Cover letters are often thought of as outdated, unnecessary, or even a waste of time. While they may seem like a relic from another era, cover letters are still very important. They are a great way to show potential employers who you really are and why you should get the job.

A cover letter is a short document that accompanies a resume. The goal of a cover letter is to highlight your skills and accomplishments and convince the employer to give you a chance.

While some companies don’t require them, most hiring managers say they want to see a cover letter before making a decision. If you don’t include one, you risk being overlooked.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is usually sent together with your resume when applying to a new position. This document gives an employer a chance to learn about you before they meet you in person.

You may use a cover letter for any type of application, but they’re most commonly used when applying for jobs that require writing skills, such as copywriting, journalism, advertising, marketing, public relations, graphic design, web development, software engineering, and so on.

Writing a cover letter will showcase your writing style. Employers who hire for writing jobs will judge your writing style if you have a tone that fits their brand and can effectively resonate with the demographics that they are targeting.

Are cover letters still necessary?

A cover letter is an important part of the application process for the majority of hiring managers and recruiters. However, some people believe that they no longer serve a purpose in today’s world of online applications.

In fact, some employers think that Cover Letters are an “artifact of the past” and that they are most of the time irrelevant. Indicating that the majority of applicants that take the time to craft a cover letter are mostly unqualified individuals who try their best to explain their lack of qualifications.

Also taking into account that these employers receive hundreds or even thousands of applications per day. They believe that majority of employers do not have the time to read every cover letter.

They also think that applicants who are qualified do not rely on unverified promises and flowery words in an attempt to convince employers to consider hiring them.

Why you should definitely write a cover letter

On the other hand, some employers also believe that cover letters are a great way to demonstrate your communication skills, how much you care about the position, and what makes you unique.

You want to show employers that you’ve done your research and understand the industry. And you want to make sure that they know you’ll fit into their team.

Here are three reasons why writing a cover letter is important:

1. It demonstrates interest. When you apply for a job, you’re essentially asking someone else to hire you. Your cover letter gives them insight into what you bring to the table. Showing that you researched the company provides proof that you took the time to learn about the organization and what it does. This shows that you’re interested in the opportunity, and you’re willing to put forth the effort required to succeed.

2. It helps you stand out. There are hundreds of applicants vying for every open position. Employers don’t always give candidates equal consideration, so showing that you’re different from the rest of the pack makes you stand out. Make sure you highlight your skills, accomplishments, and experience. Be honest, but avoid bragging. Instead, focus on demonstrating your value to the company.

3. It increases your chances of being called in for an interview. In fact, according to CareerBuilder, 49% of HR managers agree that a cover letter boosts the applicant’s odds of receiving an offer. Why? Because when you send a personalized cover letter, you’re telling the employer that you’d like to work there. They see you as a potential employee, rather than just another candidate.

An important reason why you should write a cover letter

The most important reason to write a cover letter is that it helps you stand out among hundreds of applicants. Employers receive thousands of resumes every day, and many people assume that if someone doesn’t apply online, they must not be interested in the job.

However, there are plenty of legitimate reasons why someone might submit a paper application. They could be applying for a specific role that requires a lot of travel, or they might be looking for a particular skill set that isn’t listed in the job description.

Whatever the case may be, having a cover letter gives you a chance to highlight your qualifications and show that you’re serious about the job.

How long does it take to write a cover letter?

Writing a cover letter can take anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the length of the job posting and the amount of detail you need to provide. The best way to find out how long it takes to write a cover letter depends on the situation.

If you’re applying for a position at a company where you’ve worked previously, you’ll probably already have a good idea of what information you’d like to include. You can save time by using your previous resume as a template.

If you’re applying for a new position, however, you’ll likely need to spend more time crafting a compelling cover letter. In this case, it’s better to start early and get ahead of the game.

You can always ask friends or family members for help, or you can try searching online for sample cover letters.

Tips to create a well-written cover letter

A well-written cover letter can set you apart from the competition and make you stand out from the crowd. Here are tips you can follow in order to start writing a good cover letter:

1. Be clear about why you want the position. What does it offer you? How will it help you advance your career? Why is it worth the time and energy you put into making sure it lands in someone’s hands?

2. Include relevant experience. If you don’t have much experience in the field, focus on skills and accomplishments that show you possess those skills. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing role, highlight your success working with clients and managing projects.

3. Make sure everything is organized well. Formatting cover letters correctly helps ensure your information stands out. Use bullet points to break up long paragraphs and use bold font to emphasize keywords.

4. Don’t forget to add contact information. Your email address, phone number, and social media profiles should easily be found on your LinkedIn profile. If not, add them now.

5. Proofread carefully. You wouldn’t write a novel without proofreading, so don’t submit a resume riddled with typos. Look over each section for errors. Once you’ve finished, ask a friend to read it too.

6. Have fun. While you’re busy putting together a killer cover letter, take the time to enjoy your work. This way, you’ll feel proud of your accomplishment once it’s done.

When is it not required to write a cover letter?

On the one hand, it makes sense to write a cover letter with every single job application. After all, it gives employers a chance to learn about you, even though most hiring managers will never read it. But what if the employer specifically asks you not to send a cover letter? Or what if the job posting says something like “no cover letters”? In those cases, it might make sense to skip the cover letter altogether.

There are many reasons why some companies don’t want to see a cover letter included with a resume. Some employers say they’re looking for candidates without much experience; others feel that cover letters take up too much space. Still, others think that cover letters are just extra work for recruiters. Whatever the reason, it’s important to remember that a cover letter isn’t always required. As long as you’ve done enough research into the position and know how to sell yourself, you shouldn’t have a problem getting an interview.

Conclusion

We’ve been asked about cover letters many times over the years. And we always say the same thing: Cover letters aren’t required. But they’re incredibly helpful.

A cover letter is like a little extra personality added to your resume. It helps humanize it even further. In some cases, it might even help you stand out from the crowd.

But don’t worry—there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to writing one. Use your imagination, and make sure it’s something unique to you. 

And remember, a good cover letter doesn’t just add a personal touch; it also gives you a chance to show off your skills and experience. 

But if you’re planning to take it a step further, a professional-looking resume together with even the simplest cover letter will ensure that you’ll get noticed better among others. Our professional resume writers can definitely help you stand out!