Are Cover Letters Outdated? (Career Advice)

If you’re applying for a job, there’s a good chance you’ve been asked to submit both a resume and a cover letter. But do you need both? If so, what exactly is the point of writing a cover letter? Is it more important than the resume itself? What if I don’t write one? 

Are they even read by employers? And what if I wrote my own but didn’t use spell check or grammar check first? It’s time to put all of your questions about cover letters to rest once and for all!

Takeaways
Cover letters can still make a big impact and are often required by employers.
A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other applicants and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job.
Tailoring your cover letter to each specific job and company can increase your chances of success.
A cover letter should be concise and focused on your relevant skills and experience.
Submitting a cover letter shows that you’re serious about the job and willing to put in extra effort.

Are Cover Letters Outdated?

Cover letters are a great way to stand out. They help you show your personality, skills, and motivation to prospective employers. By writing a cover letter, you can also demonstrate your knowledge about the company for which you are applying for work and/or about the industry that it operates. 

In addition, by including references from previous employers or colleagues at school or college in your cover letter, an employer may have other positive impressions of you as well as gain additional confidence that they would like to employ someone who has already been positively reviewed by others who know their capability well enough too!

Cover letters remain an important tool for job seekers. As we discuss in our article on are cover letters still relevant, they provide an opportunity to showcase your personality, highlight your relevant experience and skills, and demonstrate your interest in the position.

What Is The Point Of A Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a way to introduce yourself and your resume. It’s also an opportunity to show that you have researched the company and understand the position, as well as demonstrate that you are a fit for it.

It’s important to note that this might not be true for all companies if they don’t ask for one, you don’t have to write one. But in general, I think most people would say that having a cover letter is helpful because it gives them more information about who you are, what motivates you, and how well-suited your skills are for their company or project.

Do I Need A Cover Letter?

It’s a good question. Many job seekers have been told that the answer is no, but it depends on the situation. If you’re applying through an online application form and your resume doesn’t require any supporting materials, then you can skip the cover letter. 

However, if you’re going through a more traditional hiring process where applications are reviewed by human resources professionals and hiring managers, then sending along a well-written cover letter will help your candidacy stand out from other candidates who didn’t send one along with their resumes.

A cover letter can also be helpful if you’re applying for jobs at companies that don’t post their openings publicly or make their hiring processes public knowledge this way they know how much effort went into getting in touch with them directly rather than just sending out hundreds of resumes blindly hoping for results!

Do Employers Even Read Cover Letters?

Yes, they do. According to a recent survey conducted by Jobvite, “64% of hiring managers say that they look at the cover letter first when reviewing applications.”

However, the same study found that only 12% of employers read cover letters thoroughly. This means that you should still make sure you have an eye-catching and engaging cover letter even if it doesn’t guarantee you a job interview. 

If your cover letter is compelling enough to stand out from the rest of your application materials, it may be what gets you noticed by recruiters or hiring managers looking for candidates who can make their companies stronger

While some argue that cover letters are no longer necessary, our article on are cover letters still necessary shows that they can still make a big impact. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other applicants and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job.

What If I Didn’t Write A Cover Letter?

If you don’t have a cover letter to send along with your resume, think of it this way: you’re not sending one because you want the employer to focus on your skills and qualifications. You want them to see that you can do what the job requires. 

The best way to show that is by making it obvious in the cover letter itself. If there’s anything specific about the job requirements that don’t come up in your resume, mention it here.

Another option is simply focusing on how much you want to work at this company. This is called an “interest letter” or “letter of interest.” These terms may vary depending on where you are in the world, but they all mean the same thing a letter explaining why you should be hired for a particular position at a specific company.

How Can I Make My Cover Letter Stand Out?

You want to make your cover letter stand out in the crowd. You can do this by being unique and highlighting your skills and accomplishments.

Use the cover letter to sell yourself: Why are you the best candidate? What makes you special? Why would they want to hire you over everyone else?

Use the cover letter to explain why you’re interested in the job: Show how much research went into finding this company, and how connected and committed you are.

Don’t be afraid of using personal pronouns (you, I). This makes your cover letter sound more personal, which is what hiring managers want from a candidate.

Are There Any Arguments Against Using A Cover Letter?

It’s not required. If you’re applying to a job that doesn’t require a cover letter, there’s no reason to include one.

You can’t predict what the hiring manager is looking for. Your cover letter is just one part of your application package and since it’s up to the hiring manager’s discretion whether or not he or she wants to read it, it can be difficult (if not impossible) to tailor your cover letter around their preferences.

It won’t help you stand out from other applicants. The point of a cover letter is to show off how awesome and qualified you are so that the hiring manager will want to interview you in person. 

But if someone else has already proven themselves with an outstanding resume or even just through word-of-mouth recommendations about their work ethic, then there isn’t much space left for anyone else in this scenario the best thing an applicant could do would be to admit defeat at this point and move on with his life instead of trying again later!

Job postings often specify whether a cover letter is required, and failing to include one could hurt your chances of getting hired. Our article on are cover letters required provides insights into why employers may require a cover letter, and how you can make sure to provide one that stands out.

How To Address Your Cover Letter

The next thing to consider is how you address your cover letter. You should always use the name of the person who will be reading your cover letter. If you’re applying for a job at a major company, that could mean addressing it as “Dear Mr./Ms. Wells.” Or if the hiring manager is named Bob, then maybe just write “Dear Bob.”

The same rules apply to an application form or resume; just make sure to fill out all of those fields correctly before hitting submit!

Should I Resend My Cover Letter If I Don’t Hear Back?

If you don’t hear back from the employer within a week, send a follow-up email. The follow-up email should be no more than one week after you sent your resume and cover letter. 

In the body of this email, be sure to let them know that you enjoyed meeting with them and would appreciate learning more about their search process or the next steps in the hiring process.

Am I Supposed To Personalize My Cover Letter For Each Job?

Yes, you should personalize your cover letter for each job. To do this, all you need to do is make sure that the content of your cover letter is tailored to the specific position and company.

Here’s how:

First, find out what the company does by reading its website and social media accounts. What kind of business are they in? What products or services do they offer? Why do they matter in their industry? How many employees are there at the company? 

You can also look up press releases on Google News or go through investor relations documents on a company’s website if you want to dig deeper into their background information.

Next, create a detailed outline for your cover letter by using this information about the company as well as some other research about them (the type of work they do and whether it’s growing). 

If possible, talk with someone who works there or has worked there before so that he or she can tell you more about what it would be like working for that particular employer this will help shape what topics should be included in your final product!

Should You Repeat Your Resume In Your Cover Letter?

As you probably know, a cover letter is an introduction to a potential employer. It’s meant to show that you are interested in the company, aware of their needs, and can do the job. 

The problem is that many people think they should repeat what they put on their resume in their cover letter. This isn’t necessary at all! Your resume already contains all the information they need so there is no need to repeat it. Instead, write about why you are a good fit for this specific position and how you can help them achieve their goals.

If you’re wondering whether or not to include a cover letter with your job application, our article on are cover letters mandatory can help. While they may not always be required, submitting a cover letter shows that you’re serious about the job and willing to put in the extra effort.

Can You Send A Short Cover Letter With Your Resume?

The length of your cover letter will depend on how long you’ve been in the workforce, how much experience you have, and what industry you’re in.

If you are a recent or entry-level hire, your cover letter should be as long as it needs to be to explain why you are a good fit for the job.

If you have more than 10 years of experience and have held several similar positions, then sending an extra paragraph or two may make sense to help explain why your career trajectory has led you to this particular opportunity.

How Do You Format A Cover Letter?

You’re going to want to use a format that’s easy for the hiring manager to read. If you use standard formatting, it will make your cover letter easier to read and understand.

If you have any questions about what font size or style is best for your application, ask someone who already works at the company. They may tell you that they prefer reading in Times New Roman or Calibri and that other fonts are hard for them to focus on. 

Or maybe they have perfect vision and don’t need anything too fancy! They’ll let you know what works best for them as an organization. Once again: don’t use something cute or creative if there’s no reason why it needs variation from regular formatting guidelines (and there usually isn’t).

Make sure everything is clear enough so someone doesn’t have trouble reading it!

Are There Any Non-Traditional Ways To Write A Cover Letter?

While the content of your cover letter is what makes or breaks your application, there are a few other ways you can differentiate yourself from the pack.

First, try using a different format. While traditional cover letters are typically between one and three pages long, they don’t have to be! Why not try writing something shorter? Or longer? It’s up to you just make sure that it’s tailored to the company’s needs and expectations.

Next up: font size and style! There are so many options that it can be hard to know where to start with this one. 

Set aside some time (and maybe get some help from friends) and play around with different sizes until you find something that looks good on paper or even better than good! You might even find yourself surprised by which fonts look best for each situation; for example, 

Comic Sans might not always be appropriate but Helvetica could be just right for certain occasions like when applying for jobs at tech companies because it reflects their modern image well enough without being too distracting from important content like those skills listed above!

If none of these suggestions sound appealing then consider going against convention by picking out something completely unexpected 

But still aesthetically pleasing like brown paper stock instead of white so people know right away what kind of tone they should expect when reading what’s inside each page as opposed to making them guess based solely on color scheme alone.”

Is It Better To Email Or Mail Your Resume And Cover Letter?

Your cover letter should go in the body of the email, and your resume should be attached as a PDF.

Your email should be sent to the hiring manager at his or her email address. Make sure to check with HR or another person in charge before sending an application via snail mail; if you’re unsure who to send it to, assume that you should send it directly to the hiring manager (who may or may not be located locally).

How Long Does It Take To Write A Great Cover Letter?

Most people spend five to ten minutes on a cover letter. That’s not enough time.

You should be spending more time on your resume, LinkedIn profile, interview skills, and work experience than you are on writing a great cover letter.

Why? Because if you start your job search by focusing on what happens before the interview your resume, LinkedIn profile and so on you’ll have more confidence when going into interviews with employers who have already seen your application materials.

When applying for a job in a new field, a well-crafted cover letter can help you make a strong case for yourself. Our article on changing fields cover letter provides tips and strategies for crafting a cover letter that demonstrates your transferable skills and shows why you’re the right fit for the job.

Conclusion

In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether or not your cover letter needs to be updated. It can be a great way to stand out from other applicants and show the hiring manager that you’re serious about getting this job. 

On the other hand, if you find yourself struggling with writing one, don’t worry too much about it! The most important thing is that your resume tells a hiring manager why they should want to meet with you face-to-face (and hopefully hire).

Further Reading

If you’re interested in learning more about cover letters, here are some additional resources:

Do Employers Care About Cover Letters?: This article on Indeed discusses the importance of cover letters and provides tips for writing a strong one.

Cover Letters: Essential or Outdated?: This article on the American Chemical Society’s website explores the pros and cons of cover letters in today’s job market.

Are Cover Letters Necessary?: This article on Zety examines the relevance of cover letters and provides advice on when to include one.

FAQs

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It provides an opportunity to introduce yourself to the employer, explain why you’re interested in the job, and highlight your relevant skills and experience.

Are cover letters still necessary?

While opinions vary, many employers still require or strongly prefer a cover letter. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other applicants and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job.

What should I include in a cover letter?

A cover letter should introduce yourself, explain why you’re interested in the job, and highlight your relevant skills and experience. It should also demonstrate your knowledge of the company and show how you can contribute to their goals.

Can I use the same cover letter for multiple jobs?

It’s generally not recommended to use the same cover letter for multiple jobs. Instead, tailor your cover letter to each specific job and company to demonstrate your interest and fit.

How long should a cover letter be?

A cover letter should generally be one page or less. It should be concise and focused on your relevant skills and experience, rather than repeating information from your resume.