How to Write a Subject Line for Job Applications [+Samples]

When you start writing an email, what’s the first thing you write? Do you spend as much time thinking about a good subject line as you do for the email itself? It’s highly unlikely; otherwise, your email won’t end up in someone’s spam folder.

According to the Campaign Monitor, working on your subject lines is one of the best ways to improve your email open rate. Since employers get hundreds and thousands of emails in a day, they don’t have time to read each of them. You have to write a clear and concise subject line that gives them a direct idea of why you’re emailing them. Not to mention, it leaves a great first impression.

In case you’re sending out job applications, this post will train you to draft a perfect subject line that draws attention and motivates the reader to respond. Let’s get started!

Importance of Writing a Clear & Concise Subject Line

Let’s walk you through a general scenario… how many times have you received a promotional email in your inbox that you simply ignored? Must be a thousand of them!

It’s all because the subject line was not as convincing and clear to catch your attention. Since it’s a one-liner description of what your email possesses, there’s less chance for the emailer to beat about the bush. You have to be direct in your message to immediately capture your job prospect’s attention.

There is a plethora of guidelines to craft a perfect subject for a job application, but there are only a few of them that works. Here are a few ways through which you can increase the open rate of your emails to prospects.

Create Urgency: Nobody can stop you from being creative in your approach to reaching out to potential employers. Include the element of urgency in your subject lines for job applications to make the reader respond. It’s one of the best practices for agencies directly reaching organizations for collaborations. You can include a discount or a deal in the subject line to create a special effect in the employer’s mind.
Personalize the Email: Let’s face it: Employers don’t have time to read the whole email to know who you are. Instead of using a robot-like subject line, it’s best to add a personalized factor to it. Talk about how you can serve the employers, what skills you have that will add value to their organization, etc. In short, make it about them more than about yourself.
Keep it Relevant: One mistake that applicants usually make is sending the same email with the same subject line to hundreds of employers. Even if the role is the same, every job description is different. It’s necessary to write different subject lines for all job applications, so you have better chances of getting a response.

Use these techniques to increase your chances of getting the employer’s attention and possibly, the job too.

Tips to Write a Subject Line for Job Application

Now that you have the basic idea, let’s move to the essential tips you must follow to write the best subject line for a job application.

Read the Instructions Carefully

Writing an email without reading the instructions is the worst mistake you can do. It gives a clear indication to the employer that you’re not serious enough and might even result in direct rejection.

The job description is a direct message from the employer about what they are looking for, so there’s no room for assumptions. The employer might have asked you to include a ‘specific word’ in the subject line or email body, or might have given clear instructions on what to include in the email.

Simply follow the method or write the subject line as:

Subject: Job application—Job title, Job ID (if mentioned in the job post)—Your Name

It’s one of the most professional ways to write a subject line, so make sure to follow it at all costs if you want to be considered for the job.

Add Your Name to the Subject Line

As mentioned above, adding your name to the subject line is one of the best ways to differentiate yourself from other applicants. According to Hubspot, using names in the subject line of emails increases the open rate as compared to those that do not.

Recruiters usually get hundreds of emails after applying for a job and they don’t have enough time to look for your name in the email. The more ease you create for them, the more likely are your chances to leave a good impression on them. Use this scroll-stopping trick to get a response from a potential employer.

Include ONLY Relevant Details [+Keywords for the Job Post]

The subject line for the job application is not the place to include irrelevant details. Many employers use filters and folders to manage their emails; therefore, you must include keywords in your job application to stand out. You will often find keywords in the job description, so list them out and make sure to include at least one or two of them in the subject line of the job application.

Mention the Referral Information

According to statistics, 45% of email subscribers are likely to open an email if they know where it is coming from. Referrals do not mean that you will get a job, but it gives you an edge over other applicants.

Referrals are like a testimonial of your hard work, passion, and knowledge for the role. The recruiter will have more confidence in your application as compared to the other ones. Consider it like a person recommending a product to you… it can even be called ‘word of mouth’ marketing.

Using referrals in your job application, especially in the subject line, is a powerful way to enhance your chances of getting the job.

Don’t Exceed the Character Limit

There are a few things that you need to take care of while writing the subject line. For instance, almost 46% of emails are checked on mobile devices, which means half of your subject line will be cut off if it’s too long. Today, it’s necessary to write a mobile-optimized subject line for job applications.

Hubspot says that a subject line under 50 characters works best to capture the reader’s attention. Similarly, Mailchimp recommends keeping the subject line under 9 words or 60 characters. No matter what you do, try to stay within this limit to not miss out on any opportunity.

Always Re-check Before Sending the Email!

When you’re crafting an email, make sure to proofread it before sending it to the employer. If you’re in the process of applying for jobs, then dedicate some hours of your day to the job search. Don’t be in a rush and write detailed emails with a different subject line for each job to increase your chances of getting noticed.

Create a Professional Email Before Sending the Job Application

Last but not the least, use a professional email to send your applications. A lot of applicants send applications from their personal email, which leaves a negative impression on the employer. Create a separate email to apply for jobs and reduce your chances of landing in the spam box of the recruiter.

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Job Application Subject Line

Writing a subject line for a job application is not a piece of cake. There’s a list of mistakes that you need to avoid during the process and here are a few of them.

Not Proofreading the Subject Line

Don’t send emails in a rush and always proofread the subject line to avoid any mistakes. You get only one chance to leave a good impression on the prospect, so take your sweet time before clicking on the send button.

Not Following the Instructions for Subject Line

Another big mistake that you must avoid is not following the instructions. Read the job description to see if there’s a specific way to send the email and then craft it. The subject line must include all relevant details to capture the reader’s attention.

Not Writing Correct Information

Always avoid entering wrong information in the email body or the subject line. You can also avoid this error if you proofread the subject line before sending it. Verify numbers and other important information before you send it to the recruiter.

Not Using Keywords for the Job Post

Keywords increase your chances of getting noticed, so don’t miss out on this opportunity. Read the job description to find out words specific to the job post, then write an email about it.

Bonus Section: Subject Line Samples that Work Like a Charm

As promised, here are some subject line examples for job applications that will save you from ending up in someone’s spam box.

Subject Line for Job Application

Job Application for [insert job title]
[Job Title] x [Applicant’s name]
[Insert job title] CV + Cover Letter – [insert your name]
Job Application: [Applicant’s name] x [job title]
Application for [job title] | [Applicant’s name]

Follow-Up Email Subject Line for Job Application

Checking for Update: [job title] Application
Follow Up on [job title] application
Following up on my [job title] application
Regarding my [job title] application

Thank You Email Subject Line for Job Application

Thanks for your time
Great speaking with you!
I appreciate your time
Thank you for the opportunity
Thank you, [recruiter’s name] for your time

Email Subject Line for Accepting a Job Offer

[Your name] – [Job title] Acceptance
Regarding [job title] Acceptance
[Your name]: Acceptance offer

Email Subject Line for Declining a Job Offer

I appreciate the offer for [job title]
Thank you for the [job title] offer
Thank you for considering me for the [job title] position

Referral Email Subject Line for Job Application

Referred by [referral name] for [job title]
Application for [job title], Referred by [referral name]
Contact you at [referral’s name] suggestion
Referral from [referral name]: [job title]

Use AI for Writing Subject Lines that Make a Difference to Your Job Application

If you don’t have time to write the subject line of your job application emails, then it’s time to get an assistant that works for you. WriterBuddy is designed to address all your writing needs, so there’s less for you to worry about.

Write subject lines, email bodies, blogs, and much more to attract your potential client in no time. Why waste another second when this AI-powered writing assistant is here to help you? Use it now, never to have to worry about writing emails again!

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