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Follow the employer’s application instructions first. If they do not specify how to send your materials, write a brief, professional email and attach clearly named files; PDF is a common default for email submissions. Whether to combine the resume and cover letter or send them separately depends on the employer’s instructions and whether you are emailing or uploading documents to an application system.
What to write in the email
Keep the message short unless the employer asks you to put the cover letter in the email itself. Identify the job, say which requested materials are attached, and close with your name. A relevant sentence about your fit can help, but do not repeat the cover letter or claim experience you do not have.
Example
Subject: Jordan Lee — Marketing Assistant application — Job 4821
Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m applying for the Marketing Assistant position. My resume and cover letter are attached for your review. My experience coordinating social media content and tracking campaign results aligns with the role’s needs, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application.
#1 Best Overall
Thank you for your consideration.
Best,
Jordan Lee
555-0100 | [email protected]
Replace the example’s details with your own, and tailor the greeting and fit sentence to the employer and role. If the employer requests the cover letter in the email body, use the message itself as the letter and attach the other requested files as directed.
Choose the file format the employer requests
Check the posting or application instructions for a required format before saving your documents. If there is no stated format for an email application, PDF is a common career-services recommendation because it is intended to preserve the document’s layout. Some employers or application systems may request another format; use that instead.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
One attachment or two?
There is no universal rule for combining a resume and cover letter. Some career-services guidance recommends one PDF for an emailed application, with the cover letter first and the resume second. Other guidance recommends separate files for email or for applicant tracking system (ATS) uploads so each document can be handled separately. Follow the employer’s directions when provided, and do not assume advice for an email attachment also applies to an ATS upload.
If you send one combined file
Put the cover letter first and the resume second, unless the employer specifies a different order. Give the file a name that identifies you and the application.
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Name each file so the recipient can tell who it belongs to and what it contains. For example: JordanLee_Resume.pdf and JordanLee_CoverLetter.pdf.
Write a subject line that can be routed
Use your name and the role title. Include the posting number or job ID when it is relevant or requested, and copy any subject-line format specified in the job ad. For example: Jordan Lee — Marketing Assistant application — Job 4821.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
Check the message before sending
- Confirm the recipient address and any required subject format.
- Make sure every requested document is attached and that the filenames are clear.
- Check spelling in the email, documents, and signature.
- Open the files, or send a test email to yourself or someone you trust, to confirm they download and display correctly.
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