What Do You Say in an Email With a Cover Letter and Resume?
The rules for emailing your job application properly go beyond “please find attached my resume and cover letter”:
- Write a clear subject line. It should indicate why you’re writing and who you are.
- Include an appropriate salutation. It’s best to address the hiring manager by name; to whom it may concern and equivalents are hardly acceptable these days.
- Introduce yourself. Mention the position you’re applying for, and write a paragraph that will work as a condensed version of your cover letter.
- Close with a call to action. Make it clear you’ll be happy to provide more details and answer any questions.
- Add a professional signature. Don’t forget to add your contact information.
- Attach the files. Rename them before you send.
A slightly different scenario is emailing a resume when you have to use the email as your cover letter. In that case, you have to go into greater detail and describe why they should hire you. Once you’ve greeted the manager, get straight to the point and explain in 2–3 paragraphs how your skills, expertise, and key work accomplishments make you a good fit.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
About Us
Looking for top resume tips and career advice? Zety is your trusted guide on the path to the job of your dreams. Tailor your resume to the position you’re applying for, power it up with action verbs, and get ready to accept interviews!
About Zety’s Editorial Process
This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.
