Email Signature: Your email signature is a powerful tool for making a lasting impression. Learn how to create an effective professional email signature that includes essential contact information and social links. Read more

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