How to Email a Resume

JOB SEEKERS: I know a lot of you want to follow up with the person or company who posted a job. I think it's a good idea - see below for those tips. But a BAD idea is, on LinkedIn, to use the auto-populated email. First, we all know what it looks like. "Based on my experience as a 'auto insert title'..." Half the time it doesn't make sense (because your title doesn't automatically flow with the sentence) and since everyone knows that's an auto-generated email, it comes off a bit lazy. Second, specifically because it's easy, we get a ton of these canned InMails. We also get tons of sales reach outs and spam. Your InMail gets buried anyway. I'd estimate I read and reply to less than 10% of these. You know what does grab my attention? A well written EMAIL, not LinkedIn InMail, that clearly isn't the auto-generated one. If you're able, find the email address for the person posting the job and email them directly. A lot of recruiters will have their email address on their profile (I do). Write a quick note with a few sentences about how your skills line up and attach your resume. I read these, and the resume, 100% of the time. I may not reply to everyone, but I absolutely review every resume sent to me directly. If you can't find the job poster's email address, you can send an InMail, but please write it yourself and personalize it. Attach your resume as well. I'd guess these get read less than direct emails (because of the InMail noise), but for me, a personally written one will get noticed more than the auto-written ones. I understand this can be a time suck if you're doing it for every job for which you apply. So don't. Only do it when you are a really good fit for the job, or are really interested in the company, or when you can find the direct email for the job poster. Pick your spots, is what I am saying.

I receive at least 50 unsolicited email cover letters and resumes weekly. I do my best to reply to every request by offering resources to help a job seeker succeed. While email marketing has a low success rate for job seekers, 1% to 5% for cold emails, it’s worth continuing but with significant modifications. The fact is, I rarely read beyond the first sentence for several reasons: First, If I can’t tell “what you are” in the first sentence or two, I won’t keep reading to figure it out. Second, the emails are too long. I don’t have time to read multiple paragraphs. Third, you attach your resume and expect me to click on an attachment from a sender I don’t know. Fourth, some emails come from resume distribution services. That’s okay, but their emails are the worst. I need to confirm whether you are aware you contacted me. Fifth, I wonder if they're genuine or generated by AI as part of a mass mailing. Here is an alternative that works for both of us. The first sentence needs to read like this: I am a financial analyst… I am a CISO/CIO I am a software engineering manager I am a risk/compliance professional These sentences can be completed with the following formula … with XYZ number of years of experience, expertise in ABC, and for what companies. That’s all you need to tell me to get my attention. Everything else is a word salad. Next, copy and paste your resume into the email. That way, I can quickly scan it and decide how best to respond. While you may disagree with this approach, remember it comes from someone who receives unsolicited emails from job seekers daily. My advice is to write for your reader and what will quickly and easily get their attention, not based on some old paradigm that doesn’t fit the times. Please let me know your thoughts and repost it to expand the conversation. 

This is my one-and-done post on job searching. Not trying to become a career coach (although I actually think I’d love that in another lifetime!) I’m just sharing what’s worked for me. There’s one move I’ve made since my early career that consistently landed me interviews—and even job offers. I like to think I was an early adopter. I see more people doing it now. It’s not flashy. It’s not groundbreaking. But it works. 👉🏼 I find the hiring manager and send them a direct email. Not a DM. Not a comment on their post. An actual email—with a short note about who I am, why I’m a great fit, and my resume attached. And yes, I still apply online. I just let them know I did. Here’s the key: *Use your network first. Always. *Only try this when you don’t have an “in.” *Keep it short, relevant, and respectful. *Don’t wait until you check 100% of the boxes. Apply when you feel genuinely aligned. Now—could this be annoying? Sure. Especially if it’s overused or done without intention. But in this job market? Thoughtful, strategic outreach can be the difference between getting noticed… or getting ghosted. As a hiring manager, I can tell you: I appreciated this kind of initiative. Very few people actually do it. I love having people on my team that take strategic initiative - it’s my fave 🙂 And honestly? It makes you stand out. Won’t work every time—but if it boosts your chances, isn’t that worth it? 📬 Have you tried this before? Did it work for you? #jobsearch #careertips #interviewadvice #hiringmanagerinsight