Professional Emails

When you write an email to a potential employer, you follow many of the guidelines of the letter of application. Formal letters can be a bit longer, depending on your experience and if you give a detailed explanation of why you want a particular job. In an email, however, you want to keep the length to four paragraphs or fewer.

Read the following example email, paying special attention to the subject line, the final paragraph, and the closing.

Can you figure out what Steve did well and what he should work on?

Carefully read the comments in each section of the email, noting the differences between the email and the cover letter.

Even though you're writing an email, you need to use clear, concise, formal language.

Remember to proofread your letter before you send it.

Your Turn

After completing your resume, you will work on the following assignment.

1. Create a letter of application (cover letter)
Your letter of application must be appropriately formatted and include 3–4 paragraphs of text. Use the proper format, an appropriate tone, and correct grammar and spelling.

2. Create an email to a potential employer.
Your email to a potential employer must also include 3–4 paragraphs of text and be appropriately formatted with correct grammar and spelling.

Remember, you will be submitting both a letter and an email.