Send a Resume by Email--when the Recipient Is Anonymous

My recommendation would be to include a very brief "cover letter" in the body of the email, and then attach the formal cover letter. Remember, the person reading these will need to process them as quickly as possible.

You should send the cover letter and resume as attachments. You should also introduce yourself, indicated what position you are applying for and do a full signature block (name, address, email, phone number) within the body of the email.

Since this is a professional position, you don't want a printed email to be circulated instead of a formal cover letter.

Dear Sir or Madam:

Introduce self. Indicate position and why you are the best applicant. Attached please find my resume along with a cover letter.

Sincerely,

Name
Address
Phone
Email

You can do either. If you are sending an email, just make the email body your cover letter and attach the resume. You can, however, absolutely attach both. Recruiters look at so many resumes they don't even think about it.

Well, as an HR professional, I would send the e-mail and attach the cover letter and resume. In the body of your e-mail, I would cut and paste some of the most important aspects of the qualifications you have for the position.

You have one shot to make a good impression.

Also, make sure that you craft your resume specifically for this position. Review the requirements and then tool your resume and cover letter for those qualifications.

Proof read your resume AND cover letter several times. Have some else proof read it as well. I have a hard time when I'm looking for candidates and their resumes and cover letters have misspelled words or poor grammar.

I do not recommend you hand delivering the resume unless stated in the advertisement.

Good luck!!!

I am a former recruiter. I would suggest writing a mini cover letter in the email (just a couple of sentences about why you want the job and why you would be good for it), then attaching both the resume and cover letter as separate documents. They may never look at the cover letter, but they will note your professionalism in writing one at all. In the days of email, a lot of people don't do them at all, but I always noticed the ones who did.

Address it to To Whom It May Concern:

Don't walk it in as suggested below. Large companies don't necessarily have HR on site and they'll think it's kooky for someone to hand-deliver a resume. Chances are some recruiter at some office in another city will receive your documents via e-mail, create a profile for you and upload your resume to their system.

Put the cover letter in the body of your e-mail. You can attach it as well but they'll end up most likely putting just the resume into their system. When I am interviewing candidates, I usually get just the resume and presumably, the recruiter screening the applicants has gone through the cover letters and resumes already and has passed along only qualified candidates. I work for a large financial services and employee benefits company and the hiring process is pretty impersonal, but it's typical for this industry.

ETA: Make sure you have a profile on LinkedIn and that it's professional and up to date. Have a flattering photo on there and have someone review your text for spelling and grammar.

Personally, I'd suggest walking it in, rather than emailing it. Print a copy and bring it to the reception desk (ask to see someone in recruiting, on the off chance they will see you without an appointment scheduled). Or, find a recruiter that's actively working to fill that role and reach out personally (look on Linked In).

Otherwise it will just disappear into the black hole of applicants and you are just another piece of paper to them.
When I am hiring, I take notice of those that have gone the extra mile or have personal referrals. It also goes a long way during the interview process.
Just my 2 cents, from someone on the other side of the desk.

Contact 'Wild Woman' she works in HR.

I was told to address the cover letter: "Dear Hiring Manager" when you do not have a specific name to address it to. Or you could call the company, ask for HR and ask the name of the person to address it to.

I think that you both attach the cover letter AND cut and paste it into the body of the email (and statement in the email that both the cover letter and resume are attached).

I would follow Yarrmatey's suggestion - attach both and type a brief but succinct message including your name and the position you are applying for. The language Yarrmatey suggested is perfect!

While I agree with MandA that people notice if you hand deliver it, most places are requesting documents be emailed, in part, so that they have electronic files. They want the pdf's, so if you do decide to walk them in yourself, make sure you also send the email with the pdf's attached.

And I do suggest you send the files as pdf's, rather than word documents or whatever program you use. Anyone, no matter what system they are using, can read a pdf.