While writing email/applying for a PhD or Postdoc position, many candidates often do not receive response to their mails. Considering this, I have following suggestions for the candidates;
- Not Contacting the Right Professor:
It is always recommended to approach the professor whose expertise/research work matches with your area of research and experience. If you will write to person working in the different field, or not aware of your research area, it will not leave a good impression.
- Generic or AI generated Emails:
Writing a standard/generic or AI generated email and sending it to every professor is of No Use. You have to dig deeper into the professor’s research work, explain how your research is connected, highlight their important publications and how you can contribute in his/her group. In this manner you can establish the fact that you are well aware with their research and get some extra points.
- Emails to Multiple Professors in Same Department:
A department has many professors who also have discussions between them. So, sending the same email to multiple professors of different fields in the same department is never advised. They can figure it out easily and then it will only show your lack of commitment.
- Content of the Email::
Professors usually receive a huge number of applications and don’t have much time to read lengthy emails. So, you should try to be short, precise and to the point. Avoid boasting achievements and mention the right things (skills, experience, expertise, fellowship options etc.) and highlight how you can be asset to the group.
- Timing of Email:
It is not advised to write emails outside the office hours and during the weekend/vacation period. You should always try to send the email on working days (not weekend/holidays) and plan the email in such a manner that it should be delivered in morning time. Else it is suppressed below other emails and remains unread.
- Be Patient:
Being patient is the key in this game, as sometimes professors do not have the funding or have found another person more deserving than you. Then, they avoid giving you the bad news and hence do not respond. So, you need to be patient and keep applying without getting depressed or frustrated.
I hope these points would help you. If yes, feel free to share it in your network.