When you apply to a job position and send your resume to them through email. Do you create your cover letter as the message of the email? What should I say in this cover letter, keep it short? Should I include my portfolio website in the resume itself or in the cover letter? Looking for some pointers as I dont think I'm very good in this field.

I was told that you should place your resume inside the email because people fear attachments from unfamiliar email addresses.


So the resume should not only be attached, but also inside the email as plain text.

Having your cover letter and resume as both attachments and plain text in the e-mail itself is probably your safest bet (though in my own rush for my last application I only had them as attachments, but they requested that they be attached). Your cover letter is basically there to tell them what got you interested in applying and why you want to apply -- it's where you try and show them some personality and passion in "selling" yourself to them. I don't see why you can't link your online portfolio in both.

I've never had any failed responses when i've attached my CV, but if you want to play it safe you could upload it and provide a link in the email.

Your cover letter shoudl be short and discriptive. It's a brief chance for you to tell them why you're interested in the job and why they should hire you.

I generally provide mine in 3 ways. In the e-mail body, in an attachment, and via a link.

Thanks guys, I've considered some of your advise along with others I gathered.. wish me luck!

Personally I'd both put it in the email and attach it. Every time I've only had my CV as an attachment, I've failed to get a reply.

The employer generally specifies how cover letters and/or resumes are to be submitted.

I landed an interview tomorrow.. hope it pans out

For the lovely job I'm at now, I just simply pasted my cover letter and resume in the email and I got a call within 3 hours.

Emailed, interviewed, and started work the same day!

I hope I'm as lucky..

The only thing I'm worried about during the interview is when they ask questions like, 'is there a time at your old job where your boss asked you to do something, and you couldn't.. how did you handle it?'

I hate those questions they are stupid..