You want to email a thank you for an interview or a note to someone asking if there are positions open at their company. Don’t do it. Employees are flooded with hundreds of emails a day. They cannot respond to each one. The higher they are in the company, the less likely that they can read the pile of emails in their inboxes.
Strongly consider another form of communication. Could you write them a note and send it in the mail? Would a post card work? Maybe you could you wait until you ran into them at a networking event? Think about calling their Executive Assistant and asking them.
Be creative. If you must send an email, be brief. Clearly state your expectations and request. Don’t be alarmed if they don’t respond. Some executives say that they are setting up rules in their email. They are only able to read emails from direct reports or people on their ‘approved’ list. They are trying to figure out ways to get through the myriad of messages waiting for them. Consider the individual. Do they have teenagers? If yes, maybe they’d prefer a text message.
In this day of information overload, try to get your message across in the best mode possible. Email may not always be the best option.
by Bethany Williams
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