Many recruiters decide whether to open your email from the subject line alone. A clear one, with the job title and your name, gets your application read.
This guide gives you 30 sample subject lines for common situations, a 7-step method, formulas, a do and do not table and a free builder that writes your whole application email. The samples are for people with work experience.
AdvertisementThe people, employers and job details in these examples are fictional. Replace them with your own true details.
30 Job Application Email Subject Line Examples
Quick jump: StandardJob IDReferralGeneral resumeFollow-upAfter interviewFree job application email builder
Standard Application Subject Lines
2. Emily Carter – Marketing Coordinator position
3. Application for Customer Service Representative – Marcus Johnson
4. Registered Nurse job application – Sarah Mitchell, BSN, RN
5. Senior Staff Accountant job – Daniel Reed, CPA
6. Administrative Assistant position – Rachel Turner
7. Sales Associate application – Brian Foster
8. Applying for Project Manager role – Linda Martinez, PMP
9. Customer Success Manager application – Nicole Harris
10. Warehouse Associate job application – Tyler Brooks
Subject Lines With a Job ID or Reference Number
12. Kevin Walker – Director of Marketing position, reference 8495
13. Application for Job ID 31407: Warehouse Supervisor – Amanda Rivera
14. Reference 5521: Electrician Apprentice application – Tyler Brooks
Referral Subject Lines (Ask Permission First)
16. Referral from Sandra Rodriguez – Operations Manager application
17. Brian Foster, referred by Linda Martinez, for Account Manager role
18. Referred by Dr. Patel: Nurse Practitioner application – Jennifer Lee, NP
General Resume Submission Subject Lines
19. Customer Success Manager resume – Emily Carter
20. Resume for Marketing Coordinator opportunities – Marcus Johnson
21. Operations professional interested in your team – Sarah Mitchell
22. Resume for Operations Manager role – Kevin Walker
Follow-Up Subject Lines After Applying
23. Following up on my Marketing Coordinator application – Emily Carter
24. Marketing Coordinator application submitted November 3 – Emily Carter
25. Customer Service Representative application: still very interested – Marcus Johnson
26. Sales Associate application update – Brian Foster
Subject Lines After an Interview
27. Thank you for the Sales Associate interview – Janet Kelly
28. Following up on the Sales Associate interview – Janet Kelly
29. Thank you, Ms. Alvarez: Marketing Coordinator interview – Emily Carter
30. Thank you for Tuesday’s interview – Marcus Johnson, Customer Service Representative
How to Write a Subject Line in 7 Steps
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Check the posting | If it gives a required subject line, copy it exactly, because employers may use it to sort emails |
| 2. Name the job | Use the exact job title from the posting, and add a short phrase such as job application |
| 3. Add your name | So the reader can identify you and remember you |
| 4. Add a reference number | Only if the listing has one or the employer asks for it |
| 5. Put key words first | Many phones show only the first 20 to 30 characters |
| 6. Keep it short | Mailchimp recommends no more than nine words and 60 characters |
| 7. Proofread | Check your name and the job title, then send a test email to yourself |
Subject Line Formulas
| Situation | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard application | Position, job ID if requested, your name | Job application: Marketing Coordinator – Emily Carter |
| General resume | Your current title, the word resume, your name | Customer Success Manager resume – Emily Carter |
| Referral | Referred by the person’s name, then your name and the position | Referred by Darren Price: Megan Collins, candidate for Shift Supervisor |
| After an interview | Thank you or follow-up phrase, the position, your name | Thank you for the Sales Associate interview – Janet Kelly |
Do and Do Not
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Name the job and your name | Leave the subject line blank |
| Use words from the job posting | Write only Resume or Job Application |
| Follow the posting’s format exactly | Use casual wording such as What’s up |
| Use a referrer’s name only with permission | Use vague lines such as Touching base or Checking in |
| Keep it short and specific | Use emojis, exclamation points or ALL CAPS |
| Use a professional email address | Send a pushy line such as Haven’t heard from you |
What the Email Body Should Say
| Email part | What to write |
|---|---|
| Greeting | Use the hiring manager’s name if you can find it, or a general greeting |
| First paragraph | Say who you are, the position and where you found it, and mention any referral |
| Second paragraph | Share relevant education, experience and one or two key skills |
| Third paragraph | Mention the attachments, offer more information and say when you will follow up |
| Closing | Thank the reader, add a sign-off, your name and contact details |
| Attachments | Send a PDF with your full name in the file name, unless the employer asks for another format |
Free Job Application Email Builder
Step 1. Which subject line style fits you?
Step 2. Which opening sentence fits you?
Step 3. Tap the lines to add. Keep the email short enough to read in under a minute.
Step 4. Click any text in the email below and type or modify to make it yours.
Replace the job title, employer, names and contact details with your own, and use only lines that are true for you. Keep the subject line to the job title and your name if the posting asks for a set format.
My Job Application Email
Subject: Job application: Marketing Coordinator – Emily Carter
Subject: Emily Carter – Marketing Coordinator position, reference 8495
Subject: Referred by Darren Price: Emily Carter, candidate for Marketing Coordinator
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to apply for the Marketing Coordinator position at Summit Insurance Group, which I found on your careers page.
My application for the Marketing Coordinator position at Summit Insurance Group is attached, and I found the role on your careers page.
I am excited to apply for the Marketing Coordinator position at Summit Insurance Group, which a colleague told me about.
I raised email click rates from 18% to 31% in one year.
I manage a $400,000 marketing budget and keep every campaign on schedule.
I am skilled in HubSpot, Google Analytics and Microsoft 365.
My resume and cover letter are attached as PDFs.
You can reach me at (555) 010-1702 or emily.carter@email.com.
I will follow up next week to confirm you received my application.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I am available for an interview any weekday this month.
Darren Price, your regional manager, suggested that I apply.
My 6 years in healthcare marketing line up with the work your team does.
I would be glad to share work samples on request.
I kept this note short so you can review my documents quickly.
Sincerely,
Emily Carter
To save your email: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the email prints. To copy it, select the text inside the email and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
Weak Subject Lines and How to Fix Them
| Weak subject line | Why it fails | Stronger line |
|---|---|---|
| Resume | Too vague and easy to ignore | Job application: Marketing Coordinator – Emily Carter |
| Job Application | Does not name the job or you | Application for Customer Service Representative – Marcus Johnson |
| HIRE ME!!! | Pushy and looks like spam | Sales Associate application – Brian Foster |
| Following up | Too vague | Following up on my Marketing Coordinator application – Emily Carter |
| (blank) | May go straight to spam | Always add a clear subject |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Vague subject lines. Always name the job and yourself.
- Ignoring the posting. Use the required format exactly.
- Forgetting attachments. Send a test email to yourself first.
- Pasting your resume into the email. Attach a PDF instead.
- Typos. Proofread twice.
Application Email Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. Your email is ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the subject line matter?
Indeed says recruiters often see it first and it can decide whether they open the email. The Muse says vague or unprofessional lines can get your email ignored, filtered to spam or deleted.
What should a job application subject line include?
Indeed and The Muse both say to include the job title and your name. Add a job ID only if the listing has one, and the referrer’s name if you were referred.
How long should it be?
The Muse cites Mailchimp’s recommendation of no more than nine words and 60 characters. Indeed says many phones show only about 20 to 30 characters, so put the key words first.
What if the posting gives a required subject line?
The Muse says to use it exactly, because employers may use it for filtering. Indeed also says to include only the information the employer asks for.
Should I mention a referral in the subject line?
Yes, if you have one. Indeed says to ask the referrer for permission first and then include referred by and their name.
Should I use a job ID?
Only if the employer asks for one or the listing includes one, per Indeed.
What should I avoid?
Indeed lists emojis, exclamation points, ALL CAPS, nicknames and errors. The Muse adds blank subject lines, casual wording, vague lines such as Touching base and pushy lines.
What should the email body say?
Monster says to keep it short enough to read in under a minute, name the role and where you found it, add one or two achievements and note your attachments. Do not paste your resume into the email.
What should I name my files?
Monster suggests a clear name such as FirstnameLastname_Resume.pdf, and a PDF unless the employer asks for another format. Indeed says to put your full name in each document title.
How soon can I follow up?
Monster suggests a short, polite follow-up after about five to seven business days.
Conclusion
A strong subject line is short, specific and easy to sort: job title, your name and a reference number when asked. Follow the posting, put key words first and keep the email brief. Use the builder above to write your application email today.
Related Reading
- Sample email for sending a cover letter and resume
- Email asking for a job opportunity
- Post-interview thank you email
- Email about interview status: sample
Sources: Indeed Career Guide, How To Write an Email Application for a Job. Indeed Career Guide, How To Write the Subject Line in an Email for a Job Application. The Muse, Exactly What to Write in the Subject Line When Sending Your Resume. Monster, How to Email a Resume. The sample subject lines, people and employers are fictional.