When you apply by email, the email is the application until someone opens the attachment. Treat it as a short, complete message rather than a note taped to a document.
The subject line
Include the role, and the reference number if the posting has one. "Application: Senior Data Analyst (ref 4182) — Priya Anand" is easy to file and easy to search later.
The body
- One line naming the role and where you saw it.
- Two or three lines of your strongest relevant evidence.
- One line pointing to the attached CV and cover letter.
- A closing line and your contact details.
Attachments and file names
Send PDFs unless the employer asks for DOCX. Name files so they still make sense in a folder of two hundred others: "Priya-Anand-CV-Senior-Data-Analyst.pdf".
Before you send
Check the recipient, the company name, the role title and that the attachment is the tailored version rather than an older draft. These are the four mistakes that most often undo good work.
Related reading
- How to tailor a CV to a job description
A practical method for rewriting a CV around one specific role: read the posting properly, map evidence to requirements, and reorder for relevance.
- How to write a cover letter that gets read
Four short paragraphs, one specific role, no restating of your CV. A structure that works for almost any application.
- How to write a cover letter with no experience
No formal work history yet? Here is how to write an honest cover letter that shows transferable experience from study, volunteering, projects and everyday responsibilities.
Put this into practice
Add your experience and a job description, and generate a tailored CV, resume, cover letter and cover email in one step. Free, with no limit on applications.
Create an application