There was a time when paper resumes were the norm. You would mail them in with your job application or hand them in, in person.
Today, however, most resume submissions are electronic. Many job search websites have portals that allow you to upload your resume, making it available to your potential employers.
In other cases, you may be responding to a job posting via email. What subject line should you use? What should your email say? And how should you attach your resume? Keep reading to find out how to get the best results when you email your resume.
Check out this link for more information on how to email a resume to get a job.
Email Basics
Often, your resume is considered your first chance at making a good impression. When you’re emailing your resume, however, the email itself takes on this role.
The first thing you want to do is make sure you are using a professional-sounding email address. If you grew up in the internet age, your first email address was likely something cute, funny, shocking, or deeply personal. This is not the email address you want to use to send in your resume.
If you haven’t already done so, you can use a free email service like Gmail to set up a professional email address. Keep it simple, using your name or initials.
You can also set up an automatic signature at the bottom of your emails that includes your name and contact information.
The Subject Line
Your subject line should clearly and succinctly state what your email is about. A tried and tested technique is to simply list the name of the position, a dash, and your name, like this:
Subject: Customer Service Representative Position – Jane Doe
Never include words like “Hi,” “Hello,” “Hey,” emojis, or nonstandard capitalization (i.e., all caps) in your subject line. Not only does this make you look unprofessional, but it may cause your email to be caught by the spam filter.
The Email Body
You can follow a standard formula in composing your resume submission email.
- Address the hiring manager by name.
- State your interest in the position; include the full position title.
- Cite where you saw the job listing.
- Find common ground if possible – in one or two sentences, state why you are interested in the job, how it aligns with your experience or career goals, a previous acquaintance with the hiring manager (i.e., at a networking event or job fair), or a contact you have in common.
- State that you have attached your resume and cover letter to the email.
- Invite them to contact you if more information is needed.
- Thank them for their time and consideration.
- Conclude with a salutation, your name, and contact information (email address and phone number are sufficient).
Additionally, you should pay careful attention to the instructions given in the job listing. Are there specifics about how to upload your documents? Is a cover letter or other additional information required? Be sure to follow all guidelines – the ability to follow directions is a skill employers seek.
Be sure to read over your email and correct any spelling mistakes or typos. Nothing discredits your professionalism more quickly than poor-quality written communication! You can use a proofreading application such as Grammarly to double-check.
Attaching Your Resume
Before you hit send, make sure your resume is attached. Save your resume in a PDF file format. This format is trusted by recipients. It also retains its formatting no matter what program or device is used to open the file.
Additionally, you should attach a cover letter as mentioned above. This denotes professionalism and also provides the opportunity to include a bit more narrative about why you are a good fit for the job.
Following Up
Between a week and two weeks after you send in your resume, you should follow up by email. In the email, mention the position you applied for and when you sent your resume in. Ask about the timeline for the hiring process – for example, when can candidates expect to be contacted regarding interviews? Finally, confirm your interest in and enthusiasm for the position.
What if you don’t receive a reply? You should wait one week before emailing again or telephoning. If you still don’t receive a reply after your second attempt at contact, it may be time to move on in your job search. Avoid filling email inboxes or voicemail boxes with repeated messages.
Key Takeaways
- Use a professional email address and a clear subject line.
- Introduce yourself and note the position to which you would like to apply. Thank them for their time.
- Attach your resume and cover letter in PDF format.
- Follow up by email in one to two weeks.
