If the online job posting doesn't ask for a cover letter, do I send one? In email or as attachment?

[TrevorK]

I'm emailing out my resume for some jobs right now, however none actually say whether or not they want a cover letter. They say "Applications should be forwarded to:", etc..

Should I give them a cover letter? If so, should I make it an attached work document, or just put it into the email message?


Thanks
Trevor

 

[stndn]

it is a better idea to include cover letter to "sell" more of yourself to the companies you're applying to...

usually what i do is i include the cover letter and resume as text in an email (no attachments). this is because some people actually reading the emails on text-only mode (eg: ppl working remotely, etc), and it's easier to read and all ...

you can mention "word version resume available on request" or something like that .... if they want one, they will ask from you.. either way, prepare yourself with both word and text resume, because they will come in handy from time to time

good luck
-610-

 

[csiro]

You should include one all of the time unless they specifically ask you not to. Sometimes that's all they read, the cover letter.

 

[syzygy]

yeah, always include a cover letter when responding via email to an online posting,
unless the ad itself specifies not to include a cover letter. resumes never flesh
out the details that differentiate you from the 1000 other shmucks who may have
the same experience and technical expertise. in the parlance of the industry, cover
letters help to humanize and individuate an applicant; they make you more than a
couple sheets of paper.

 

[TrevorK]

Now should I make the cover letter an attachment or paste it into the email?


Trevor

 

[HowardStern]

Always include a cover letter. There are simply some things that don't belong on a resume itself that you put on the cover letter.