E-Cover Letters and More

• Electronic cover letters are used in the body of e-mails when you send your resume and cover letter as an attachment.


• Electonic cover letters should be brief, to the point, written in bullet style format, and generally sent in response to a specific advertisement or posting.


• You have less time than in a traditional cover letter to catch the attention of the reader.

• Your e-mailed cover letter must capture your unique qualifications, highlight your most significant accomplishments, and request an interview.
  

Tips for making your e-mail cover letter work:

• Use the e-mail subject line to let employers know your reason for contacting them. Mention the title of the position and your subject line or referred by Tom Sullivan for the position of regional sales manager. Resume of Jim Thornton, Sales Manager, referred by Tom Sullivan.


• Bulleted cover letters often work best because they are easier and faster to read.


• Do not include the employer or recruiter’s full mailing address. Use only Dear Mr. Green.


• Make sure that your spelling, grammar, and punctuation are correct. Your e-mailed communication sets the tone and is your first impression. Don't ruin your chances!


• In response to an advertisement, you may address salary history, salary requirements, ability to relocate, citizenship or residency status, foreign language skills, and technology proficiency questions.


• You may include your longer cover letter in the body of a file with the resume that you are sending as an attachment.


• Be aware that it is very easy to automatically delete e-mailed communications.


• When possible, follow up, with a hard copy of your resume mailed to the employer or recruiter.


• Follow up by telephone to make sure that the attached resume was received and read. Sometimes e-mailed resumes can be caught in spam filters. This is a good reason to make that follow up phone call. At the same time, you can try to arrange a meeting.