How to Email a Resume and Cover Letter Attachment

How to Email Cover Letter and Resume Attachments

Copyright Alison Doyle

When you apply for jobs via email, you may need to send your resume and cover letter as an attachment. It's important to send your attachments correctly, to include all the information you need so your email message is read, and to let the receiver know how they can contact you to schedule an interview.

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 How to Save a Cover Letter and Resume

Copyright Pali Rao

When you are sending cover letter and resume attachments, the first step is to save your resume as a PDF or a Word document. This way the receiver will get a copy of the resume and letter in the original format.

If you have word processing software other than Microsoft Word save your resume as a Word (.doc or .docx) document. File, Save As, should be an option in your program.

Depending on your word processing software, you may be able to File, Print to Adobe PDF, to save your documents as a PDF. If not, there are free programs you can use to convert a file to a PDF.

Use your name as the file name, so the employer knows whose resume and cover letter it is i.e. janedoeresume.doc and janedoecoverletter.doc.

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 How to Include a Subject Line in an Email Message

Copyright Alison Doyle

The subject line is one of the most important parts of the email messages you send to apply for jobs. Your email message must include a subject line and it should explain to the reader who you are and what job you are applying for.

Add a subject to the email message before you start writing it. That way, you won't forget to include it afterwards.

Here's what to write:

Subject: Your Name - Job Title 

• How to Write Email Subject Lines
• Email Subject Line Examples

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 How to Send an Email Message with a Cover Letter and Resume

Copyright Alison Doyle

Once you have saved your resume and cover letter and they are ready to send, the next step is write an email message to send with your documents.

This example of sending a cover letter attachment is shown using Microsoft Outlook. First, open your email account. Then click on Message at the top left of the screen or click on File, New, Message.

You can either type your cover letter directly into the email message, copy and paste from a word processing document, or, if the company requests an attachment, send your cover letter with the email message. 

Also make sure to follow the directions in the job posting when sending your cover letter and resume or your application may not be considered.

5

 Add a Signature to an Email Message

Copyright Alison Doyle

It is important to include an email signature with all your contact information, so it's easy for hiring managers and recruiters to get in touch with you. Include your full name, your email address, and your phone number in your email signature, so the hiring manager can see, at a glance, how to contact you.

To add your signature to your email message, click on File, Insert, Signature if you have a signature saved that you use for job searching. If you haven't created an email signature, type your contact information (name, email address, phone) at the bottom of your message.

• How to Set Up an Email Signature
• Sample Email Signature

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 How to Attach a Resume and Cover Letter to an Email Message

Copyright Alison Doyle

Once your email message is ready to send, you need to attach your resume and cover letter to your message. Click on Insert, Attach File. Microsoft Outlook will display a list of files in the default file folder of your computer.

If your resume and cover letter are stored in a different folder, click on the appropriate folder.

Click to select the file you want to add to your email message, and then click on Insert to attach the document to your email message. Take the time to carefully proofread the message before you send it.

Before you click Send, send the message to yourself to be sure all the attachments come through and your email message is perfect.

Send a copy of the message to yourself, as well as to the company, so you have a copy for your records. Add yourself as a Bcc (blind carbon copy) by clicking Bcc... and adding your email address.

Then click Send and your cover letter and your resume will be on its way to the employer.