Sometimes, in order to do your best at work, you need to ask for more details. But, how can you go about this without coming across as uncertain or demanding?
In this article, we’ll discuss how to politely ask for more information in an email.
In particular, we’ll consider 7 unique phrases that you can use in your professional correspondence to make a good impression while also finding out what you need to know.
Below, you’ll find 7 examples of how to politely ask for information in email:
- I am writing to inquire about
- I would appreciate some information
- Could you give me some further details
- I would be grateful for some insight
- Would you mind telling me
- Do you have any insight
- I would love to learn more
1. I Am Writing to Inquire About
The phrase I am writing to inquire about is a great one to include in a formal email asking for details about a role or training scheme that you might have come across while job hunting.
As you are reaching out to a member of a company or organization, it’s good to put your best foot forward and be as formal and professional as possible in your initial email.
Once you learn more about the culture of the company, you will probably tone your emails down a fair bit.
However, in your first email, it’s essential to make a good first impression with your articulate turn of phrase!
Therefore, let’s see an email sample that includes this phrase:
Dear Ms. Crichlow,
I am writing to inquire about the Editor’s Assistant role advertised on LinkedIn.
Thank you for any information you can provide.
Kind regards,
James Yamamura
2. I Would Appreciate Some Information
You can say I would appreciate some information when you’re seeking information from colleagues at work.
This phrase is polite and tentative. Therefore, you can use it when you are new to the office and want to develop a good rapport with your coworkers.
After all, your fellows are probably very busy. Thus, you should always show gratitude when asking them to take the time to help you.
Alternatively, you can use this phrase if you are speaking to a colleague you don’t know particularly well, perhaps because they work in a different department.
For instance:
Dear Nina,
I would appreciate some information about Mrs. Claudette’s spending history.
Do you have access to her accounts?
Kind regards,
Julian
3. Could You Give Me Some Further Details
You can use the phrase could you give me some further details to ask a customer for information professionally.
When you are trying to assist a customer with a query or complaint, it’s important to collect as much information as possible about their issue.
This will ensure that you can provide a fully informed and well-rounded response.
The phrase could you give me some further details is very clear and intelligible, without leaning into unnecessary formalities.
This makes it appropriate for an interaction with a customer who simply wants their questions answered and won’t appreciate flowery emails.
See the email sample below:
Dear Miss Lawther,
Could you give me some further details about the nature of your claim?
Kind regards,
Wunmi Lawal
4. I Would Be Grateful for Some Insight
I would be grateful for some insight is another example of how to request information via email, particularly about a job that you have seen advertised.
You can also use this phrase to get more information about a job offer. After all, it’s important to know precisely what you’re getting into before you accept anything!
The inclusion of “I would be grateful” keeps your tone cheerful and polite.
Moreover, the word insight implies that the other person has a deep understanding of the company and its employee acquisition processes.
This will show that you respect the receiver’s authority and knowledge as the hiring manager at an organization.
Have a look at how we’ve used this phrase in a sample email:
Dear Ruibo,
Thank you very much for your offer.
Before I respond, I would be grateful for some insight into the company’s training mechanisms for new recruits.
Kind regards,
Linette Rhyse
5. Would You Mind Telling Me
Would you mind telling me is another great way to ask for information from a client or customer.
You can use this synonym when you are asking for a client’s contact details or any information that could be sensitive or personal.
By asking would you mind, you are checking whether the client is comfortable sharing certain information.
This will show that you don’t want to be demanding or intrusive. Rather, you are seeking information that can help you help them.
In short, this phrase offers the client the opportunity to set boundaries regarding the information they are willing to share.
Let’s see it in an email example:
Dear Nathan,
Thank you for your email.
So that I can address your query, would you mind telling me the phone number you used to make your order?
Kind regards,
Kristen
6. Do You Have Any Insight
Another example of how to ask for information in an email is to ask do you have any insight.
You can use this phrase when you are trying to learn information about a job from a recruiter.
By asking whether the recruiter has any insight into the organization, you are recognizing the fact that they are probably an independent third party and not a member of the organization itself.
After all, there are a plethora of recruiting companies that are enlisted by big corporations to find new employees for them.
Therefore, the phrase do you have any insight doesn’t ask for information directly.
Rather, it asks whether the recruiter is able to provide any extra information about the company they are recruiting for.
Consider this example:
Dear Fatima,
I have looked over the job requirements and am very interested in this role.
However, do you have any insight into whether the company offers sponsorship for foreign employees?
Kind regards,
Kurtis Lee
7. I Would Love to Learn More
All the above phrases should assist you greatly should you ever have to ask for information again.
However, our final phrase is one of the most enthusiastic options to go with. Therefore, I would love to learn more is a great choice when you are discussing a job with a prospective employer.
Saying you would love to learn more about a company or role will let the hiring manager know that you have a keen interest in your chosen industry.
Additionally, it will show that you are high energy and excited to hear about what the company does.
This will make you a very attractive candidate!
This phrase may come across as a tad effusive in especially formal roles. However, if you are a new entrant to the professional world, a can-do attitude is very sought after.
Thus, to see this phrase in action, check out our final email example below:
Dear Mr. Gallivan,
Thank you very much for contacting me about this position.
I would love to learn more about your business and this role in particular.
Kind regards,
Wayland Yang
