Email Cover Letter: Examples & How to Write

An email cover letter is the body of the email you send with your CV. It should introduce you to the hiring manager and show your reasons behind applying for the position. Make your email cover letter shorter than a traditional cover letter you would send as an attachment.

The question is:

Should you attach a cover letter to your email?

Or—

Should you write a cover letter in the body of your email?

It’s a real dilemma.

Email covering letters are the new norm.

But they’re different from old-school attachments in a few key ways.

In this guide:

• How to write a cover letter email that gets noticed.
• Why cover letters in emails should be short and snappy.
• Five great email cover letter templates for different jobs.
• Tips and examples to help you write the best letter in the stack.

Save hours of work and get a cover letter like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 21 cover letter templates and download your cover letter now.

Create your cover letter now

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan 

My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

This guide focuses on actionable examples. Need more detailed step-by-step instructions for sending a job application email? See our guide: Emailing a CV to Get a Job: CV Email Samples

Want to attach a PDF cover letter to your email? See this guide: How To Write a Cover Letter in 10 Minutes

How to Write an Email Cover Letter

This is life-changing:

You’re 40x more likely to get hired, if—

You apply directly to the hiring manager.

But only 0.14% do it! The rest go through job boards and career sites.

That’s from a study of 55 million applications!

The thing is—

Applying for a job via email will only work if you get your message across fast.

Don’t make the manager open two attachments, one with a CV and another with a traditional cover letter

Write your cover letter in the email body so she can see your value right away.

Email cover letter format:

1. Put your name in the subject line. Otherwise how will they find you later?
2. Add the job title to the subject line and first line of your email.
3. Use the 3-paragraph cover letter format, but keep it short and snappy.
4. Find CV keywords in the job ad.
5. Include one big achievement relevant to the job.

Expert Hint: Don’t forget to attach your CV to the cover letter in your email! Forgetting to attach your CV is a massive rookie mistake!

Need examples?

This email cover letter sample is for a job that wants skills in raising revenue and cutting costs:

Sample Email Cover Letter for Professionals

Why does that work?

Because it’s quick and easy to read. Plus, it teases the exact qualities Mr. Holt wants.

Now—

This next cover letter email sample is for a job that wants a software engineer. He or she must have a track record of excellent video game design:

Sample Cover Letter Email for Computer Science

See the value?

You proved your skills so fast the manager got vertigo.

Even if she skims.

Our next email cover letter example targets a job that wants a graphic designer. The perfect candidate has done great work for high-end clients.

Sample Email Cover Letter for Creatives

Can’t miss.

They want skill and high end clients. You just demonstrated both.

Now—

This cover letter email sample aims for a job that needs a sales executive. (Must have a background of improving ROI.)

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

 

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Sample Cover Letter Email for Executives

First rate.

That letter sells exactly what they need. And does it quick.

This next email cover letter example is for a marketing intern. She must know how to run podcasts and assist with digital marketing campaigns.

Sample Email Cover Letter for Internships

Pow.

Quick, zappy, and personal. Plus, that “£14,000” grabs the eye.

Expert Tip: You don’t need copious address info at the top and bottom of an email cover letter. Just add your phone and email. Add LinkedIn and a portfolio site if you have them.

With ResumeLab’s CV builder you’ll write your CV in a flash. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.

 

CREATE YOUR CV NOW

Nail it all with a splash of colour, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Just pick one of 18 CV templates and get started now.

Key Points

For an email cover letter that makes your phone ring:

1. Make your cover letter email much shorter than a traditional letter.
2. Get to the point right away: why you love the job and your best selling point.
3. Use one big achievement in your letter to make them want to read your CV.
4. Don’t attach a PDF cover letter when you send a cover letter in an email.
5. Sending a cover letter as an email can boost your hiring chances 40x.

Need more cover letter resources? See:

• Free MS Word Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Header Templates and Examples
• General Cover Letter That’s Not Generic
• Free Google Docs Cover Letter Templates
• What to Write in an Email when Sending a CV

Got questions on how to write a great email cover letter? Want more great email cover letter samples? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply.

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Approach

At ResumeLab, excellence lies at the heart of our values, underpinning our promise to provide outstanding career resources. Our team of career experts meticulously assesses each article in line with our editorial guidelines, guaranteeing our content's high quality and dependability. We consistently engage in original research, illuminating the nuances of the job market and earning acclaim from various influential news outlets. Our commitment to delivering professional career advice draws millions of readers to our blog annually.