Emailing Your Résumé

© 2007

extract from "How To Write a Résumé That Blows Away the Competition" - available in The Aussie Résumé Writer software - www.aussieresumes.com/software.htm  

If emailing your application, attach the file. Do not include it in the body of the email.

The cover letter and résumé should be one file / document. To do this open your résumé. Insert your cursor at the top of the document (i.e. in front of Personal Details). Press control and enter at the same time, or go to Insert > Break > Next Page. This will insert a hard page break, giving you a blank page to either a) start typing; or b) copy and paste your existing letter.

Follow all instructions in the job advert to the letter!  Do they ask you to include your name and job reference number in the subject of the email?  Make sure you do!  There's nothing employers hate more than someone not following instructions.  What does this demonstrate?  That you have a lack of attention to detail and quite possibly cannot follow instructions / take direction.

Double check the body of your email.  It shouldn't be blank.  Write a brief note.  For example:

"Dear Sir / Madam (or person's name if advertised),

Please find attached my application for the position of Job Title.  I look forward to hearing from you and can be contacted via email or telephone on xxxx xxxx for further clarification.  Thank you for your time.

Yours faithfully,

Your Name"

Do not be too "gushy" in your email, and refrain from statements like "I look forward to working for your esteemed organisation" etc. 

And lastly, check your email for errors!  If your spell checker is switched off within your email preferences you should consider changing it.  Every time you send out an email you are relying on your eye to pick up something – when you're in a hurry this can prove quite disastrous!  With the spell checker function enabled within your email program, your email is automatically checked when you hit the send button.

Employer Comment from the Aussie Résumés Employer Survey:

“Communicate correctly.  Advert stated to be emailed or faxed to me.  50% couldn’t be opened.  30% couldn’t get the specific job title right, and 70% of those received had no relevance.”

Have some questions?  Email now.

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