How To Properly Use “Please Find Attached My Resume”

The job application process often requires sending your resume as an attachment in an email. This is your first impression on the hiring manager, and getting the language right is important. In this guide, we cover how to phrase “please find attached my resume” and how to craft an email that helps you get the job.

Why It's Important To Use the Right Language When Sending Your Resume

When you’re writing an email to a potential employer, every word counts. Striking the balance between a professional and warm tone can help you make a positive first impression and show you have the communication skills to succeed in the position.

Making a professional first impression

Using proper language, including correct grammar and punctuation, shows a level of professionalism and attention to detail that leaves a positive first impression. Due to the sheer number of applications hiring managers receive, it’s common for them to immediately reject any emails or resumes with errors. Using proper email etiquette, such as including a greeting and thanking the person for their time, can also help put your resume at the top of the pile.

Ensuring clarity and purpose

Using clear, concise language in your email ensures the recipient understands the purpose and is poised to respond. Specifically, calling out that you have attached your resume increases the chances of someone actually reviewing it.

Demonstrating communication skills

Every time you contact a hiring manager, it’s an opportunity to showcase strong written communication skills and your professionalism. When you’re competing against potentially hundreds of applicants, effective and efficient communication can help you stand out from the other candidates.

When To Use "Please Find Attached My Resume"

The phrase “please find attached my resume” is a simple way to professionally call attention to the attachment, and it’s applicable to a variety of scenarios.

Job application emails

Adding “please find attached my resume” works when you’re directly emailing a hiring manager about a job posting or responding to a recruiter who reached out asking about your experience. If the posting asked for candidates to email their resumes, you could say:

Follow-up emails

The job application process can be slow, and it can take recruiters days or even weeks to respond to your email. If it’s been a week without any communication, send a follow-up email with your resume attached again to demonstrate your continued interest. Examples of phrases to use include:

Networking emails

One of the best ways to find open positions is networking, and a direct referral can also help get your resume to the top of the pile. When sending networking emails inquiring about job openings, always include your resume. Potential phrases to use include:

Alternatives to "Please Find Attached My Resume"

While “please find attached my resume” is perfectly acceptable, there may be times when you want to change up the tone to something more friendly or direct. The following are some other professional ways to say “Please find attached.”

Modern and friendly alternatives

Formal and traditional alternatives

Casual and direct alternatives

How To Format Emails With Resume Attachments

Ensure your email is formatted correctly for a professional appearance by following these steps.

Craft a professional subject line

Before you decide how to say “Attached is my resume,” you’ll need to catch the recipient’s attention so that they even open the email. Recruiters and hiring managers get hundreds of emails — many of which are spam — so ensure you have a clear, concise subject line. Avoid emojis, and use proper spelling. It can help to add “Re:” at the beginning. Some examples of effective subject lines for emails with attached resumes include:

Write a polite and concise email body

The opening lines of your email should state the purpose of the email and provide a brief introduction to your candidacy. Avoid stating your name (it’s in the subject and from lines), but do include your years of industry experience and current job title. Potential examples of opening lines are:

Close the email professionally

The best closing for a resume email is a call to action, such as asking the hiring manager for an interview or saying that you’re looking forward to their reply. This encourages the person to respond and provides something to follow up on if you don’t hear back. Try one of these examples:

Tips for Sending Resumes via Email

Ensuring your resume is actually attached and in the proper format is just as important as knowing what to say when attaching a resume.

Check attachment formats and file size

Check the job posting to see if the hiring manager has requested a specific format for the resume. Google Docs, Word documents, and PDFs are all common options. When in doubt, a PDF is the best option, as it has the highest likelihood of the recipient being able to open and review it. Keep an eye on the file size as well. Fancy fonts, images, and other additions can increase the file size and detract from the content of your resume.

Name your resume file professionally

Always include your first and last name and the job title in your file name. Recruiters and hiring managers may be filling multiple positions, and this ensures that they can qualify your application. Keep it as short as possible, and double-check for spelling errors. Here’s a simple template to use:

Double-check attachments before sending

It’s common for applicants to get so caught up in ensuring the exact phrasing of the email that they forget the attachment altogether. Double-check that it is included and opens properly before hitting send.

Most email providers have a setting that gives you a pop-up warning if you send an email with the word “attached” or “attachment,” but nothing is attached. Enabling this setting can help prevent accidents. It can also help to make yourself a checklist you go through every time before sending an email to a hiring manager.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Using "Please Find Attached My Resume"

Knowing how to introduce your resume in an email can help you attract a hiring manager’s interest, but beware of these common mistakes.

Using outdated or overly formal language

While you do want to present a professional presence, it’s best to avoid excessively formal language in an email. It can come across as cold or outdated. Strike a balance between professionalism and approachability. For example, instead of saying “Please see attached my resume for your reference,” you might say, “I’ve attached my resume below for your review. I’d love an opportunity to discuss my skills and experience over the phone.”

Being too vague or generic

If you’re applying to multiple positions, having an email template can help save you time, but avoid making things sound too generic. Always personalize the email to the recipient and the situation by calling the hiring manager, company, and job title by name. The best way to mention an attached resume is to be direct and specific. Here are some examples of how to add a personal touch to your email:

Not proofreading your email

Typos and grammatical errors happen to everyone, but candidates who take the time to review and polish their emails increase their chances of getting an interview. Use proofreading software to ensure your email is error-free, but go over it with a human eye, as these programs do make mistakes of their own. It can also help to have someone read through it or to keep it in your drafts folder for a few hours so you can review it with fresh eyes before sending it.

Final Tips for Sending Resume Attachments

As you put the finishing touches on your document, consider these resume attachment email tips.

Seek feedback on your email

If possible, recruit a friend or mentor who is willing to review your email draft or template to ensure it conveys a professional tone and is free of errors.

Follow up after sending your resume

If it has been three to five business days and you haven’t heard anything back from the recipient, send a follow-up email. This should be brief and focus on noting your continued interest in the position and not the hiring manager’s delay. Example:

Leverage email analytics tools

If you’re applying to multiple positions, consider using email analytics tools that let you track when an email is opened. This ensures you know if the recipient read your email or had a chance to review your resume before you follow up.

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.