Recruiters skim dozens of applications a day. A rambling message gets skipped; a tight one that names the role, shows a clear fit and attaches a CV gets a reply. The email is the pitch — your CV and cover letter are the proof, attached alongside it.
Start with a subject line that gets opened
Say who you are and what you're applying for, and include the reference number if there is one. A clear subject line routes your email to the right person and shows you followed instructions.
- “Application — Marketing Coordinator (Ref 1234)”
- “[Your Name] — Application for Junior Developer”
What to include in a job application email
- A proper greeting — use the hiring manager's name if you can find it.
- The role and where you saw it in the first sentence.
- Two or three sentences on why you fit — your most relevant experience and one concrete result.
- A mention that your CV (and cover letter) is attached.
- A clear call to action — that you'd welcome the chance to talk.
- A professional sign-off with your phone and email.
Attach your CV first so you never send an application promising a document that isn't there. Name the file clearly, e.g. FirstName-LastName-CV.pdf, and use PDF unless the listing asks otherwise.
Keep it concise and professional
Four to six sentences is plenty. Match the tone of the company — formal for law or finance, a little warmer for a startup — but always polished and free of typos. Don't repeat your whole CV; give the recruiter one strong reason to open it.
Job application email template
Write your application in one tap
Not sure how to sell yourself in a few lines? With Email Writer, describe the role and your experience, and the app writes a sharp, professional application email — subject line included.
Try a prompt like:
Job application email for a marketing coordinator role, 3 years experience, CV attached
Choose Medium length and the Professional or Formal style, tap Compose, and you'll have a ready-to-send email in seconds. Applying abroad? Tap Translate to send it in any of 40+ languages.
Get your CV opened
Email Writer drafts a confident, professional application email in seconds — free on iPhone & iPad.
Frequently asked questions
Should I attach a cover letter too?
If the listing asks for one, yes — attach it as a separate PDF and keep the email itself a short cover note. If no cover letter is requested, the email is your cover letter, so make those few sentences count.
What should the subject line be?
State the role and any reference number, and add your name. Follow any format the job ad specifies exactly — recruiters often filter by it.
How long should the email be?
Four to six sentences. Long enough to show a clear fit, short enough to read in ten seconds.