An effective, professional cover letter can take a lot of time to get right. Do recruiters really expect you to write a cover letter for job applications these days?
Are Cover Letters Still Important in This Year?
Are Cover Letters Necessary?
Any career advice website will tell you that your job application is not complete without a professional, well-crafted cover letter. But taking the time to write a cover letter for each job can be time-consuming. So, is it worth it? Do hiring managers see cover letters as essential components of the application process?
What Do Recruiters Think?
It should come as no surprise that recruiters and hiring managers value cover letters. That’s because your cover letter helps build a picture of you as an individual. While they can see the skills, education, and work history listed on your resume, a cover letter lets you connect your experiences to the advertised role. A resume is a good foundation, but a great cover letter can really set you apart in the hiring process.
Cover Letter Benefits
When evaluating whether or not to write a cover letter, it’s best to think of all the benefits of writing a good cover letter. Simply put, if you omit a cover letter for your prospective employer, you’re missing out on all these benefits:
- Allows you to explain your relevant experience, making the connection for the reader
- Allows you to demonstrate soft skills like communication skills
- Shows the potential employer you care about the role
- Allows you to feature skills and experiences tailored for the specific job
- Allows you to establish a direct connection with the employer
- Can give you the chance to explain any employment gaps, especially if you’re changing careers
- Puts you ahead of those who didn’t bother to write one
- Increases your chances of landing a job interview
There are plenty of reasons to write a cover letter. Even though it may be time-consuming, you should make an effort if you want to land your dream job. The perfect cover letter may make all the difference to the recruiter’s hiring decision.
To get started on your cover letter, check out our cover letter templates for inspiration. And the cover letter builder is full of cover letter tips to guide you through every step of the process. We've got you covered with plenty of helpful advice, from how to display your contact information to which fonts to choose.
When a Cover Letter Isn’t Needed
Generally speaking, you should always include a cover letter to show you are eager to land a new job. Career coaches and career experts will tell you it's an essential step in the application process. However, there are a couple of occasions when you shouldn’t write a cover letter:
- If the job description or job posting specifically tells you not to write a cover letter
- If you are applying through an online application like LinkedIn, and there isn’t an option to add a cover letter
In other words, you should include a cover letter unless something during the job search specifically tells you not to.
