Cover letters are not necessary for all jobs, but they’re always a good idea to include one when applying. It gives you an opportunity to show the recruiter how well you can handle email correspondence and common office tasks like filing documents or creating spreadsheets, etc.
Many job seekers just say no to the idea of writing a cover letter for every job. They are happy with just sending their resume and calling it a day.
To Whom It May Concern: Job seekers are putting an end to the dreaded cover letter.
Many hiring managers agree that a well-written cover letter is still one of the most effective methods to demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate for the position. Many job searchers, however, argue that the self-promotion process is too painful and time-consuming to be worth the effort for a less-than-ideal position. It’s also demeaning, they claim, since the applications are often screened and sorted by an algorithm rather than a person.
As companies struggle to fill millions of job vacancies, job seekers are using their influence to say no to what was formerly considered a need for securing a quality job.
“People are fed up with having to put in so much effort to acquire a job,” said Gianni LaTange, a 27-year-old IT worker in New York. Cover letters, according to Ms. LaTange, are an out-of-date hiring practice that no longer applies to occupations that need them.
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Instead of applying for jobs, she used LinkedIn to contact staff at firms she wanted to work for. After a quick talk, one employee linked her with a recruiter, and she received an offer without having to write a letter, she claimed.
Some job searchers argue that producing cover letters is a job in and of itself, with little payoff. Devin Miller submitted roughly ten cover letters to firms he wanted to work for before landing his most recent position. Each was unique, and he wanted to show that he understood what the job entailed, he said. He received no response from any of them. Mr. Miller, 33, said he got his present job after responding to a recruiter who had reached out to him and requested just a résumé.
Because he was going to Boston in November, Mr. Miller sought for a new information-technology employment for a short time. He stated he only applied for jobs that didn’t need a cover letter this time, and he received multiple interviews and an offer.
Mr. Miller, who ultimately chose to remain with his current team and work remotely, said, “It simply doesn’t mesh with mine or my colleagues’ current goals in how they want to progress with their career.”
There’s a big divide between job searchers and the companies who are attempting to recruit them lurking behind all of the cover-letter vitriol. According to a recent ResumeLab poll of 200 hiring managers and recruiters, cover letters are critical in determining who to employ, particularly when it comes to understanding why the candidate wants the position or justifying a career change or hiatus. Almost three-quarters of respondents stated they anticipated a cover letter even if it wasn’t specifically requested.
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“They’re not going to consider you if you don’t take the time to explain yourself,” said Jill Tipograph, co-founder of Early Stage Careers, a career-coaching firm for college students and 20-somethings. She believes that cover letters are particularly important for early-career candidates who want to stand out. She said that it’s all about “putting out the facts and the basis of what you’re bringing to the table.”
According to ResumeLab, which offers assistance and online templates for creating résumés and cover letters, just 38% of applicants send cover letters to their applications even when it is needed.
Many of the companies with which the Talent Board works no longer look at cover letters, in part due to automated application-screening systems, according to Kevin Grossman, president of the Talent Board, a nonprofit employment and recruitment research group. The only time he makes an exception, he says, is when the hiring demand is low and recruiters have free time.
Another reason cover letters fall flat is because “most of them are fairly generic,” according to Keith Wolf, managing director of recruitment company Murray Resources, who recommends job applicants to personalize their cover letters for each job posting.
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Spending merely a few minutes scribbling a passionate letter may show a person’s abilities and drive in ways that a résumé can’t, according to Sherrod DeGrippo, a vice president at a security-software business whose division employs around 10 people every quarter.
“Don’t sweat it—not it’s a make-or-break situation,” she said. “It’s a plus, it’s a benefit.”
Hadassah Williams, a 30-year-old administrative assistant, has taken a similar approach. When a job posting said that cover letters—which she despises writing—were optional, she began writing more informal remarks instead of formal letters. She said they take approximately 40 minutes to write and may be tailored to the position she is looking for.
She claimed she’s emailed these blurbs straight to recruiters on LinkedIn or included them in the cover letter part of applications.
Julie Fugett’s perspective on cover letters has developed throughout the course of her career. She utilized them to assess applicants’ attention to detail and communication skills as a chief information security officer in higher education.
Ms. Fugett, on the other hand, chose not to submit one when she applied for a vice president position at a cybersecurity business recently. She’d seen social media backlash to the technique from the IT sector, and she didn’t want to look out of touch.
She got the job—and was overjoyed that she didn’t have to write a cover letter. She’s since pondered whether cover letters might encourage discrimination against bright applicants who, for example, speak English as a second language.
“I have yet to meet a single individual who loves writing a cover letter, including myself,” Ms. Fugett remarked. “I’ve continued to write them, but it’s always a bit unpleasant.”
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Cover letters are a waste of time. They just take up too much space and take away from your chances of getting the job. Reference: cover letters are a waste of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to apply without a cover letter?
A: It is not OK, but it is FINE to apply without a cover letter. I am fine with this decision as long as the resume does show my qualifications and previous experience
Does not writing a cover letter hurt you?
A: In a professional setting, the answer is no. A cover letter isnt just something to fill out, it can help you connect with a potential employer. If they dont want to read your resume but still know what school you went to and where you graduated from then having them see that letter will be enough for them.
What happens if you dont include a cover letter?
A: The resume goes to the trash bin.
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