• Search Search Please fill out this field.
  • Career Planning
  • Finding a Job
  • Cover Letters

How To Email a Resume and Cover Letter Attachment

cover letter attaching resume email

Ashley Nicole DeLeon / The Balance

Depending on the job for which you're applying, you may need to email your resume and cover letter to the hiring manager. That's often the case with smaller employers. For other employers, you'll apply online or via a job board.

What's the easiest way to attach your resume and cover letter to an email message? When you're asked to send a resume or cover letter via email, follow these steps to ensure you have correctly attached your documents, written an email explaining what you are sending and why, added your signature to the email, and included a subject line that will get your message opened and read by the recipient.

Key Takeaways

  • Most employers request a Microsoft Word document or a PDF file of your resume. 
  • It's easy to save your documents in the file format requested by an employer.
  • When saving your documents, use your name as the file name.
  • Include a subject line that states who you are and what job you are applying for in the email message.

Check the Employer's Instructions

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

What's most important is to follow the employer's instructions and send exactly what they have asked for in the format it's requested. If you don't, your message may end up in a spam or trash folder.

Save Your Cover Letter and Resume

When sending your cover letter and resume attachments, the first step is to save your resume as a PDF or a Word document . The job posting should specify how to send the attachment. This way, the receiver will get a copy of the resume in the original format.

If there aren't instructions on how to send your documents, submit your resume as either a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) or as a PDF file. These are the formats most commonly preferred by employers, and it's easy to save the documents and add them as attachments to your email message.

You can either save your cover letter in document format or write it directly in the email message.

Save as a Word Document

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.

Save a Google Doc as a Word Document

If you don't have Microsoft Word, you can save a Word (.docx) version of a Google Doc. Select File > Download and choose Word Document (.docx).

How to Save as a PDF

Whether the employer requests a PDF file or you opt to send a PDF, here's how to convert a document file.

To save a Word document as a PDF:

  • Select  File > Save As  in Microsoft Word.
  • Select  PDF  from the  Format  drop-down menu.

To save a Google Doc as a PDF:

  • Select  File > Download and choose  PDF Document .

Choose a Unique File Name

When saving your document, 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.

Don't use "resume" as a file name, because it will be hard to differentiate your resume from those of the other applicants.

Include a Subject in the Email Message

The subject line is one of the most important parts of the email messages you send to apply for jobs. If you don't include one, your message may not even get opened. 

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. Be specific, so the recipient knows what he or she is receiving. Employers often hire for many positions at the same time, so include both your name and the job title.

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

Here's what to write:

Subject: Your Name - Job Title

If the employer requests additional information, like a job ID number, be sure to include that too.

Write an Email Message to Send With Your Resume

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

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 write your cover letter as part of the email message or send it as an attachment. Here's how:

Write Directly in the Email

You can either type your cover letter directly into the email message , copy and paste it from a word processing document, or if the company requests an attachment, send your cover letter and resume with the email message. So, your choices are to send a cover letter attachment or to use the email message as your cover letter.

If you are attaching a cover letter, your email message can be brief. Simply state that your resume and cover letter are attached. Offer to provide additional information and let the reader know how you can be contacted.

Be sure to follow the directions in the job posting for how to apply when sending your cover letter and resume or your application may not be considered.

Adding Your Signature To the Email

It is important to include an email signature with 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. If you have a LinkedIn profile , include it in your signature. Do the same with any other social media accounts you use for career and business purposes.

Sample Email Signature

Jared Harshbarner jared.harshbarner@email.com 617-123-3790 linkedin.com/in/jared.harshbarner

How To Add Your Signature

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, LinkedIn) at the bottom of your message.

Attach Your Resume and Cover Letter to an Email Message

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. Your email client 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 their way to the employer.

Review a Sample Email Message

Here's a sample email message sent with resume and cover letter attachments to apply for a job.

Subject: Sarah Smith – Museum Docent

Dear Ms. Cooper,

I’m writing to apply for the summer docent program at the Museum of Local History.

I have extensive docent experience, having volunteered at both the Harbor Museum and ABC Art, and have led tours both as a student leader and a member of the town historical society. In addition, I’m a lifelong town resident and an enthusiastic amateur historian.

I’ve attached my cover letter and resume for your review. I hope you’ll contact me at your convenience to discuss the program and arrange an interview. Thank you for your time.

Sarah Smith sarah.smith@email.com 555-555-1234 linkedin.com/in/sarahsmith

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it better to send a word document or a pdf to apply for a job.

A PDF file retains the format of your resume and letter, so the recipient will see them as you wrote them when they open the file(s) you send. A Word document is easily read by the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that employers use to manage job applications. What's most important is to follow the company's application guidelines.

How can I be sure my documents are formatted correctly?

Send a test message, and email your resume and cover letter to yourself before you send it to the employer. That way, you'll know your documents are formatted and attached correctly.

ZipJob. “ Resume PDF or Word: The Best File Format in 2022 ."

Google. " Create, View, or Download a File ."

Microsoft. " Save or Convert to PDF or XPS in Office Desktop Apps ."

Adobe. " How to Convert a Google Doc to a PDF ."

Flow through your inbox

Flowrite turns your instructions into ready-to-send emails and messages across your browser.

cover letter attaching resume email

For companies

Nov 7, 2022

How to email a resume with 8 samples and templates

At some point during your career you’ll need to send your resume by email. Here's how you do it.

Blog writer

Lawrie Jones

Table of contents

Are you searching for a job? Thinking of applying?

Either way, at some point, you’ll need to send your resume by email.

When sending an email with a resume attached, you’ll need to ensure your message is targeted at the right person, provides all the information you need and hits the right tone of voice. 

How to email a resume

You might be wondering, what should I write in an email when sending a resume? That's what we show you in this guide on how to email a resume.

After going over the basic principles and essential things to note about emailing a resume, you can see 8 examples of resume emails.

What to write in an email when sending a resume

For each job, US employers can expect to receive around 250 resumes . Naturally, they’re looking for reasons to discard them. Informal emails, spelling mistakes, and grammar slip-ups will see your email filed under “Junk”.

Great resume emails are simple, straightforward and easy to understand. They’re not overly funny or attempt to be friendly. But they are professional and provide a little glimpse into your personality. 

The purpose of your email is simply to give the recruiter enough information so that they are encouraged to open your resume. This isn’t a cover letter, so you don’t need to go into vast levels of detail about who you are and why you’re applying, but a short “elevator pitch” is appropriate. 

10 things to include in every resume email 

Here’s a checklist of 10 things you should write in an email when sending a resume:

  • Short introduction of yourself
  • Statement about the position you are applying for (to avoid any misunderstanding!)
  • Brief “elevator pitch” about why you should be considered for the position
  • Previous experience with similar roles or relevant results of similar jobs
  • Relevant personal information (more on this in the email format section)
  • Contact details (including preference)
  • Helpful information (such as if you’re going on holiday in the next few days, for example)
  • Offer to answer any questions that the recruiter might have (about interview dates, for example)
  • Request for information on the next steps
  • And remember to attach your cover letter and resume!

Should you send a resume by email?

The answer is 100% yes. Sure, in many cases, you can submit your resume through an online form, so why should you send your resume by email?

Firstly, it creates a personal connection between you and the recruiter. You’ve taken the initiative to email them, and that’s more effective than the anonymity of a web form. 

Secondly, you’re not constrained by character counts. That means you can go into as much detail as you wish (as we explain below, don’t overload the recruiter with too much information). 

Thirdly, establishing a dialogue through email enables you to send follow-up emails if you need to – and in many cases, you will need to. Even the best-planned recruitment processes can be hit by delays , so be prepared to send a follow-up (and use our guide to help!).

Use a professional email address for your resume

Like it or not, your email address is an integral part of your first impression and silly email addresses can harm your chances of getting a job, say the experts. It takes seconds to set up a new online email account, so why put your job search success at risk? 

Some people use their work email accounts to send out resume emails. While it’s not a no-no, it’s risky. Someone may inadvertently see the message, or 

Sending resume email format

Hiring managers and executives are busy people, so you want to keep your email short and sweet. By stripping your messages back to the basics, they’re quicker and easier to write – which means you can spend more time searching for jobs!

When sending a resume email, use a professional format like this:

  • Resume email subject line
  • Email body (following our top 10 tips for effective resume emails)

Let’s look at the critical aspects of every resume email in more detail.

1. Subject line for resume email

Your resume email is a critical part of the process. Some online guides suggest you try to be friendly or funny, but don’t. Instead, please stick to the basics, keep things simple and make it easy for anyone to understand what your email is about. 

Here are some principles for effective resume email subject lines:

  • Label your email “Job application” or “Application for”
  • Include the job title in the subject line
  • Add a reference number

Here’s how this can work in practice:

  • Job application – Marketing Director – REF000111
  • Application for Marketing Director – REF000111
  • Resume attached – Marketing Director position – REF000111

Of course, you can experiment and develop your own resume email subject lines. In some industries, the creative sector, you may be bolder. 

2. Email body for sending resume

The email body is where you go into details about who you are, what job you’re applying for, and why. We’ve detailed the critical parts in include in your email body above, but as a brief recap, every resume email should include the following:

  • Introduction to you
  • Details of the job you’re applying for (including a reference number)
  • A short explanation of why you’re applying
  • Any other information 

It sounds like a lot, but you can cover it in a few short sentences. See our resume email examples below to see how we’ve achieved this. 

3. How to end a resume email

The end of your resume email is your opportunity to offer to answer any questions and ask about the next stage in the process. 

As well as a closing statement, you should provide the essential information the recruiter might need. Always end your resume email with the following:

  • Phone number
  • Relevant social media links, like LinkedIn and Twitter
  • Attach your cover letter and resume

4. Best resume email closings and sign-offs

Resume emails aren’t about being cool but clear, polite, and professional. Go with a classic email sign-off such as “look forward to hearing from you” or “kind regards”, and avoid exciting endings and exclamation marks (“Thanks!!!”).

8 resume email samples

We’ve unpacked the basics of a great resume email. Now it’s our chance to show you how to put everything into practice with 8 resume email samples.

We’ve tried to provide sample resume emails that cover several common situations. These templates include the essential hints and tips we’ve developed. 

Templates are great ways to learn how to format messages, but be sure to adapt and update these resume emails before sending them.

1. Sample email to send resume for job

This is a standard sample email for sending a resume for a job. This is a classic template that suits all circumstances, services, and sectors.

It’s not the most exciting, but it’s quick and easy to adapt, meaning you can send more applications faster. More applications mean more chances to secure a new job.

2. Sample email to send resume to recruiter

Recruiters can include those working in job agencies, internal recruiters and HR partners.

The flow of information is the same as the standard template above, but we add more detail about essentials that recruiters will need, including start dates, notice periods, and leave.

3. Simple sample email to send resume for job

If you have already had an interview with the company and you were asked to send a resume, keep it brief and simple. Sending a resume before an interview provides some vital background information and context for the company, so it’s worth doing if you can. 

4. Sample follow-up email after sending resume

As we’ve explained, you’ll likely have to send many resumes before securing a response or an interview.

If you’re excited about a position or want to understand the next steps in the process, here’s a sample follow-up email after sending a resume that you can use.

5. Sample email cover letter with attached resume

Some recruiters and some companies will request a cover letter alongside a resume. When this is the case, you can assume the recruiter will read your cover letter, which means your email can be much shorter and more precise.

There’s no need to go into much detail about why you’re passionate about the position. See what we mean in this sample email cover letter with the attached resume.

6. Thank you for considering my resume email sample

Some job seekers stop contact when they receive a no. Others will send a thank you email for considering a resume, which can establish a relationship. Here’s a classic “thank you for considering my resume” email sample.

7. Asking someone to review your resume email sample

Writing a resume isn’t easy, and after spending days poring over the details, it’s often a good idea to get someone else to check it before you send it. So here’s a sample email asking for someone to review your resume.

8. Sample how to respond to a resume received email

If you’re a manager or recruiter, you’ll probably have to send hundreds of emails responding to resumes. Here’s a standard professional sample response that you can cut and paste.

Best email template for sending resume

You’ve read our 8 sample resume samples, but we’ve saved the ultimate email for last. Here’s the best email template for sending a resume by email. 

Final words on sending your resume via email

If you’re searching for a job, you’ll spend lots of time sending out your resume. By breaking things down into chunks, it’s easier to apply them in practice.

When you come to write your resume emails, remember to follow our top tips, be professional and provide some insight into your personality.

You’ll likely experience rejection when sending out your resume, but don’t be disheartened. Your perfect job could be an email away!

Supercharge your communication with Flowrite

Write emails and messages faster across Google Chrome.

Explore Flowrite

Template visualization

Start using Flowrite today

Try it yourself

Reply to: "

Received message

Generate a reply

Generate an outreach

Share this article

Related articles

Blog visual

How to ask for a reference with 10 samples and a template

Here we show you how to ask for a reference by email using our handy email samples

Blog visual

How to write a professional job application email with 6 samples and templates

Your email can make or break your job application. Here we explain the process for writing an effective email for a job application.

Blog visual

How to write an email to a company with 4 samples and template

Here we help you draft professional, respectful emails to companies in easy-to-follow steps

Cookie emoji

We use cookies to analyze site performance and deliver a better experience for visitors.

Product visual

Product updates

Read the latest →

cover letter attaching resume email

About Flowrite

Get to know us →

Productivity

cover letter attaching resume email

© 2023 Flowrite

ResumeCoach

How to Email a Resume and Cover Letter to an Employer

Margaret Buj

When you are job hunting,  emailing your resume and cover letter  is a standard part of the process. But what is  the best way to email a resume ?

Potential employers are very quick to judge so it is essential to  make a positive first impression . The email you send is the first thing they see so it is important to get it right.

If you have spent time writing an attractive  professional resume  it would be tragic to fall at the first hurdle by making a mistake when you  email a resume and cover letter .

Thankfully, it is not rocket science. Using this step-by-step on  how to email a resume to a potential employer  will help to get your resume noticed.

Follow the employers’ instructions

When you are  sending your resume by email  it is important to follow the employer’s instructions to the letter. Failure to do so will show that you either have not read the job posting properly, or you have poor attention to detail.

The job advert normally gives detailed instructions on  how to send your resume in an email . The details often state the  resume format  you should use, what you should include in the subject line of the email, what attachments you should send, and when the deadline is, among other information.

How to choose the correct resume file format

Employers normally ask for resumes to be sent either as a PDF document or as a Word document (.doc). If the required resume format is not stated in the job posting you can send your  email resume as a .pdf or .doc.

There are various mistakes that candidates make on their resumes, so before you save it, make sure you have avoided the  most common mistakes when writing a resume .

To save your resume as a Word document  click ‘File’, ‘Save as’, then there should be an option to save it as a Word (.doc or .docx) file.

How to save your resume as a PDF  depends on what word processing software you use. Normally, you can click ‘File’, ‘Print to PDF’/’Export as PDF’, and then save the file. Read some tips on  choosing a good resume file name  to make sure that it is named appropriately.

Writing a cover letter

Depending on the position, you might need to  write a cover letter  to provide additional information on your  experience , expertise, why you are  applying for the job , and why you are a good fit for the position.

Sometimes employers give specific instructions on what you should write about in your cover letter, make sure you follow these. The  resume cover letter  should demonstrate why you are a strong candidate for a position.

The cover letter should be as well written as your resume and any other documentation you send an employer.  Use formal English .

There are two email  formats which you can use to include your cover letter . You can either copy and paste it into the main body of the email, or  include it as a PDF or Word document .

If you send the  resume cover email  as an attachment, you still need to write an email for attaching the resume.  Write a  formal email  stating why you are applying for the position and that your resume and cover letter are attached.

How to email a resume to a company: final checklist

Once you have written your  resume email and cover letter ,   there are some crucial things you should check before you send the email. There are some typical rookie mistakes to avoid, using a  resume builder  will help you to achieve this. Here are some final tips on  how to email a resume to a company.

Keep it simple

Do not use a fun, crazy, or alternative font, use a simple one such as Arial, Calibri or Verdana. Also, avoid using HTML as you do not know if the employer will be able to see it.

Send attachments correctly

It is incredible how many people forget to attach their resume to their email. This looks forgetful and amateurish. Double check you have included all the correct attachments before you send the email.

Don’t Forget the Details

The  email with your resume  should include a subject line and a signature with your contact details. The subject line should include the position which you are applying for, if you do not include this your email may never be opened.

Proofread everything many times

Typos and small mistakes look unprofessional. Before you  email a resume,  proofread all of the documentation. Check it for clarity, spelling, and grammar. Also, pay special attention to names.

CV template Munich

Struggling with Resume Writing?

Ease the process with our templates

Related Posts

A red button with the word send resume on it.

  • Resume Writing
  • Resume Examples
  • Cover Letter
  • Remote Work
  • Famous Resumes
  • Try Kickresume

What To Write in an Email When Sending a Resume to an Employer? (+3 Email Templates)

  • Klara Cervenanska , 
  • Updated January 12, 2024 7 min read

Have you found a job posting that asks you to submit your resume via email? Or maybe you’ve decided to approach your dream company directly. If so, you’re probably asking yourself right now — what to write in an email when sending my resume so I will stand out?

Sometimes employers provide clear instructions on what the email format should include. If that’s the case, follow the employer’s directions closely. 

But if you can’t find any instructions, don’t worry — you can follow the best practices described in this article!

Additionally, there are also 3 email templates for what to write in an email when sending a resume to an employer that you can download and edit to your liking.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

3 sample emails for sending your resume to recruiters:

How to email a resume: a few tips to keep in mind before sending the email.

  • Write an effective subject line. It's the first thing they're going to see

Email body for sending a resume: Keep it crisp, yet formal

Attaching files — resume and cover letter, what should you do before sending your email, what to write in your resume email key takeaways.

Feel free to use any of these templates as your first draft.

#1 Template of an email to send with your resume

#2 template of an email to send with your resume, #3 template of an email to send with your resume.

Additionally, these 10 more job application email templates will give you the help you need at any stage of the hiring process.

Finally, if you already have a fantastic LinkedIn profile but no resume, there's no need to write your CV from scratch. You can  convert your LinkedIn profile into resume  in seconds.

Before you start writing, ask yourself this:   Who is the person you're writing to?

Try to find the hiring manager's contact details so you can address them by name. A slightly more personal approach can decrease the chance of your resume being forgotten or disposed of.

Remember that   your email address needs to be professional . Emails like julezizcoolz@yahoo may have been cool in 2005, but not anymore. Instead, create a professional email address that consists of your first and last name.

You should also consider when to email your resume. In general, you want your email to be among the first ones they receive that day. This means you should send it very early — ideally before 8am.

The same applies for days of week. The later in the week you send your email, the lower the probability that someone reviews it. This is why you should send it very early on a Monday morning.

Naturally, do not put off applying if it's a first come first serve kind of job application. 

Key takeaways:

  • Look up the hiring manager's contact details;
  • Your email address needs to be professional;
  • Send it on a Monday, ideally well before 8am;

Write an effective subject line. It's the first thing they're going to see

Sure, the subject line is just a tiny part of the whole email. However, it's also the very first thing the recruiter is going to see. That's why you want the subject line of your resume email to be absolutely spot on.

First of all, check the job posting for instructions regarding the submission. There may be a preferred subject format the company uses. If that's the case, then you need to stick to it.

However, if there are no instructions, you should stick to the standard format for subject lines :

  • Subject: ‘Job application’ – Job title, Job ID (if applicable) — Your Name
  • Example: Job application – Office Manager, Job ID #1553 — Ian Lumberjack
  • Example (with referral): Referral from John Wick: Job application – Graphic Designer, Job ID #1554  — Nina Hughes

If someone recommended you for the job, definitely make this clear in the subject line. You can add your title or qualification if you wish — but remember, keep the subject line succinct.

Start off with a formal greeting and address the hiring manager by name (preferably last name).

In the first short paragraph you should state who you are, why you are sending this email and what the email contains.

Continue the next paragraph with a short but effective introduction of your best and proudest achievements. Of course, only mention those achievements that are relevant for the job. Close this paragraph by saying what value you would bring to the company and which skills you will use to accomplish this.

In the closing paragraph you need to say that you're looking forward to hearing back from them and meeting in person. You may add a captivating call for action   but be careful not to sound rude or overly keen.

Yours faithfully (US English) or Yours sincerely  (British English).

And finally, a professional signature is a must! Remember to include your contact details.

[Your name]

[Your job title]

[Email address]

[Phone number]

[LinkedIn profile] -  optional 

Remember, you want to keep the body of the email short and succinct. Don't go in too much detail otherwise you might loose the hiring manager's attention. 

Keep in mind that you simply cannot elaborate on every accomplishment and every work experience due to limited space. The email needs to be informative and concise.

This should go without saying but, don't forget to attach your resume to the email! 

Consider whether it's relevant to also attach your cover letter . When you apply for a job in bigger companies you may actually benefit from sending your cover letter as well as your resume. Just remember not to repeat yourself too much in your email body and your cover letter.

Avoid naming the attachments generically or randomly. Names like fghjvh.pdf or resume2.pdf can make it hard for the hiring manager to find these documents later. Name your a ttachments in a way that makes them easy to find   — Name_Surname_Resume.pdf and Name_Surname_Cover_Letter.pdf

The best format for sending your resume and cover letter is .pdf or .doc. We suggest saving your documents as  PDFs , since it's a universally accepted file format, it's easy to open and will not distort the formatting of your documents.

If you’re considering sending a video resume, you should know  how to convert video to MP4 , as it’s the most common format supported across different browsers and devices.

Keep in mind that files should not be larger than 10MB. Otherwise  they might be considered suspicious.

Last but not least, before sending it out, get your resume analyzed to make sure it contains everything it should.

  • Resume and cover letter need to be sent as attachments;
  • Name your attachments in a way that makes them easy to find;
  • Save documents in the PDF format;
  • Files should not be larger than 10MB.

Before you send the email with your resume and cover letter, you should check it for any spelling or grammatical mistakes.

Having bad grammar is definitely not something you want to be remembered for. Ask a friend to proofread all your documents. It can make a big difference. 

Additionally, it may be a good idea to send yourself a test email to see whether the formatting and layout of the email is up to the expected standard.

Don't forget to test download and open your files. Check whether you've attached the right file(s).

Also, avoid using any colorful fonts, pictures or emoticons. 

We can check your resume for you.

Scan your resume for issues and see how it compares against other resumes in our database.

Sending your resume attached to a well-written email can be a very effective strategy. It can help you find a way around ATS algorithms that filter out unsuitable resumes before they can even get to an HR employee for evaluation.

So how do you write one?

  • Before you start writing the email, make sure you know who to address. Knowing the hiring manager's name will make the email feel more personal and decrease the chance of it being forgotten.
  • Your resume address should sound professional. Send your resume email early on a Monday morning for maximum effectiveness.
  • We have provided you with email templates. No matter which one you choose, remember — keep the email short, informative and professional.
  • Attach your resume and cover letter in the PDF format and name them in a way that makes them easy to find, for example  Name_Surname_Resume.pdf and Name_Surname_Cover_Letter.pdf
  • After you have written the email and attached the documents, ask someone to proofread it for you to avoid any grammar errors and typos. Lastly, send yourself a test email to check the formatting and test download the files. 

After you send in your resume, cover letter and your job application, wait for a couple of days before sending a follow up email .

Christy's word of advice

For bigger companies, your application will probably be forwarded straight to the ATS, so just a short email referencing the attached cover letter/resume is fine. An exception is if you’ve been referred to them directly, in which case, keep it formal but mention the referee’s name. For smaller companies where your application is more likely to be manually reviewed, showing a bit of personality will help you to stand out.

Christy Morgan, Resident HR Expert

Concluding thought — even if you construct the perfect email to send with your resume, you still need to make sure you have an impressive resume and cover letter.  

We've got you covered. Check out these articles to help you create the perfect resume and cover letter:

  • How to Write a Resume: The Only Resume Guide You’ll Need in 2024
  • The Only Cover Letter Guide You’ll Need in 2024 (+Examples)

When emailing your resume to a hiring manager, start with a formal greeting using their last name. In the first paragraph, briefly introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your email. Next, highlight your most relevant and proud achievements, linking them to the value you can bring to the company and the skills you'll use to achieve this. Conclude by expressing your eagerness to hear back and the hope of meeting them in person. Sign off with "Yours faithfully" (US English) or "Yours sincerely" (British English), and include a professional signature with your contact details.

When sending your resume to a hiring manager via email, the subject should always include your name and purpose, e.g. Job application – Job title — Your Name .

In your email when sending a resume with a reference, briefly introduce yourself, mention the position you're applying for, and how you came to know about it. Specifically mention your reference's name and your relationship with them . Then continue by highlighting your most relevant and proud achievements, linking them to the value you can bring to the company. Conclude by expressing your eagerness to hear back and meeting them in person. Sign off.

Klara graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. After having written resumes for many of her fellow students, she began writing full-time for Kickresume. Klara is our go-to person for all things related to student or 'no experience resumes'. At the same time, she has written some of the most popular resume advice articles on this blog. Her pieces were featured in multiple CNBC articles. When she's not writing, you'll probably find her chasing dogs or people-watching while sipping on a cup of coffee.

Related Posts

Career change: 12 steps to get a new job in your 30s, 40s, and beyond.

  • 15 min read

9 Great Programming Projects to Significantly Boost Your Tech Career

  • 11 min read

Share this article

Join our newsletter.

Every month, we’ll send you resume advice, job search tips, career hacks and more in pithy, bite-sized chunks. Sounds good?

Protect your data

This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.

  • CV and Cover Letter
  • What to Say When Emailing a...

What to Say When Emailing a Resume (with Examples)

10 min read · Updated on January 11, 2024

Jen David

Introduce yourself professionally when you email your resume

You've written the perfect resume and tailored it to the role you're aspiring to. What should you do next? A few years back, you'd have printed it off on some quality paper, addressed an envelope in your best handwriting, posted it off, and settled in to wait for a response. These days, though, it's more common to email your resume. It's faster, it's more professional, and it's easier to share a file than a printout.

But if you're going to email your resume, what should you say? Should you attach a cover letter? How much detail should you include? 

So many questions! 

But fear not, TopResume is here to help you decide what to say when emailing a resume, and we have answers to all these questions and more. Settle in as we guide you through it.

Should I email my resume?

Yes! It's absolutely fine to email your resume when you apply for a job. In fact, it's usually preferred to printed correspondence these days. Of course, the most important point is that you should follow the instructions on the job posting. If it requests a printed resume or a resume uploaded via an online portal, you should definitely apply in line with those instructions. However, if there are no specific instructions, an email application is advisable. Just make sure you're addressing it to the right person!

General rules for emailing your resume

Before we get into the specifics, let's refresh on some general guidelines for emailing your resume to a company. After all, first impressions count, so using proper email etiquette is important.

Use a professional email address. “ HotLips69@...” may have seemed cool and funny when you set up the account, but does it really convey that you're a credible professional? If necessary, set up a new email account to use for job applications – and remember to check it regularly for responses!

Add a clear subject line. Make the point of your email clear with a logical  subject line – you could include the job title of the vacancy you're applying for, for example, or refer to the fact that the email is a job application or resume.

Choose a professional greeting. Think “Dear [name],” or even just “[name],” rather than “Hiya” or “Greetings.” While email is less formal than a letter, you still need to keep the tone professional.

Be concise. Short,  snappy paragraphs are easier to read on a screen, and no one wants to trudge through pages of waffle to find the information they need. Respect the reader's time by keeping it simple.

Add a formal sign-off. A version of “thank you” and your name is sufficient – you may also want to add your professional title, a contact number, and a link to your portfolio if you have one.

Don't forget the attachments! Make sure that you've actually attached your resume (and your cover letter, if required). Ensure they have sensible file names, too: “Jay Miller – Resume” or “J Miller – Sales Executive Resume” is more professional and easier to retrieve than something like “JM 010224 v3” or simply “Resume.” Also, double-check the file type that you're sending – check out our article  Word vs PDF  if you're not sure.

What to say when emailing your resume – the detail

So now we've reviewed the basics of email etiquette, let's get down to business. You need to know what to say when emailing a resume. Well, the exact wording will vary depending on the situation, the role, and your personality, but you'll certainly need to include the following:

Why you're emailing

Your reader may have a ton of open vacancies and is likely to receive many resumes for each one. Make their life easier by clearly stating the role you're interested in applying for. If you have a reference number for the vacancy, you can include that too.

Your elevator pitch

Briefly explain who you are , what you do, and why you're the right person for the open role. This doesn't need to take up a lot of space or be very detailed – the key thing here is to be convincing enough for them to want to open your resume document to find out more. Include whatever information is most pertinent to the role – that could be your academic qualifications, your industry experience, awards and accolades, or particular skills. Refer to the job posting to find out what the company wants to see in a successful candidate and ensure the requirements are reflected in your email.

A call to action

Encourage the reader to open your resume, reach out with further questions, or schedule an interview. This one little line can show your enthusiasm for the role, emphasize your professionalism, and prompt your reader to take the next step in progressing your application.

What to say when emailing a resume – sample messages

Do you need a bit more inspiration to craft your message? Take a look at these sample emails and use them as a frame for your own resume email. Remember, the job advert is your cheat sheet when it comes to deciding what details to prioritize here.

What to say when cold emailing a resume

To: Katie French

From: Matthew Cole

Subject: Sales resume

I've long admired XYZ Inc. as a leading supplier of home tech solutions and have heard many positive reviews about your company as an employer. To that end, I am attaching my resume in the event that a sales vacancy may soon arise.

As you can see, I have enjoyed a successful 10-year career in technology sales and am a committed user and advocate of your products. This year, I am on track to exceed my sales target by 46%. I would bring an extensive network of industry contacts and a proven ability to motivate sales teams to surpass expectations.

If there are no suitable vacancies at the moment, please feel free to keep my resume on file for future reference. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Matthew Cole

Sales Manager, Acme Products

What to say when emailing a resume in response to a job posting

Subject: Sales Executive vacancy (Ref: ABC123)

In response to your advertisement for a Sales Executive, I am attaching my resume. As you can see, I combine eight years of sales experience with a degree in Marketing and three awards for excellence in sales roles. 

The advertised role is particularly interesting to me, as it will allow me to leverage my expertise in technical sales, provide the opportunity for international growth, and establish trusted relationships with your clients to open new avenues for revenue and increased sales.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions; I look forward to discussing my suitability further with you at an interview.Thank you for your consideration,

Sales Executive, Acme Products

What to say when emailing a resume to a recruiter

Subject: Healthcare Roles

Dear Katie,

I saw on JobBoard.com that you are recruiting for several healthcare roles, and would like to submit my resume for your consideration. I combine 10 years' experience as a Healthcare Assistant with numerous industry certifications and consistently receive positive patient feedback.

I look forward to hearing from you,

What to say when emailing a resume to follow up on a conversation

Subject: Finance Manager follow-up

Following our phone discussion earlier today, I would like to reiterate my interest in the Finance Manager position and attach my resume for your consideration.

As you can see, I am currently fulfilling the Finance Manager role at XYZ Company and am looking forward to developing my career within a global organization. I have a master's degree in Business Administration, as well as extensive experience in managing the finance function within a security business. I look forward to bringing my leadership skills to your team of finance experts.

Please reach out to me at 555-555-5555 when you have had a chance to review my attached resume.Regards,

Finance Manager, XYZ Company

What to say when emailing a resume following a referral

Subject: Events Manager vacancy

Dear Ms French,

Please find attached my resume. I have been referred to the Events Manager position by one of your colleagues, John Day, who I previously worked with at ABC Inc. Having delivered many successful events with John as my manager, I'm flattered that he has now asked me to apply for your open role. 

I've recently delivered a conference for 800 international delegates and a team building event for 5 national teams, both of which were very well received and were completed within challenging budgets. I am confident that I can bring a similar level of client satisfaction to DEF Inc. and look forward to discussing the position further with you.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch to schedule an interview at your convenience,

555-555-5555

Should you attach a cover letter when emailing a resume?

Now we've covered what to say when emailing a resume, it's time to consider the cover letter. As you can see, we recommend that the body of the email be kept short and concise. If you feel the need to include more detail, you can consider attaching a cover letter as well as a resume. There's no obligation to do this unless a letter is specifically requested as part of the application instructions, but it does give you the opportunity to expand on key points of interest.

Top tip: You may like to read our article on  how to write a cover letter to make sure you get this part of your application bang on!

How long does it take to hear back after emailing a resume?

Don't panic if you don't hear back immediately! While email is a speedy way to apply, recruiters and hiring managers receive many resumes for every open role and need time to sift through them, create shortlists, and schedule interviews. That said, certain recruiters have a reputation for ghosting unsuitable candidates, or your application may simply have been overlooked, so there's no harm in following up after a week or two if you haven't heard anything.  

What to write in a follow-up email

Subject: Communications Assistant vacancy (ref: 12345)

I emailed my resume to you last week in response to your advertisement for a Communications Assistant. I just wanted to check that you'd received it, and to reiterate that I remain very interested in the role.

If you didn't receive the resume or have further questions regarding my application, please do get in touch with me either via email or by phone at 555-555-5555.

Email with confidence

Now you know what to say when emailing your resume in any situation, you're ready to apply for your dream job! Use this checklist to make sure you've nailed it before you hit the send button:

Correct email address and personalized greeting

Appropriate subject line

Clarification of the role you're applying for

Elevator pitch

Call to action

Professional sign-off

Attachments attached

Final proofread

If you feel that your resume isn't quite ready to be unleashed upon the world, why not get an expert opinion? Our free resume review will explain which areas need further work before you submit your application.

Recommended reading:

How to Write the Perfect Goodbye Email to Co-Workers & Clients

The Networking Email That Works Every Time

How To Use AI To Prepare For A Job Interview

Related Articles:

Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

How To Write a Sick Leave Letter (with Template and Example)

How to Write a Letter of Recommendation

See how your resume stacks up.

Career Advice Newsletter

Our experts gather the best career & resume tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.

Thanks! Career advice is on its way.

Share this article:

Let's stay in touch.

Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.

Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

How to Say, ‘Please Find Attached My Resume’ with Examples

Please Find Attached My Resume | How-to & Examples | Resume.comresumesplease-find-attached-my-resume

Quick Navigation

Should you say, ‘Please find attached my resume’?

How to say, ‘please find my attached resume’, examples of alternate messages for ‘please find attached my resume’.

When applying for jobs, it’s common for applicants to attach their resume and cover letter in an email to a hiring manager. And it’s a good idea to call attention to these attachments in the body of the email. One of the phrases that people frequently write is ‘Please find attached my resume,’ even though it is now considered overly formal. Learn why it may benefit you to choose a different phrase, and discover the many alternative ways to tell hiring managers that you’ve attached essential documents to an email.

In general, you should not include this phrase when attaching a resume or other documents to an email. Although ‘please find attached my resume’ is grammatically correct, it is simply too outdated for today’s professional setting. Similarly, the phrase is equally formal and old-fashioned. Using more direct phrases such as, ‘I have attached my resume for your review’ makes your language more relatable and eliminates the chance for confusion.

For recruiters who open hundreds of emails a day, knowing how to identify whether or not an email has an attachment is common knowledge. However, including a brief sentence to tell the hiring manager you have included an attachment is still a good practice. Although ‘Please find attached my resume’ may not be the best phrase to use, including one in an email is proper and polite, so consider alternate phrases that sound more modern and straightforward.

Follow these steps when adding and drawing attention to your resume attachment in an email.

1. First, ensure your attachments are virus-free

Even though business professionals commonly take steps to verify the safety of attachments before opening them, it’s always a good idea for you to run your files through virus-scanning software before you send them. One of the most common ways that hackers spread computer viruses is through attachments. You can do your part to protect the company’s network by keeping your files safe.

2. Second, follow the job listing’s instructions

It is important to read the job listing thoroughly to understand how the employer wants you to submit your resume and cover letter. Doing so demonstrates your ability to follow directions, so pay attention to the wording. If the instructions say to email your resume, you can choose to use the body of your email as your cover letter. Start with a formal greeting such as ‘Dear Mr. or Mrs.,’ and then write the three to four paragraphs that constitute a cover letter and end it with ‘Sincerely,’ followed by your name.

Only include your resume and cover letter as attachments in an email if the directions in the job listing specifically say to do so. In this case, you’ll need to write a short message in the body of the email indicating that you’ve attached your resume and cover letter as requested. Also, make sure you have formatted your resume correctly based on the job listing’s instructions.

3. Third, call attention to your attachments

Once you’re ready to submit your resume, it’s a good idea to call attention to your attachments with a short but professional and polite phrase. When you’re deciding what to say, choose a phrase that doesn’t sound too old-fashioned or unnatural when read aloud, such as ‘Please find my attached resume.’

Examples of acceptable alternative phrases for attachments:

  • I have attached my resume for your review/reference.
  • I attached my resume below.
  • My resume is attached for your review and consideration.
  • As the attached resume shows…
  • I have included/appended my resume for your review.
  • Please take a look at the attached resume.
  • Let me know if you have any questions regarding my attached resume.
  • My resume and cover letter are attached below.
  • Please have a look at the enclosed resume.
  • Please refer to the attached resume for more details on my…
  • Please see the attached resume to learn more about…
  • Please take a look at my resume and let me know if you have any questions.
  • I’ve attached my resume to this message and would love to be considered for the position.
  • The resume you requested is attached to this email.
  • You’ll find all the requested documents attached to this email.
  • I have attached my resume to this email, as requested.

4. Next, remember to attach your files

If you’re going to call attention to your attachments, make sure you actually include them. It is easy to let the message distract you and forget this final step. Rather than sending another message apologizing for not sending an attachment the first time, get into the habit of uploading the attachment when you first start the email. This way, you won’t have to worry about forgetting to add it before sending it to a hiring manager.

5. Lastly, consider file size and format

It is important to send files that are small and easy to open, especially for an employer who may access files on a mobile device. To do this, save your large files to an online cloud service that is accessible from anywhere. This makes it easy for anyone with your special link to access these files while saving valuable space.

If you used Microsoft Word to create your resume, you can also save your file as a PDF to make it easier to open from a device that might not have that program. This also ensures that your fonts and formatting look the same on all devices. Whether or not you use a PDF may also depend on the job listing’s specific instructions, so be sure to read them over if they ask for a particular file format.

Here are a few examples you can reference when looking for ways to guide hiring managers to your attached resume and cover letter.

Email example when you know the contact name

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am writing to apply for the position of sales associate, which was posted on your website. I have attached my cover letter and resume for your review. I believe you will find that my qualifications meet the requirements of your job listing. Please contact me at 555-555-5555 or email [email protected] if you have any additional questions. I look forward to hearing from you regarding employment with your company.

Email example when you’re addressing an unknown audience

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to apply for the store manager position. I believe that I am a strong candidate and possess the level of experience your company is looking for. Please look at the attached cover letter and resume to learn more about my qualifications and previous experience as a manager. You may reach me at 555-555-5555 or email [email protected] if you’d like to learn more information about me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Timothy Tucker

If you need help writing a resume, use our data-backed resume builder .

The rise of the job-search bots

I used resume spammers to apply for 120 jobs. Chaos ensued.

In the fall of 2020, I found myself in unfamiliar territory: I was looking for a new job. In theory, it was something I should have known a lot about as an economics reporter. But in practice, I was lost. Because I had stumbled into a great job right out of college, and stayed with that company for a decade, I was blissfully unaware of how soul-crushing it was to be a job seeker in 21st-century corporate America.

I threw myself into the task. I meticulously researched employers. I applied to a dozen openings. I tailored my CV to match each job description. I wrote heartfelt paragraphs about why each role was perfect for me. Yet all I got back was a raft of canned rejection emails — or worse, silence. I was floored that I didn't advance to a single interview. This is terrible , I thought. How does anyone do this? I might as well have been sending my applications out into the ether.

Luckily, I landed a job after a few months. But the experience stayed with me. And these days, applying for a job has turned into even more of a nightmare. In the current market, it's not uncommon for totally unremarkable jobs to attract thousands of applications . Employers are so overwhelmed by the flood of résumés that they're barely able to glance at most of them, let alone read them. The whole process has become an odds game: Job seekers submit their cover letters to hundreds of companies, struggling to stand out among the tsunami of applicants. Things have gotten so grim that LinkedIn no longer trumpets the number of people who have applied to openings on its job portal.

So when I heard that you can now use a bot to mass-apply to job openings, I was intrigued. The bots — with names like LazyApply and Massive — have turned job hunting into a technological arms race. You pay a fee, feed your résumé into the bot, tell it what you're looking for, and blam! — it starts sending out hundreds of applications on your behalf, often in real time. It's the promise of AI, applied to the job market: an intelligent, personalized, HR-slaying machine, designed to land you a gig through a combination of tech-savvy and brute force.

The question is: Do the bots work? I decided to find out. So I went undercover in the age of AI.

I wasn't looking for a job. But late one night I cracked open a beer, updated my résumé, pulled out my credit card, and entrusted my fate to a job-application bot. Which roles would it apply to? How accurately would it reflect my skills and interests to employers? A friend joked, "Does your editor know this story might end in you taking a new role?" The thought hadn't even crossed my mind. I didn't think any employers would actually bite. How could an AI-generated version of me possibly compete in such a crowded and chaotic job market?

Some 120 applications later, I stood corrected.

The first bot I tried was called Sonara. For $79.99 a month, I signed up for the most expensive "amplitude" plan, which would allow me to apply for 420 openings. After I spent a half hour uploading my résumé and completing my profile, Sonara showed me maybe a dozen job options. I greenlighted a few of them, and the bot promised it would send them out. Each morning when I logged back on, it would send me a trickle of new options to consider. But the ones I approved continued to sit in the queue, unsent. It was hardly the job-applying firehose I was looking for. I pinged customer service a few times. Then, after a week, a statement popped up on Sonara's website. The service was shutting down. Great , I thought. There goes my $79.99.

Undeterred, I signed up for WonsultingAI, which seemed like a bargain at only $19.99 a month. It was a little more manual than Sonara: Every time I wanted it to pull in more job openings, I had to input my experience level and specify the title and location of the position I was looking for. It had a cool feature that allowed me to use a different résumé for each job title I applied to, meaning I could highlight different skills and achievements for various positions. But like Sonara, it didn't show me many job openings, and it was pretty glitchy. About one in three applications never went through.

I had more hope for Massive, another bot I tried. True to its name, it showed me way more openings than Sonara and Wonsulting. But it had a limited, preset list of corporate occupations I could apply to. I chose a couple that felt most relevant to what I do: content marketing and PR. For $39 a month, it would send out up to 50 applications a week. Every few days, I would spend 20 minutes sifting through the options and vetoing the jobs that weren't relevant. It all seemed pretty seamless. After a few days, I started getting a steady stream of automated emails from various employers thanking me for submitting my application. Still, 50 applications a week felt pretty tame in the AI age. What I wanted was a true spray-and-pray machine, the AK-47 of job-application bots. For that, I turned to LazyApply.

LazyApply didn't offer a monthly subscription option, so I purchased a lifetime plan for $129. That gave me the ability to submit a maximum of 750 applications per day. (A more expensive plan came with unlimited applications, but I just couldn't imagine sending out more than 750 in a week, let alone a day.) Unlike the other bots, which ingested job openings into their own sites, LazyApply submitted applications via external job boards. So I linked my brand-new LazyApply profile to my accounts on Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn. Then I set it loose.

Unlike the other bots, LazyApply did all the applying in real time, right in front of my eyes. It was as if someone had hacked my computer: I watched as the bot clicked on various boxes and typed out answers to short questions. For the first few minutes, I was mesmerized. Then, I started to panic. In one application, the bot indicated that I speak conversational-level Spanish, which I definitely do not. In another, it reported that I was African American, even though I had specified in my LazyApply profile that I am Asian. I shouldn't have been surprised, given AI's well-known propensity to make stuff up . But I was alarmed. If I had been a real job seeker, I probably would have pulled the plug on the rogue machine. Instead, I let LazyApply do its thing. I was curious to see which jobs, if any, Spanish-speaking African American Aki would land.

Then things got even weirder. A few applications in, I realized that LazyApply wasn't using the updated résumé I had given it. Instead, it was attaching a document I didn't recognize, titled "Aki Ito Cover Letter, Resume, Links for Insider.pdf." That's strange , I thought. Did LazyApply auto-generate a cover letter for me? I wondered whether it was any good. But when I opened the PDF, I saw it was dated October 24, 2020. It read: "Dear Mr. Carlson: I'm writing to apply for the analytical features editor position at Insider." Instead of sending out the updated résumé I'd provided, LazyApply was submitting an old cover letter it had found buried in the depths of my LinkedIn account, from when I had applied to BI three years ago. In a single spurt, 27 employers — ranging from a website I had never heard of called CryptoNewsZ to venerable publications like The Boston Globe — received an application from me that talked about how much I wanted to work for one of their competitors. LazyApply, I realized in horror, was living up to its name.

Applying for jobs has never been easy, or pleasant. Nobody liked it back in the old days, when people found work by scanning the classified ads in their local newspaper, going to Kinko's to print out their résumés, mailing off their applications, and then waiting weeks or months to hear back. Looking for work has always been work.

The internet promised to change all that. Three decades ago, when Monster and CareerBuilder launched, they sought to match huge pools of job seekers and employers in one big forum — to create what's known, in economics, as a thicker market. With more efficient matchmaking between companies and prospective employees, the thinking went, we might even be able to permanently lower unemployment and boost productivity.

But a thicker market actually didn't make the matching process any more efficient. Employers got access to a larger pool of applicants, but they didn't have the tools to sort through the sudden influx of options. Besieged by volume, they coped by spending less time reviewing the details of every applicant and ghosting the ones they rejected. Candidates adapted by sending out more applications, which further overwhelmed HR departments. The new technology came with an ironic twist: It made it easier than ever to apply for a job, and harder than ever to actually land one.

The first wave of AI was supposed to fix what the internet broke. Job boards began to take on a more active role in the marketplace, using big data to recommend the best jobs to job seekers and the best job seekers to employers. A decade ago, when I was writing for Bloomberg, I posited that the new approach might finally solve what one economist called the job market's " needle-in-the-haystack problem ." I couldn't have been more wrong. The vicious cycle continued, forcing everyone to apply to ever more jobs as their chances of success dropped. Hence the bots.

So far, though, it looks like the arrival of job bots is only making the problem worse. For starters, employers hate them. HR departments have no way of knowing which applications came from a human and which came from a machine. Unless, of course, the bot screws up, like LazyApply did on my applications. Factual errors, nonsensical answers to questions, false promises of Spanish fluency — letting a bot do your job hunting can make you look really, really bad.

"It's definitely a huge risk," says Tony Riggins, who has years of experience as a recruiter for leading tech companies. "It can completely damage your candidacy, and perhaps even your reputation, if you're a candidate with an application making mistakes." Thanks to LazyApply, I've probably destroyed any chance I had of working for The Boston Globe.

Some of the bot services are aware of their technology's limitations. Their solution is the same one that tech platforms like Facebook and YouTube have long been forced to resort to in the face of their algorithmic chaos: reintroducing a layer of human oversight to the process. Massive relies on human "job experts" to double-check every application completed by its bot. Other services, including Teal and Simplify, use Chrome extensions that make you responsible for reviewing the bot's work, forcing you to click "submit" before each autofilled application is sent.

Ladders, a job board that specializes in high-paid positions, takes human oversight a step further. Early in the pandemic, when hiring came to a standstill, the company brainstormed new ways to help job seekers. "A top complaint over and over again was, 'It takes me too long to apply for all these jobs,'" recalls Marc Cenedella, the founder and executive chair of Ladders. "It is mind-numbing, soul-crushing work." So in 2020, the company rolled out a new feature: a team of humans who would complete your job applications for you. At $49.97 a month, it proved wildly popular: Today, the majority of applications on Ladders are completed by human proxies instead of job seekers.

Ladders' decision to refrain from fully automating its service is intentional. Cenedella says his team has taken a look at a variety of job-application bots. "What we're interested in is quality, accuracy, and speed," Cenedella told me. "So far, we haven't found any that have met those bars for us."

Still, we know how this story goes. It's as old as John Henry. Humans may, in the short run, manage to beat a steel-driving machine. But sooner or later, their hearts will explode from trying to keep up. The humans at Ladders can only send out 50 applications for you each month. But the job bots at LazyApply and other services never get tired. They aren't aiming for quality. Like most tech these days, they're betting on scale.

It's a smart bet. Much to my surprise, out of the 126 jobs I applied to with the bots, I ended up hearing back from seven employers. That's a 6% success rate — pretty high, considering that half the jobs were in areas like PR or marketing, in which I have zero experience.

I responded to each email I got with an apology, explaining that I was testing out the bots for a story I was writing. Did the employers have any inkling that my application came from a bot?

"I wouldn't have guessed," one recruiter told me. "There's no way to know on LinkedIn jobs." Another hiring manager wrote: "The main thing that was unusual about your application is it included a cover letter for an old job and outdated CV." Yet even that level of screw-up hadn't deterred him. "Other than that," he said, "nothing struck me as bot-like or weird."

A third employer — a journalist whose work I've admired for years — was also fooled. "Yikes," he wrote when I told him my application was bot-produced. "Have not run into that, and didn't realize." He added, somewhat sheepishly: "I was on a cross-country plane and tired."

Getting duped by a bot may not be good for an employer, but it felt like a win for me.

Getting duped by a bot may not be a good outcome for an employer, but it felt like a win for me. After all, I got seven callbacks, compared with the zero I got with the handcrafted, low-volume strategy I took three years ago — and the bot-driven process required far less time and energy. Moreover, it felt like a form of equity. Let's face it: HR departments approach the job-search process in a purely transactional manner, sending out automated rejections to desperate job seekers who spent days polishing and perfecting their applications. Now I was doing the same, using adaptive machines to get my human foot in the door. It made the whole shitty process feel a bit more manageable. And if using bots increases your odds of success, it's worth a shot. The more darts you throw at the wall, the better chance you have of hitting the bull's-eye.

But whatever value they provide for weary job seekers, it's worth noting that spray-and-pray bots don't address the larger issue that prevents many applicants from landing a job. Ultimately, it's not how many applications you send out that wins the day — it's the connections you have. A good résumé is one thing, but if Bob over in marketing says you'd be a great addition to the team, that means a whole lot more.

"The biggest challenge for job seekers is that you see a great job, but you see it at the same time as 5 million other people on the job board," Emily Lamia, an experienced career coach, told me. "How you find out about those jobs before they're listed, and how you make the right connections to even design a job for yourself, is how people end up in positions that are really fulfilling for them." Lamia routinely polls her clients, and she's found that 80% of the time, they got their current jobs — and most of their past ones — through some kind of connection. That's why she says she would never recommend job-search bots to her clients. Instead of cold applying to hundreds of jobs, they need to focus on networking for the ones they really want.

Networking is ultimately how I landed my job at Business Insider. My original cold application to the company — the one that included my "Dear Mr. Carlson" cover letter — went nowhere. So I swallowed my pride and messaged anyone I knew who might be able to provide me with an introduction. One former colleague I reached out to suggested I talk to a friend of his at BI. The friend, in turn, connected me with an editor there, who then introduced me to his boss, who passed me on to a different boss, who eventually hired me. Thanks to those introductions, a company that showed zero interest in my initial application offered to create a whole new position to enable me to report on the rapid changes unfolding in the American workplace. No bot could ever do that.

Still, I came away from my time among the job-search bots feeling the way I do about much of AI. It can be incredibly helpful for plowing through tedious tasks. And it's going to get better over time. But for now, you have to keep an eye on it. At the moment, relying on a bot is like turning a task over to an intern. They're hardworking and helpful. But they're also inexperienced and underpaid — so you'd be smart to check their work.

Aki Ito is a chief correspondent at Business Insider.

About Discourse Stories

Through our Discourse journalism, Business Insider seeks to explore and illuminate the day’s most fascinating issues and ideas. Our writers provide thought-provoking perspectives, informed by analysis, reporting, and expertise. Read more Discourse stories here .

cover letter attaching resume email

Related stories

More from Economy

Most popular

cover letter attaching resume email

  • Main content

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

HHS Statement Regarding the Cyberattack on Change Healthcare

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is aware that Change Healthcare – a unit of UnitedHealth Group (UHG) – was impacted by a cybersecurity incident in late February. HHS recognizes the impact this attack has had on health care operations across the country. HHS’ first priority is to help coordinate efforts to avoid disruptions to care throughout the health care system.

HHS is in regular contact with UHG leadership, state partners, and with numerous external stakeholders to better understand the nature of the impacts and to ensure the effectiveness of UHG’s response. HHS has made clear its expectation that UHG does everything in its power to ensure continuity of operations for all health care providers impacted and HHS appreciates UHG’s continuous efforts to do so. HHS is also leading interagency coordination of the Federal government’s related activities, including working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the White House, and other agencies to provide credible, actionable threat intelligence to industry wherever possible.

HHS refers directly to UHG for updates on their incident response progress and recovery planning. However, numerous hospitals, doctors, pharmacies and other stakeholders have highlighted potential cash flow concerns to HHS stemming from an inability to submit claims and receive payments. HHS has heard these concerns and is taking direct action and working to support the important needs of the health care community.

Today, HHS is announcing immediate steps that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking to assist providers to continue to serve patients. CMS will continue to communicate with the health care community and assist, as appropriate. Providers should continue to work with all their payers for the latest updates on how to receive timely payments.

Affected parties should be aware of the following flexibilities in place:

  • Medicare providers needing to change clearinghouses that they use for claims processing during these outages should contact their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) to request a new electronic data interchange (EDI) enrollment for the switch. The MAC will provide instructions based on the specific request to expedite the new EDI enrollment. CMS has instructed the MACs to expedite this process and move all provider and facility requests into production and ready to bill claims quickly. CMS is strongly encouraging other payers, including state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) agencies and Medicaid and CHIP managed care plans, to waive or expedite solutions for this requirement.
  • CMS will issue guidance to Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations and Part D sponsors encouraging them to remove or relax prior authorization, other utilization management, and timely filing requirements during these system outages. CMS is also encouraging MA plans to offer advance funding to providers most affected by this cyberattack.
  • CMS strongly encourages Medicaid and CHIP managed care plans to adopt the same strategies of removing or relaxing prior authorization and utilization management requirements, and consider offering advance funding to providers, on behalf of Medicaid and CHIP managed care enrollees to the extent permitted by the State. 
  • If Medicare providers are having trouble filing claims or other necessary notices or other submissions, they should contact their MAC for details on exceptions, waivers, or extensions, or contact CMS regarding quality reporting programs.
  • CMS has contacted all of the MACs to make sure they are prepared to accept paper claims from providers who need to file them. While we recognize that electronic billing is preferable for everyone, the MACs must accept paper submissions if a provider needs to file claims in that method.

CMS has also heard from providers about the availability of accelerated payments, like those issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that many payers are making funds available while billing systems are offline, and providers should take advantage of those opportunities. However, CMS recognizes that hospitals may face significant cash flow problems from the unusual circumstances impacting hospitals’ operations, and – during outages arising from this event – facilities may submit accelerated payment requests to their respective servicing MACs for individual consideration. We are working to provide additional information to the MACs about the specific items and information a provider’s request should contain. Specific information will be available from the MACs later this week.

This incident is a reminder of the interconnectedness of the domestic health care ecosystem and of the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity resiliency across the ecosystem. That’s why, in December 2023, HHS released a concept paper that outlines the Department’s cybersecurity strategy for the sector. The concept paper builds on the National Cybersecurity Strategy that President Biden released last year, focusing specifically on strengthening resilience for hospitals, patients, and communities threatened by cyber-attacks. The paper details four pillars for action, including publishing new voluntary health care-specific cybersecurity performance goals, working with Congress to develop supports and incentives for domestic hospitals to improve cybersecurity, increasing accountability within the health care sector, and enhancing coordination through a one-stop shop.

HHS will continue to communicate with the health care sector and encourage continued dialogue among affected parties. We will continue to communicate with UHG, closely monitor their ongoing response to this cyberattack, and promote transparent, robust response while working with the industry to close any gaps that remain.

HHS also takes this opportunity to encourage all providers, technology vendors, and members of the health care ecosystem to double down on cybersecurity, with urgency. The system and the American people can ill afford further disruptions in care. Please visit the  HPH Cyber Performance Goals website for more details on steps to stay protected.

Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Subscribe to RSS

Receive latest updates

Subscribe to our RSS

Related News Releases

Hhs expands tefca by adding two additional qhins, health resources and services administration takes historic new steps to transform the organ transplant system to better serve patients, guiding principles help healthcare community address potential bias resulting from algorithms, related blog posts.

HHS Blog thumbnail

Reflecting on Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Navigating section 752: insights from program managers on success, challenges, and tools for change, thank you to the 2023 civic digital fellows, media inquiries.

For general media inquiries, please contact  [email protected] .

IMAGES

  1. How To Write An Email Cover Letter: Samples + 5 Writing Tips

    cover letter attaching resume email

  2. how to write an email with cv and cover letter

    cover letter attaching resume email

  3. Sending Cv Through Email Cover Letter Sample

    cover letter attaching resume email

  4. How To Write Email With Resume Attached ~ Allcot Text

    cover letter attaching resume email

  5. cover-letter-attached-with-email

    cover letter attaching resume email

  6. Email Cover Letter

    cover letter attaching resume email

VIDEO

  1. ABC for Kids

  2. résumé Email juillet 2023

COMMENTS

  1. How To Email a Resume and Cover Letter Attachment

    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. Your email client 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.

  2. How To Send an Email Cover Letter (With Steps, Tips and Example)

    To attach your cover letter, create a new email message in your email program and choose the paperclip icon. Browse through the files on your computer to find your cover letter and click to attach it to the email. 7. Include a brief email message Write a simple message in the body of the email to let the hiring manager know you've attached ...

  3. How To Email a Resume to an Employer (With Example)

    The easiest way to email your resume is by attaching the file directly to the email. First, save your resume file as a Word Document (.doc, .docx) or PDF (.pdf) file format. To do this, find "Save As" in your toolbar. From the file formats available, select Word Document or PDF. These are the top two desired formats by potential employers.

  4. Emailing a Cover Letter: How To Guide With Example

    Click on your cover letter to attach it to the email. Check that the file attaches correctly before sending. 6. Write a short email message. If you are sending your cover letter as an attachment in an email, include a brief email message to let the recipient know that the email contains your cover letter as an attachment.

  5. How to Write an Email Cover Letter

    4. Personalize your email to the reader. People (including hiring managers) are much more attentive when they hear or read their name, so make sure you directly address the hiring manager in your email cover letter. calling the office manager or receptionist and asking for their name.

  6. Email Cover Letter: 5 Samples & Writing Guide + Expert Tips

    Add the job title to the subject line and first line of your email. Use the 3-paragraph cover letter format, but keep it short and snappy. Find resume keywords in the job ad. Include one big achievement relevant to the job. Expert Hint: Don't forget to attach your resume to the cover letter in your email!

  7. Resume email

    Attach your cover letter and resume; 4. Best resume email closings and sign-offs. Resume emails aren't about being cool but clear, polite, and professional. Go with a classic email sign-off such as "look forward to hearing from you" or "kind regards", and avoid exciting endings and exclamation marks ("Thanks!!!"). 8 resume email ...

  8. How to Email a Resume [+Sample Email for a Job]

    That email should include a short introduction, and state you're applying for the job and have attached your cover letter and resume; If you choose to attach your cover letter to the email, either attach it as a PDF or DOCX. Next, give the file a clear name. Include your name, what the document is, and the job title. For example: Kylie-Ellis ...

  9. How to Send an Email Cover Letter (Samples & Tips)

    To write a perfect cover letter email for a job application, follow these steps: Use our email cover letter template. Apply a clear, strong subject line. Open with a proper greeting—address the hiring manager by their name. In the first sentence, explain why you're writing and what position you're targeting.

  10. How to Email a Resume and Cover Letter to an Employer

    There are two email formats which you can use to include your cover letter. You can either copy and paste it into the main body of the email, or include it as a PDF or Word document. If you send the resume cover email as an attachment, you still need to write an email for attaching the resume. Write a formal email stating why you are applying ...

  11. What to Write in an Email When Sending a Resume [+ Examples & Tips

    Examples of introduction when emailing a resume: "My name is Roger Jones. I'm writing this email to express my interest in the job vacancy at Valcor". "My name is Roger Jones, and I am submitting my application for the current job opening as Financial Analyst at Valcor.". "My name is Roger Jones.

  12. 3 Sample Emails When Sending a Resume to an Employer in 2024 (+ 3 Email

    Attaching files — resume and cover letter This should go without saying but, don't forget to attach your resume to the email! Consider whether it's relevant to also attach your cover letter.

  13. How to Email a Resume and Cover Letter Attachment

    Click on Insert, Attach File. Your email client 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 ...

  14. What To Write in an Email When Sending a Resume? (+Samples)

    Attach your resume and cover letter in the PDF format and name them in a way that makes them easy to find, for example Name_Surname_Resume.pdf and Name_Surname_Cover_Letter.pdf. After you have written the email and attached the documents, ask someone to proofread it for you to avoid any grammar errors and typos.

  15. What to Write in an Email when Sending a Resume in 2024

    5. Include a professional sign-off and don't forget your attachment (s) Let's go through key steps: Write "Sincerely," or use a synonym. Sign the resume email with your full name. If you don't have a pre-set footer, below the sign-off, include your contact details and, if necessary, basic social media handles.

  16. 11 Steps To Email a Cover Letter

    Adding a short message to inform the hiring manager that you've included an attachment is ideal when attaching a cover letter. Avoid sending a blank email, so you don't confuse your recipient. This is an example of what your brief email can look like: Dear Ms. Burrow, Kindly find attached to this email my resume and cover letter for the role of ...

  17. What to Put in an Email Message When Attaching a Cover Letter & Resume

    For sending unsolicited resumes, construct a cover letter that explains your interest in the company. Your email message should contain language similar to the opening of your cover letter; tell the reader who you are and why you're writing. Then, refer the reader to your attached cover letter and resume.

  18. What to Say When Emailing a Resume (with Examples)

    Add a clear subject line. Make the point of your email clear with a logical subject line - you could include the job title of the vacancy you're applying for, for example, or refer to the fact that the email is a job application or resume. Choose a professional greeting. Think "Dear [name]," or even just " [name]," rather than "Hiya ...

  19. should you attach your cover letter or put it in the body of the email

    Yes, I agree on all points. Honestly, I was receiving just resumes from HR even though the candidates were referencing their cover letters. So if its in an email, its unlikely to be passed off to the hiring manager vs. I was forwarded the resume file. If the cover letter was a part of the file, I would have seen it.

  20. How to Email a Cover Letter (Plus Example Emails)

    3. Open an email application or website. To send your cover letter, open an email application or website. Log into your account and then go to the 'send' or 'compose' tab. Then you can write an email that contains your cover letter in the body of the message or you can attach your cover letter to the email.

  21. How to send a cover letter by email (With guide and example)

    In a new email, type your own email address into the recipient field, add Test in the subject line and attach your documents. Send it and then open the attachments from your inbox. Double-check your spelling, grammar and formatting before sending your final cover letter email to the hiring manager.

  22. How and When To Use "Please Find My Resume Attached"

    Here are four instances when you might use "please find my resume attached:" 1. When submitting a cover letter. The first occasion in which you might use this phrase is when you are submitting a physical copy of your cover letter to a hiring manager or recruiter. Mentioning your resume in your cover letter is a way of making sure your reader ...

  23. How to Say, 'Please Find Attached My Resume' with Examples

    Start with a formal greeting such as 'Dear Mr. or Mrs.,' and then write the three to four paragraphs that constitute a cover letter and end it with 'Sincerely,' followed by your name. Only include your resume and cover letter as attachments in an email if the directions in the job listing specifically say to do so.

  24. I used resume spammers to apply for 120 jobs. Chaos ensued

    It indicates the ability to send an email. Email. A stylized bird with an open mouth, tweeting. ... it was attaching a document I didn't recognize, titled "Aki Ito Cover Letter, Resume, Links for ...

  25. HHS Statement Regarding the Cyberattack on Change Healthcare

    A locked padlock) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.