job application cover letter necessary

Do I Need a Cover Letter in 2024? Are Cover Letters Mandatory?

During the job-hunting process, you might find yourself asking “do I really need a cover letter?”

And honestly, that’s a very good question.

You might’ve heard a lot of recruiters say that cover letters aren’t nearly as important as the resume. Some recruiters even openly admit that they don’t read cover letters at all.

So, no wonder that you’re confused about whether or not you really need a cover letter.

In this article, we’re going to deep dive into the topic and teach you when you really need a cover letter (and when you don’t).

• Whether you need to include a cover letter in your application (and why)
• When to not include a cover letter with your resume 
• When to really put effort into your cover letter   

Do I Need a Cover Letter For My Resume

Short answer: yes , you should submit a cover letter alongside your resume.

Here’s why:

• Most job openings require you to submit a cover letter. Recruiters might not have the time to read ALL the cover letters they receive, but they will definitely read cover letters if they’re on the fence for a candidate. Besides, even if they never get to your cover letter, failing to submit one when it’s required will be a red flag.
• A cover letter shows that you’ve put in the extra effort. So, even if the recruiters don’t read them, they will know that you really want the job and that you are committed to taking all necessary steps to show you’re worth it.
• A cover letter can set you apart from other candidates. Imagine this scenario: a recruiter is looking at two candidates with the same exact professional background and resume. The difference? One submitted an A++ cover letter that showed exactly why they’re the perfect fit for the job, while the other just copied and pasted an internet template. Which one would you pick? Our point exactly!

The above being said, there do exist a few cases where a cover letter isn’t necessary and a few others where you shouldn't just submit a cover letter, but you should really put in the extra effort to make it memorable!

Ready to go through them?

When Not to Include a Cover Letter

The 3 cases where you don’t need to include a cover letter with your application are:

#1. The job opening doesn’t require one. 

Yeap, in some cases, the job description will specifically instruct you not to submit a cover letter when you’re applying for the position. Needless to say, submitting one regardless of the instructions will not make you a poster child for dedication; it will just show you can’t follow instructions. 

#2. You don’t have the time to customize your cover letters. 

If there’s one thing that’s worse than not submitting a cover letter, is submitting a bad cover letter. What do we mean by bad? An uncustomized cover letter, or a cover letter based on a one-fits-all kind of template that you plan on mass-sending to all the jobs you’re applying for.  

So, if you’re applying to many jobs and you just don’t have the time (or creativity) to write a separate cover letter tailored to each job, then just don’t write one instead of making that cover letter mistake. 

#3. There is no place to upload one on the application platform.

When you’re filling out an online job application, you might notice there is no place to upload a cover letter.

Consider that a clear sign that a cover letter is not required for that particular role.  

When Should You Put Extra Effort to Submit a Cover Letter

Now, as we said, the best practice is to submit a cover letter with your resume for any job, internship, or even internal position that you apply for (unless they explicitly ask you not to). 

That being said, there are a few cases in which you should REALLY submit a cover letter—and put in extra effort to make it significant: 

• You have important information to add. It might be a career gap, the need for a relocation, or a career change - anything, basically, that you can’t go into detail about in your resume. Your cover letter is your chance to explain it (especially if it adds significant value to your application).
• There’s a personal connection/referral. If someone has personally referred you to the company, make sure to acknowledge that in your cover letter. A personal referral means bonus points for your application, so don’t miss out on a chance to mention it.
• You have a link to the company. Did you complete an internship at the company? Or maybe you know the hiring manager or someone higher up the ranks outside of work. No matter the case, be upfront about any link you may have to the company in your cover letter. It will probably do your application good or at least show those reading it that you’re transparent.
• It’s your dream job. Without making it a love letter to the company, use your cover letter to express what this job means to you professionally and how it’ll help you thrive. Passion goes a long way!

6 Tips For a Perfect Cover Letter 

The bottom line? 

Overwhelmingly, a cover letter is an essential part of your job application and you should include one with your resume.

So, as you can imagine, your cover letter should be on par with your resume. Before you start writing your cover letter, here are a few tips to make the process easier for you:

• Keep it short. One page is more than enough when it comes to cover letters. Actually, the optimal length for a cover letter is between 250-400 words long.
• Follow submission instructions. In the job description, look out for specifics on the cover letter format (Word or PDF), fonts and margins, and content (such as which sections or information to include).
• Proofread your cover letter. Once you’re done writing, make sure your cover letter doesn’t have any grammar or spelling mistakes. Use spell check software such as Grammarly to be on the safe side.
• Avoid cliches. Saying you’re a “great team player” or “effective communicator” will get you nowhere. Instead, aim to show it by backing it up with your experience. Think, “I’m a great communicator” versus “I’m a great communicator, having closed 50+ sales per month at my last job.”
• Enhance your personal brand. Opt to use the same fonts, margins, colors, and style in both your resume and cover letter. In this way, you can highlight your personal brand and make more of an impression on the hiring manager.
• Use action verbs . To make your achievements stand out, use action verbs. So, instead of repeating “I was responsible for” or “I was in charge of,” you can use action verbs such as “managed” or “coordinated.”

Do you still have some unanswered questions? Here are the most frequently asked questions on whether cover letters are mandatory.

Do I need a cover letter for a part-time job?

You should follow the same practice with your part-time job application as you would with a full-time one. That means you should definitely submit a strong cover letter with your resume (unless otherwise indicated in the job description).

Do I need a cover letter for an internal position? 

When you apply for an internal position within the company, you should create a cover letter to highlight your experience and professional interest in the position. 

Do I need a cover letter for an internship?

Yes, you should include a cover letter with your resume when you’re applying for an internship. The cover letter should focus on your skills and strengths, your education, and your dedication to the internship program. 

Not sure how to write a cover letter for an internship from scratch? This article will tell you all you need to know!

Do I need a cover letter for an entry-level job?

Yes, an entry-level cover letter is a must.

You might not have many professional or relevant experiences to list on your resume (e.g. you’re a recent college graduate or you’re changing career paths), so the cover letter is where you can convey your enthusiasm and commitment. Plus, you can also (in words) explain how your skills from your university or past career translate into the job you’re applying for. 

Do employers read the cover letter or resume first?

Generally, employers will first read your resume to see if you have the relevant experience or skills for the position. From there, they decide whether your cover letter is worth reading or not.  If you send your cover letter in the body of the email where you have attached your resume, though, the recruiter will probably skim through it before opening your resume.

Keep in mind that in such a case your cover letter should be perfect, especially in terms of spelling and business etiquette. If the recruiter spots a “u r” instead of “you are,” or a smiley face, they might not even get to your resume.    

Want your cover letter to match your resume? We are confident that the hiring manager will appreciate the effort. Do it effortlessly by using Novorésumé's matching cover letter and resume templates !  

Key Takeaways

Well, that was all on whether cover letters are mandatory in 2023. We hope that we answered all your questions on the topic. 

Here’s a quick review of the main things we covered:

• In 98% of cases, you should include a cover letter in your job application. Although recruiters might not always read it, they expect candidates to submit one. A cover letter will considerably boost your chances and set you apart from other candidates with similar backgrounds and resumes.
• Don’t include a cover letter if the job opening specifies it’s not necessary, if you don’t have time to customize it to the position, or if there is no place to upload one in the application platform.
• Put extra effort in your cover letter if you have extra information to add to your resume if you have been personally referred for the job, if you have a link to the company, or if you’re applying to your dream job.

Related Readings: 

• How to Start a Cover Letter
• How to End a Cover Letter
• How to Address a Cover Letter

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Do we really need to write cover letters in 2023.

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Composing a cover letter on the laptop

The earliest record of the cover letter for employment dates back to the 1950s according to The Atlantic, and has been used ever since as an addition to resumes, for candidates to prove to potential employers their desire and eligibility for posted roles. In recent years, however, especially since the post-pandemic unemployment upheaval, the choice of whether or not to include cover letters as part of the job application process has been a topic of contentious debate, and has left most candidates confused as to whether or not to include them, especially if the employer has not specifically requested them.

In a recent LinkedIn poll I conducted, more than 70% of respondents (a mix of recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates) voted that cover letters are no longer necessary as part of the shortlisting process. However, across the Internet, there were others who advocated its use, provided the right conditions were met.

The question remains, Should we write cover letters for jobs, even if they're not mandated in the application process?

When cover letters are needed

Emily Meekins , CEO and Founder of talent consultancy Workstrat, points out that she rarely reviews cover letters. "85% of the time, I can learn enough from your resume and LinkedIn profile. The application/interview process is time-consuming enough without a cover letter. I'd prefer candidates save their time and reapply it to other areas of their search." However, Meekins adds that she would look at a cover letter if she is on the fence and needs more information to help make an informed decision, or to check for quality of writing and communication skills.

I spoke with Yulia Saf , Founder and CEO of MissTourist.com, who has hired and led a team of up to 12 employees remotely, and asked her to share her experiences and insights on this topic. Saf revealed that cover letters have significantly impacted her decision to hire candidates on several occasions, noting that "candidates who include a persuasive cover letter often stand out during the shortlisting phase, as it provides insight into their passion and determination for the role."

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Writing with laptop

Maurizio Petrone , founder of the remote-first digital media start-up MustReadQuotes.com, has been hiring talent for over 15 years, and highlights that from his experience, "cover letters have played an essential element in hiring decisions, even when we didn't specifically request them. Out of the hundreds of candidates we shortlisted over the past five years, about 70% included cover letters in their applications. These letters helped shed light on their motivations and gave a better insight into their soft skills - things often not immediately evident in resumes."

Cover letters are a fantastic way to explore beyond the confines of one's resume and tell a compelling narrative about your career journey, motivations and aspirations for the job, and even transferable skills, especially for those facing perceived barriers in the workplace. This makes it an excellent choice for those making a career pivot or transition.

As Thomas Codevilla , business attorney, Co-Founder and hiring manager at SK&S Law Group points out, "A well-written cover letter allows candidates to tell a compelling narrative about their experiences and how they can uniquely contribute to our organization. On the hiring side, I know that ATS often play a role in screening applications. What many candidates might not realize is that incorporating relevant keywords from the job posting into their cover letters can significantly improve their chances of getting past this initial screening stage.

"As a recruiter, I appreciate it when candidates address their cover letters to a specific individual or mention a mutual connection within the company. It not only shows that they've done their research but also increases the likelihood that their application will catch my attention.

"A cover letter gives candidates the opportunity to address any potential red flags in their resume, such as employment gaps or career changes. When a candidate proactively explains these issues, it shows their transparency and willingness to provide context, which can positively influence my perception of their application."

Best practice when crafting your cover letter

While cover letters are a great way to demonstrate your value to a potential employer, you should always ensure that it actually delivers real value and is not a mere repetition of your resume, HR generalist Mary Pizana of personal injury law firm Herrman and Herrman cautions.

Man applying for a job on the internet

Kirsty Barden , Head of Business Development at MDS, a talent acquisition company with 37 years in the business, highlights some best practices to remember when writing up a cover letter:

Customise each cover letter

"Tailor your cover letter for each specific application and company. Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name if possible and demonstrate your knowledge of the company and the role you're applying for."

Highlight relevant experiences and skills

"Emphasise the experiences and skills from your CV that directly relate to the job description and requirements. Use specific examples to demonstrate your capabilities."

Showcase your passion

"Express genuine enthusiasm for the company and the opportunity. Explain why you are interested in the role and how it aligns with your career goals."

Keep it concise and focused

"A cover letter should be concise, typically one page. Avoid unnecessary details and maintain a clear focus on the key points you want to convey."

Be professional and error-free

"Pay close attention to grammar, spelling, and formatting. A well-written and error-free cover letter demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism."

Demonstrate cultural fit

"Highlight your alignment with the company's values and culture. Show that you are a team player and can thrive within the organization's environment."

End with a call to action

"Conclude the cover letter by expressing your interest in further discussing your qualifications and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to apply."

SKILL CONCEPT

Executive Cleaning Services Vice President Thomas Giarraputo recommends candidates use Venn diagrams when beginning to craft their cover letter. "Telling stories from your career is an excellent way to demonstrate your skills and give hiring managers a glimpse of your demeanor and work style.

"Always refer to the position's requirements in the job description when searching for appropriate anecdotes to share. It is also beneficial to conduct additional online investigation on the company to gain a sense of its culture. Before writing your cover letter, compare your talents to the position's requirements.

"Utilizing Venn diagrams can be useful for generating ideas and determining which competencies and experiences to highlight. After creating this diagram and identifying what belongs in both circles, overlapping topics will guide and inspire the content of your cover letter."

When cover letters should not be used

On the flip side, Sam Greinetz , Recruiting Partner at Signed Talent, points out that the recruitment industry has witnessed a significant shift over the past decade, with hundreds of candidates applying for one position where there were only 10-15 a few years ago, and certain industries which rely more on hard skills, such as the tech industry, do not have the capacity for hiring managers and recruiters to read every cover letter sent through.

Recruiter screening interview

Greinetz recommends trying a different approach to sending in your cover letter. "Rather than a cover letter, if someone is especially interested in a role, they are better off reaching out to the recruiter or hiring manager directly either via email or on Linkedin to reiterate their excitement. That message can be similar to what a cover letter would include and will allow them to stick out in a crowded applicant pool. Show that you've done some homework, personalize it, talk about the team, product, etc. and don't be afraid to follow-up after a few days if you haven't heard anything."

Anthony Allen , VP of Recruiting at Supply Chain Talent Advisors, states that while he agrees that most recruiters don't have the time to read cover letters, if one is to be written, "the candidate must personalize and tailor the cover letter. A generic, one-size-fits-all cover letter is easy to spot and often disregarded. To stand out, research the company and the role, and tailor your cover letter accordingly. Mention how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements and the company's goals. By doing this, you show the hiring manager that you understand their needs and can bring specific value to the position. This level of personalization is what can make a cover letter impactful, even in situations where its importance might be diminishing."

So what does all of this mean for job seekers?

In a nutshell:

• When applying for a job directly to an employer, use a cover letter that is well-personalized, tells impactful career stories, conveys your motivations for the role, and speaks to why you want to work for that particular employer. Demonstrate that you understand their pain-points, clients, and values, and that their mission and values align with yours.
• Think creatively of other ways to include a cover letter approach, such as sending an email or LinkedIn InMail to the hiring manager directly.
• Ensure your cover letter is not a repetition of your resume.
• Cover letters are best used when facing barriers such as career gaps, career transitions, lack of experience, or to increase competitive edge, especially for senior level roles.
• If applying for technical roles or applying directly through recruitment agencies, consider leaving the cover letter out altogether so as not to waste your time. Also take time to research if the industry you are entering or applying for roles in, typically reviews cover letters. After all, you don't want to waste your time or that of the recruiter/hiring manager.

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Are Cover Letters Necessary? Their True Value Exposed

Introduction to Cover Letters

When to include a cover letter.

• Where Cover Letters Are Not Necessary
• Crafting Effective Cover Letters

Best Cover Letter Examples

Are cover letters necessary faqs.

When searching for jobs, you’ll find some listing a cover letter as optional. Naturally, it’s common to wonder, are cover letters necessary? You can submit applications faster when you don’t add a cover letter, but does that hurt your chances of success?

We’re here to provide you with the resources you need, from our AI cover letter generator to information that helps you understand the ins and outs of the hiring process.

In this article, we’ll discuss what a cover letter for a job is, whether it’s necessary, and tips for optimizing yours to stand out in today’s job market.

When you’re considering adding a cover letter for a job application, a lot of questions come to mind. What is a cover letter for a job? How are they used during the hiring process? Will a short cover letter suffice?

Let’s cut through that confusion with a quick overview of the purpose of cover letters and current trends affecting their use.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a formal document traditionally submitted along with your resume and job application. Its purpose is to highlight your qualifications and why you want to work for a company .

Cover letters help you add a personal touch to your application rather than simply outlining skills and experiences on your resume. You can discuss aspects like your connection to a company’s mission and why you’re eager to use your top skills in the role. It’ll help the hiring manager see who you are as a person and how you’ll fit in with the company’s workplace culture.

Evolution of the cover letter

Technology and modern evolutions in the hiring process have changed some elements of cover letters and how they’re used.

Cover letters have been part of the hiring process for hundreds of years. 20-30+ years ago, it was a common practice to write or print one out as a physical letter that you’d send in the mail or drop off at a company’s location in person when you submitted your application. Cover letters back then tended to be a bit longer and more formal.

Nowadays, short cover letters are more common for modern, fast-paced hiring processes. Most of them will be submitted digitally–some in an attachment for an online job application, whereas others might be right in the body of an email, depending on the company’s preferences.

You also have many more tools to help in the process, like cover letter templates , AI cover letter generators , and grammar checkers to help you create a well-rounded and accurate overview of your professional capabilities.

Current trends in job applications

Current trends in the hiring process have made some professionals believe that the need for cover letters is trending downward.

Automated screening is one of the biggest trends that has impacted the hiring process. Tools like automated screening and applicant tracking systems (ATS) help sort through resumes by looking for keywords that applicants use.

For instance, if an accounting firm wants applicants with skills in Quickbooks, it may use ATS to sort through applications and find candidates with Quickbooks listed in their resume skills section. This helps quickly narrow down how much hiring managers have to review. It’s why some say cover letters aren’t necessary because hiring teams have more advanced tools to automatically narrow down the candidate pool without ever having to read a cover letter.

However, we still believe cover letters are necessary in that instance. Even if a company can narrow down the applicant pool from 100 to 47 using ATS, there are still a lot of candidates to review. Having a custom and professional cover letter is still likely a deciding factor that will help you stand out.

Another reason some say cover letters are trending downward is the number of generic letters that hiring managers see. When applicants just copy and paste the same letter for every job they apply to, it feels too impersonal. Not to mention, platforms like LinkedIn have AI tools that can automatically generate a cover letter. However, what LinkedIn’s tool writes usually sounds very generic.

Just as we recommend using a resume builder and resume checker for creating your resume, we also advise utilizing cover letter templates or generators as a starting point. Customize each cover letter to the job you’re applying for by highlighting specific details such as the company’s mission and the top skills they seek. According to a survey, 77.3% of employers prefer applicants who personalize their cover letters. Tailoring your letter to each job’s requirements will enhance your chances of success, making your application stand out during the hiring review process.

While some elements are causing professionals to believe cover letters are trending down, you can actually use it to your advantage to stand out when you take a bit of extra time to customize yours, add specific skills that connect with a company’s needs, and show genuine interest in the role rather than submitting something generic or no cover letter at all.

If you’re still wondering, “Do I need a cover letter?” let’s review the most common scenarios when you should include one in your application.

Job listings requesting cover letters

When a job listing requests a cover letter, you should always submit one.

Many hiring managers use the steps of the application process to gauge how you follow instructions and to verify your interest in the role. When you don’t submit a cover letter for a job listing requesting one, it might look like you didn’t read the instructions.

Not submitting a cover letter when requested might also make you appear underqualified for the role. Hiring managers could assume that if you didn’t add a cover letter, you might’ve felt you didn’t have enough relevant experience or qualifications to write about in one.

Lastly, if every other applicant submits one and you don’t, it puts you at a competitive disadvantage. You’ll likely get passed over in favor of candidates who took the time to show their enthusiasm about the role and detail how they’ll fit in with the company’s culture.

Opportunities for personal branding

What do you bring to the table that other applicants don’t? Your cover letter provides opportunities to highlight your personal brand and who you are as an individual. Adding in some of those personal details might even be why you get hired over other candidates with similar qualifications.

For instance, let’s say you’re applying for a marketing role with a golf brand. You’re an avid golfer, and highlight that in your cover letter, explaining how your knowledge of the industry will help you create impactful marketing materials targeting common consumer pain points. Compared to other candidates who just write about relevant skills, it’s more likely your identity as a passionate golfer will stand out to the company’s hiring team and show how you’ll fit their culture.

It’s similar to answering questions like “ Why do you want to work here? ” during interviews, where you can highlight your connection to the company’s mission, products, or industry to present why you’re an ideal fit for the role.

High-competition roles

As mentioned earlier, submitting a custom cover letter that’s specific to each role will help you stand out amongst other applicants who submit something generic or no cover letter at all.

Many industries today are highly competitive, such as IT, software development, finance, and marketing. Remote work opportunities also generally have tons of competition since companies may receive applications from candidates worldwide.

If you’re on platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn and seeing jobs with 100+ applicants for most positions you’re looking at, it’s safe to assume that there’s enough competition where a stellar cover letter is necessary if you want to rise to the top.

Career changes and gaps

It’s more challenging to present career changes or gaps on a resume since it focuses more on your career experiences and key skills. Therefore, when you need to justify a career change or gap, you should submit a cover letter to do so properly.

In the body of your cover letter, you can present why you made certain career moves, such as taking a break from work after a major health issue. Then, detail why you’re prepared to return to the field or enter a new career. For instance, how you’ve taken some refresher courses at your local college to ensure you’re up-to-date with current trends after your break from working.

Presenting those extra details will help you better represent yourself as an applicant and help hiring managers envision the impact you can have in the role.

Relocation and remote work applications

Submitting a cover letter is a good idea when applying to remote work opportunities or jobs that require relocation.

There might be points in your career where you’re planning a move to a new city or state and are applying to jobs ahead of time. You might also come across a great opportunity to further your career, but you need to move to join the company at its current location.

For either reason, you’d want to submit a cover letter that explains your intention to relocate. That way, even though hiring managers might see an out-of-state or out-of-city address on your application materials, they know you’re serious about the role.

Remote positions are highly competitive, and you’ll want to showcase how you’ll fit a company’s culture in a virtual work setting. While you can emphasize your abilities on your resume, a cover letter will help you better explain your experiences in remote environments, teleconferencing, communicating through email or platforms like Slack, and being a self-starter.

Situations Where Cover Letters May Not Be Necessary

While we usually recommend submitting cover letters for most jobs, there are some instances where they won’t be necessary. Let’s review those specific cases to help you determine if you need a cover letter for a job post you’re looking at.

Digital application platforms with limited space

Some companies simplify their application process to make it easier to fill out and for hiring teams to review candidates quickly. You might not need a cover letter if the application is just a simple form for your basic information. You might see this through Indeed’s Quick Apply feature, where some companies won’t include the option to attach a cover letter while applying.

That said, watch out for things like a small button you can click to attach your cover letter or when companies request you email your cover letter separately as one of the application steps.

Informal job markets and networking

Not every job or interview is acquired through a formal application process. For instance, you might have a professional connection that refers you to a company that needs your skills. In that case, the company’s hiring team might just schedule a meeting with you right away, or you might send the hiring manager a letter of interest after your connection gives you their contact information.

Some other instances where this might happen are:

• Landing an opportunity after meeting a job recruiter at a professional networking event
• Temporary contract roles that might forgo a formal application process
• Re-hires when you’ve worked for a company before
• When you connect with job recruiters on platforms like LinkedIn who’ve already seen your qualifications
• Employment agencies setting you up with a new role

Clear-cut qualifications and roles

Sometimes, employers just want applicants with clear-cut technical skills. You’ll see this occasionally with entry-level retail jobs, where companies won’t require a cover letter and instead prefer a resume stating some relevant work experiences .

The same can be true for temporary or seasonal hires where a company is trying to fill roles quickly. You’ll often see this when shipping and receiving businesses hire warehouse employees during the busy holiday season, especially for roles that don’t require much training to get started.

Entry-level positions

As mentioned, some entry-level retail roles might not require a cover letter when employers are confident they can train employees for the basic duties of the job. You might also see that in roles like:

• Entry-level warehouse positions where new hires will start with moving boxes or loading trucks
• Basic office/clerical jobs when companies just want new candidates to have fundamental skills in Microsoft Office or data entry
• Apprenticeships in trades like HVAC or plumbing, where new hires aren’t expected to have much knowledge outside of using typical hand tools
• On-campus jobs for college students that are part of work-study programs, which typically start you off with basic tasks like organizing returns in the library or cleaning up the campus kitchen

Best Practices for Crafting Effective Cover Letters

If you’ve found that a cover letter is necessary for the job you’re applying to after reading through this article, we have you covered. Here’s a quick overview of some best practices that will help you optimize yours to stand out. Plus, in the next section, we’ll detail some real-world examples for different industries you can use as templates, similar to how you’d use resume templates or resume examples , to get started.

Tailoring your cover letter

As mentioned earlier, it’s essential to customize your cover letter for each job you apply to. Some ways you can tailor yours to each position are:

• Start by greeting the hiring manager by name: When a hiring manager opens a cover letter and sees their name listed at the top, it immediately shows you did some research about the company. So, ensure you review the job description or company’s website to try to find the name of a specific contact person. If you can’t find anything, you could also begin with “Dear [name of company] hiring team.”
• Customize the skills and experiences you discuss for each role: While you’re likely applying to roles with similar job titles and responsibilities, each company has unique processes and needs. Review the job description to ensure you emphasize what’s important for every role.
• Connect to the company’s mission: When you show passion for the mission and goals a company is striving for, you’ll stand out as an applicant. For instance, discussing how you’re impressed by a company’s commitment to customer service could help reinforce your customer-facing capabilities and present how you’ll fit in with their culture.

Highlighting key skills and experiences

When highlighting essential skills and experiences, it’s important to tailor what you discuss to company needs and structure those examples appropriately.

A great way to stand out is to avoid just listing responsibilities and instead focus on achievements. For instance, instead of saying you were in charge of inventory systems, you could add more detail by describing how you used the Lightspeed Retail inventory software to manage stock updates 43% more efficiently and reduce product shortages by 55%.

Aim to use numbers to show your impact, such as including sales revenue generated, customer satisfaction rates, or return on investment.

Many companies also use different software or methodologies in their processes, so customizing those aspects to what they emphasize in job descriptions will help you stand out. For example, some accounting departments use Quickbooks, whereas others use Xero to manage data. If you had experience in both, you could tailor the experiences in your cover letter to stand out for varying company needs.

Showcasing personality and cultural fit

While a cover letter is a formal type of correspondence, there are still ways to showcase your personality and how you’ll fit a team’s culture to stand out in the hiring process.

A great way to start is to match your tone to the one used in the job description. For example, if the job description has a friendly and upbeat tone, matching that could show how you’ll be a great fit with the company’s team, which aims to provide friendly service to every customer.

The job description might also mention specific aspects of the company’s workplace culture. For example, they might emphasize an innovative and idea-driven workspace. Then, you could add examples like how you’ve innovated in previous roles by switching to cloud-based data management systems to boost information accessibility for remote employees by 39%.

Lastly, consider your brand. What do you bring to the workplace, and what abilities or unique experiences will make you an asset to the team? Presenting those aspects will help your personality and fit stand out as an applicant.

Conciseness and clarity

Your cover letter should balance adding relevant details while remaining concise. Keeping it to one page is a good way to ensure it remains brief and easy for hiring managers to review.

A good structure to keep your cover letter brief is a strong intro and conclusion and three to four body paragraphs outlining your most relevant skills and experiences .

You can typically focus on three to five skills relevant to what the company emphasizes in the job description and three to four examples of workplace achievements using your abilities.

Professional formatting and error-free writing

Each cover letter you submit should be in a professional format that shows you put time and effort into creating it. Ensure it contains essential details like your name and contact information, the date, your job title, and any enclosures. Cover letter templates and generators will give you a great starting point and structure.

Also, double-check the details you add about previous experiences to ensure the numbers you reference are accurate. You should also run it through a grammar checker and proofread it before submitting it to ensure you don’t have errors that will detract from its professionalism.

Cover letter example for the beauty industry

In the beauty industry, you typically need to present technical and customer-facing service skills to stand out in the hiring process.

Take a look at the example below for a cosmetology aesthetician. The applicant does an excellent job showcasing relevant skills like microdermabrasion and skin analysis. Plus, they have several examples throughout that showcase their ability to achieve the company’s mission of personalized care and exceptional service, such as how they improved customer satisfaction and increased repeat bookings in previous roles.

Cosmetology Cover Letter Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

Microsoft Word

Google Docs

Block Format

Why this cover letter works

• From there, proceed to narrate the unique experiences you bring to the table, focusing on industry-relevant proficiencies like skincare analysis, eyelash extension, and microdermabrasion treatments. Typical quantified impacts to highlight here include customer satisfaction and retention, appointments, and revenue generated.

Cover letter example for childcare professions

When you work in the childcare industry, you must showcase how your technical and interpersonal skills will help get the best results for every child you watch on the job.

The nanny cover letter example below showcases how you can do just that, even if you have no experience. The applicant does a great job presenting how their volunteer work providing healthy child-friendly meals at non-profits and previous experience as a housekeeper will help them safely and effectively manage busy homes.

Nanny No Experience Cover Letter Example

• However, don’t hesitate to draw from moments with relevant wins to fortify your nanny no experience cover letter. That will go a long way to keep your application away from the dreaded email “Trash.”

Cover letter example for creative fields

Companies hiring creative professionals will want to see how you use your creative vision to achieve great results in a business environment. Plus, every business has its own style, so being able to tailor how your artistic skills will fit their needs will help you stand out.

The example below for an interior design student applying to an internship achieves that delicate balance in a cover letter even when the candidate lacks real work experience. They’re able to relay how their results in class projects using color theory, and participation in a residential design competition following building codes will help them perform effectively on the job.

Interior Design Student Cover Letter Example

• Let a previous impactful internship take the lead, backed up by your quantified wins (cue expediting project approval by two weeks). If this isn’t an option, a college project, an industry-centric competition, or a workshop you attended could play a terrific role in your interior design student cover letter.

Cover letter examples for education careers

The education industry is full of roles that require accuracy, high levels of knowledge, and the ability to achieve great results for students. Your cover letter must balance those aspects while relating to organizational needs to get the best results.

Cover letter example for a teacher

The elementary teacher example below does a terrific job since the applicant relates to the school’s mission of academic excellence while detailing top-notch achievements, like helping boost test scores and reading proficiency with their lesson planning structure.

Elementary Teacher Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your elementary teacher cover letter.

123 Fictional Avenue Dallas, TX 78660 (123) 456-7890

August 20, 2023

Benjamin Brown Coppell Independent School District 123 Fictional Lane Dallas, TX 78660

Dear Mr. Brown:

I am captivated by Coppell Independent School District’s unwavering dedication to academic excellence and inclusiveness, as evident by your impressive state test scores and expansive student population. It is commendable that your school excels in cultivating well-rounded students and promoting a diverse learning environment. Being EC-6 Standard certified, I am excited to contribute to your mission as an elementary teacher, leveraging my strengths in educational technology integration and special education strategies.

During my 2014-2019 tenure at Walnut Hill Elementary School, I was instrumental in the school’s growth to a score of 87%. This was achieved by implementing new digital learning platforms that increased reading proficiency by 8% within two semesters. Employing proven special education strategies, I led a class of 22 students, 32% with learning disabilities, in exceeding their growth targets by an average of 18%.

At Willian B. Travis Academy, I took charge of blending learning models, resulting in a 7% better student engagement rate in my classroom. Furthermore, I emphasized digital literacy across all subjects and grades. This initiative introduced students to essential 21st-century skills, enabling a 14% improvement in their performance on state tests in tech-based assignments.

The Coppell Independent School District’s emphasis on a comprehensive, inclusive educational approach is commendable and is what drives my interest in becoming a part of your esteemed faculty. My motivation to see every child thrive and commitment to utilizing technology for inclusive learning would further elevate the school’s academic standing. I would be thrilled to discuss how my background and abilities align with your needs and contribute to the Coppell Independent School District’s vision of academic excellence. I appreciate your consideration, and I am eagerly awaiting your positive response.

Rahul Nisha

Enclosures: Resume Application 2 letters of recommendation Transcripts EC-6 Standard Certificate

• Demonstrate value in your elementary teacher cover letter by narrating quantified wins empowered by some of these skills. Then, subtly pay homage to the potential employer’s reputation to better resonate with the recruiter.

Cover letter example for academic leaders

While applying to academic leadership roles, such as a principal or superintendent, you’ll need to present top-notch leadership, decision-making, and coordination abilities to achieve the best results for schools.

The principal cover letter example below provides an excellent overview of how the applicant’s budget management and data analysis skills will help them fit in nicely at Heritage Hall School as they work toward providing a high-quality holistic educational program.

Cover letter example for engineering careers

Engineering careers require several technical skills and extensive education, which you should present on your cover letter.

Even after completing your education, you’ll still likely need to apply for some apprenticeships or internships to break into the field. The example below for an electrical engineering apprentice showcases how the applicant’s coursework at San Jose State University equipped them to perform hardware design accurately and how a previous internship helped them gain hands-on firmware troubleshooting experience that will lead to success in the role.

Cover letter examples for finance and accounting jobs

You need a professional cover letter in finance jobs where compliance and accuracy are essential to ensure proper cash management. Here are a couple of examples to show you how to organize yours successfully.

Cover letter example for the banking industry

The electronic banking specialist example below provides a great overview of how the applicant’s technical skills in fraud management systems and financial database tools will make them effective in the role.

Cover letter example for an accounting job

As you move into high-level accounting roles, you’ll want to ensure you present a long tenure of accuracy and compliance in your cover letter. Take a look at the example below for a senior accountant. It does a terrific job showcasing how the applicant’s skills in balance sheets, invoices, and client management will help them provide effective financial service in the hospitality industry.

Cover letter examples for food service careers

In food service, you need to manage kitchen safety, health codes, and great customer service to achieve success. Therefore, you’ll want to ensure your cover letter provides the ideal balance of skills while relating to each restaurant’s mission to stand out.

Cover letter example for an entry-level food service role

It’s not uncommon for food service roles to be one of the first jobs someone has while looking to gain work experience. Even if you don’t have much experience, you can still find transferable skills from volunteer work, school clubs, or class projects that will help showcase your capabilities.

Take a look at the example of the hostess cover letter below. Even though the applicant doesn’t have experience working at restaurants, they can still show how their time in their university’s computer club helped them gain problem-solving skills and how a previous internship helped them master product demonstration skills that will be necessary as a hostess.

Cover letter example for a restaurant leadership role

When you grow into a leadership role in food service, you’ll want to present knowledge of the industry and how you coordinate financial requirements and employee schedules in your cover letter.

The restaurant general manager example below showcases the applicant’s hands-on management style and technical skills in food cost analysis that will help them perform well in the role.

Cover letter example for the healthcare industry

Healthcare roles require you to show technical treatment capabilities and how you’ll provide a top-notch patient experience throughout the process, even in stressful moments.

Look at the cover letter example below for a dermatology physician assistant. The applicant does a great job showcasing how their genuine care for patients, and knowledge of cryotherapy and skin biopsies that will help them achieve top results in the role.

Cover letter example for information technology (IT) jobs

IT jobs require a wide array of technical skills to ensure you can quickly troubleshoot systems and improve company processes on the job. You’ll want to ensure you present the results you’ve achieved appropriately on your cover letter.

The IT support example below does that well, detailing achievements where they used remote optimization techniques to reduce system downtimes and network maintenance costs while working in fast-paced environments.

Cover letters aren’t obsolete in 2024. When written and formatted correctly, they can be an essential way to stand out amongst applicants in the hiring process. Make sure each one you submit is tailored to the company you’re applying to by showing your connection to their mission and stating relevant skills and experiences.

A strong cover letter can help you explain gaps in your resume or how you’ll make an impact as an entry-level applicant with minimal experience. However, if you’re completely unqualified for a position, a strong cover letter alone probably won’t make up the difference to land an interview.

You should always customize your cover letter to ensure it stands out for each company’s needs and showcases your interest in the role. Ensure you greet the hiring manager by name rather than using generic greetings like dear sir/madam . Show passion for the company’s mission and customize the skills you discuss to what’s emphasized in job descriptions.

Your cover letter should be one page long. You don’t want to include too many details that will lose a hiring manager’s attention during fast review processes. Stick to a strong intro and conclusion with a few great body paragraphs detailing relevant skills and experiences.

The most common mistakes in cover letters are not greeting the hiring manager by name, grammatical errors, improper formatting, and copying and pasting the same generic cover letter each time. Customizing it to the specifics of the job description, using grammar checkers, and cover letter templates or generators will help.

If an online application has a space to submit a cover letter, you should always do so to give yourself the best opportunity to stand out amongst other candidates. That said, some online applications don’t have a place to submit cover letters, so unless otherwise specified where you should submit them, you can go without one in that instance.

Related articles

• Short Cover Letter Examples
• How to Use ChatGPT to Write a Cover Letter
• How to End a Cover Letter
• Letter of Introduction
• Short Professional Bio Examples

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• Ask Amanda: Do I Really Need...

Ask Amanda: Do I Really Need a Cover Letter?

3 min read · Updated on March 10, 2022

Have cover letters become a thing of the past?

Q: Should I write a cover letter for every job application I submit?

I haven't searched for a job in a while. Is a cover letter still necessary or have things changed? — Hal B.

If you're wondering whether you still need a cover letter for your job search, you're not alone. Many of you have reached out to me over the years asking this specific cover-letter question. And it makes sense — if you've asked colleagues or peers whether you should write a cover letter, I'll bet good money you've received some conflicting advice.

That's because the data on this topic sends some pretty mixed messages. For instance, according to the 2016 Recruiter Nation Report by recruitment software provider Jobvite , 74 percent of recruiters do not consider cover letters important in their decision to hire an applicant. However, a poll from recruitment firm Robert Half found that 90 percent of executives consider cover letters to be invaluable when assessing candidates.

So what does that mean for you? Well here's my take …

You still need to write a cover letter!

While it's true that not every hiring manager or recruiter will read your cover letter — in fact, the last time I informally polled employers on the topic, many of the respondents admitted to regularly skipping over this document and jumping straight to the resume — there is still a portion of employers who consider the cover letter to be important. When you're applying for a job, there's no way of knowing for sure which side of the fence that employer falls on. Better safe than sorry, right? This is why many of our resume-writing services include a cover letter as part of the package.

A cover letter is also a great way to give employers a glimpse of your personality or to add some additional context to your application when you're changing careers or searching for work after a substantial employment gap.

Of course, not all cover letters are created equal. A poorly written cover letter can hurt — rather than help — your candidacy. Check out the following resources for tips on how to craft a winning cover letter for every job application:

How to Address a Cover Letter

How to Break Down Your Cover Letter Into 3 Simple Sections

How to Tailor Your Cover Letter for Each Job Application

Exceptions to the cover-letter rule

There are some exceptions to this rule. If the job listing specifically states that a cover letter isn't necessary or required, you shouldn't feel compelled to write one. In fact, blatantly ignoring the instructions found within the job listing is a surefire way to get your application discarded.

Final thoughts

The next time you find yourself asking, “Do I need a cover letter?”, assume the answer is yes and start thinking about what information you can incorporate into your cover letter to set your application apart.

Amanda Augustine is a certified professional career coach (CPCC) and resume writer (CPRW) and the resident career expert for Talent Inc.'s suite of brands: TopResume , TopCV , and TopInterview . On a regular basis, she answers user questions like the one above. Have a question? Take a look at her career advice or ask a question on her Quora page .

Recommended Reading:

10 of the Worst Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

Ask Amanda: How Do I Mention Relocation in My Cover Letter?

9 Cliches to Cut From Your Cover Letter Right Now

Related Articles:

8 Tips to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market

7 Signs Your Resume is Making You Look Old

Don't “Snowplow” Your Kids' Job Search — Set Them Up for Success Instead

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Finally, an Answer To: Are Cover Letters Still Necessary?

The cover letter is a contender for job seekers’ most hated part of the job search. Personally, when browsing job boards, I’ve always gravitated toward the postings that said “cover letter optional” or didn’t mention one at all— and I’m a writer. When you’re deep in a job hunt—particularly one where you feel like you’re throwing applications into a black hole—cover letters might feel pointless. It’s not like we’re mailing out our resumes anymore—so what is the letter covering? Does anyone read cover letters anymore? Are cover letters even necessary at all, or are they outdated?

I set out to find the answer by speaking to experts, combing through studies, and putting out a call to hiring managers and recruiters to find out how they handle cover letters when they’re making hires.

Does Anyone Still Read Cover Letters?

In a 2020 survey of 236 hiring managers and recruiters, ResumeGo found that 87% of respondents read cover letters. Only 13% did not. I got similar answers in my own research. The overwhelming majority of recruiters and hiring managers I heard from—folks who work across career functions and industries—told me they do still read cover letters in some capacity.

The most common answers I got were that hiring professionals read cover letters:

• For all qualified applicants
• For any candidates they’re considering moving to the next step of the hiring process
• For any candidates who are on the border of being moved forward
• For any candidates whose resumes raised questions for them

So if you’re submitting applications to any opening you come across and apply for a manager-level position as an entry-level candidate, or upload a teaching-focused resume for an accounting job, don’t be surprised if your cover letter gets skipped. For the most part, if your resume doesn’t even come close, no one is going to bother reading your cover letter, says Muse career coach Eliot Kaplan , who spent 18 years as VP of Talent Acquisition at Hearst Magazines before founding Eliot Kaplan Coaching .

This does mark a shift in how hiring professionals use cover letters, however. Traditionally, the cover letter was the cover page for your resume (hence the name), so its purpose was to convince the reader to look at your resume. Now, your resume usually (though not always) gets looked at first, and your cover letter is there to further persuade the reader to move you to the next round in the hiring process. So while cover letters are serving a different purpose now, they’re still being read and considered.

Unsurprisingly, everyone I heard from involved in hiring for jobs where writing, editing, and/or messaging is a key skill said they read and considered cover letters. For example, Glen Muñoz, who has been in marketing and operations for over 30 years, says that he reads all cover letters for candidates who meet the minimum requirements because the cover letter serves as a sample of their written communication skills, which are of course vital to whether or not you can do these jobs. Kaplan also said this was true in journalism.

Outside of these careers, cover letters are still widely read by the hiring professionals I heard from. Hiring managers, recruiters, and HR professionals across sales, finance, healthcare, accounting, customer service, and yes, even tech indicated that they read and considered at least some—if not all—candidates’ cover letters. “If I didn’t read [an applicant’s cover letter], there’s another reason that I’m not going to hire them,” says Karen Gordon, VP of Growth for Goodshuffle Pro , who hires for various roles including software developers. Those who said they read cover letters at all usually read them for all positions even if they’re hiring across different functions.

Employers also read cover letters across experience levels. “I have found the cover letter to be an important arsenal in a job seeker’s toolbox, even those seeking higher-up roles,” says Paul French, founder and managing director of Intrinsic Search , a recruiting firm specializing in executive positions for SaaS companies. At the other end of the spectrum, Kaplan says entry-level candidate’s cover letters are useful for hiring professionals to see how your education, part-time jobs, and other less traditional sources of experience connect to the job you’re applying for: “If you have less of a track record, you’re going to have a little more vamping,” and your cover letter is the place that it happens.

In my research, I noticed that the hiring professionals most likely to say that they skipped or skimmed cover letters to save time identified themselves as recruiters. Respondents also mentioned knowing other hiring professionals who did not read cover letters, most often recruiters. In its  2020 Recruiter Nation Report , based on a survey of 806 recruiters conducted by Zogby Analytics, Jobvite found that just 27% of recruiters consider cover letters when evaluating a job application.

And it makes sense. Often a recruiter’s primary job is to find and screen candidates for open positions, meaning they might be looking at hundreds of applications a day for a range of jobs. However, recruiters are usually not the only person seeing an application before a final hiring decision is made. They’re just the first step. So a recruiter not reading your cover letter doesn’t mean that someone else–like the hiring manager or a future member of your team—won’t. For example, tech recruiter and Muse career coach Steven Davis admits that he doesn’t read every cover letter as a recruiter, but as a coach, he still encourages his clients to “write a concise, enthusiastic cover letter” because he believes they’re valuable pieces of a job application that can help you land a later-round interview.

It’s important to note that while the 2020 Recruiter Nation report found that only 27% of recruiters considered cover letters in their decision, that’s up from 8% in 2017—a threefold increase in as many years. So the number of recruiters who read and consider cover letters is actually growing, not shrinking.

Do Cover Letters Help You Get a Job?

“For 80-90% of jobs I still believe in the cover letter,” Kaplan says. Cover letters help make the case for you as an applicant and can provide valuable information to recruiters and hiring managers, not only through their content but just through the fact that you took the time to write one at all.

In ResumeGo’s survey of recruiters and hiring managers, 65% of respondents said they are “materially influenced” by cover letters in their hiring decisions. ResumeGo also conducted a field experiment, submitting fake applications to over 7,000 job postings with either no cover letter (leaving the field blank or writing in “N/A” when needed), a generic cover letter, or a tailored cover letter that gave details on how the applicant matched the company culture and job description.

After 30 days, applications with tailored cover letters were 53% more likely to have gotten an interview callback than applications with no cover letter, and even generic cover letters were 17% better than no cover letter at all. Meaning, yes: Cover letters do still matter and they can help you get to the next round in the hiring process.

“One of the biggest takeaways was that tailored cover letters are far superior to generic cover letters when it comes to boosting a job applicant’s chances of being hired,” says Peter Yang, CEO of ResumeGo. Tailoring a cover letter doesn’t necessarily mean starting from scratch each time. You’re likely applying to a lot of similar jobs, so you might create a basic template for yourself, but add to it based on the job and company, Kaplan says. He estimates you can keep about two-thirds of your cover letter the same across most positions and customize the remaining third.

Read More: The Best Cover Letter Examples for Every Type of Job Seeker

When Do You Absolutely Need a Cover Letter?

There are some situations where you should definitely include a cover letter or you’ll greatly increase the risk of being rejected when you otherwise might’ve had a chance.

Many job applications require a cover letter and in those cases, if you want a real shot, you have to write one whether you want to or not, Kaplan says. You don’t want the first message you send a prospective employer to be that you can’t or won’t follow directions.

You might also have some other signal that a cover letter is crucial to a specific role. Before I applied to my current job at The Muse, I saw that my future manager had tweeted out the job listing. In the tweet, she said to include a cover letter; they’d be using it to gauge my writing skills and it was a chance to sell myself for the role. So of course I wrote one! In addition to social media, this signal could also come from conversations with current and former employees of the company, or the job description might stress the cover letter’s importance or ask you to include certain information in it, even if the online application doesn’t have a mandatory slot for it.

But job seekers don’t always get a giant flashing neon sign declaring that a cover letter is crucial for a particular position. In some cases, the cue that a cover letter is extra important will come from your side. If you have any special situations surrounding your candidacy or there’s anything on your resume or application that needs additional context to be understood, writing a cover letter is really in your best interest. If there’s something on (or not on) your resume that might be a red flag to people reading, your cover letter can keep your application out of the rejection pile.

According to the experts, some special situations that can be explained by a cover letter include:

• Career transitions : If this is going to be your first job in a new of type role or a different industry, or if you’ve followed a non-linear career path, a cover letter can explain why you want this job and how your past experiences have prepared you for it. It’s also an opportunity to highlight how your transferable skills will help you in your next job. For example, Kaplan once coached a “management consultant who wanted to become a fighter pilot.” She wrote a compelling story about her background, how she overcame obstacles in her past jobs, and how she would do that in the air.
• Employment gaps: Whether this will be your first job after your employment gap or you have one further back on your resume that you’re worried might raise eyebrows, including a cover letter gives you an opportunity to explain.
• Out-of-area applications: If you’re moving and hoping to secure a job before you get there, you can explain that in a cover letter so hiring managers understand why your application is coming from a different geographic location.
• Personal connections to a company or job referrals: If someone in your network referred you to a job or you have another connection to the company, this goes in your cover letter, not on your resume, Kaplan says.

Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not to write a cover letter. In the ResumeGo survey, only 26% of respondents said they “punished” or “deducted points” from candidates who didn’t include a cover letter when the job posting didn’t require one, and in its 2018 Job Seeker Nation Study , Jobvite found that only 45% of respondents had submitted a cover letter for their current or most recent job. So you can definitely get a job without a cover letter. But ask yourself this: Why would you skip out on the chance to make your application even stronger?

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Are Cover Letters Necessary? Do You Need One in 2023?

Cover letters are one of the most important parts of the job application process. It’s a way for you to explain why you’re a good fit for the position. But are cover letters necessary?

Cover letters make you stand out from other candidates. It’s also an opportunity for you to show off your writing skills. And that can be useful during an interview or follow-up email exchange.

But, in this age of technology, it’s understandable why people still wonder, “Do I need a cover letter?” Especially since you can submit many applications online or via text message.

So are cover letters necessary? And do you need one? This guide will answer these questions and share expert cover letter tips that can help you land an interview.

Table of Contents

Cover Letters Can Make a Significant Difference in Your Job Application

Cover letters are not necessary, but they can make a huge difference in your job application. Here’s what we mean.

If you’re applying for a job and don’t have a cover letter, it’ll be hard to stand out from other applicants. And that’s because cover letters show why you want to work at a particular company and are serious about it.

For example, two equally qualified candidates are applying for a position, one with a cover letter and one without.

Chances are that the applicant who took the time to write a well-crafted cover letter will get an interview. And that’s because the person, for example, highlighted how their previous accomplishments would help the company to improve.

It’s simply not enough to send only your resume in most situations.

Are Cover Letters Necessary?

Yes, in most cases.

What you should know about cover letters is that they’re optional for some jobs. For example, your resume alone will likely be enough if you apply for an internship or a low-level assistant position.

However, let’s say you’re applying for a higher position, like an executive director position. First, you’ll need to have a well-written cover letter. That will help prove that you’ve researched the company and are interested in being part of its team.

Expressing your interest in an organization isn’t something the hiring manager will get from your application online. That’s why cover letters are crucial and should not be ignored.

Do You Really Need a Cover Letter in 2022?

The short answer is yes; you still need a cover letter in 2022.

One of the purposes of a cover letter is to demonstrate that you understand the position and are invested in it.

They give employers a good idea of who you are as an applicant. And that makes it easier for them to decide whether or not they want to interview you for their open positions.

Your cover letter can also help distinguish you from other candidates who apply for similar positions. You can use your cover letter as an opportunity to show more about yourself than what’s available on paper!

Tips to Prepare a Perfect Cover Letter

1. do your research.

A cover letter is an opportunity to tell a potential employer why they should hire you. So it should be tailored for each job and company.

The first task is to research the company and role, including the person reading your cover letter. It’s not always the hiring manager. Try to find out what they’re looking for in an employee and how their organization operates.

This will give you insight into what’s important to them in an applicant. Also, take some time to think about how today’s job market differs from that of several years ago. That can help you fine-tune your cover letter. It doesn’t matter if the change is small. It can make a huge difference.

2. Tailor Your Cover Letter to Each Role

The first and last thing you want to do is address the person reading your cover letter. Then, when applying for a job, read up on the company and find out who the hiring manager is. If there’s no name listed in the job description, call or email someone at the company to ask whom you should address it.

If there are multiple people responsible for hiring decisions, make sure to address each one individually. For example: “Dear [Hiring Manager],” “ To Whom It May Concern: ” and “Hello Mr./Ms.[First Name]. ‘

3. Don’t Let Your Resume Appear in Your Cover Letter

The primary purpose of a cover letter is to highlight and sell your qualifications. Your resume is the place where you list everything you’ve done. So don’t repeat that information in your cover letter.

Instead, do the following:

• give a brief overview of your qualifications,
• why they make you a good fit for the job, and
• how they relate to the position requirements listed by the company.

Related: How to Address a Cover Letter Without a Name

4. Be Clear and Concise

Be clear and concise to get the most out of your cover letter. One page is okay if you can; you don’t need to use up all the space. If you have more than one page, use bullet points rather than paragraphs. That makes it easier to skim through quickly.

Your tone should be professional throughout. Also, avoid using too many buzzwords, if any, as they tend to be taken seriously if used sparingly.

Finally, consider adding an “about me” section near the end of your letter. You can use that section to list relevant information about yourself that doesn’t fit anywhere else in your application. For example, employment history, educational background, or volunteer work.

5. Avoid Gimmicks, Like Weird Fonts and Drawings

Have you seen some cover letters that looked like a child wrote them? Or that included a drawing of the applicant’s pet cat? Cover letters are not the place to do that; avoid these gimmicks.

They will not help you get the job. In fact, they can do more harm than good by making you seem less professional. It can overshadow your best qualities as an employee.

Try to avoid using standard intro like “My name is [your name], and I am applying for the [position] at [company].” This is not original or creative; it’s uninteresting to read.

Instead, personalize it: “Hi, [name], My name is John Doe, and I’m applying for the Marketing Manager role at ABC Company.”

Having a friendly title will help establish rapport between readers. But don’t be too casual or informal. You want to keep things professional so that they can see how well you’ll fit in with their team or company culture if hired.

6. Use Action Words to Highlight Your Accomplishments

Use action words that highlight your accomplishments and experiences. For example, try using phrases like “increased sales by 55% within 6 months.” Or “led team through a project from concept stage to completion within two weeks.”

This way, even if someone doesn’t remember everything about you, these phrases will help them know whether or not you have what it takes.

7. Don’t Make It All About You

Don’t make the mistake of making the cover letter all about you. Instead of boasting about a skill, talk about how that skill can help the potential employer.

How are you the perfect fit for the company? How will you contribute to the company’s success? And what have you done or will do to help the company? Answer these questions in your cover letter.

8. End Your Cover Letter with Enthusiasm

You may be well qualified and rightfully confident in your abilities. But employers still want to know that you’ll be a motivated and enthusiastic employee.

So, remember to end your cover letter with enthusiasm. This will show your interest in the position and willingness to work hard and passionately if hired.

You have a greater chance of being employed if you are enthusiastic. And you’re also far more likely to stay on board over the long term. So it makes sense that 71% of CEOs believe that employee engagement is essential to the success of their company.

As a result, often, the only factor distinguishing two equally qualified candidates is their level of passion and zeal for the job.

Check our guide on how to write a cover letter for more in-depth details.

Why Is a Cover Letter Important?

Your cover letter gives the hiring manager a chance to know you better. In addition, it’s an opportunity for you to show off your writing skills and make yourself stand out from the crowd.

You can also use it to sell yourself, highlighting why they should hire you, not someone else.

Because there are so many applicants for every open position, employers have less time and resources to read through them. So it’s up to you to make sure that yours stands out from the rest.

The best way is by using a well-crafted cover letter that showcases how great an employee you’ll be if given a chance.

When Can You Skip a Cover Letter?

If you’re applying for a job that doesn’t require a cover letter—say, an internship—you can skip it. In fact, many employers will be quite clear in their postings when they don’t want to see your cover letter.

If the company does not specifically state that it wants a cover letter, you can assume it’s unnecessary. Sometimes, job listings or job descriptions don’t mention a cover letter. But it has all the other required materials, like a resume and references.

In such a situation, submit those documents without attaching additional materials such as your cover letter or résumé summary statement.

Cover Letters Alone Can’t Get the Job Done

You want to make sure you don’t let your employer down before they even meet you. In fact, without a cover letter, you might not even have the chance to meet them. Most recruiting managers expect to receive a cover letter from you.

It helps them get a sense of who you are and decide if you’re a suitable fit for the position. However, you can’t rely solely on a cover letter to get a job. It’s not an alternative to a resume nor an excuse for poorly prepared or formatted documents.

Also, there’s a difference between cover letters and resumes . Knowing the difference can help you craft the perfect cover letter or resume.

A good cover letter does have some value, though: briefly introducing yourself and explaining why you’re applying for the position. It also helps make your application stand out from the competition.

So, are cover letters necessary in 2022? Yes, if you want to stand out from the crowd of applicants. That said, your resume and online presence are enough to get noticed by recruiters these days.

But a well-written cover letter could give you an edge over other candidates.

A good cover letter will show that you care about the position and want it more than anyone else. And that makes all the difference when it comes to hiring decisions!

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Is a Cover Letter Necessary in 2024?

Updated: July 23, 2024

Published: April 03, 2024

Writing a cover letter can be daunting.

I’ll never forget my college career coach, who made writing a cover letter look easy. Even with her tips, I’ve always found it incredibly difficult to talk about myself and hype up my accomplishments.

While it acts as a letter of introduction, I’ve wondered if a cover letter is necessary in 2024. To find out, I spoke with two recruiters and gained insights on how to write the best cover letter for any job application.

How important is a cover letter?

Is a cover letter necessary, when to skip a cover letter, when to include a cover letter, tips for writing a cover letter, what if the cover letter is optional.

Cover letters are short letters of introduction that you include with job applications.

Typically, they are your chance to go into deeper details about your accomplishments that you might not have highlighted or had room to mention on your resume.

Tiffany Hall, a professional resume writer and founder of Resume911 , says cover letters are an important part of the job application process.

Hall says, “Cover letters can be very important. It’s supposed to sell why you, of all applicants, should get the job. The issue is that applicants use them to regurgitate what’s on their resume, and that’s not what it’s for. It should speak to what isn’t easily explained with your resume.”

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For example, if your resume says you’re skilled at building web pages, your cover letter is a great place to name-drop companies that you’ve worked for to create their websites.

Matthew Muehleisen, a corporate recruiter , thinks a cover letter is also a great place to show you’ve done your homework and researched a company.

Muehleisen says, “It can be what sets you apart from other candidates and applicants and is a good opportunity to show that you’ve done research on the position and company to further showcase your interest in the role.”

Knowing the importance of a cover letter still begs the question: Is a cover letter necessary in 2024?

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While a cover letter can help demonstrate your knowledge of the company you’re applying to and highlight more of your achievements, both Hall and Muehleisen agree that a cover letter isn’t entirely necessary.

Muehleisen says, “Unless it’s a requirement of the application, I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to include a cover letter. There are some roles (usually in content creation and marketing) that will ask for a cover letter as a form of a writing sample. In these instances, make sure your letter is polished and focused.”

If Hall had her way, she would eliminate the cover letter entirely, focus more on the resume, and ask for a link to an applicant’s LinkedIn profile.

According to Hall, “Most cover letters either repeat the resume or they speak to why the applicant isn’t a good fit. Neither is the purpose of a cover letter.”

Nevertheless, 74% of hiring managers still prefer applications to include a cover letter. So, it is definitely worth considering including one — even if the application says it’s optional.

If you’re looking for a new role, writing a cover letter can be time-consuming — especially if you take the time to personalize every letter you send to a hiring manager.

Although a cover letter does serve a legitimate purpose, and 83% of hiring managers read it, there are a few situations where you shouldn’t include a cover letter. Let’s take a look at those scenarios.

If You Only Have a Template of a Cover Letter

I get it. Writing an effective cover letter takes a significant amount of time.

But consider not sending one if you only have time to plug your information into a cover letter template without personalizing it before hitting submit on an application.

Don’t get me wrong. A cover letter template is a great starting point to write your cover letter. Templates often remind you to include pertinent information like the hiring manager’s title, name, and your contact information.

However, if you don’t take the time to edit the body of the cover letter and personalize it with research and your relevant experience, you risk sending the same letter as another candidate.

And considering that 48% of hiring managers spend anywhere from 30 seconds to two full minutes reading each cover letter, the chances are high that your hiring manager can spot a form letter a mile away.

Don’t send it if you don’t have the time to personalize a cover letter.

If Your Cover Letter Is Full of Critique

A cover letter is meant to explain why you’re the best candidate for the open position. However, a cover letter is not a place for you to share your ideas of how the company can improve.

Sure, every company likely has areas of improvement, and the job you’re applying for might be the role that gets a say in that, but a list of improvements might read as a critique.

You don’t want to potentially offend a hiring manager before you even get an interview. A bad cover letter can hurt a strong candidate, according to 33% of hiring managers .

Before you submit your cover letter, read through it several times to make sure it’s not a critique. If it does sound like a critique, throw it out.

If It’s Not Required

There are other instances where you shouldn’t send a cover letter. For example, if the application’s instructions specifically state that you do not need to submit a cover letter for consideration for the job.

In fact, sending a cover letter anyway can signal to the hiring manager that you don’t follow instructions. Not following instructions is also a great way to land your application in the trash bin.

The bottom line is this: If the application specifically states not to send a cover letter, don’t send it.

Of hiring managers, 74% prefer to see job applications with a cover letter apart from the resume. Knowing this, if you have the time to include a cover letter with your job application, don’t skip it.

Here are three instances when you should send a cover letter with your application.

Send a cover letter if you’re very interested in the role.

Think of your cover letter as your time to shine. Use it as a place to highlight your experiences and the qualifications that make you a great fit for the position.

Hall says, “If you can speak to why you’re a good candidate without copying your resume in paragraph form, include a cover letter.”

In other words, don’t use bullet points in your cover letter to describe your previous employment history.

Instead, talk about what you learned on the job and how your skills will help you excel in the role you’re applying for.

Send a cover letter when there’s a gap in your resume or you’re transitioning industries.

If you’re looking to transition to another industry, you should definitely include a cover letter with your application.

Speaking from personal experience, if I had only submitted a resume to my school district when I applied to be a Spanish teacher, the hiring manager would have just seen my experience in Public Health and would not have known about my skills and success in tutoring students in Spanish.

Muehleisen puts it this way, “If you’re looking to transition to a new industry or if there is a position and company you’re really excited about pursuing as an opportunity, these are the best instances to include a cover letter so that you can possibly give yourself an advantage.”

A cover letter can also help explain any gaps in your resume — especially if the gap in your employment history is beneficial to the role you’re applying for.

For example, maybe you volunteered in South America, and the role you’re applying for is for a position in Global Operations.

It never hurts to include positive, pertinent information in your cover letter.

Send a cover letter when it’s required.

The most obvious time to include a cover letter with your application is when it is required. Just like not including a cover letter when it’s not required, it shows you can follow directions.

Include a cover letter when the application asks you to submit one, which shows you can follow directions.

Plus, if the application asks for a cover letter, you can bet the hiring manager will look for it. If no cover letter is included, well, you’re sabotaging your chances of getting an interview.

Only 13% of hiring managers will consider giving a candidate an interview if they don’t attach a required cover letter to an application.

Writing a cover letter is not as painful as it sounds. There are great templates you can use as a starting point for your cover letter.

The trick with a template, though, is to make sure you always personalize the letter to your own experiences and qualifications.

Here are five expert tips to write a winning cover letter.

1. Tailor your cover letter to the job description.

When writing a cover letter, especially if you use a cover letter template, you should tailor the letter to match the job description and meet the requirements of the application.

For example, if the application asks you to attach a short cover letter, keep it brief. Your best bet is one to two short paragraphs detailing why you’re a great fit for the position.

You’ll also want to reference keywords from the job description in your cover letter. Many recruiters use applicant tracking systems that scan application packets for the best fit.

Often, hiring managers review the applications that match the keywords first.

Now, that doesn’t mean to stuff your cover letter with keywords. Instead, use them in a natural way as you discuss your qualifications.

2. Be personable with your greeting.

You might have seen the advice telling you to use “To Whom It May Concern” instead of the hiring manager’s name. This is good advice, but only if you do not know the hiring manager.

Before resorting to a generic greeting to start your cover letter, take the time to look on the company’s website and LinkedIn to find out who makes hiring decisions.

If you have contacts in your network who are familiar with the company, ask them. Taking the time to research the hiring manager and the company shows you care about the details — a quality many hiring managers look for in a candidate!

If you’re still unsure after researching the company, consider using “Dear Sir or Madam” as your greeting.

3. Be yourself.

While a cover letter is a formal introduction of yourself to a potential employer, it doesn’t need to be lacking in personality. Hall suggests sprinkling your personality in your cover letter to spark connections with the hiring manager.

Hall says, “Be your best professional self. I’m a foodie and will include references to food on my LinkedIn, and I’ve done it in a cover letter. I’ve had managers reference them, and we had a chuckle. I am also very clear about aligning myself with companies whose mission and goals I respect and can contribute to. I make sure to speak to that in the cover letter.”

Take Hall’s advice. Showcasing your vibrant personality in your cover letter can help break the ice in your interview!

4. Proofread your cover letter.

Once you’ve written your cover letter and before you hit “send,” double-check that it is free from spelling and grammar errors and that the company you referenced is the company you are applying to.

Muehleisen says skipping proofreading your cover letter is a big mistake — and it could cost you the job!

Muehleisen says, “Make sure that you are proofreading prior to sending. If the cover letter feels like it is a simple cut/paste or if the job title and company name are incorrect, it may do more harm than good. So, be sure that what you’re sending is pertinent.”

5. Be cautious of AI.

AI tools, like ChatGPT or Claude, are great for helping draft content. You might be tempted to ask generative AI to write your cover letter for you. However, both Hall and Muehleisen say to proceed with caution when it comes to AI.

Hall says, “AI is coming along in amazing ways, so it may come as a surprise that my best tip didn’t include AI. I tell my clients when they’re stuck to look to their peers. You can search people by job title on LinkedIn. See how they describe themselves and pull from there. Or, hire a resume writer or career strategist to help you.”

Muehleisen agrees with her. He says, “I would hesitate to use a tool or service for a cover letter as the point should be to show your authenticity. If you are going to use AI for assistance, make sure to put your own words in as well.”

However, when you write your cover letter, whether using a template or generative AI, personalizing it is key to standing out from the competition.

If the job description says a cover letter is optional, should you send one, or can you get by without it?

That can be tricky, considering 72% of recruiters still expect a cover, even if it’s optional.

According to Muehleisen, sending a cover letter is not a bad idea. He says, “I’ve never heard of a cover letter hurting an applicant’s chances; just make sure the one you’re including is specific to the job description and posting.”

Check out these cover letter examples for more inspiration.

Experiment With Your Cover Letters

Writing a cover letter is a breeze once you get the hang of it. With today’s challenging job market, sending a cover letter with your application can make a difference in whether you get called for an interview.

I can’t make promises that your cover letter will dazzle hiring managers each time, but for the right position for you, it will.

Remember Hall and Muehleisen’s advice when you craft your cover letter. Personalization is key to success!

Don't forget to share this post!

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Are Cover Letters Necessary in 2024?

Do you really need a cover letter? Will a hiring manager actually read it? Let's find out why a cover letter is more important than ever.

Do you need a cover letter?

Looking for a job requires some time and effort, and one of the tasks that job-seekers dread the most is writing their cover letter . 

In fact, you may even wonder if this document is really necessary when sending an application. 

If that question has even crossed your mind, keep reading to see why cover letters can help you land your next job.

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

What is a cover letter and why is it important?

A cover letter is a one-page text document that applicants send to an employer alongside their resume, where they introduce themselves, describe their professional experience, and explain why they are interested in that particular job opportunity.

An effective cover letter should do the following:

• Address the employer. For example, “Dear sir/madam”, “To whom it may concern”, “Dear hiring manager”, etc.
• Give the employer an idea of who you are.
• Briefly explain why you’re a good fit for the position (e.g. keep it between 250-400 words long) .
• Provide your contact information to get in touch with you.

While some believe that cover letters are outdated, the reality is that they still play an important role in the recruiting process — and can increase your chances of getting a job interview.

They give you an opportunity to impress, make a good first impression, and unlike your resume, they allow you to express your enthusiasm and show some personality. All of this will ultimately help you stand out from the other candidates.

Did you know? 74% of recruitment decision-makers prefer receiving job applications that include cover letters.

Having said that, and to answer the main question of this article, you don’t always need to include a cover letter in your applications, which brings us to the next topic...

When should you send a cover letter?

There are four scenarios in which a cover letter is necessary:

•  The job posting requires one. Some job descriptions state clearly that only applications which include a cover letter will be considered, in which case you obviously have to send one. Even if the cover letter is optional, we recommend that you still send one, as it will show how eager and committed you are.

77% of recruiters will give preference to candidates who send a cover letter even if it is optional.

• The employer or recruiter asks for one during the interview process. This scenario doesn’t happen often, but when it comes to job hunting , it’s always best to be prepared.
• You’re sending your application directly to a person and you know their name. In this case, you’ll most likely be addressing the hiring manager, and sending a cover letter allows you to be more personal.
• Someone referred you to the position. In this case, the best practice is to send your cover letter to the employee that you know, so they can then forward it to the hiring manager or HR department.

We know what you might be thinking now…when exactly should you not submit a cover letter? There are actually two situations when you can skip this letter:

• The job offer asks specifically that you don’t do it. After all, there are some employers who don’t believe that cover letters are still necessary in this day and age. ‍
• You’re not willing to write a compelling, personalized cover letter. If you’re just going to use a template and change minor details without putting any effort into it, then you might as well not send any letter. However, and as you can imagine, your chances of getting the job will reduce significantly.

Cover letter do’s and don’ts

Now that you know what a cover letter is, why it is important, and when you should and shouldn’t submit one, it’s time to get to the action!

Start drafting your own letter.

If you don’t know where to start, don’t panic, we’re about to teach you the essential best practices to keep in mind.

Do nail the cover letter structure

Being familiar with the best structure of a cover letter will help you ensure that you include all the crucial information:

• Contact information (including your phone number, email, and if relevant, social media pages and professional website)
• Name and title of the hiring manager, recruiter, or relevant department, as well as of the company
• Greeting and introduction
• Body of the content (mentioning your previous experience, achievements, and even awards, and describing your interest in the company and position)

Pro tip : If you’ve recently graduated and don’t have any professional experience to write about, make sure to include your academic achievements and put even more emphasis on your goals and aspirations as you enter the labor market.

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Don’t repeat all the information in your resume

You don’t want to make the employer read the same exact information twice and, as such, it’s pivotal to ensure that your cover letter brings some value to your application.

Focus on the highlights of your career, without going into too much detail — if the employer wants to learn more, then they can check your resume, where you can have a more comprehensive approach.

Do mention what you can do for the company

A company will only hire you if they feel like you’re going to bring them added value, and your cover letter is an excellent opportunity for you to show how exactly you plan on doing that.

Be careful not to sound too boastful or overly confident. It’s always best to be humble and, of course, always be honest.

Don’t focus too much on what the job can do for you

Speaking too much about how you are going to benefit from being hired for the position will make you sound selfish, which is never a good look. 

As we mentioned before, you do want to show enthusiasm about the opportunity, but the reality is that the employer is already familiar with the position and the perks that come with it, so don’t waste too much of the letter on this topic.

Do read about the company before you start writing

Employers can tell the difference between applicants who did their homework and applicants who sent a generic cover letter - and you never want to be in the latter group.

Before you start writing your letter, explore the company’s website to get a good understanding of the brand’s personality, values, and mission. This will help you communicate in the same tone as them, and even include some details that prove that you did, in fact, do your homework.

Don’t forget to proofread it 

Typos in a cover letter are a big no-no, and that should almost come without saying. Before you click send on your application, make sure to proofread your letter and, if you want to take things one step further, you can use a tool like Grammarly or ask someone else to proofread it as well.

We recommend that you don’t just read the letter in your mind but actually read it out loud. This way, not only can you spot any mistakes, but you can make sure the text flows well and you don’t sound too robotic.

Remember, include a cover letter with your resume

Cover letters are still a big component of most company’s recruiting process, and if you are truly invested in getting the job of your dreams, our suggestion is that you take the time to create one that is personal, professional, compelling, and overall a good representation of who you are and why the employer should hire you.

Needless to say, a strong cover letter needs to be paired with an equally strong resume, and that’s exactly what you can create on our platform. 

We have resume templates for countless positions, from IT manager to mechanical engineer , real estate agent , content writer , and much more, all of which have been carefully designed to look as professional and modern as possible.

If you don’t have a resume yet or aren’t happy with your current one, make sure to check our helpful guides and try our online resume builder for free!

Browse more resume templates that fit your role

Ed is a co-founder of Easy Resume. His background in scaling teams at tech startups over the last decade has given him extensive experience and knowledge around how to hire top talent and build successful teams. He enjoys mentoring, coaching, and helping others reach their career goals. When he's not writing about career-related advice, he's playing with his dog, Lilo, or going on long hikes in upstate New York.

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Is a Cover Letter Necessary to Apply for a Job?

When You Need to Submit a Cover Letter With a Resume

(Almost) Always Send a Cover Letter

When not to send a cover letter, cover letter writing tips, how to format the letter, proofread and test before you submit.

Do you really need a cover letter when you apply for jobs? You might wonder whether you can get by with just a resume — particularly if the company doesn't specifically  request or require a cover letter .

It's only natural to wonder if a cover letter is necessary. After all, writing cover letters can be a time-consuming and challenging task. If there's an option to skip the labor involved in writing one, it's tempting.

But in most cases, and particularly when the overall job market or your specific industry is competitive, a cover letter will help your candidacy. Done right, your letter will highlight your most relevant  skills and qualifications  for the job, making you stand out in a sea of applicants.

Your cover letter is a good way to show an employer what you want them to know about you, without the hiring manager having to figure it out themselves from your resume.

Many career experts agree that sending a cover letter is almost always the best decision. 

Use Your Letter to Make a Match

For instance, Susan Heathfield , a human resources expert, says, "Your cover letter is particularly important. It's the job searcher's opportunity to help the potential employer see that the applicant's skills and experience match what the employer seeks. A well-written cover letter distinguishes your application."

Show Why You're a Strong Candidate

A cover letter can make a good impression on a prospective employer and is an excellent way to show that employer why you are a strong candidate for the job.  Resumes are helpful for giving an overview of your career , but a cover letter can tell a story about specific, relevant experience. They're also a chance to  show off your personality .

Explain Potential Issues

Cover letters also provide a useful way to explain away any potential concerns the employer might have about your candidacy, such as  gaps in your employment  or the fact that you will need to relocate for the job.

Make the Case for Your Candidacy

A cover letter allows you to write a compelling case for your candidacy. Why would you want to skip this opportunity? Even if a job application does not require a cover letter, you can send one anyway.

Often, employers expect a cover letter even if they do not directly ask for one. Sending one, particularly when it is not required, demonstrates that you are a motivated candidate.

Cover letters allow you—in narrative form—to tell the employer exactly why hiring you, instead of the numerous other candidates, is a good decision.

If you're applying online for a job and there is no way to upload or post a cover letter, don't worry about it. You don't need one.

When the employer specifically states what they want in a job application (resume, references, etc.), you don't have to write a cover letter if it is not included on the employer's list.

However, you may want to include an abbreviated  email cover letter  if there’s space to do so. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make your pitch and impress the hiring manager.

Make sure your cover letter is a good one.  While a well-written cover letter may increase your chances of getting an interview, the opposite is also true. A poorly written cover letter will likely cause an employer to reject your application. Therefore, only send one if you have the time to write a clear, concise, and professional letter that makes a strong sales pitch for getting an interview.

Write a  targeted cover letter  that specifically relates your experience to the job posting.  Keep it short and sweet — aim for three to five paragraphs — with each paragraph focusing on an aspect of your candidacy. Read the job description carefully, so you can make sure your  cover letter really speaks to the requested qualifications . Bottom line, you want to make it clear why you'd be beneficial to the company in the position.

Review cover letter samples.  Before you start, look at some  cover letter examples  to get ideas for your own letters. While you don’t want to copy samples, reading them helps reveal what kind of tone is appropriate. Plus, you might discover a better way to emphasize your experience.

Format your cover letter correctly.  Familiarize yourself with  cover lettering formatting guidelines  and make sure that your materials meet these standards. Hiring managers will notice if you don’t follow these rules.

You want your experience to stand out, not your formatting or style choices. Keep it simple and let your skills shine through.

Be sure to edit your cover letter thoroughly. Typos and grammatical errors will demonstrate a sloppy work ethic to the employer. Review proofreading tips to remind yourself of what to watch out for. A few examples of common cover letter typos and mistakes: misspelled names of companies or interviewers, incorrect addresses, and inconsistent verb tenses and/or punctuation.

When you’re finished reviewing your final document, have a friend take a look as well. A fresh set of eyes may catch mistakes that you’re no longer able to see. Even the smallest error can work against you during the job application process, so take the time to get it right. 

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When Are Cover Letters Necessary (With Examples)

• How To Write A Cover Letter
• When Is A Cover Letter Necessary

Free Cover Letter Templates

• Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid
• Cover Letter Tips
• How To Sell Yourself In A Cover Letter

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Summary. Cover letters can be necessary and important to clarify a confusing resume , fill in employment gaps, and to add information that doesn’t fit in your resume. You should avoid sending a cover letter if the employer doesn’t want it or you are not tailoring it to each specific job. Job trends have changed over the past few years with working from home becoming common, large amounts of people unemployed due to covid-19, and companies overwhelmed with applicants. Your biggest concern is making a great impression and getting the job. The first question you need answered — are cover letters necessary? A recent study found that employers place a significant amount of importance on cover letters. If you feel like you’re suddenly being asked to perform for an empty auditorium — you’re right. Employers want you to submit a cover letter but they’re never going to read it — probably. Add that little tidbit of data to your desire not to write a cover letter and your belief that they do little to advance your application and you come up even more confused than before. We’re going to help you understand why and when cover letters are important so you can make an informed decision based on your particular situation. Key Takeaways: Showing the effort to add a cover letter, even when they aren’t required, shows that you’re willing to put in extra work and that can push you over the top and make you stand out. Make sure to check the employer’s application requirements on whether or not to include a cover letter and if they don’t specify, err on the side of adding one anyway. Submitting a poorly written or uninformative cover letter won’t help you chances of getting a job it’ll make you look unprofessional. Cover letters serve to introduce you to the company in a way that resumes can’t so it’s important to include reasons why you want the job, about accomplishments that are hard to put in a resume. A cover letter is a great place explain any oddities in your resume, such as employment gaps and special projects In This Article    Skip to section When a Cover Letter Is Important When Not to Send a Cover Letter Why Write a Cover Letter? Is a Cover Letter Necessary to Get a Job? Submitting a Cover Letter and Resume Parts of a Cover Letter (With Examples) Importance of a Cover Letter FAQ References Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More When a Cover Letter Is Important

Can you determine if a cover letter is needed or not?

Obviously, not all jobs are the same, so their requirements probably aren’t the same. This is an absolutely correct assumption. The problem is there aren’t any hard-and-fast rules about what industries require a cover letter. Let’s first look at when a cover letter is important.

To clarify a confusing resume. If you have something in your resume that needs clarification, a cover letter is where you get your chance to do that.

Fill in or explain gaps in employment history. If you have a gap in your employment history , you can explain it in your cover letter.

Show willingness to relocate. If you live in a different region but are willing to relocate, that’s also important information.

Bolster your credentials if your new to the field. If you’re an entry-level worker , a cover letter can showcase your non-professional, related experience and convey your enthusiasm.

Showcase key skills. If you have specific skills or experience that relates directly to the position, highlight it in a cover letter.

Personal connection. If you have a connection to the company that’s hiring, your cover letter is a good place to point it out.

If you’re applying for a higher-level position. If you’re applying for a job in mid-management or above, you should always include a cover letter as part of the formal process.

The employer may request it. If the employer asks for a cover letter, even if you don’t feel it’s necessary, you need to include one with your job application.

To add information doesn’t fit in your resume. If you feel you have something relevant to say that’s not covered in your resume, then a cover letter lets you do that.

When Not to Send a Cover Letter

Okay, we just told you that having a cover letter is all but imperative, but what about when it’s not? There are definitely some situations where a cover letter isn’t required and then some situations when it will do you more harm than good. The following times are when it’s probably best not to send a cover letter:

When the employer doesn’t want one. Whether they tell you not to write one in the job description or they have software that doesn’t allow for one — these people don’t want to see a cover letter. Note: if it says cover letter optional, you should write one.

Your cover letter is full of errors. If your cover letter is full of mistakes and makes you look like a bad job candidate. A cover letter needs to be proofread and edited by someone who is good with language and grammar. If that’s not your strong suit, then you need to find some help or skip the cover letter.

You’re not customizing each cover letter. If you’re using a generic, non-customized, cover letter template that doesn’t add any value to your application, you can go ahead and skip it altogether.

Why Write a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is your introduction to the company. It’s a handshake and a hello on paper. Even if only half of all employers read cover letters, and even if they’re just skimming them, this is still your chance to shine and to highlight your achievements, special skills , and experience.

It may be a formality and, for many, it’s not a fun part of their job search , but it can be the one thing that makes you stand out as a professional, gets you noticed, and creates a good impression.

Some percentage of hiring managers and recruiters do find cover letters valuable. A good cover letter showcases how you intend to add value to the company, suggests solutions for the role, and contains pertinent information about how to contact you and your availability.

Just think of it this way: if a hiring manager is on the fence about deciding between which candidate to call in for an interview, a stellar cover letter could be just the thing to help you pull ahead.

Is a Cover Letter Necessary to Get a Job?

A cover letter is probably not necessary to get a job in most situations, but there’s always a chance that it might be, meaning there’s no harm in sending one. Your resume should give the employer the basics of your experience and they can do the math to determine if your skills line up with their opening.

Add to that the fact that most employers don’t do more than peruse a cover letter, at best. It seems like a cover letter is a thing of the past, but it’s not.

Unless the job posting specifically states that a cover letter isn’t necessary or you’re completing an online application and there’s no spot for a cover letter, then you should consider it necessary.

It’s all about showing a prospective employer that you know how to follow the rules and you’re willing to do what’s asked of you. When you think about it, just that reason alone is enough to include a cover letter.

Going further than job etiquette, if you land one of those employers who actually read cover letters, you definitely want to use it to your advantage. In today’s job market, with competition running hot, you want to use everything you can to be a desirable candidate.

You not only want to include a cover letter but you want to fill it with everything that the employer wants to hear. You need to research cover letter tips so you can craft the best cover letter that employer has ever seen.

You want to see that letter framed and hanging on their wall when you go in for a job interview — well, not really of course, but that’s the mindset you should have when you’re writing it.

Submitting a Cover Letter and Resume

All this talk about cover letters, it seems like we’re forgetting about the resume. Don’t worry, we’re not.

Writing a great resume that gets you hired is such an important task that it’s a topic for another article. Just know that if you’re submitting a cover letter, you definitely need to include a resume because that’s something that’s not only going to get read, but also resonate with future employers.

Parts of a Cover Letter (With Examples)

Now that we’ve stressed the importance of a cover letter, you’ve got a task ahead of you — to write a knock-their-socks-off cover letter that gets you hired. Make sure all of the standard parts of a cover letter are present:

The header. Include all of the contact information for yourself and the employer. Also, include the current date between the two sets of addresses.

Bill Billson 22 Happy Court Marigold, TX, 10987 April 26, 2021 Alice Allison New Company 5225 East Park Ln. Austin, TX , 73301

The greeting. Always do your best to find the hiring manager’s name . Check the job posting, the company website, and the company’s LinkedIn page . If you strike out online, simply call the company and ask who you should address your cover letter to for whatever position you’re applying for.

Never use “Mrs.” as it is difficult to determine the marital status of the hiring manager . Stick with Ms./Mr./Dr. (or any other professional title) followed by the person’s last name. If their name is gender-neutral, play it safe and use their full name.

If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, you can use “Dear Hiring Manager” or one of its alternatives . Never use “ Dear Sir or Madam ” or “ To Whom It May Concern ” — it’s not 1921 and the recruiter will assume you’ve copy/pasted the same cover letter all over town.

Dear Ms. Bickerly, Dear Pat Thompson, Dear Software Engineering Hiring Team,

Opening paragraph . Start by indicating the role you’re applying for and then grabbing the reader’s attention with an impressive and relevant accomplishment. You want to come across as enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and competent right off the bat.

When I saw a job posting for a Marketing Manager at ABC Inc., I knew I had to apply. I’ve long been a fan of ABC’s methodology of direct email campaigns alongside social media outreach and organic content marketing, and my 6+ years in Marketing have made me adept at each of these facets of an effective marketing strategy.

The body. Your cover letter’s body paragraph(s) should accomplish two things: explain why you’re a perfect candidate with all the right qualifications and experiences and explain why you’re attracted to this particular company. The first part is all about using the same important keywords from the job description.

The second part might involve a bit of research and creativity to determine the company’s values and show how they align with your own.

I have a special passion for content marketing that achieves big results. By strategizing a 6-month campaign that saw over 400 pieces of high-quality content produced, I got to watch XYZ’s organic traffic skyrocket by 569%. Even better, by streamlining our funnel with the sales and product teams, we were able to drive revenue by 36% YoY. My passion is helping customer’s find answers to questions, which is why your brand statement “Quality Solutions the First Time” really resonates with me.

Closing . Now all you have to do is close your cover letter with a reiteration of your excitement for the role and an invitation for follow-up steps. A call-to-action is the usual way to wrap things up; in practice, this simply looks like:

I look forward to discussing ABC’s marketing goals and helping achieve those goals. Thank you for considering me for the role.

Signature. If you’re sending a physical letter, add 4 spaces between your sign-off and your printed name. Then, put the signature between the two. If you’re emailing your cover letter, you can use an email signature or simply include your contact information after your typed name.

We recommend sticking with a classic like:

Sincerely, Best Regards, Thank you for your consideration,

When writing your cover letter, pay particular attention to the open because that’s where you’re going to get their attention and, hopefully, encourage them to keep reading. Then customize the letter so you really explain why you’re the perfect fit, brag a little if you can.

Finally, create a cover letter close that’s friendly and personal. Try not to concern yourself with wondering if they’ll read it or not, assume they will and do the best job you can.

Importance of a Cover Letter FAQ

How important is a cover letter?

A cover letter is very important. Including a cover letter with your resume will give hiring managers a complete picture of what you’d bring to the company than your resume can often provide. It will also often answer questions and alleviate concerns they may have after they read your resume.

If you have a gap in your work history, it’s difficult to communicate the reasons for that gap through your resume alone. In addition, it’s nearly impossible to share your enthusiasm for the job through resume bullet points, and employers want to see your passion for the position.

You can, however, include all of this information and more in your cover letter. Writing one lets you flesh out your resume and let your personality shine through, which can be an advantage when you’re competing for a job opening.

What happens if you don’t include a cover letter?

If you don’t include a cover letter, you risk getting passed up for another candidate who did. If you don’t include a cover letter for a company that specifically asked for one, your application will likely be thrown out immediately. (For the same reason, if the company specifically tells you not to include one, don’t include one.)

If the company doesn’t tell you what to do one way or another and you don’t write a cover letter, you risk losing your competitive edge.

Hiring managers have to narrow down the list of candidates one way or another. Suppose you and another candidate are similarly qualified, but they wrote a cover letter, and you didn’t. You’re generally more likely to be the one who gets eliminated.

This is because writing a cover letter when you weren’t asked shows that you’re willing to go the extra mile to do a job well, it helps hiring managers see that you’re passionate about the position, and it showcases your communication skills.

Not only that, but if hiring managers have a question or hesitation about your resume, your cover letter can often answer this for them, keeping you in the running.

Leaving out this extra communication channel lowers your chances of moving forward in the hiring process, especially if another candidate did write a cover letter that silences hiring managers’ concerns.

Should I include a cover letter if they don’t ask for one?

Yes, you should include a cover letter if they don’t ask for one. A cover letter allows employers to see your personality and passion for the job, and it allows you to truly sell yourself as a candidate.

You can do this by explaining why you’re interested in this particular position and how you and your skills would help further the organization.

This is important because if hiring managers are on the fence about offering you an interview based on your qualifications alone, your cover letter might be the piece that pushes your application over the edge to get to move forward to the next step in the hiring process.

There are some exceptions to this rule, however. Don’t include a cover letter if:

You can’t ensure it will be professionally written without typos or grammatical errors.

You’re going to use a template cover letter.

There isn’t a place on the online application to submit a cover letter.

Submitting a badly written or impersonal cover letter can do more harm than good, so if you can’t spend the time required to tailor it to the job or to have someone help you proofread it, it’s usually better to skip it entirely.

Do cover letters really make a difference?

Yes, cover letters really make a difference. When you apply for a job, hiring managers are looking for reasons to either move your application forward in the hiring process or to eliminate you as a candidate, and your resume, answers to application questions, and cover letter provide the only information they have on which to base this decision.

A cover letter can play a variety of roles in your efforts to sell yourself as a candidate, including:

Explaining any gaps in employment.

Highlighting your soft skills if you’re new to the industry and don’t have much relevant experience.

Demonstrating your personality to make a personal connection.

Showing how your skills and experience relate to the position.

Sharing why you want this particular position and what you would add to the company if hired.

It isn’t necessarily a given that you won’t get a job without a cover letter and will get the job with one, but if you don’t include one, you’ll certainly miss out on all of the benefits that a cover letter can give you.

To further understand the difference a cover letter can make, put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. You have a stack of similar resumes that needs to shrink.

Wouldn’t you be more likely to keep a candidate in the running if you could get a glimpse of their personality and passion for the job than someone with a similar list of accomplishments who didn’t provide that information?

What do employers look for in a cover letter?

Employers look for conciseness, professionalism, and personality in a cover letter. The technical details will change based on the job and requirements, but these three elements carry through no matter what content you put in your cover letter.

Hiring managers don’t have time to read through multiple pages of fluff about your every accomplishment and professional goal, and some don’t even read one full page. They want you to get to the point about what you’re trying to say, so make sure your letter is lean and to the point.

As you write, there is no need to be overly stuffy, but you should add a little more polish than you would to an email you’d write to a coworker.

Follow formatting guidelines for formal letters by including the recipient’s name and address as well as your own. Maintain a polite tone of voice and proofread your letter, getting someone else to check over it for you if possible.

Within the parameters of professionalism, though, you should let your personality shine through.

Hiring managers want to see what you’re passionate about in your work and why they should choose you for the position, so make sure you share how your values and skills line up with the organization’s and how you’d use them to help further the company.

Columbia University Center for Career Education – How and Why to Write a Great Cover Letter

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Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. A former writer/producer for The Discovery Channel, she is now a freelance writer and delighted to be sharing her talents and time with the wonderful Zippia audience.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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Types of cover letters: a complete guide

A cover letter introduces you to potential employers, highlighting your suitability for the role. Getting it right can make a strong first impression, differentiate you from other candidates, and increase your chances of securing an interview.

Taralika crafts compelling narratives that illuminate modern hiring practices and HR technology trends.

A cover letter accompanies a candidate’s resume when applying for a job. It is a personal introduction to the hiring manager, highlighting relevant skills, experiences, and reasons for applying.

Unlike a resume, which provides a structured overview of the career history, a cover letter offers a narrative that can showcase a candidate’s personality and passion for the role. 

74% of recruitment decision-makers prefer to receive job applications that include cover letters apart from CVs. According to their findings, good cover letter examples are highly valued by employers, with many considering them crucial for explaining career objectives, motivations, and employment gaps.

Even if a cover letter is optional, over 75% of recruiters tend to give preference to candidates who attach a cover letter in the correct format along with their resume.

Types of cover letters

Before writing a cover letter, it is vital to go through the various types of cover letters accepted by different organizations, each catering to a different role or purpose: – 

• Application cover letter

The application cover letter responds to a specific job posting. It should be a basic cover letter tailored to the job description, highlighting how the candidate’s qualifications match the requirements. Using this letter can expand on the achievements listed in the resume and explain the person’s motivation for applying. 

• Prospecting cover letter

Also known as a cold-contact letter, a prospecting cover letter is used when you want to inquire about potential job openings at a company. This type of letter demonstrates a proactive approach and interest in the organization, even if there are no current vacancies. 

• Networking cover letter 

A networking cover letter is sent to contacts within the professional network to ask for job search advice or referrals. It’s a great way to leverage connections and uncover hidden job opportunities. The letter should mention the mutual contact and explain the candidate’s job search goals.

• Career change cover letter

If an individual is transitioning into a new career, a career change cover letter is perfect for them! It is a short cover letter highlighting examples from experiences in the current role and how they make a suitable candidate for the new role. This letter should also explain the reasons for the career shift and highlight any transferable skills.

• Referral cover letter

When someone within an organization refers a colleague for a position, it is generally in the form of a referral cover letter. Mentioning the referrer in your letter can immediately capture the hiring manager’s attention and add credibility to your application. 

• No experience cover letter 

A no experience cover letter is for those who lack direct work experience in the job they are applying for. An ideal no experience cover letter will contain examples emphasizing the candidate’s enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and any relevant skills or coursework that can compensate for the lack of professional experience.

Cover letter examples 

Checking out a few good cover letter examples is a great way to get a head start towards crafting the perfect cover letter. 

Also read: Top 3 Cover Letter Template Samples .

The cover letter examples for a job provide a clear understanding of how to format and phrase cover letters for different scenarios.

Tips for writing a good cover letter

According to the Business and Professional Communication Quarterly , 56% of employers prefer cover letters with job applications. Here are some useful tips on how to type a cover letter that will help you stand out amongst others:

Customize each letter

Statutory warning – generic cover letters are easily spotted and often disregarded! Tailor the cover letter to the specific job and company. While it may be cool to generate cover letter formats through an AI tool, it is crucial to personalize and write the main content of the cover letter. 

Use a professional format

Follow a standard cover letter format with your contact information, the employer’s contact details, a salutation, body paragraphs, and a closing. 

Be concise and focused

Keep your letter to one page and avoid unnecessary details. Stick to relevant points that highlight your suitability for the job. Workable has a list of short cover letter examples that you can check out here . 

Showcase your achievements

Unlike a resume, a cover letter has examples from a person’s real life, showcasing key abilities and accomplishments and how they’re suitable for the job. 

Also read : Rise above the crowds: how to stand out in a crowded market

Include a strong introduction

Your cover letter introduction should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to learn more about you. 

Proofread thoroughly

Ensure no grammatical or spelling errors. A clean error-free letter shows your attention to detail and professionalism.

A well-written cover letter can significantly boost a candidate’s chances of landing a job interview. 

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What’s the purpose of a cover letter?

Your resumé provides hiring managers with an overview of your qualifications, skills and experience. But what is the purpose of a cover letter?

A cover letter is a more personalised introduction, a one-page document that accompanies your resumé when you submit a job application. It’s an opportunity to introduce yourself and elaborate on how your background makes you the ideal applicant for the role.

In this article, we explore the purpose of a cover letter, explain how to write a cover letter , and how to ensure yours stands out.

The cover letter’s purpose

How to write a cover letter.

What is the purpose of a cover letter? A cover letter provides an explanation of your professional history, qualifications and interest in the position. It should be closely tailored to the role you’re applying for and addressed to the hiring manager . It’s a formal introduction of who you are and how you meet the job criteria.

Express your enthusiasm

Use your cover letter as an opportunity to set yourself apart from the other job seekers applying for the same position. Rather than just stating that you’re applying for a role, take your time to explain what excites you about the specific position and company.

It can be a good idea to spend a bit of time researching the organisation’s mission, values and recent projects to demonstrate genuine interest and knowledge. This can also come in handy for the interview round of the application process.

Showcase your skills and experience

Your cover letter shouldn’t just repeat your resumé. Instead, select two to three skills or experiences directly related to the job description. From here, you can use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to provide examples demonstrating how you’ve applied these skills and achieved results. Consider quantifying your achievements, if relevant, for example: ‘Increased sales over three months by 20%.’ This helps to illustrate the specific value you can bring to the new role.

Tell your story

Use your cover letter to briefly explain your career path and motivations, connecting them to the position you're applying for. Highlight the relevant soft skills that you might not have captured in your resumé, like leadership, teamwork, problem solving and decision-making. While a cover letter is a great opportunity to provide a little more depth and context around your resumé, it’s important to keep it concise; around three short paragraphs.

Address requirements from the job description

Whether you’re writing your resumé or your cover letter, it’s important to pay close attention to the job description. If it mentions specific details to include, like salary expectations or relevant certifications, be sure to address them in your cover letter. Following instructions demonstrates your attention to detail and ability to follow directions, which are both important qualities for any employer.

When it comes to writing a cover letter , it always helps to have a plan. Here are a few steps to help you turn a blank page into an attention-grabbing cover letter for your next job application.

1. Do your research

Researching the company can take a bit of time, especially if you’re applying at several different places, but it’s essential to understand each company’s culture and values. Using company-specific information allows you to personalise your cover letter to suit not just the role, but the organisation too.

It’s even better if you can show an understanding of the problems the company is trying to solve (their main objectives, like expanding into a new market or getting highly skilled labourers). Highlight the experience you bring to the table to help them overcome these pain points.

2. Focus on the future

Use your cover letter to demonstrate how you can contribute to the company’s future successes. It can help to line up your career aspirations and professional goals with the company’s goals. Ultimately, you want to highlight what you can add to the company.

How to stand out from other applicants

Use your cover letter as an opportunity to set yourself apart from the other applicants. Avoid generic openings and start with a compelling introduction that grabs the reader’s attention. You could mention a specific achievement, a mutual connection or something unique about the company that excites you.

Here are a couple of examples of eye-catching email subject lines and letter introductions:

Subject line: Bringing [specific skill] to your [position] team

Dear [hiring manager’s name],

I am thrilled to apply for the maintenance plumber position at XYZ Corp. With 10 years of experience as a commercial plumber, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and knowledge to your team.

Subject line: Excited to apply for [position] at [company]

As a lifelong admirer of XYZ Corp’s commitment to sustainability, I am excited to apply for the environmental consultant position. I believe my recent project at Green Earth, where I led a team to reduce product carbon emissions by 15%, makes me a perfect addition to your team.

These are good examples of email introductions, because they:

• Connect your abilities to the job ad criteria
• Quantify related achievements
• Show specific skills
• Display professionalism and research skills

Things to avoid

There are also some things you may want to avoid when putting together your cover letter introduction. Here are some examples of what not to write when it comes to your email subject line and introduction.

Example 1: Being vague and generic

Subject line: Excited to apply for the banking consultant position

I am writing to apply for the consultant position as advertised online. I have more than five years’ experience across all areas of commercial banking and believe I could be an excellent addition to your team.

This is an okay introduction, but there are ways it can be improved:

• It should be addressed to a person or the hiring manager
• It can be more specific about past experience
• It should mention the hiring company
• It could include a quantifiable result

Example 2: Being too casual

Subject line: Please Hire Me As You New Night Manager!

Dear Hiring Manager,

I’m an experienced night manager, with nearly two years of experience in luxury five-star hospitality. I’m an international student with a current work visa for working in Australia, and would be grateful if you could consider my application. I am sure I can do well in your company!

There are a few issues with this intro:

• There is a typo in the subject line
• It is too generic about past experience
• It is too casual, especially for a manager-level role
• It doesn’t mention the hiring company
• It should be more concise, i.e. not repetitive or wordy

Emphasise your value proposition

Use your cover letter to identify and articulate your unique strengths . Be sure to connect your skills with the company’s needs to demonstrate the value you could bring to the team.

Convey enthusiasm, but ensure tone is professional

While it’s important to convey your enthusiasm for the position and company, balancing excitement with professionalism is important. For example, replace “I can’t wait to work with you guys” with “I’m eager to bring my skills to your team.” While the first example is too casual, the second example demonstrates your enthusiasm in a professional tone.

Here’s another example of an overly enthusiastic and informal tone, “I’m super excited about this job! I’ve always dreamed of working at XYZ Corp, and I know I’d be amazing in this role!”

Instead, you’d be better off saying, “I am excited to apply for the receptionist position at XYZ Corp. With my strong background in office administration and a passion for customer service excellence, I am eager to contribute to your team.”

Keep it short

Don’t go overboard with your cover letter. Even though your cover letter is meant to provide hiring managers with more information about you and what excites you about the role, it’s important to keep it concise and limit it to a single page.

To help you keep it short and sweet, focus on starting strong with an attention-grabbing introduction and tailor your content to ensure it’s specific and relevant to the role you’re applying for.

Writing a great cover letter is an essential part of the job application process. By tailoring your cover letter to the specific company and role, you’ll be able to highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience that are relevant to the position. Your cover letter plays a big role in whether you’ll get a callback for an interview, so it’s worth investing time and effort into getting it right.

What exactly is a cover letter and how is it different from a resumé?

While a resumé offers a bullet-listed overview of your skills and experience, your cover letter is like a personal pitch to the hiring manager, elaborating on your resumé and providing a little more detail to demonstrate why you’d be a good fit for the position.

Is a cover letter always mandatory when applying for a job?

Cover letters aren’t always a requirement for job applications, but it’s always a good idea to submit one. Not only can including a cover letter improve your chances of getting noticed, but it allows you to set yourself apart from the other applicants and further try to convince the hiring manager why you’re the right fit for the role.

What are the main benefits of including a cover letter with my job application?

Including a cover letter as part of your application can enhance your chances of getting noticed by potential employers. Here are some of the main benefits:

• Provides a personal introduction and good first impression
• Allows you to highlight your most relevant skills and experience for the role
• Demonstrates communication skills
• Shows initiative and effort

How long should a cover letter typically be?

A cover letter shouldn’t be any longer than a single page. Aim for around 250–400 words or three or four paragraphs. The only time you should go over a page in length for your cover letter is if the job description specifically asks for a longer letter.

Should I use a generic cover letter template for all my applications?

There’s no harm in using a cover letter template to guide your cover letter, but it’s essential that you tailor every cover letter to suit the role and company. You should be adjusting your cover letter for each role you apply for.

What kind of information should I include in a cover letter to showcase my skills and experience?

Your cover letter should include details that are most relevant to the position and company you’re applying for. Based on your research, you should be able to identify specific skills, knowledge and experience that would help the company succeed.

Is it okay to mention my salary expectations in the cover letter?

Unless the job description specifically ask that you include your salary expectations in the cover letter, it’s often better to avoid this topic so early in the recruitment process . These types of discussions are better left for the interview.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter?

You want to make a positive first impression with your cover letter, so here are a few common mistakes to avoid:

• Using generic statements
• Lack of research into the company
• Repeating your resumé without adding anything new
• Being too vague and not providing specific examples
• Focusing on what you want rather than what you can provide to the company
• Ignoring the job description keywords
• Failing to proofread your cover letter before submitting it

Is a cover letter still necessary when applying for jobs online?

Yes, cover letters are still essential to the job application process for many roles. They give you a chance to stand out from the other applicants and fill in potential gaps that aren’t covered by your resumé. Not to mention, including a cover letter demonstrates your initiative and enthusiasm for the role.

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