How to email your CV to an employer

In recruitment nowadays it is not uncommon for candidates to be asked to apply for a job by emailing the employer. If you have been asked to email your CV, you may be thinking ‘what should I say in my email?’. Sometimes, the employer may offer some guidance about what to include in your email. If this is the case be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

However, in the likely event that you have simply been asked to apply via email, this article will help you write the perfect email to an employer.

Address the employer by name

You should address the email to the employer using their name and title. If you have been asked to email your CV, you will most likely be given the name of the person you should address it to. If you are unsure, you could contact the company to ask who you should address the email to.

Address the email as ‘Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms/Dr’ depending on the person’s title.

Introduce yourself and explain why you are emailing them

Introduce yourself to the employer and let them know why you are emailing them. Explain which vacancy you are applying for and tell them a bit about yourself. You could tell them about your current employment position, past experience or about your degree.

You should try to keep your email concise with the key information easy to pick out. After all, the person is likely to receive many applications (as well as all of their other emails) so they won’t want to spend ages reading through a lengthy email.

Include a copy of your CV and a cover letter

It is very likely you will be asked to send in a copy of your CV alongside your email. Even if you are not asked to, be sure to include one. Simply, save your CV as a PDF and add it to your email as an attachment.

You should also include a cover letter alongside your CV (even if you are not asked for one). A cover letter is an opportunity to introduce yourself in more detail and offer information that is not included in your CV.

More Like This: How to write a cover letter

Be professional when emailing your CV

Remember, even though you haven’t met the employer they will still form an impression of you from reading your email and your CV/cover letter. The last thing you want to do is create a bad first impression before you even meet them.

Make sure you use professional language throughout and ensure there are no spelling/grammar errors. It may be a good idea to ask someone to proofread your email before you send it. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes may just pick up a mistake you may have missed.

Your email address itself should also be professional. If you don’t have one already set up an email address which is simply your first and last name or your first initial and last name.

Example email

Dear Mrs Wilson,

I am emailing to apply for the human resources assistant vacancy which I saw advertised on LinkedIn. Attached is my CV and a cover letter.

I am very interested in this role and I believe that my degree in human resources plus my experience working as a human resources intern for ABC Ltd makes me a strong fit for this position.

Thank you for taking the time to read my email and I look forward to hearing from you regarding the next steps.

Yours sincerely,

Susan Smith

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