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

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.

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com or call 1.800.991.5187.