Begin your message by stating who you are and the reason for the e-mail. Here are a few examples for different job search situations:
Responding to an ad:
As a recent college graduate with a marketing major, I am writing to apply for the marketing assistant position advertised on your company's website.
or
As a Sales Manager with a proven record of streamlining processes and exceeding sales goals, I am interested in your Sales Director position.
Looking for possible openings:
As someone who recently completed a summer internship with a local public relations firm, and who has managed social media for a local nonprofit group on a volunteer basis, I am writing to learn of any opportunities with your marketing department.
If referred by someone:
My neighbor Alice Kenton referred me to you, as I am interested in exploring a career in sports physical therapy.
If following up on an interview or conversation:
Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me last week. I enjoyed learning more about your company, and I am excited about the possibility of working with you.
Keep the rest of your message short and to the point. If the job posting asked for your cover letter to include certain information, follow those instructions.
If you are sending all of your materials as an attachment, mention what is included, position you are applying for and contact information. Here's an example:
Dear Ms. Jacobson:
Thank you for talking with me this afternoon. As I mentioned, I am a first year law student at the University Of Virginia School Of Law who is applying for a summer clerkship with your firm. I have attached the resume and transcript that you requested.
If you have questions or need more information, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Your name
Your address
Your phone/e-mail
If you have applied for a job and have not heard anything after about two weeks, you may want to send a brief e-mail to ask about the status of your application. Here is an example:
Dear Mr. Green:
I am writing to follow up on my application for your sales position. I think my experience and my enthusiasm for your product line make me a great fit for the job. I hope to talk with you about it when you are ready to begin scheduling interviews.
With best regards,
Your name
Your address
Your phone/e-mail
Many positions offer you the opportunity to send an e-mailed cover letter as part of your application. A cover letter is your opportunity to highlight information from your resume that makes you uniquely qualified for this position.
Follow the same basic format for job search e-mails. Keeping brevity in mind, three to five paragraphs on one page is a good rule of thumb. Your paragraphs should be short, with only a few sentences in each one. Double space in between your paragraphs, so that your letter has plenty of white space.
The first paragraph serves as an introduction and tells the reader why you are writing, the position you are seeking and how you heard about it.
The second paragraph of your e-mail should refer specifically to your qualifications for the job and how your abilities and experiences relate to the position. Use clear examples and quantify, whenever possible, to back up your claims.
If, for example, you are stating your ability to save a company money, say how much money you saved for your last employer.
The final part of the e-mail should convey your interest and enthusiasm in the job and let the employer know how he or she can reach you. Explain how and when you will follow up to schedule a mutually convenient meeting and include your contact information.
If you have a LinkedIn profile or any other appropriate professional social media page, you may reference the link in your closing.
Avoid using the same wording for each e-mail you send. When you tailor your letter for each situation, you show that you have taken the time to learn about that company and how you can fit in with the company culture.