Knowing how to write a good email will surely increase your chances in getting the information that you want. At tonight’s mini-seminar, I learned how to properly research whoever I am emailing, saw some examples of bad emails, and learned the steps to writing a good email. I even got some tips on how to write a follow up email without sounding annoying.

In “stalking” the person you’re emailing, I knew that I should do my homework beforehand, researching with google, LinkedIn, and twitter. However, I didn’t know about research gate so I’m glad I learned about that resource. It’s important to know about the person’s research and what they’re studying before reaching out for a job opportunity so it shows that you have a real interest in what they’re doing. To avoid writing a bad email, make sure you spell the person’s name correctly, be polite, and prevent any spelling or grammatical mistakes. Proofreading is key!

To format a superb email, be sure to have a subject line that summarizes the purpose of the email. Add a polite salutation and spell the person’s name correctly! Be clear and concise with the information you provide and with your request. If your email is too long, the person may not want to read it. Adding a professional signature to make your email look and sound more professional. If the person doesn’t get back to you and you want to write a follow up email, ask them if you need to do anything else on your side and restate your request. This event was extremely helpful and I am sure to use these techniques the next time I write an email!