How can I make an e-mail about a job application stand out?

Question

There is this job that I really want that I applied for online. I don't think I am one of the top candidates, simply based on experience. I e-mailed HR today asking about the status of my application and got a very generic response. I thought I should e-mail the department the job is in (it's at a university and the individual departments do the hiring, not HR) to put myself out front, even though I'm pretty sure it says something about not e-mailing the departments about jobs. What can I say in an e-mail to make myself stand out and make them want to call me for an interview?

Simon · Accepted Answer

The article on TalentEgg entitled, "How to make your email job application stand out" sounds perfect for you:

http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2009/11/24/how-to-make-your-email-job-application-stand-out/

Here's an excerpt:
"“The first paragraph (of your email) should be generic and to the point. The second paragraph should grab me, which comes down to word choice and how mature and professional it sounds.” –Heather

Fill this space with facts that will interest your reader (you want them to like you, don’t you?). The first sentence should be direct, reiterating what was stated in the subject line.

Include the name of any contacts you know at the company, such as the name of the person who recommended you apply for the job, as well as a brief sentence stating what you have attached to the email.

Avoid long-winded introductions; the purpose of this first contact is to lead the reader to your resumé, so don’t feel the need to reveal too much."

How can I make an e-mail about a job application stand out?

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