A good job application email has four parts:

  1. Subject — role + your name.
  2. Opener — who you are and what you're applying to.
  3. Body — one or two specific reasons you're a fit.
  4. Ask — clear next step.

Total length: 150-250 words. Below is the template.

Template (general)

Subject: Application for [Role] — [Your Name]

Hi [Recruiter Name],

I'm applying for the [Role] position at [Company]. I came across the role on [where you found it].

I think I'm a strong fit because [one specific reason — a project you led, a number you hit, a tool you use that they require]. [Optional second reason — one more specific thing].

I've attached my resume and a [cover letter / portfolio link]. Happy to walk through any of this in more depth — open to a quick call if useful.

Thanks for your time, [Your Name] [LinkedIn URL] | [Phone]

That's the whole email. Don't write 8 paragraphs.

Subject line

  • ✅ "Application for Senior Engineer — Maya Chen"
  • ✅ "Senior Engineer Application — Maya Chen"
  • ❌ "Job inquiry"
  • ❌ "Interested in your team"
  • ❌ "Hi"

Recruiters get hundreds of emails. The subject is your headline. Make it findable.

Opener

State who you are and what you're applying to. Don't open with "I hope this email finds you well." Don't open with a generic flattery line about the company.

Body — the part that matters

This is where most application emails fail. They list everything about the candidate; recruiters skim and miss the signal.

Pick one or two specific reasons you're a fit. Concrete > abstract. Numbers > adjectives.

  • ❌ "I'm passionate about your innovative culture and would love to contribute."
  • ✅ "Your team's recent work on the pricing engine overlaps directly with my last role at Acme, where I led a 6-engineer team rebuilding the same kind of system for 50K customers."

Ask

End with a clear next step:

  • "Open to a quick call this week."
  • "Happy to send a writing sample."
  • "Let me know if there's anything else you need."

Don't end with "Thank you for your consideration!" and nothing else.

Emailing a previous employer

If you're emailing a former employer about returning:

Subject: Re-applying — [Your Name] (former [Title], 2019-2022)

Hi [Recruiter or Former Manager],

I worked at [Company] from [Years] as [Title], reporting to [Person]. I noticed [Role] is open and wanted to throw my hat in.

Since leaving, I've [one specific thing — a new skill, a new title, a project that's directly relevant]. I'd love the chance to bring that back to [team / company] specifically because [one specific reason].

Resume attached. Open to a call when you have time.

Thanks, [Your Name]

Acknowledging the past relationship in the opener is the move — it gets you out of the cold-application pile.

What not to do

  • Multiple paragraphs of generic flattery
  • Restating your entire resume in the email
  • Apologizing for cold-emailing
  • Asking "if there's any way" they could consider you
  • Sending follow-ups within 24 hours

The bigger pattern

A perfect application email matters less than applying to more roles. One great email rarely closes; ten good ones often do.

Sorce auto-generates a tailored cover letter and submits the application for you on every job you swipe right. 40 free a day. Save the time, get more shots.

For more: how to fill out a job application, how to follow up on a job application, professional email example.