27 Email Templates for Work Settings - The Muse

27 Email Templates for Work Settings - The Muse27 Email Templates for Work SettingsCommunication is hard work. According to recent research, we spend 1/3 of our time in the office on email- a number thats surely rising. And that doesnt even take into account the stress involved in figuring out how to convey a potentially difficult message, like asking for help, saying no, or admitting you messed up. To help make the most of your time and energy, weve rounded up some of our favorite scripts and vorlages for making email (and a few other things, like that pesky LinkedIn recommendation you need to write) much easier and less time consuming. Whether youre job searching, networking, dealing with day-to-day work communications, or trying to be a better manager, find your situation below, tweak the template to your liking, and send it off Job Search1. You Need Your Networks Help Finding a JobReaching out to your current network and letting them know youre on the hunt is a surefire way to ma ke your job search easier Why search on your own when you could have a whole army of contacts keeping an eye out for opportunities, too? But, to make it more likely that they will help you, make it as easy as possible for them by sending an email like this.Read mora2. You Need a Referral at Your Dream CompanyYouve applied to a job at your dream company- and then leidiced a friend is connected to someone there. Asking him or her to connect you and vouch for you can feel weird, but it doesnt have to be. Heres how to do it the right way.Read mora3. You Want to Write the Perfect Cover Letter to Strut Your SkillsYour titelblatt letter shouldnt just walk through your job history (thats your resumes job). Highlighting your skills can be a great way to mix things up or show why youd be an ideal candidate if you have a less traditional path. Try filling in this template, and see how impressive you sound.Read More4. You Need to Write a Thank You Note for an InterviewEspecially if youre interv iewing a lot, theres no need to fret over each individual thank you note. For a basic note that gets the job done, start with this template, tweak it slightly for each company and role, and send it off by EOD after youve interviewed. Read More5. You Want to Send a Thank You Note That Really Goes Above and BeyondIf you just interviewed for your absolute dream job, you may want to go a bit beyond the basic thank you note. Check out this template for an idea of how you can add value to the company before youre even offered the job. With this approach, the hiring manager will have a hard time not bringing you on board.Read More6. You Applied to a Job a Week or Two Ago- and Want to Check InHavent heard back from your dream job? If youve been holding your breath for a few weeks, it doesnt hurt to send a short, professional follow-up email, like this one.Read More7. You Need to Turn Down a Job OfferYou interviewed, youve been given an offer- but youve decided you need to turn it down. Keep your message appreciative, give a brief explanation why, and make sure to keep the door open. These ideas should help craft your message.Read MoreIn the Office8. You Dont Really Know What the Sender Is Asking ForYou know the email There are a lot of words, but nothing is really said, and youre left wondering what the other rolle wants from you. It can seem like a tricky situation, but the solution is actually pretty simple Punt it back to the rundfunkstation nicely to ask for clarification.Read More9. You Need to Say No to SomethingEven if we need to do it (or really want to do it), we all have a hard time saying no. No matter the situation, these short and sweet scripts will make it much, much easier.Read More10. You Need to Say No to Someone You Really Want to HelpSaying no is especially hard when its someone you really want to help, you just dont have the bandwidth a friend, a close colleague, or someone who has given you support in the past. Use this template to make it easier and to let him or her down in the most caring way possible.Read More11. You Receive a Complicated Laundry List of Thoughts, Ideas, and TasksThis email is one full of action items, questions, thoughts, comments, tasks- the list goes on and on. It would take you forever just to weed through the message, let alone do the work. Your response will be a little different depending on if this is a boss or a colleague, but either way, youll need to ask for some help prioritizing.Read More12. You Need More Information to AnswerSomeone asks you a question out of the blue, and you have no idea what he or she is talking about. Or, you have a sense, but know you need a little more information to answer well. Quickly email the sender back asking for context or the specific details you need.Read More13. Your Colleague Is Making a Project Too DifficultAre you working with someone who is making something much (much) more difficult than it needs to be? It can be hard to suggest a better way without hu rting somebodys feelings, but by doing so youre making everyones lives easier. Simply choose your words wisely and use phrases that remind your colleague that youre working together collaboratively on this. Read More14. Youve Got a Workplace Conflict- and You Need to Tell Your BossObviously, running to your boss shouldnt be the first thing you do when youre having problems with one of your co-workers try working it out on your own first, before enlisting the higher-ups. But if the situation keeps coming up, its okay to go talk to your manager- as long as you follow this script to do it without sounding like youre whining. Read More15. You Need to Turn Down a ProjectIf youve been asked to do a project you really dont want to do, you want to write a little more than absolutely not back. Whether its not part of your job or you just dont think its worth your time, start with these scripts to nicely say no.Read More16. Youre Quitting Your JobWriting a resignation letter can be scary to s ay the least, but with this easy template youll have a great letter written and be out the door in no time.Read MoreManagement17. Youre Inviting a Candidate in for an InterviewWhether youre interviewing someone for the first time or do this on the reg and are just tired of writing the email, weve got the perfect template for inviting a candidate in for an interview- full of all the details he or she needs to know.Read More18. Youre Offering a Candidate a JobYouve interviewed someone who killed it, and youre excited to invite him or her to the team Use this easy template to get that offer out the door ASAP.Read More19. Youre Turning a Candidate DownThis one can be tough, but the trick is to keep it short and to the point. Copying and pasting this template should make the job much easier.Read More20. You Messed Up- and Need to Tell Your CustomersDelivering the news about a crisis or problem to your customers or clients can be hard, but it gives you the chance to show that youre on top of it and working on the issue. This script should help get the message out fast- so you can spend more time fixing the problem.Read More21. You Need to Write a LinkedIn Recommendation- FastDont hem and haw when youve been asked to write a recommendation for someone on LinkedIn. Fill in the blanks of this template, and youll have a stand-out recommendation done in less than five minutes.Read MoreNetworking22. You Need an IntroductionYou find out a friend or colleague knows somebody who would be perfect for you to know, whether its for your career growth, your job search, or your sales efforts. How can you ask your contact to introduce you- without sounding needy and annoying? This template should do the trick.Read More23. Youve Been Asked to Make an IntroductionIf youve been asked by a colleague to introduce him or her to a contact. But, you dont just want to connect them right away- you want to make sure your contact is okay with being introduced, so as not to annoy him or make hi m uncomfortable. Heres the email to send to get the OK.Read More24. Youre Actually Making the IntroductionAll is said and done, and your contact is happy to be introduced to your friend. Great Use this short template to briefly remind each person why youre introducing them, and then get this out of your handsRead More25. You Need to Explain What You DoWhether in person at a networking event or over email with a new contact, it can be tricky to explain exactly what you do in a way thats not totally boring. Hint Dont just tell your job title. Then, look at this template to make your elevator pitch more memorable.Read More26. You Want a Client to Recommend You to OthersHave some clients who love you- and hoping they will spread the word about how great your products or services are? This email will make it incredibly easy for anyone to help you out.Read More27. You Have Way Too Many People Asking to plattl Your BrainDont have time to answer all the emails asking for informational inter views, let alone actually going on them? Here are some strategies for making it work- or turning them down- with easy-to-email scripts for each.Read MoreEasy enough, right?However, before you send that message off, keep in mind these 25 basic email etiquette rules- that is, if you want your email to actually get a response.