Are Cover Letters Still Relevant?

Are Cover Letters Still Relevant?

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Job seekers know the power of a strong resume.

Often, they spend hours upon hours crafting and refining that one document, and then they haphazardly throw together a boiler-plate cover letter.

Does that even matter? Does anyone still read cover letters? Are cover letters merely an optional bonus?

Here are some thoughts regarding these burning questions and more.

Yes, Cover Letters Matter…To a Point

Regardless of what you may have heard, cover letters are not a useless formality. With the incredible rise of social media recruiting, however, they have become less important and may, indeed, one day become obsolete. But we’re not there yet.

While recruiters typically don’t spend much time on cover letters, hiring managers often do. After all, recruiters are more concerned with ensuring you have the required skills and qualifications to do the job, which they can see from your resume and LinkedIn profile. However, hiring managers may also be looking to better understand who you are as a person and how you’ll fit in with their existing team and culture. These things are often better assessed through a cover letter.

Some organizations place a heavier weight on cover letters than others. Jason Fried, co-founder of 37 Signals, once told Inc. Magazine the following: “We ignore résumés…What we do look at are cover letters. Cover letters say it all. They immediately tell you if someone wants this job or just any job.”

Cover letters are also more important for certain roles than others. When hiring for creative positions that require strong writing abilities, for example, managers are more likely to view the cover letter as a demonstration of those skills.

In some cases, a strong cover letter can tip the scales in your favor. If a hiring manager is on the fence about whether or not to interview you, this can be the deciding the factor.


Also watch: Cracking the Code: How to Write a Cover Letter That Makes Employers Want to Talk to You


Always Think of Cover Letters as Required, Not Optional

Unless a company specifically states they do not want a cover letter, the best practice is to always submit one. If the company says it’s optional, think of it as required. There’s no drawback to this if you’ve spent some time creating a well-crafted letter. However, do not submit a form letter that merely restates what’s on your resume. This doesn’t do anything to help your candidacy and can, in fact, harm your chances with some prospective employers.

Make Your Cover Letters Special

With all of this in mind, it’s clear that job seekers should spend some time optimizing their cover letters.

A strong cover letter should provide context for your resume. It should explain your interest in the organization and position, act as a demonstration of your writing skills, and help you make a more personal connection with the reader. Remember: Do not simply rehash your resume. This is your opportunity to share details about yourself that aren’t evident elsewhere.

Like resumes, cover letters should be tailored for each specific application. While it’s useful to create one standard framework, you always want to customize it for each position.


Also read: The Definitive 4 Step Formula to Writing a Career Transition Cover Letter


It may be tempting to rush this part of the process and discount the importance of your cover letter. But realize you’re taking a risk if you do. For the time being, cover letters are still relevant, and a strong one can be a highly useful tool in your job search.

Chrissy Scivicque
About the Author
Chrissy Scivicque

Chrissy Scivicque is a career coach, corporate trainer and public speaker who believes work can be a nourishing part of the life experience. Her website, Eat Your Career, is devoted to this mission. Chrissy is currently a contributing career expert for U.S. News & World Report and the author of the book, The Proactive Professional: How to Stop Playing Catch Up and Start Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life!), available on Amazon.

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