Do You Still Send Cover Letters? (Career Advice)

While cover letters are still a requirement of many companies, they aren’t as important as they once were. While it’s still important to have one for your resume, the content has become less relevant in recent years due to how many people apply for jobs.

Takeaways
A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out in the job application process.
Cover letters should be tailored to the job you’re applying for and provide specific examples of your skills and qualifications.
Not all job applications require a cover letter, but it’s always a good idea to have one prepared just in case.
Keep your cover letter concise and focused on the most relevant information, and proofread it carefully for errors.
Cover letters can help show your enthusiasm and passion for the job and company, and can help you make a strong first impression.

Do You Still Send Cover Letters?

Do you send cover letters? How important are they to your job search? Let’s explore.

For most of us, covering letters on the first page of a resume that comes after the header and content is an essential part of our job searches. 

In fact, according to a recent survey by The Networker Magazine and CareerBuilder (conducted by Harris Poll), 78 percent of executives say that they read resumes with attached cover letters (and 64 percent said they read them even if they aren’t required).

So why do we bother with this seemingly antiquated formality? Because it can help you stand out from other candidates in multiple ways:

Cover letters provide an opportunity for you to introduce yourself and tell the reader why you’re a good fit for the job opening at hand.

They can demonstrate your interest in working at a particular company or organization; this will give hiring managers another reason to call you back for an interview rather than just throw your resume into the pile along with everyone else’s.

Cover letters allow employers, especially those who require specific skills or degrees to know whether or not those credentials exist within their candidate pool before scheduling interviews.

If you’re struggling to find the hiring manager’s name for your cover letter, don’t worry! Our article on what to do when you can’t find the hiring manager for your cover letter has got you covered with practical tips and tricks to help you address your cover letter correctly.

Is Cover Letter Necessary?

If you have done your research, it will be clear in your cover letter. If you have not, this is a good thing to say in your cover letter. If you’re applying for jobs on a website and they ask if you are interested in their company, do some research before answering.

The more honest and transparent you can be while writing a cover letter the better chance of success it has at getting noticed. This can be done by including what kind of position you are looking for right away (rather than waiting till the end) or even stating that it doesn’t matter what type of job as long as it is something related to [insert topic].

How Do I Format A Cover Letter?

Use the format of the job description to write your cover letter. It’s not enough to just copy and paste you want to make sure that your cover letter flows with the tone of the actual job posting.

Use a clean, simple font in 12 points or larger. The last thing you want is for your hiring manager to squint at your name on their screen, so use an easy-to-read font like Arial or Calibri instead of “cute” options like Comic Sans or Papyrus. You can also make it bold! And italicize!

Bullet points will help highlight important points without taking up too much space (or being overwhelming). They’re great for summarizing past job experiences and achievements but only if they’re used sparingly; otherwise, they’ll look more like an outline than anything else.

If you follow these simple guidelines and don’t forget about punctuation! then there should be no problem formatting a cover letter once and using it over again whenever necessary (which is probably often).

Is It Ok To Have A Bland Subject Line For A Cover Letter Email?

Yes. It’s totally fine to have a bland subject line for your cover letter email. The reason? You don’t want the person reviewing your submission to get distracted by the subject line and miss out on what you wrote in the body of your message. 

Your best bet is to keep your subject lines simple, like “Cover Letter for Your Job Posting” or “Resume for Opportunity #123421.”

Want to land that dream job with your cover letter? Our article on creating a cover letter that will land you the interview has everything you need to know, including tips on formatting, tailoring your letter to the job, and making a strong impression with your writing.

Why Would A Company Request A Cover Letter If They Don’t Require One?

Some companies do not even require cover letters, and some will just ignore them. But many employers still request them, even though they don’t necessarily read them all the way through. Here are a few reasons why:

It’s a good way to tell the company what you’re interested in. If there is no job listing, or if your skillset doesn’t match up with any of the positions posted (or if the list of positions isn’t public), sending a cover letter can help express your interest in working with this particular company.

It’s an easy way for an employer to get more information about you without having to wait for an interview call back from HR. A well-written cover letter can give employers insight into how you communicate and what motivates you professionally and that could make all the difference when deciding between two similarly qualified candidates!

It’s also a chance for candidates who have been turned down once before by this same organization but want another shot at landing their dream job here too!

Should I Mention “Thank You” In My Cover Letter?

Yes, you should mention “thank you” in your cover letter. It’s a good idea to thank the employer for considering your application and showing interest in you as a potential candidate.

In general, it’s a good idea to thank the person reading your cover letter. It’s one of the most important things you can do as an applicant! 

If you want to make sure that someone is paying attention to what you’re saying and listening to what matters most like how much they like their job then mentioning “thank you” is going to help keep them engaged with what they’re reading.

Do You Have To Put Your Address On The Cover Letter When Applying For Jobs Online?

Yes, you should include your address on a cover letter. It’s important that the employer can contact you and get in touch with you if they need to. 

If you are applying for a job online, it’s best to include an email address as well as a phone number so that they can contact you right away if there are any questions about your résumé or experience. 

You may also want to include your home address since some companies like FedEx and UPS need this information to send packages.

How Do I Write A Convincing Cover Letter For An Entry-Level Job In Finance?

When applying for a job, it’s important to write a cover letter that is specific to the position in question. You don’t need to include your entire resume, but you do need to do your research and highlight the experience that makes you qualified for this particular role. 

Remember, if they’re hiring an entry-level applicant with no specialized training, they’ve probably had hundreds of applicants with similar qualifications as yours so make sure yours stand out!

The key here is being personable and specific. The goal of your cover letter is not only to introduce yourself (which all cover letters should accomplish) but also to convince whoever reads it that they wouldn’t want anyone else working at their company besides you. 

For example, “I am applying for the Customer Service Representative position because I have been working in retail since high school; my experience has given me excellent communication skills and customer service knowledge.”

Wondering how to answer the question ‘why do you want to work for this company?’ in your cover letter? Our article on why do I want to work for this company provides valuable insights and advice on how to research the company and showcase your passion and fit for the job.

What Is The Best Format For Writing A Cover Letter To Apply For A Job Via Email?

The best way to make sure you’re applying for a job via email is by using a professional, formal email address and subject line. Make sure the subject line includes the name of the company or organization you are applying to work with and your name as it appears on your resume or CV.

If there’s an open position that interests you, don’t hesitate to apply!

How Long Should My Cover Letter Be?

The standard length for cover letters is one or two pages, although some recruiters and hiring managers prefer them to be shorter. In general, anything that is too long will probably get passed over in favor of the next candidate’s letter so use your best judgment when deciding how much information to include in each paragraph.

You’re more likely to get a job if you write a customized cover letter, so don’t just tweak the text from one generic template and send it out again and again (or use ones from sites like LinkedIn). 

A generic template doesn’t show that you put any thought into the process at all, so if someone has gone through all that trouble for you, why wouldn’t they want something more personalized? You also shouldn’t copy and paste someone else’s work that’s just not cool!

What Are Some Unusual Reasons To Get Hired?

If you’re applying for a job, there are probably a few things about your resume that stand out. Maybe you’re in the top 5% of your class at school or maybe you’ve had a lot of leadership experience. 

But what if none of those things apply? What if your best quality is that you love something like making origami, or knitting sweaters for dogs?

You have to be honest with yourself and ask: “What’s going to make me memorable?” Because without an interesting angle, recruiters will quickly pass over your application and move on to the next one. 

If they don’t know what sets you apart from other applicants, why should they pick YOU over them?

Not sure where to start with your cover letter? Our expert advice on how to write a cover letter covers all the basics, including crafting a strong opening, tailoring your letter to the job, and ending with a call to action to stand out to employers.

What Are Some Tips To Write An Effective Introductory Paragraph Based On One’s Skill Set And Qualifications In A Cover Letter?

An introductory paragraph should be short and to the point. This will help ensure that your reader gets a clear understanding of what you can offer them before they read further into your cover letter. 

It is important not to repeat anything already written in the job description, so it is best not to list skills or qualifications that have already been listed in the job description.

While personal life and hobbies do not belong in an introductory paragraph, salary expectations should also be avoided for this part of a cover letter because these topics are better suited for later on in an interview process when an employer asks about salary expectations directly (if at all). 

It’s also important not to include information about your availability unless specifically asked by an employer during an interview.

What Makes The Best Resumes Or Cvs Stand Out From The Average Ones?

Do you want your resume or CV to stand out?

Be honest and straightforward.

Be specific, not general or vague.

Use action verbs like “developed,” “improved,” or “maximized.” These are the type of words that will get you noticed by recruiters because they show how much work you’ve put into something.

Use the right tone while writing your resume: it can be formal, casual, fun whatever you feel comfortable with! We’re all different people with different backgrounds and personalities don’t let this hinder your chances at landing an awesome job opportunity because hiring managers are looking for people who will fit in well with their team culture! 

Here’s an example of a great cover letter from someone who uses a lot of exclamation marks (but none are overused). They sound excited about what they’re doing without seeming too overbearing about it

Do cover letters really make a difference in your job search? Our article on do cover letters help explores the pros and cons of including a cover letter, tips on tailoring your letter to the job, and insights from hiring managers on what they’re looking for in a job application.

Conclusion

One of the best ways to stand out from the average cover letter is by writing a unique and compelling introductory paragraph that highlights your skills, qualifications, and enthusiasm for the position. 

When writing this section, think about what makes you different from other candidates who are applying for this job. 

You should also make sure that it’s clear what kinds of skills and qualifications can benefit an employer more than others to sell yourself as an ideal candidate!

Further Reading

If you’re interested in learning more about cover letters and whether they are necessary for your job search, check out these resources:

Do I Need a Cover Letter?: This article from Novoresume provides an overview of when and why you might need a cover letter, as well as tips for writing a strong one.

Are Cover Letters Necessary?: This article from Zety explores the pros and cons of including a cover letter in your job application and provides advice on when and how to use one effectively.

Do You Still Need a Cover Letter?: This article from Monster discusses the evolving role of cover letters in job applications and provides insights from hiring managers on what they’re looking for.

FAQs

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your job application and provides an introduction to your skills and qualifications, as well as your interest in the job and company.

Are cover letters necessary for all job applications?

No, not all job applications require a cover letter. However, it is always a good idea to have one prepared in case the employer requests it or if you feel it could help you stand out in the application process.

What should I include in my cover letter?

Your cover letter should include an introduction to yourself and the job you’re applying for, a summary of your relevant skills and qualifications, and a conclusion that expresses your enthusiasm for the job and willingness to follow up.

How long should a cover letter be?

A cover letter should typically be no more than one page long and should be concise and focused on the most relevant information for the job you’re applying for.

How can I make my cover letter stand out?

To make your cover letter stand out, focus on tailoring it to the job you’re applying for, using specific examples and language from the job description, and expressing your enthusiasm and passion for the job and company. Additionally, make sure to proofread and edit your letter carefully for spelling and grammar errors.