How to write email asking for job vacancy

By Career Booster

A point always comes in our life when we have to look for a new opportunity or a job and employer that is an ideal fit for you, but they may not currently have any posted opportunities for your desired position. If there aren’t any active job postings for the type of role you are seeking, you can write to the employer asking them for a job or to consider your resume for future job openings. This will help job seekers build a professional network to gain employment.


When to write an email asking for job

You can send an email asking for a job at any point in your career when your desired position is not currently posted. Instead of waiting for an opportunity to open up, take initiative and write to the company directly. This shows your passion and loyalty to the employer, so when a relevant position does become available, the hiring team will already have your name and resume.


How to write an email asking for job

Here are seven steps to follow in writing an email to your prospective employer to ask for a job:

  1. Determine who to send the email to
  2. Research the recipient of your email
  3. Title of the email asking for job vacancy
  4. Introduce yourself
  5. Explain your qualifications
  6. Speak about the company
  7. Show your interest in the company
  8. Ask for the vacancy
  9. Offer your services
  10. Include a copy of your resume


1. Determine whom should you send your mail

If you know someone who works at the organization, either address your email to them or ask them for the contact information of a manager in the department you are seeking employment. If you are writing to a smaller company, you could direct your email to the CEO or another senior executive, as they will likely be involved in the hiring process. 

For a larger company in which you do not have any contacts, conduct a web search to find names of people who work in the department of your choosing. Because you are inquiring about a job that is not posted, emailing someone in your desired department will be more beneficial than reaching out to a human resources associate who may be busy filling vacant positions.

2. Research the recipient of your email

If you do not know the person you will be sending your email to, conduct a web search to learn about their previous professional experiences and educational background. Look for anything you have in common with them, helping to build a professional connection in your email.

3. Title of the Email Asking for Job Vacancy

Once you know whom to send an email asking for a job opening, the next important thing is using a correct title. The title of your email should be specific and convey that you’re indeed asking for a job vacancy.

Therefore, use precise words such as ‘Enquiry about Job Vacancies’ or ‘Request for Employment’. Being specific helps the email recipient knows what you’re looking for.

Avoid confusing titles such as ‘Enquiry,’ ‘Information Wanted,’ ‘Job Application,’ ‘Consideration for Job’ and others. The recipient will ignore or delete your email.

4. Introduce yourself

The first thing the reader should gain from your email is who you are and why you are writing them. Start your first paragraph with a brief introduction including your current job title or relevant professional description, how you got their contact information and what role you are seeking with their business. Once the reader knows who you are and what role you are inquiring about, they can connect the content of your email back to you and the position you could fill in their company.

5. Explain your qualifications

In your second paragraph, briefly highlight your relevant experience, education and certifications and explain how they will benefit your prospective employer. This paragraph should be short and concise, so the reader can quickly understand what you have to offer to their business. Use this section to share your biggest professional accomplishments and other highlights of your career to motivate the employer to interview you. At the interview stage, you can elaborate on your experiences and provide more detailed information.

6. Speak About the Company

Obviously, the manager or official will have much more knowledge about the organization than you would. Therefore, mention only that area of operation of the company where you would like to work.

For example, if you’re looking for a vacancy in sales and marketing, mention how your qualifications would suit the company. Ditto if you’re looking for posts in production or customer care.

Usually, at this point, the recipient will do a brief assessment of your interest in the organization as well as your qualifications and skills.

If they find you’re suitable, the email would usually go forward to some department head for further action.

7. Show Your Interest in the Company

The next step is to state in a couple of sentences why you’re interested in working for that particular company. What does working at that organization hold for your career and life? And how important it is for you to work with that company.

Again, just two or three sentences would be adequate. There’s no need to go on heaping praises upon a company just because you’re eager to work there.

8. Ask for the Vacancy

After you’ve written the above information briefly, it’s high time to ask for a job vacancy. You can do so by showing your interest in working for the organization and enquiring whether there’re any suitable opportunities.

Remember, I said suitable opportunities for you and not job vacancies. That’s a decent way to ask for vacancies.

The language and implicit you use in asking for vacancies indicate your polite behaviour. It also speaks volumes about your education and not merely the degrees you hold.

9. Offer Your Services

Once you’ve done the asking for vacancies, immediately offer your services. Let the recipient know you’re eager to work with the organization.

If possible, mention a clear date of joining. You can also add the area where you’d like to work if the company has operations across India.

Also, state that you’re open to relocating for work because a company might not have a vacancy at the location of your choice.

But select an alternative or any location only if you’re genuinely interested in working with the organization and not desperate for a job.

10. Include a copy of your resume

Attach a copy of your resume to your email, so your prospective employer can learn more about you after reading your email. Once they have read a summary of your biggest accomplishments and career highlights, they are more likely to be interested in learning more about you. By attaching your resume to the email, you have a chance to give them detailed information about your work history and qualifications.