The golden rules for emailing your CV

You’ve spotted an ad for the perfect job, swotted up on the employer and tailored your CV. All that’s left is to pop it on an email… but wait! Before you hit send, read our quick guide to emailing your application and maximise your chances of landing that interview.

Successful Mums’ Carmen, who runs our Job Board, is often at “the other end” of emailed job applications. She believes that you should never underestimate the impact your email can have – and that’s before anyone’s even clicked on your CV.

“You’ve probably spent a lot of time and effort on your CV and covering letter but the email you send with them is just as important,” says Carmen. “It’s all part of your ‘personal brand’ – how you present yourself to an employer – and first impressions count.”

So whether you’re emailing your CV to us, a recruitment agency or direct to an employer, here are our golden rules for getting it right:

Make it clear

Include your name, the job title and/or reference number in the subject line of your email to ensure your CV ends up in the right place.

 Use formal email etiquette

Start with “Dear” rather than “Hi”. Use the addressee’s name if you have it or, if not, “Dear Sir/Madam”. Write in full sentences and avoid abbreviated “text speak”. Sign off formally and step away from the emojis!

Name your attachments appropriately

Ensure any attached files are easily identifiable. Avoid giving your CV the filename Doc1.doc or even CV.doc. For clarity, use CV followed by your full name, eg CVSarahJones.doc.

Check your spelling

Mistakes in your email or CV could consign you to the reject pile, so check your spelling and grammar and ask someone else to proofread.

Get it covered

If you haven’t been asked to include a separate covering letter, your email can do the job for you. Briefly explain why you’re interested in the role and use four or five bullet points to outline your suitability.

Avoid using document sharing sites

Unless requested, avoid sending a link to your CV via a document sharing site (eg Dropbox or OneDrive). If the person you’re emailing has to visit a website or set up an account in order to view and download your files, it might never happen. Stick with attaching bog-standard Word files to be on the safe side.

Use a professional email address

Getting a message from Madmumma29 might amuse your friends but it’s best to set up a new, professional address for your job hunt.

For more great tips and practical help with your job hunt (including CV writing and interview techniques), book your free* place on our next Back to Work course.   

You can also browse the latest flexible jobs on our Job Board – Carmen’s waiting to hear from you!

*subject to eligibility