There once was a time when job searches were all done in person. You took a copy of your resume and your portfolio to your prospective employer and the interview was conducted eye to eye. More job searches, applications and interviews are being done via the Internet than ever before. When a prospective employer communicates with you via email, and requests a copy of your resume, it is imperative that you provide what was requested. Otherwise, your application might get sent back to the bottom of the inbox. There are a few simple steps to attaching your resume to an email. Knowing how to do this correctly will increase your chances of finding employment.

Upload your resume on your computer in a text format or in Microsoft Word. Check your communication from your prospective employer, or its website, to see if there is a specific type of formatting required.

Right-click on the file, then click on "Save As." Name your resume, and select "Save." If the company requires a text format, select "Save As" and then "Text Only." (If converting to a text only file, be sure to open the resume up once it is saved to make sure the proper formatting such as font size and style converted correctly.)

Open up your email server.

Select "New" message. Your email will be your cover letter, so it is important that you spell check and make sure it looks professional.

Select "Attach" at the top of your email window when you have finished composing the email. Most email servers give you the option to "Attach file" or "Attach photo." You will select "Attach file."

Browse through your "My Documents" folder and select your resume, and then hit "Attach." This should only take a few seconds to attach.

Send a copy of your resume to yourself and to a friend before sending it to a prospective employer. This will allow you to be sure everything was formatted correctly in your Word program and attached correctly to the email.

Send a copy of your email and attached resume to your prospective employer if all checks out correctly.