When you’re applying for a job, being polite is non-negotiable. But so is being clear and making sure that the hiring manager sees your most important asset: your CV. So much so that on your job hunt, you probably feel like a broken record to remind people to “please find attached my CV”.
The good news is that you’re doing something right. But let’s take a look into making sure that you can stay in the hiring manager’s good graces while making sure that your CV actually gets read. In the following blog, we will cover:
The truth is that most recruiters and hiring managers receive dozens of solicitations for work or applications. If not, hundreds. The way that you portray yourself in those first few lines of an email, job application, or any other platform could make the difference between a call back or having your application tossed out with yesterday’s spam mail.
What you’re really asking is not just how to word the phrase, but how to actually stand out from the crowd and make sure the hard work on your CV is noticed. The first step is email etiquette. The effective wording and framing of “please find attached my CV” can truly make a big difference.
It comes down to this — creating the right environment for the hiring manager to be compelled to read your CV in the first place. Here are some simple tips to make sure you do just that:
You’ve set the scene with a well-written email. So, when it comes to the big ask, it’s as simple as adding those five sweet and simple words to seal the deal. You’ve got it: “Please find attached my CV”.
We would recommend defaulting to this standard phrasing when you’re applying for a job or asking a professional to look at your CV, provided your CV is truly attached to your message. That’s because this phrase has become the standard way of wording this request regardless of industry or sector. It’s professional, polite, and to the point.
“Please find attached my CV” works best when you are applying for a job by email, but its use can range to many other contexts. Consider some of the following:
While the wording of “please find attached my CV” is widely understood and accepted as the standard approach to get the hiring manager to open that all-important CV document, there are exceptions. Some of these ideas could also provide inspiration on how to differentiate yourself for the crowd.
While it may not be appropriate for every job application, you could consider building a bespoke landing page for your job application. Make sure that your CV and cover letter are easy to find and download on this link.
The rest of the webpage could be dedicated to engaging content about your previous work, such as a portfolio. This could work well for creative types. However, consider that this approach will not work for many larger companies that utilise an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to digitally filter through CVs of applicants before the human hiring manager even gets a look.
If you are following up about an opportunity on a platform where attachments will not work or you’re in an industry where LinkedIn speaks volumes, you may want to consider directing people towards your profile. Just make sure your profile is up to date and you’re proud to share it!
On the other hand, if you are applying for a job this approach could be interpreted as lazy. We would recommend this approach if you’re finding a way to engage a professional contact who is interested in finding out more about you.
Another way to bypass attaching a CV — for instance on a platform where it’s impossible to attach a file but you are able to paste a link — is to share a link. This is done by uploading your CV to a file sharing platform like Google Drive or Dropbox. Both platforms have free options to generate a dedicated file link which you can share in any text-based digital message.
Of course, you can also mix the wording up to suit yourself. For example, you may choose to write “please find my CV attached” or “please see my attached CV”. If you’re writing to an American employer, you can use “please find my resume attached” too.
If you’re settled on the standard phrasing, then here are some example email texts you can use in different situations. Remember, the key objective in each of these sample texts is to make sure the reader opens and reads your CV.
“Dear [Insert Name of Team Lead Here],
I hope you are well. My name is [Insert Your Name] and I am a [Insert Job Title]. I have been following [Insert Company Name Here] for a while and [Insert Personalised Compliment on Something You Love About the Company].
I would love to contribute to a working environment like the one at [Company Name], so I wondered if a profile like mine might be able to help you in some way? I would love to be considered if you ever need a [Your Job Title] with experience [Insert An Impressive Accomplishment of Yours].
Please find attached my CV.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
“Dear [Insert Hiring Manager Name],
I am responding to your advertised job on [where you found out about the opportunity] for a [insert job title]. My name is [Insert Your Name] and I am a [Insert Job Title].
I am a/have [insert short, impressive statistic or accomplishment that corresponds directly to their demand]. I hope my skills and experience might be able to help you and your team.
Please find attached my CV and I hope to be able to speak further soon.
Sincerely,
[your name]
How often can you check-in with a hiring manager?
While it can be tempting, try not to harass the hiring manager for updates. Respect the timeline outlined in the job description, or follow up with a short (one or two sentences long) email politely asking if they received your application well a couple of weeks after the job’s closing deadline.
“Dear [Insert contact name],
How are you? I was thinking recently about [insert your prompt for reaching out to them].
I wanted to see how you were doing and find out what you’re up to these days. How is [insert personalised question about their work]? I would love to catch up some time.
I am now working in/looking for a job in [insert your role or sector here]. Please find attached my CV if you’re curious to find out more.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sharing your CV can feel incredibly vulnerable and nerve-wracking. Don’t get caught off guard with these classic mistakes. Here’s a checklist to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything before you press send!
Before attaching your CV anywhere, we’re assuming you’ve done your due diligence on making sure it’s a CV you’re proud to share. If you want to go back a step and audit or improve your current CV, check out our full guide on how to write a CV that you’ll be proud to attach anywhere and everywhere!