Application by E-Mail: That's how it's done!
Sending an application by e-mail is nothing unusual today. Many companies even do not want traditional application folders anymore. When applying by e-mail, there are also a few points that must be considered if the application should be successful. Dagmar Rehfeld is Recruitment Officer at Unilever and responsible for the selection of graduates. With their tips for applying by e-mail you do everything right!
Dagmar Rehfeld
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: How many applications do you receive per week?
Dagmar Rehfeld: About 70, about half of them electronically. 50 percent of these applications are submitted via the application form on the Unilever homepage, the others via e-mail.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Do you differentiate between applications sent by post and e-mail?
Dagmar Rehfeld: No. I prefer the electronic way. The most pleasant thing for me is when the applicant goes through the online form, because the data immediately enters our database. The online form also means an advantage for the applicant, because the form allows him to make sure that he has provided us with all the important information so that his application can be dealt with quickly.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: What to look for first when applying via email?
Dagmar Rehfeld: On the subject: What is the application? It should clearly state the position the sender is applying for. If it is a job advertisement, the code number should be included in the subject line. Also, I pay attention to the formats of the attached files. Large files are not good at all. I prefer an attached file in pdf format. The cover letter should be directly in the mail and not attached. Incidentally, applications should always be complete, that is with cover letter, CV and all relevant certificates. If I find the applicant interesting, I would like to know more about him immediately and not have to first ask for additional material.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Does it also happen that applications end up in the trash immediately?
Dagmar Rehfeld: Yes, now and then. With many careless mistakes, if the mail is virus-prone, if I am addressed with "Mr. Rehfeld", an application has no chance. Not immediately, but rather quickly, I delete an application if I realize that it is a scattered application and the candidate in the cover letter is no special effort.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Tell us, how applicants in an e-mail application can excel ...
Dagmar Rehfeld: By creating a link between her profile and the company in the cover letter. When reading the mail I have to feel that the candidate wants to go to Unilever. Here it makes sense to use so-called keywords that come from the corporate presentation. I also see that the applicant has informed himself about Unilever. In addition, the applicant should be careful not to write too much. He should convey concisely what he wants in terms of content.
ChroniquesDuVasteMonde.com: Do applicants who sign up by unsolicited application have a chance?
Dagmar Rehfeld: Of course, I find that very good. We receive many unsolicited applications. However, I am only responsible for graduates. For unsolicited applications, it is an advantage if the applicant asks exactly who they should apply for so that they can be processed as quickly as possible by the right employee.
