Many companies request applicants to send their resume and cover letter by email, making it essential to do this correctly. Review these tips for writing and sending an email cover letter.
Ensure your cover letter is neat, enticing, concise, and in a professional format. Try to make your email look different than “just another email.” Some employers will print the email cover letter to keep it on file with your resume. Making an excellent impression is critical.
Emailing a Cover Letter – Ideas and Tips to Consider
1) Follow the Company’s Submission Instructions
If you are applying to a job posting, carefully read the prospective employer’s instructions – sometimes employers check to see if you can follow directions. Clarify what format the employer wants the cover letter and resume delivered.
Some companies will want it copied and pasted into the email body – if this is the case, you will need to ensure the formatting is stripped from the MS Word file. Others may want it sent as an attachment. If they request you send it as an attachment, save the letter in PDF or Rich Text MS Word format before attaching it to the email. These two formats will hold the formatting of the message and resume.
Whether you are writing an executive letter or an oilfield-targeted letter, you need to
2) Use the Subject Line to Your Advantage
Believe it or not, the subject line of your email will show up next to your email address when the recipient opens it. Often they will skip emails that don’t have a subject line, or if it looks like junk – they will figure it is not essential. They might go back later and read them, but they will review the interesting ones first.
Be specific when writing the subject line, for example, Marketing Manager Position Cover Letter and Resume. If there is a job posting number, put that number in the subject line. This way, they know exactly what you are sending and why.
I found a blog post called Awesome Email Subject Lines Job Seekers Use.
3) Check the Character Length of the Lines
Keep the length of the lines to 65 characters in the body of an email. Some programs will automatically do this for you but make sure you double-check sentence length. This will make the cover letter consistent in spacing, creating a professional presentation.
4) Signature
Type your email to include your name, email address, and home and cell number. You want to make sure they don’t have a problem contacting you – make it easy. Some employers will go on to the next applicant if they don’t get a hold of you within a reasonable time.
5) Don’t Add Extras
Since you want this to show your professionalism, don’t add unprofessional “extras.” Don’t insert jokes, verses, emoticons, abbreviations, odd colors, or comments similar to what you get at the bottom of some emails. These are fine for personal emails you exchange with friends and family members but not when applying for a job.
6) Check it Before You Send it
Carefully review for spelling errors, typos, grammar, and length of your sentences. Triple-check your contact details. Write the email cover letter concisely, detailed but not lengthy, and show your personality and passion for your work.
7) Send it to Yourself or a Friend
Send your finished email cover letter to your friend’s email address. The recipient can view it to see that it looks professional, easy to read, perfectly formatted, and has all pertinent information.
Need additional help? Reach out to Candace for assistance!