I did both. Body of email so they can read it and then include a copy in the pdf file with the rest of the stuff so they just have to print that file and have everything.

Misen gives good advice. Make it simple - foolproof, if possible - for the prospective employer.

I can't tell you how often I receive a cover letter as a Word file, a resume as a PDF, and 6-7 separate images as mixed JPEG and TIF files - all from the same candidate. This is agony for me - both to review myself and to pass along to others for review.

The ideal for me is to receive a single PDF file that contains everything you want me to see. Don't get hung up about extraordinary resolution - I'll mostly view it on screen. Keep the total file size under 1.5 megs. That will make me very happy and let me know you're thoughtful about what you do.

Yup, that's what you do. However, in the body of the email I tend to make it very succinct: "Please find the attached cover letter, resume, and work samples for the advertised position x (or whatever)....I very much look forward to hearing from you....kind regards, etc."... a long, block text of email can be annoying.

Single pdf document (letter, resume, samples) 5 pages max.

Good luck

when i sent out my resume package, 4 pages in all (cover letter, resume, 2 pages relevant work samples) in a ca. 600k pdf.

similar to guppy, body of email said basically, "enclosed please find my resume for your review" or something to that extent. never failed.

I would not overlook the value of providing a bit more than just the minimal information in the cover e-mail --- it's a great opportunity to "tee up" what's enclosed in the attachment.

However, be very specific about why your candidacy might be important to the firm in question --- point out relevant information that will entice the reader to go quickly to the attachment.

Also --- make sure you communicate what you can do for the firm --- not what the firm can do for you. Nothing is a bigger turnoff than a self-serving communication.

Good luck.

provide what the ad asks for. We recently posted an add on this prestigious site and only about 60% have responded in the way we asked them to.

I second the file size issue - keep it under 2 megs.

thanks everyone for the thoughtful responses. spark, i am mostly applying in the cold-call fashion so no reference to job post applicable.

I normally do both in a single PDF file. good way to impact the visewer