Are Cover Letters Necessary? The Complete Truth About Cover Letters in Modern Hiring

Few topics in job search advice spark as much debate as the cover letter. Some career experts insist cover letters are essential, warning that applications without them end up in the rejection pile. Others declare them obsolete relics of a bygone hiring era, claiming busy recruiters never read them anyway. Job seekers caught in the middle face genuine confusion: is writing a cover letter worth the effort, or are they wasting precious time on something no one cares about?

The truth, like most things in career advice, is nuanced. Cover letters are neither universally essential nor completely irrelevant. Their necessity depends on various factors including the industry, the specific employer, the job level, and how you choose to present yourself. This comprehensive guide will help you understand when cover letters truly matter, when you can skip them, and how to make the most strategic decision for each application you submit.

The Historical Context of Cover Letters

Understanding where cover letters came from helps explain why the debate about their relevance continues today.

Traditional Purpose

Cover letters emerged in an era when job applications arrived by mail. The cover letter literally covered the resume, serving as an introduction that explained why the enclosed materials were being sent. This letter provided context, expressed interest, and gave applicants an opportunity to make a personal impression before the hiring manager reviewed the more formal resume document.

In this context, cover letters served several practical functions:

• Explained how the applicant learned about the position
• Introduced the applicant as a person, not just a list of qualifications
• Demonstrated writing ability and communication skills
• Allowed expression of enthusiasm and fit that bullet points couldn’t convey
• Provided space to address unusual circumstances or gaps

The Digital Disruption

The shift to online applications fundamentally changed the cover letter landscape. When applications moved to email and then to dedicated applicant tracking systems, the practical need to “cover” a resume disappeared. Job postings explicitly state how applicants learned about the position. Systems automatically collect candidate information. The mechanical purpose of cover letters largely evaporated.

Simultaneously, the volume of applications increased dramatically. Where hiring managers once received dozens of applications by mail, they now face hundreds or thousands through online portals. Time pressures intensified, and the question arose: do recruiters actually read cover letters when they’re drowning in applications?

What the Research and Data Show

Rather than relying on opinion, let’s examine what studies and surveys reveal about cover letter reading and importance.

Recruiter Surveys and Studies

Various surveys have produced seemingly contradictory findings about cover letter importance:

Some surveys suggest a significant percentage of recruiters report that cover letters are important or that they always read them. Other surveys find that many recruiters admit to rarely or never reading cover letters, particularly for high-volume positions.

The contradiction makes sense when you consider that “recruiters” aren’t a monolithic group. Their behaviors vary enormously based on:

• Industry and role type
• Company size and hiring volume
• Position seniority
• How the application was received
• Individual recruiter preferences

The Time Reality

Studies of recruiter behavior reveal that initial resume reviews typically last just seconds—often cited as 6-7 seconds per resume in initial screening. In that timeframe, reading even a brief cover letter is impossible. This suggests that cover letters are rarely read during initial screening phases.

However, cover letters appear to become more relevant in later stages, when recruiters have narrowed the candidate pool and are making decisions about who to interview. At this point, additional information about candidates becomes valuable, and cover letters may receive genuine attention.

Hiring Manager Perspectives

Hiring managers—the actual decision-makers for most positions—often have different views than recruiters who handle initial screening. Many hiring managers report that they do read cover letters for candidates who’ve made it past initial filters, using them to evaluate communication skills, cultural fit, and genuine interest.

When Cover Letters Definitely Matter

Despite the debate, certain situations make cover letters clearly important:

When the Application Requires One

This seems obvious, but bears emphasis: if a job posting asks for a cover letter, include one. Failing to provide requested materials signals inability to follow instructions—an immediate disqualifier for most positions.

Even when applications list cover letters as “optional,” submitting one is often wise. Some employers use the optional request as a soft test of candidate effort and interest. Those who submit optional cover letters demonstrate initiative; those who don’t may be screened out.

Career Transitions and Unusual Backgrounds

When your resume doesn’t tell a straightforward story, cover letters become crucial for providing context:

Career changers need cover letters to explain why they’re pursuing a new direction and how their previous experience translates to the new field. Without this explanation, hiring managers may struggle to understand why a marketing professional is applying for nursing positions.

Candidates with employment gaps benefit from cover letters that briefly explain the gap and refocus attention on qualifications. A resume with a two-year gap raises questions; a cover letter that mentions “family caregiving responsibilities” and emphasizes continued professional development provides needed context.

Those without traditional qualifications use cover letters to make the case for why they should be considered despite lacking expected credentials. If you don’t have the degree listed in requirements but have equivalent experience, the cover letter is where you make that argument.

Senior and Executive Positions

As positions increase in seniority, cover letters become more expected and more carefully reviewed. Executive candidates are evaluated not just on qualifications but on communication skills, strategic thinking, and leadership presence—all of which cover letters can demonstrate.

For C-suite positions, director roles, and senior management, a well-crafted cover letter is essentially mandatory regardless of whether it’s explicitly requested.

Small Companies and Direct Applications

When you’re applying to a small company where the owner or hiring manager personally reviews applications, cover letters matter more. In smaller organizations:

• Fewer applications mean more time per candidate
• Cultural fit often matters more than at large corporations
• Personal connections and enthusiasm carry more weight
• The person reading your application is often the decision-maker

Similarly, when you’re sending applications directly via email rather than through applicant tracking systems, cover letters are expected and create the essential first impression.

Positions Requiring Writing Skills

For any role where written communication is central—marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, content creation, education—your cover letter serves as a work sample. How you write the letter demonstrates exactly the skills the job requires.

Submitting an application for a writing-intensive role without a cover letter (or with a poorly written one) undermines your candidacy significantly.

When You Have a Referral or Connection

If someone referred you to a position or you have a connection at the company, the cover letter is where you mention this. Name-dropping a referral in your opening paragraph significantly increases the chances of your application receiving attention.

When Cover Letters Matter Less

In some situations, cover letters carry less weight or may even be unnecessary:

High-Volume Entry-Level Positions

Retail positions, food service jobs, and other high-volume entry-level roles often don’t require or expect cover letters. When employers receive hundreds of applications for a cashier position, they’re typically screening for basic availability and qualifications, not reading letters about career aspirations.

Technical Roles with Clear Qualifications

For highly technical positions where qualifications are easily assessed through credentials and experience—certain engineering roles, IT positions, specialized trades—cover letters may receive less attention than portfolios, certifications, or technical assessments.

Applications Through Staffing Agencies

When you’re working with recruiters or staffing agencies rather than applying directly to employers, cover letters often become less relevant. The recruiter serves as your intermediary and advocate; their recommendation carries more weight than your cover letter would.

Some Online Application Systems

Some applicant tracking systems don’t even provide a mechanism for uploading cover letters, or they clearly indicate that cover letters are not reviewed. In these cases, obviously, don’t stress about providing one.

When the Posting Says “No Cover Letter”

Occasionally, postings explicitly state that cover letters are not wanted. Respect this request—sending one anyway suggests you don’t read or follow instructions.

The Strategic Approach: When in Doubt

Given the mixed evidence and situational variation, how should you approach the cover letter decision?

The Default Recommendation

When you’re uncertain whether a cover letter is necessary, the conservative approach is to include one. The downside of including an unnecessary cover letter is minimal (wasted time), while the downside of omitting a necessary one could be a missed opportunity.

However, this default comes with an important caveat: only include a cover letter if you’re willing to write a good one. A generic, uninspired cover letter may actually harm your candidacy more than no cover letter at all. If you’re going to include one, make it count.

The Quality Imperative

A strong cover letter can genuinely help your application. A weak one can hurt it. A mediocre one probably has no effect. Given the time investment required, this suggests being strategic:

For opportunities you’re truly excited about: Invest time in a carefully crafted, customized cover letter that demonstrates genuine interest and fit.

For applications you’re less invested in: Consider whether a generic cover letter adds value. It might be better to skip the cover letter than to submit something obviously templated.

Time Investment Calculation

Writing a genuinely good cover letter requires significant time—perhaps 30 minutes to an hour for a customized letter. In an active job search where you might apply to dozens of positions, this adds up quickly.

Consider your time investment strategically:

• Spend the most time on cover letters for positions you really want
• Develop a strong template that can be efficiently customized
• Skip cover letters for positions where they’re clearly unnecessary
• Don’t waste time on generic cover letters that won’t help anyway

Making Your Cover Letter Count

If you decide to include a cover letter, make sure it actually strengthens your application.

What Makes Cover Letters Valuable

Cover letters add value when they accomplish things your resume cannot:

Tell your story: Resumes present facts in bullet points. Cover letters weave those facts into a narrative about who you are professionally and why you’re pursuing this opportunity.

Demonstrate fit: Explain specifically why you’re interested in this company and role, not just any job in your field. This requires research and customization.

Show personality: Your resume is formal and structured. Your cover letter can convey your voice, enthusiasm, and character while remaining professional.

Address concerns: If your resume raises questions (employment gaps, lack of specific requirements, career changes), the cover letter provides space to address them proactively.

Highlight key qualifications: Draw attention to the most relevant parts of your background for this specific position, helping readers know what to focus on in your resume.

Building a strong professional presence supports these efforts. Resources like 0portfolio.com can help you develop a cohesive personal brand that extends beyond your cover letter and resume.

What Undermines Cover Letters

Avoid these common problems that make cover letters counterproductive:

Generic content: “I am applying for the position at your company” could apply to any job anywhere. Hiring managers can tell immediately when letters aren’t customized.

Resume repetition: Simply restating your resume in paragraph form wastes everyone’s time and demonstrates no additional insight.

Excessive length: Long cover letters don’t get read. Keep yours to a single page, ideally three to four paragraphs.

Self-focus over employer focus: Cover letters that only discuss what you want rather than what you offer miss the point entirely.

Errors and sloppiness: Typos, wrong company names, or formatting issues suggest carelessness and undermine your candidacy.

Industry and Role Variations

Cover letter expectations vary significantly by industry:

Industries Where Cover Letters Are Expected

Academia: Cover letters (often called letters of interest or application letters) are essential and often quite detailed in academic job applications.

Nonprofits: Mission-driven organizations typically want to understand your motivation and alignment with their cause.

Creative fields: While portfolios matter most, cover letters demonstrate communication skills and provide context for creative work.

Law: Legal positions, especially at law firms, generally expect formal cover letters.

Healthcare: Clinical positions often require cover letters explaining qualifications and interest in specific facilities.

Industries Where Cover Letters Are Less Standard

Technology: Many tech companies focus on skills, portfolios, and technical assessments rather than traditional cover letters.

Trades and labor: Practical positions often emphasize certifications and experience over written materials.

Hospitality and service: High-turnover industries often streamline applications, making cover letters less common.

Always Check the Norms

Research the expectations for your specific industry and even for specific companies within that industry. What’s standard at a traditional law firm differs from a legal tech startup. What a nonprofit expects differs from what a tech company wants.

The Changing Landscape

Several trends are reshaping cover letter expectations:

Video and Alternative Formats

Some companies now request video introductions rather than written cover letters. These serve similar purposes—allowing candidates to demonstrate communication skills and personality—but in a different medium.

Other alternative formats include:

• Brief statements of interest in application forms
• Answers to specific application questions
• Portfolio presentations with written context
• LinkedIn messages for informal applications

AI and Automation

As AI tools make cover letter writing easier, some employers are becoming more skeptical of cover letters or focusing on authenticity indicators. The ease of generating AI-written cover letters may actually decrease their perceived value while increasing scrutiny.

Remote Hiring

The shift toward remote work has made written communication skills more important in many roles, potentially increasing cover letter relevance for remote positions where candidates must demonstrate they can communicate effectively in writing.

Making Your Decision

For each job application, consider these questions:

1. Does the application require or request a cover letter? If yes, include one.

2. Is this a position I’m genuinely excited about? If yes, invest in a strong cover letter.

3. Is there anything about my background that needs explanation? If yes, use the cover letter to provide context.

4. Does the role involve significant writing or communication? If yes, treat the cover letter as a work sample.

5. Am I applying directly to a person versus through an automated system? Direct applications generally warrant cover letters.

6. What are the norms for this industry and type of position? Follow standard expectations.

7. Do I have time to write a genuinely good cover letter? If not, consider whether a generic letter helps or hurts.

Conclusion

So, are cover letters necessary? The answer is: it depends. They’re necessary when explicitly required, highly valuable in many situations, and less important in others. Rather than asking whether cover letters are necessary in general, ask whether a cover letter will help this specific application.

The most strategic approach treats cover letters as one tool in your job search toolkit. When used thoughtfully—targeted to situations where they add value, customized to demonstrate genuine fit, and written with quality and care—cover letters can differentiate your candidacy and help you stand out. When used carelessly—generic, templated, or submitted when unnecessary—they waste your time and potentially harm your application.

Your time and energy are limited resources during a job search. Invest them strategically. Write excellent cover letters for opportunities that matter. Skip or streamline for positions where they won’t help. And always remember that the purpose of a cover letter isn’t just to check a box—it’s to make a compelling case for why you’re the right candidate for this specific role at this specific company.

The cover letter isn’t dead, but the generic, one-size-fits-all cover letter should be. Make yours count, or don’t bother making one at all.