How to Ensure Your Cover Letter is Read by the Hiring Manager

Posted by in Career Advice


I could complicate this blog article and make it ten times longer than it needs to be. But I know you’re busy trying to find a job, so I’ll keep it short and sweet. If you want to make sure the hiring manager reads your cover letter, don’t attach it to the e-mail—just copy and paste it into the body of the e-mail. This strategy ensures about a 99% guarantee the hiring manager will read it. People are drawn to e-mails … something about them (much like the allure of receiving a greeting card) inherently says “must read”. So next time you’re applying for a position online (or elsewhere) and you’re submitting your resume and cover letter via e-mail, make sure you copy and paste the cover letter instead of attaching it to the e-mail. Now, whether the cover letter is effective in getting him to read your resume is a whole other story. (Here’s a hint: “My resume for your review” does NOT qualify as a cover letter or adequate e-mail text.) For additional advice on cover letters, subscribe to our blog posts via e-mail because in the next few days we’ll be starting a series that will focus on cover letters.
Comment

Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.

  • Della
    Della
    Very true! It's a change to see someone spell it out like that.
  • Liberty
    Liberty
    Good point. I hadn't thought about that
  • Makaila
    Makaila
    Cool post!
  • Bert
    Bert
    Great thinking!
  • Reno
    Reno
    Thanks for sharing.
  • Bertha
    Bertha
    You're the greatest!
  • Myra Sieben
    Myra Sieben
    To whom do you address the cover letter?  Should it be the HR Manager/Consultant, the first person to screen applications or should it be addressed to the person for whom you will actually be working?  
  • David D.
    David D.
    I have done this and it does assure the text and content of your cover letter is read. You cannot always trust in the electronics and software of the email system to accurately open an attachment. Why take the chance your attachment will never be read? Post the cover letter and resume in the body of the email along with the attachment.
  • JARED ONTOBO
    JARED ONTOBO
    LUVLY

Jobs to Watch