The relevance of cover letters in job applications has long been debated. To shed light on this, we gathered insights from seven hiring professionals, including headhunters and CEOs. They offer varied perspectives to the question: do hiring managers read cover letters and what is their potential value. In this article, we discuss what they had to say about this crucial component of job applications.
What Are Cover Letters?
A cover letter is a document sent along with your resume when applying for a job. Its primary purpose is to introduce yourself to the hiring manager, explain why you are interested in the position, and provide additional information about your skills and experience. Unlike a resume, which is a concise summary of your work history and qualifications, a cover letter allows you to elaborate on your achievements and explain how they relate to the job you are applying for.
Components of a Cover Letter
Header: Includes your contact information and the date, followed by the employer’s contact information.
Salutation: Addressed to a specific person whenever possible, such as the hiring manager.
Introduction: A brief introduction that states the position you are applying for and how you learned about the job.
Body Paragraphs: These paragraphs should explain why you are interested in the role and how your qualifications and experiences make you a good fit. Highlight specific achievements and how they relate to the job.
Conclusion: A closing paragraph that thanks the hiring manager for their time, expresses enthusiasm for the position, and mentions any attachments (like your resume).
Signature: A professional closing followed by your signature (if sending a hard copy) and typed name.
Purpose of a Cover Letter
Introduce Yourself: Provide a brief overview of who you are and your professional background.
Showcase Your Enthusiasm: Express your interest in the role and the company.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Elaborate on specific skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate.
Provide Context: Explain any career transitions, employment gaps, or other aspects of your resume that might require further explanation.
Personalize Your Application: Tailor your application to the specific job and company, demonstrating that you have done your research and are genuinely interested.
The Role of Cover Letters in Different Industries
The importance and impact of cover letters can vary significantly depending on the industry. Here’s a closer look at how cover letters are perceived in different sectors:
1. Creative Industry
Importance: High
Reason: In creative fields, such as advertising, marketing, and design, cover letters can showcase an applicant’s creativity, writing skills, and personality. They provide an opportunity to present unique ideas and demonstrate how one’s creative vision aligns with the company’s mission and projects.
Example: A graphic designer applying to a design firm can use their cover letter to describe their design philosophy and past projects that align with the firm’s style.
2. Non-Profit Industry
Importance: High
Reason: Non-profits often look for candidates who are passionate about their cause. A cover letter allows applicants to express their commitment to the organization’s mission and highlight any volunteer experiences or personal stories that resonate with the organization’s goals.
Example: An applicant to a non-profit dedicated to environmental conservation might write about their experiences volunteering for beach clean-ups and their dedication to sustainability.
3. Technology Industry
Importance: Low to Moderate
Reason: In tech, especially for mid-level and junior positions, the focus is often on technical skills and achievements listed in the resume. However, for senior roles, a cover letter can provide valuable context and showcase leadership skills.
Example: A senior software engineer might use their cover letter to discuss their experience leading a team of developers and successfully launching a complex project.
4. Corporate and Financial Industry
Importance: Moderate
Reason: While resumes are crucial for listing qualifications and experience, cover letters can differentiate candidates by explaining career transitions and highlighting soft skills.
Example: A finance professional transitioning to a new role can use the cover letter to explain their motivation for the move and how their analytical skills will benefit the new employer.
Tips for Writing an Effective Cover Letter
To maximize the impact of your cover letter, follow these tips:
Personalize Each Letter: Tailor your cover letter to each job application. Mention the company name and specific role, and explain why you’re a good fit.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: Focus on accomplishments that are directly related to the job you’re applying for. Use quantifiable results where possible.
Keep It Concise: Aim for one page. Be clear and to the point, avoiding unnecessary fluff.
Show Enthusiasm: Express genuine interest in the role and the company. Enthusiasm can make a strong impression.
Address Potential Concerns: Use the cover letter to explain any gaps in employment or career changes. Provide context that your resume cannot.
Proofread: Ensure there are no typos or grammatical errors. A polished cover letter reflects your attention to detail.
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Perspectives on Cover Letters From Experts
A Well-Written Cover Letter Stands Out
In a crowded job market, a thoughtful cover letter can make you stand out. A well-crafted cover letter demonstrates genuine interest in the specific role and company, showing that you have taken the time to research the organization and understand the job requirements.
Example: One job seeker applying for a marketing manager role at a major tech company crafted a cover letter that highlighted her relevant skills and accomplishments while demonstrating her deep understanding of the company's brand and marketing strategies. This tailored approach helped her secure an interview and ultimately the job, as the hiring manager was impressed by her effort and attention to detail.
Cover Letters Shine in Creative Fields
While cover letters are less crucial in some industries, they can be particularly valuable in creative fields and non-profits where personality and cultural fit are important. A cover letter can help bridge the gap for candidates switching careers by explaining how their experiences translate to the new role.
Use your cover letter to showcase your personality and explain your career transitions. Highlighting how past experiences are relevant to the job you want can make a significant difference, especially if your background isn't a perfect match on paper.
Cover Letters May Be Overlooked
While cover letters can showcase your writing skills and enthusiasm for a role, the reality is they might not always receive the same level of attention as a well-crafted resume. In today's competitive job market, with hundreds or even thousands of applicants for a single position, most hiring managers and recruiters typically take less than a minute to review an application.
💡Expert Tips
"Instead of submitting a cover letter, it may be more effective to include a clear, concise summary with three bullet points at the top of your resume. This summary should highlight your most impressive accomplishments and relevant industry experience, making it easier for hiring managers to quickly assess your relevance and suitability for the job.
A strong introductory summary often grabs a reader's attention more effectively than the blocks of text typically found in cover letters."
Dawn Gulanes, Headhunter for Commodities Trading, Kepler Search
Cover Letters Aid in Tough Hiring Decisions
For recruiters, cover letters can be particularly useful in making tough hiring decisions. In competitive industries, entry-level roles often attract hundreds of resumes. A well-written cover letter can help distinguish candidates by providing context for their career choices and addressing potential concerns like employment gaps.
💡Expert Tips
"As a recruiter, I think cover letters are more relevant now than ever, and many good ones have helped me hire for tough positions. I recruit in many competitive industries, and entry-level roles often attract dozens or even hundreds of resumes. I often need to split hairs when shortlisting candidates, and cover letters are a huge help. They're also insightful when candidates apply for positions not directly related to their field or when someone has a large employment gap, helping me understand why a seemingly high-potential professional wants to change their career trajectory or was unemployed for an unusual amount of time."
Ben Lamarche, General Manager, Lock Search Group
Cover Letters Rarely Read in Tech Hiring
In the tech industry, cover letters are often overlooked except for senior executive roles. Most recruiters and hiring managers in tech prefer to focus on resumes due to their efficiency in providing a succinct overview of a candidate's background.
💡Expert Tips
"Take it with a grain of salt (I recruit in the tech space only, and this advice may not be relevant/applicable outside of tech, but I suspect it is still relevant). Cover letters are possibly relevant at the SR VP/C-suite level; other than that, the answer is absolutely not.
Several reasons why. #1: Most recruiters and hiring managers (when looking at resumes) have an attention span that makes unmedicated, sugared-up, ADHD kids look calm, focused, and thorough. Don't waste their attention span on reading a cover letter. 100% of cover letters are incredibly subjective. Most are 99% fluff, and 50% come off like chest-beating because of the usage of words like 'championed' or 'spearheaded'."
Matthew Jones, Senior Technical Recruiter, Techhuman
Resumes Over Cover Letters for Efficiency
Many hiring managers prefer resumes over cover letters due to time constraints and the need for efficiency. Resumes provide a succinct overview of a candidate's background, making it easier to scan for keywords and critical information.
Advice: While cover letters can provide additional context, focus on crafting a strong resume that highlights your key achievements and skills. In cases where candidates are evenly matched, a cover letter can still provide valuable insights and tip the balance in your favor.
💡Expert Tips
"Not essential, but—Cover letters are not essential in the recruitment process, and I generally do not require them or take the time to read them. This is because of time constraints and the desire to streamline application processes. As a result, the focus naturally shifts to the resume or online forms.
However, the utility of a cover letter in an impasse situation cannot be denied. When a few equal candidates are left at the final stage of the recruitment process, and choosing the best of the best is a challenge, a cover letter can provide new information and shed fresh light on the applicant."
Nina Paczka, Community Manager, MyPerfectResume
Genuine Cover Letters Provide Context
Well-thought-out and genuine cover letters are still valued by some hiring professionals. These cover letters provide broader context for the information on your resume and allow you to discuss your experiences in a more personal and detailed manner.
💡Expert Tips
"Cover letters in which candidates focus on relevant skills, desirable personality traits, and positive work habits, supporting them with real-life examples, help me make more informed hiring decisions as I can better assess if the person is a good professional and cultural fit for the company."
Agata Szczepanek, Career Expert, LiveCareer
The relevance of cover letters varies across industries and individual hiring managers. While some may overlook them in favor of resumes, others find them invaluable for providing context and distinguishing candidates. Whether or not a cover letter is read, crafting a well-written, genuine cover letter can be a worthwhile effort, especially in competitive or creative fields.
By tailoring your cover letter to the specific role and company, highlighting relevant skills, and providing context for your career choices, you can make a positive impression and enhance your chances of landing the job.
