Here's What to Know About Cover Letters

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Job seekers often wonder whether crafting cover letters is worth their time in today's competitive market. The answer isn't straightforward but I want to take a moment to share my thoughts on cover letters, when to include one and how to make them count.

When Do Cover Letters Matter?

Cover letters are essential only when explicitly requested in job postings. However, submitting one for roles that genuinely interest you can be a strategic move. Think of it as your chance to demonstrate extra interest while providing context that your resume alone can't convey.

Personally, I'm a big fan of cover letters. I, as someone who works in a world dependent on written communication, look to cover letters to show me how a candidate conveys messages, summarizes key points and expresses themselves.

Breaking Free from Traditional Formats

Modern cover letters don't need to follow the rigid, formal structure many job seekers were taught years ago. While professionalism is still important, you have more flexibility than you might think.

Cover letters, originally, served as a bridge between applicants and employers when resumes were the primary application document. Today's applicant tracking systems have absorbed much of that supplemental information into the application process itself, opening up new possibilities for how you present yourself.

For example, you can consider crafting cover letters into the following formats:

• A personalized email directly to the hiring manager
• A thoughtful LinkedIn InMail
• A well-crafted letter sent by mail

Who Reads Cover Letters?

Understanding who reads your cover letter changes how you should write it. Recruiters typically focus on resumes and application data. In fact, most recruiters — especially those in tech companies — tell me that they don't read cover letters. However, hiring managers and team members doing interviews often review entire applications, including cover letters, when evaluating candidates. They are your primary audience.

These decision-makers are juggling multiple responsibilities, though. Respect their time with concise, purposeful writing. Focus on showcasing your enthusiasm for the role and company, demonstrating your understanding of what they need, and highlighting one compelling piece of information not found in your resume.

For example, maybe you're transitioning careers and need to connect the dots between your background and this new direction. Maybe you have a unique experience that perfectly aligns with their challenges. This is your moment to tell that story and provide a more rounded picture of yourself than what's found on a resume.

Should I Let AI Write My Cover Letter?

Generative AI tools can be incredibly helpful for overcoming the blank-page problem when starting your cover letter. I like to think of them as brainstorming partners that can help you identify key themes, suggest relevant experiences to highlight or even provide format suggestions for your letter. For example, you might ask an AI to help you connect your background to a specific role or generate ideas for opening paragraphs that capture attention.

However, don't copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your applications, resumes or cover letters. Using unedited AI content can make your application feel impersonal and lazy. Also, companies are increasingly using tools to identify AI-generated applications. Instead, use the AI content as a starting point and rely on your authentic voice.

What About the Rest of My Application?

While I am, personally, a big fan of cover letters, the reality is that your resume and application need to sell you to a potential employer without one. The reason is that it may never be opened by the recruiter, manager or other team members during the hiring process. 

Yet, someone along that chain of interviewers or decision makers might read it. You never know if that will be the little extra detail that lands you an interview. In today's competitive labor market, I think job seekers should do whatever they can to increase their odds of success.

What's the Bottom Line?

Prioritize your resume and core application materials. If you have extra time and the role genuinely excites you, a thoughtful cover letter can be worth the effort. Just remember that quality outweighs quantity every time.

Focus on roles where you can authentically express enthusiasm and provide meaningful context. Skip the generic templates, AI-generated letters and instead craft something that reflects your genuine interest in the opportunity.

Until next time, stay well and best of luck!

We all know that ageism is prevalent in the labor market. Colleen Paulson, founder of Ageless Careers, told me on the latest episode of Get Hired with Andrew Seaman that there are things people can do to reduce the effects of ageism during the job search. For example, people with years of experience can ease their own job search struggles by showing they're willing to be a team player and won't boss coworkers around. Taking that approach can alleviate a main concern among interviewers.

A transcript of the conversation is available here. You can listen to the episode at the link above or on your favorite podcast platform by clicking here.