What to Write in the Body of Your Email to an Employer
I always advise students to avoid copy/pasting their resume or cover letter into the body of their emails to employers. Everyone gets so many emails these days, no one wants to read a long-winded email. To ensure that your materials get reviewed (and not deleted), I recommend writing a short email in the body of your email and attaching a resume/cover letter in PDF format. Attaching in PDF format ensures that your materials are going to appear on the employer’s computer in the same way they appear on your computer. You don’t need to worry about the formatting popping up incorrectly when you send in PDF. You also don’t need to worry about any Microsoft Word track changes that you may have created going from draft to draft of your resume.
So what should this short paragraph in the body of your email include? My advice is to keep it short (no more than 4-5 sentences), make it clear what you are applying for, that you are 100% available in the city where they need you, and a few quick points that make you a nice fit.
Below is an example of an email that you would write to any employer when applying for an internship. Again, you would make sure to attach the PDF version of your resume and cover letter to this email. This example is from a student who goes to UCLA who is applying for an internship with a PR firm.
Hi Lauren,
Hope you are well. Attached please find my cover letter and resume for your 2018 SPRING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. I’m a rising senior at UCLA, a PR major, and president of the PRSSA. I’ll be available in Los Angeles all summer. I’m extremely passionate about this position.
Thanks for your consideration and please let me know if you require any additional materials.
Best,
Sarah Smith
UCLA/Class of 2018
818-555-5555
