Writing a cover letter in an email is often less forgiving than writing one on paper because the reader sees it in a crowded inbox, sometimes on a phone. Getting it read involves writing a subject line the reader can find again later and cutting the letter down to what fits on a small screen, which is sometimes the hardest part. Keep it to three short paragraphs.

Everything a printed letter says still belongs in the email. The address blocks and the date go, since the email already shows who sent it and when, and your contact details move to a signature block under your name.

What to Include

  • A subject line with the job title, any reference number and your name.
  • A greeting that uses the hiring manager's name, or "Dear Hiring Manager," if you can't find one.
  • An opening that names the job and says in one sentence why you fit.
  • A short middle paragraph with two examples tied to the posting.
  • A closing that mentions your attached resume and asks for an interview.
  • A signature block with your full name, phone number, email address and a portfolio link if your field uses one.

Email Cover Letter Example

Sample letter. Names, organizations and details are fictional.

Marketing Coordinator application (Req. 2291): Jordan Ellis

Dear Ms. Bell,

My two dogs have been Fernhill customers for three years, so I read your Marketing Coordinator posting with more than the usual interest. I run email and social media campaigns for a regional garden center chain, and I would like to do the same work for a brand I already buy from.

In the past year I planned and sent 48 promotional emails, grew our email list from 9,000 to 15,500 subscribers with an in-store sign-up offer, and ran a spring social campaign that brought in about 1,200 online orders. Your posting mentions monthly product launches, and I built our launch calendar and wrote most of the copy for each one.

My resume is attached as a PDF, and samples of my emails and posts are on my portfolio site. I'd welcome the chance to talk about your fall launch schedule. Thank you for considering my application.

Best regards,
Jordan Ellis
(555) 011-4728
jordan.ellis@example.com
Portfolio: example.com/jordanellis

Subject lines that work

Put the job title first, since that is what a recruiter searches for, and add your name so the email can be found again. If the posting gives a reference number or tells you exactly what to write in the subject line, follow it word for word.

  • Marketing Coordinator application (Req. 2291): Jordan Ellis
  • Staff Accountant, Job 88-104: application from Priya Raman
  • Referred by Dana Ortiz: Warehouse Supervisor application
  • Summer 2027 Engineering Internship: Tyler Webb

Body text or attachment?

Follow the posting. If it asks for a cover letter as an attachment, format it like a printed letter, save it as a PDF and write a two- or three-sentence note in the email body that names the job and lists what you attached. If it gives no instruction, put the letter in the body of the email and attach your resume, so the reader sees your letter without opening anything.

Before you press send

A two-minute check before sending catches the slips that are hardest to explain later.

  • Send it from a plain email address built on your name.
  • Attach your resume as a PDF with your name in the file name, such as Jordan-Ellis-Resume.pdf.
  • Send a test to yourself and read it on your phone.
  • Check the recipient's name and the company name one last time, especially in a letter you adapted from another application.

Tips

  • Skip casual openers. "Hi there" and "Hey" come across as a text to a friend.
  • Write the email in a document first, where you can check the spelling, then paste it in. A half-finished email sent by accident is hard to take back.
  • Paste the text in without formatting and reread it, because copied formatting can arrive with odd spacing or stray symbols.
  • If someone at the company referred you, name them in the subject line and in your first sentence.
  • Leave emoji, colored fonts and quotations out of your signature. Your name, phone number and email are enough.
  • If you haven't heard anything after a week or two, one short follow-up email that restates the job title and your interest is fine.