How to apply for a job by email

Why email applications matter

Many Tanzanian employers, especially small businesses, schools, hotels and NGOs, ask candidates to send applications to an email address. A tidy email gives a good first impression before the recruiter opens your CV.

Use the exact subject line

If the advert gives a subject line, copy it exactly. Recruiters often filter their inbox by subject. If none is given, use the job title and your name, for example: Application for Sales Officer – Juma Hassan.

Write a short message

Greet the recipient, state the post you are applying for, give one or two sentences on why you fit, and list the attachments. Do not leave the email body empty, and do not paste your whole CV into the message.

Attachments

• Send PDFs, not photos taken at an angle.
• Name files clearly: Juma-Hassan-CV.pdf, Juma-Hassan-Certificates.pdf.
• Combine certificates into one PDF where possible and keep the total size small (under 5 MB is a safe target).
• Attach only what the advert asks for.

Before you press send

• Send from a professional email address based on your name.
• Check the recipient address character by character.
• Send the application individually; do not copy many employers on one email.
• Keep a record of where and when you applied.

A simple email template

Dear Hiring Manager, I am applying for the position of Sales Officer advertised on Daraja. I have a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and two years of field sales experience in Dodoma, where I consistently met my monthly targets. Please find attached my CV, application letter and certificates. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, followed by your full name and phone number.

Adapt the wording to your own qualifications and the role. A short, specific message is better than a long general one.

Following up

Many employers do not reply to every applicant. If the advert does not say otherwise, it is reasonable to send one polite follow-up email about a week after the deadline. Avoid calling the employer repeatedly or sending the same application many times.

Kwa Kiswahili

Unapotuma maombi kwa barua pepe, tumia kichwa cha habari kama kilivyoandikwa kwenye tangazo. Andika ujumbe mfupi unaotaja nafasi unayoomba na viambatisho ulivyotuma. Tuma CV na vyeti kama PDF zenye majina yanayoeleweka, kutoka kwenye anwani ya barua pepe ya kitaalamu, na tuma kwa kila mwajiri peke yake.