What Do You Say in an Email With a Cover Letter and Resume?
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The rules for emailing your job application properly go beyond “please find attached my resume and cover letter”:
- Write a clear subject line. It should indicate why you’re writing and who you are.
- Include an appropriate salutation. It’s best to address the hiring manager by name; to whom it may concern and equivalents are hardly acceptable these days.
- Introduce yourself. Mention the position you’re applying for, and write a paragraph that will work as a condensed version of your cover letter.
- Close with a call to action. Make it clear you’ll be happy to provide more details and answer any questions.
- Add a professional signature. Don’t forget to add your contact information.
- Attach the files. Rename them before you send.
A slightly different scenario is emailing a resume when you have to use the email as your cover letter. In that case, you have to go into greater detail and describe why they should hire you. Once you’ve greeted the manager, get straight to the point and explain in 2–3 paragraphs how your skills, expertise, and key work accomplishments make you a good fit.
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