Do you need a cover letter in 2021?

In the age of social resumes and online job applications, do hiring managers and recruiters even read cover letters anymore?

If it hasn’t explicitly been asked for in the job listing, you’re probably wondering if you need to submit a cover letter along with your resume. After all, writing a cover letter can be time-consuming, particularly if you’re applying for several roles as you’ll need to tailor it to every job.

So are you hurting your chances if a cover letter isn’t required and you chose not to submit one? Can your cover letter mean the difference between landing an interview and being passed over?

Read on to find out when it’s crucial to provide a cover letter and when it’s not.

When to include a cover letter

While you might think busy hiring managers and recruiters don’t have time to read them, cover letters are still requested by many businesses as it’s often part of their formal hiring processes. So it goes without saying that you should always include a cover letter if it’s asked for as part of the job application.

Aside from that, it’s also a good idea to submit a cover letter in the following scenarios:

When the job advertisement specifies that a cover letter is optional
When the job application online portal includes a cover letter attachment button
When the hiring manager or recruiter requests one separately, regardless of what the job ad says

Yes, it does take extra time but think of your cover letter as an additional opportunity to communicate and express your enthusiasm for the role, which you don’t often have room for in your CV.

In addition, if you don’t have direct industry experience, a cover letter is a chance to highlight your transferable skills, explain any gaps and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Regardless of the types of roles you’re applying for, it’s worthwhile having a cover letter template on hand so that you can easily edit and tailor it for specific roles.

When NOT to include a cover letter

There are a few scenarios in which you don’t need to include a cover letter:

When the job advertisement explicitly states that no cover letter is necessary
When you don’t have an option to upload one through the job application portal
When you are applying for a job through a friend or contact and they have said a cover letter is not necessary

When in doubt, it’s best to include one anyway. If you need to contact the hiring manager, recruiter or prospective employer for further details about the job before you apply, you can always double-check to confirm whether they require a cover letter from you.

Tips for writing a cover letter that stands out

Employers and recruiters will likely be looking through hundreds of resumes and cover letters before selecting interviewees, so it pays to keep yours concise and to the point.

Here’s a brief structure for a targeted one-page cover letter:

Date
Address the hiring manager or recruiter by name and title, if you know it
Paragraph 1: Craft a short, compelling opening statement about why you’re the ideal candidate for the role
Paragraph 2: Briefly highlight why you’re passionate about the job and industry
Paragraph 3: Mention your strongest skills and experience that are aligned to the job, using relevant keywords and phrases
Paragraph 4: Close with a brief call to action to meet
Finish with a polite sign-off and your full name

Remember your cover letter is an extension of your resume: it gives you another opportunity (separate to your CV) to demonstrate your experience and enthusiasm for the role, and ultimately, stand out from the crowd and land an interview.

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the Page Personnel team

01/01/2022