What is proper procedure

[rk772]

When companies ask you to e-mail your resume. What should you type in the main body of the e-mail. It would seem strange to leave that blank and just have an attachment.

 

[avbug]

Put in the email the same information that you would put in a cover letter. The resume should be added as a virus free attachment.

In some cases, applying the resume in the body of the email is appropriate. However, in many cases, you may not be able to preserve your format, and the receiving computer may butcher the format. Processing an attachment will keep the resume as you intended it.

When attaching a resume, make a note that you have attached a resume, and include for format (eg, "Resume attached, Microsoft Word format) so that the receiving party knows the attachment is intended, and can anticipate what they're opening.

Include in your cover letter (body of the email) a reference to your contact source (as advertised on Climbto350.com, per our conversation last friday, as prophisied by the Great Zanzibouli, etc).

State what you want. Your goal in making this request...you want a job as a Wilga pilot counting snow geese on the Sarengetti in march.

Include mention of who referred you, if appropriate.

Include a quick synoposis about yourself. Usually a reference to what you do now (Presently I am employed towing pornographic banners selling cosmetics over puritan leper colonies on Sundays), one line about yourself (qualifications, whatever, but don't include something that the resume covers: just a tidbit that entices the viewer to see your resume). Something understated and simple.

I like to include contact information, and an invitation to contact you or follow up. Ask for an interview. Ask for a phone call.



For example,

"Dear Sirs,

Please accept my resume in consideration for the position of Wilga Pilot, as advertised in the ancient sanscrit writings of His Holiness the Greant Zanzibouli. Presently I am employed flying an ultralight towing pornographic banners over puritan leper colonies on a part time basis. While I find this fulfilling, I am seeking an opportunity to advance my career while freeing Sundays to provide more opportunties to bless the sick and needy.

In addition to holding an ATP Pilot certificate, I hold a Mechanic certificate with all the trimmings, and can recite the Koran in Itallian and Hebrew. I have several years of experience operating under Part 135, and a serious fetish for snow geese. Further, I was raised until the age of twelve by hyenias while living on the Serengetti, and my birthday is the Sixth of March.

I can provide excellent references, and desire to meet with your earliest convenience. I can be reached at [email protected], or any time by cellular telephone at (900) 555-1212. I look forward to having children with you in the near future. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Edward Gruberman IV
[email protected]"


You get the idea...

 

[bobbysamd]

Cover letters

I thought that I wrote a good cover letter, but mine cannot measure up to Avbug's!

Further to his excellent example, I would add in something about your flight time, multi time, time in type, etc. in the certificates and ratings section to show that your quals meet or exceed the employer's requirements. Some people suggest a comparison between his requirements and your quals. That could antagonize some people. The employer knows his requirements for the position; by stating your times you can show that you're a qualified applicant for the job.

Once again, good luck with your job search.

 

[DCitrus9]

when adding your resume as an attachment be sure it is named properly. While "bobskickassres" may be easy for you to find on your computer, if you want them to be able to find it again easily I would suggest "lastname.firstname" or something similar.

 

[CCDiscoB]

AVbug,

How about this technique? A shorter version of your cover letter in the main body, and then include your real cover letter in the attachment with your resume (page 1 CL, page 2 resume). The reason I ask is I know some people don't want to read long e-mails, but if you tempt them properly, they may open your attachment.

Excellent cover letter, do you mind if I use parts of it as a reference?

 

[Timebuilder]

I have found that about a third of the websites specify that they DO NOT want attachments, which is probably due to the virus problem.

In that case, I would paste my resume into the body of the email, and then correct for the placement of information. Pasting a formatted document can look very messy!