When should a CV be included in an introductory email?
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Question
I'm inquiring with professors about brief (~1 week) rotations in my post-bacc research programme. Our coordinator says we don't need to include a CV in our intro emails, but another advisor says I should. When should or shouldn't I include a CV in an introductory email?
Professors I'm inquiring with haven't previously seen my application information, and if they accept I'll potentially be working with them for up to 2 years.
Answer
I generally recommend including a CV in any introductory email in which you're seeking to join a lab or work under someone, but it should not be necessary to look at the CV to understand who you are and what you're looking for.
You can find other answers providing more detail on this, but a good introductory email briefly (in one paragraph) notes your relevant background, any preexisting relationship (in this case, that you're in the rotational programme), and what about the lab interests you (ideally noting the connection between your background and these interests).
Including a short CV or resume provides additional detail if they need it while avoiding a back-and-forth: remember these are busy people with overfull email inboxes, so reducing their cognitive load is in your favour. Also, depending on your CV this can be a kind of humblebrag.