It’s become so common to email a cover letter and resume submission, but are you formatting it the right way? This is one of my most commonly asked questions among clients. Here are four details to consider when emailing your next cover letter:
- Remember the letter is being read on-screen – or nowadays, quite possibly on a Blackberry screen – even smaller! Simply copying and pasting your entire letter from a Word document into an email is not that effective. Start right in with the salutation and body of the letter. Don’t waste precious space (and the reader’s attention) up top with your header or the date of the letter.
- Create a signature box for your emails that includes all your contact information – name, home/cell phone, email address, LinkedIn profile or blog address. This is smart to use for all career correspondence done by email, not just cover letters. It creates a consistent, professional image.
- Take advantage of the subject line of your email to market yourself and make your email stand out. Simply typing “Resume attached” is missing a huge opportunity. Rather, say “Hotel General Manager Skilled in Financial Performance & Guest Satisfaction”
- In the enclosure notation line at the end of your letter, be sure it reads that your resume is attached, not enclosed. Likewise, within your letter, if there’s any wording along those lines, be sure it reads similarly, i.e., as you can see in my attached resume…
When emailing your next cover letter, remember space is at a premium. Take an extra moment to think about how it’s being received and viewed on the opposite end.
