Email Writing and Professional Communication Tips for Career Advancement

Have you ever wondered why you don't get responses effectively most of the time when you reach out to someone? Let's talk about effective communication and avoiding common pitfalls when reaching out to others for help or guidance. Over the years, I have learned some valuable lessons that have greatly improved my communication skills, especially when connecting with busy professionals like physicians or senior colleagues. Here are some key points to consider: 1. Start with a Proper Greeting: Instead of jumping straight into your message, take a moment to greet the person respectfully. Avoid informal greetings like "hey bro" or "hi," and opt for a more professional approach. 2. Introduce Yourself Clearly: Make sure to introduce yourself early in the message so the recipient knows who they're talking to and the purpose of your communication. 3. Be Direct and Concise: Clearly state what you need or want from the recipient concisely. Avoid unnecessary details that may clutter your message and make it difficult to understand. 4. Express Gratitude: Always remember to thank the person for their time and consideration. A simple closing statement or expression of gratitude goes a long way in demonstrating professionalism. 5. Organize Your Message: Ensure your message is well-structured with proper spacing and formatting. Avoid sending multiple disjointed messages and instead, consolidate your information into a single coherent message. 6. Watch Your Grammar and Punctuation: Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and capitalization to convey professionalism and attention to detail. Simple mistakes can detract from your message and give the impression of carelessness. 7. Respond Promptly: Show respect for the other person's time by responding to their messages promptly. Delayed responses can signal a lack of seriousness and commitment. By following these guidelines, you can enhance your communication skills and make a positive impression when reaching out to others for assistance. Remember, professionalism starts from the very first interaction, so strive to communicate effectively from the outset. I'll continue to share more insights on this topic, but for now, let's focus on implementing these practices into our communication efforts. Our journey as aspiring healthcare professionals must demonstrate professionalism and effective communication skills right from the start. #communication #usmle #match2025

I learned to write good emails the hard way. My first (and likely, only) encounter of being called out for writing a terrible email was during my time as a sophomore at University of Washington. Although the stakes of this email were fairly low (no jobs or finances were on the line!), the feedback I received on this was so critical, that its impact has lasted to this very day. The details of this poor email are irrelevant context to this post, but as a first-generation immigrant, I quickly learned that writing good emails could be an incredibly valuable skill to thrive both as a student and as a working professional. So much so that fast forward to grad-school (and in many instances, during my corporate career), I would write and proof-read emails for my peers when actual jobs and finances were on the line. Cutting to the chase, here are the 3 principles I write all my emails with. 1/ 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞. While your name is not something you can control, your subject line is the next biggest differentiator to your email recipient. While there are a ton of posts about drafting good email subject lines, it's always a great idea to go with a combination of your pedigree + your ask. Your pedigree should be relevant to the target recipient, so find common ground (same alma mater, same industry, etc.) and use that to your leverage. If you don't have common pedigree to leverage, make it about the recipient. For example: "Love your work on [topic]" If that topic is super well researched and unique (and not necessarily the most recent), then that's golden. 2/ 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞. This is something that took a bit of finessing, but over the years, I've learned that emails with a personal touch just work way better than ones without. Giving the recipient a real reason to care while keeping your integrity intact is key to elicit a response. This is also imperative while clarifying why you've reached out to the specific recipient in question - meaning, why said recipient and not someone else. 3/ 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨-𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬 In the fairly transactional world we live in today, it's hard not to overlook the "what's in it for me?" question. When individuals are strapped for time with competing priorities, they're more likely to connect with someone when there's some perceived benefit to them. The best case scenario is that you have enough standout chops yourself that the benefit is implicit (your industry experience, seniority or pedigree), but if it isn't, there's no harm in being upfront about what you can offer in return for your ask. It could be a conversation, a referral or just offering your support. _________________ 👋 I'm Anu, a Healthcare PM leader and an EB1A Discovery Coach. Visit allthingsanu[dot]com for more information! _________________ #immigration #eb1a #professionaldevelopment

You're reaching out to people for career advancement - but you are doing it wrong. It has nothing to do with you but everything to do with what you want. These are you problems: #𝟭 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 Nowadays, hiring managers are not impressed with generic opening lines such as "I'm writing to express my interest in your company." Instead, pinpoint a unique aspect about their company or a project they've done that genuinely excites you. #𝟮 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 If you're suggesting an area of improvement within the company or team you're applying to, frame it as a potential collaboration. For instance, “I noticed you're working on {project}. Have you considered incorporating {specific technique or method}?” #𝟯 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 Simply stating that you're looking for a new job opportunity isn't compelling. Instead, explain the unique skills and experiences you bring and how they can address specific challenges or needs the company has, such as improving team efficiency or enhancing a particular process. #𝟰 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 HR professionals or team leads have a lot on their plate. Rather than just highlighting what you want out of the job, focus on what you can offer to make their lives easier. For example, emphasize how you can help ease their workload by bringing your expertise in a particular area. #veterans #jobs #hiring #sales #dodskillbridge

#TuesdayTips - When composing an email to a potential employer, it’s essential to strike the right balance between professionalism and authenticity. Here are some tips to help you craft an effective email: 1. Subject Line: Begin with a clear and concise subject line. Avoid being overly creative; instead, focus on clarity. For example, “Job Inquiry” or “Application for [Position Title].” 2. Introduction: Start your email with a polite greeting. Address the recipient by their name (if known). If not, a simple “Dear Hiring Manager” works well. 3. Purpose: Clearly state the purpose of your email. Are you inquiring about job opportunities, following up on an application, or seeking information? Be specific. 4. Value Proposition: Highlight what you can offer the employer. Discuss your relevant skills, experience, and passion for the role. Replace “I want” with “I can.” 5. Customization: Tailor your email to the individual employer. Mention specific details about the company or position. Show that you’ve done your research. 6. Networking: If you have relevant connections, consider name-dropping them. Mention mutual acquaintances or shared experiences. 7. Resume: If you’re actively job-seeking, attach an up-to-date resume. Ensure it is well-formatted and error-free. 8. Contact Information: Don’t forget to include your contact details. Provide a professional email address and phone number. If you have any time constraints (e.g., unable to answer calls during work hours), mention them. 9. LinkedIn Profile: Include a link to your LinkedIn profile. It’s a valuable networking tool. Remember, a well-crafted email demonstrates your competence and professionalism. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll make a positive impression on potential employers. #TAP #HireaSoldier #GoEarlyGoOften #emailetiquette

Prospecting emails are important, but internal emails might be more important, especially if you are a leader. Here are a few tips for writing engaging internal emails that get stuff done (including deals!): 🔊 Volume → more than 1 internal email per week asking people to do stuff is dangerous. I am preaching to myself here, and the reason for this post is bc I reminded myself of this recently and need some accountability! TIP: If you need to send more than 1 in a week, make sure you have a Recap section at the bottom of subsequent emails so people don't get lost in a sea of to-do's. 🤡 Be yourself → If the email sounds like a stuffy, professional exec or manager it kills energy, excitement, and execution. I am sort of a goofball, so my internal emails tend to be funny (maybe ridiculous -- I just did one with 2 Ron Popeil GIFs). That works for me, I think...it, at least, feels authentic and creates a reason for people to read it. TIP: You is you. Find you and make sure you always communicate in an authentic way...unless you are boring. Nobody reads boring emails! (You're probably not boring.) 🔥 Sell → Be yourself but make sure you SELL the ask in the email like you are writing the hottest lead you have in your book and you need a reply! I write internal emails to educate someone why they need to do what's been asked. That's my selling style - educate. So, that's how I write my internal emails, where I'm trying to "sell" my team on buying in and executing. TIP: There a tons of engaging email rules. If you expect your team to use them with prospects, model it with them on your internal emails! 🙅🏻♂️✨ Nothing new → Emails are a terrible way to communicate something new, complex, or important. I know meetings are hard to do and everyone wants less, but emails to your team should really just summarize and lock what has been discussed. Reinforce what's already been talked about. TIP: A quick recap with a 1 line description of points that have been communicated can be the thing that helps someone "get it." 👉🏻 Make a point → What's the CTA? What's the purpose of the email? If it's just to recap, I'm not sure that's a good enough reason. I send emails to take the content of the meeting or the urgency or importance and try to add a new little wrinkle that has a point that might hit someone from a different angle. Nothing new to do, but maybe a new way to look at things. TIP: Be thoughtful here. It's a chance to really increase understanding of your team. Funny how much time we take writing external emails when our internal ones may be more important and are more ignorable (face that truth by looking your own behavior with internal emails).

How do you communicate in professional settings? Are you still using phrases like "I Hope This Makes Sense?" In case you don’t already know, every word, phrase, and sentence you use has the power to shape perceptions, influence opinions, and determine your standing within a professional setting. Using such self-deprecating phrases can reinforce stereotypes that cast doubt on your expertise. These words inadvertently suggest that you lack confidence in your own understanding or capability to communicate effectively. This internal self-doubt can be easily projected onto others, leading them to question the validity of your statements. As a professional, especially as an immigrant striving for career progression, your goal is to build trust and foster clear communication. Replace disempowering phrases with self-confirmation sentences such as "does that clarify things?" or inviting questions like "let me know if you have any questions." By framing our communication as a mutual exploration of ideas, we not only inspire confidence in our audience but also encourage open dialogue, showing that you are ready and willing to address any concerns. Remember, it's not just about conveying information - it's about standing tall as a knowledgeable and respected professional in your field. Found this helpful? Follow for more career tips that will surely get you ahead and keep you there. #ProfessionalCommunication #CareerProgression #SelfConfidence #CareerTips #ImmigrantProfessionals #EffectiveCommunication #CareerDevelopment