Too many job hunters skip writing a cover letter when they apply for the job. They typically say they aren’t needed. Or there’s no upload tab to add one. But the real reason is that people hate writing a cover letter. They admit that they do not know what to say. Recruiters always recommend you not add a cover letter if it’s just a generic one. A targeted cover letter enhances your chances of getting a recruiter or hiring manager’s attention if you need to emphasize your skills, related experience, and key results you’ve accomplished in your past roles.
You have only seconds to capture the employer’s attention and keep them reading. Recently, as the job market has changed, good jobs (those that are interesting and pay well) are more difficult to land. You must put together the best possible package to advertise your skills. The bottom line is that the cover letter is the first thing an employer sees. It must be outstanding. No ifs, ands, or buts. You need to be better than the competition and outsmart them. The cover letter can be powerful evidence touting your relevant past achievements and the talents and contributions you bring to that new employer.
A cover letter will have no impact if you aren’t qualified for the role. You need to have the desired experience and skills the employer wants. Carefully review the job description to determine if you have the right background. Highlight the essential skills and experience the employer has listed. Since these openings often have a lot of extra requirements thrown in, think about what you know about this role. Note what are the critical parts of performing the job. Then, be sure to address those items in your letter. Note the most important requirements first. Usually, these are the first few requirements listed in the job description. If you have 80% of what is required, definitely apply. If you only have a few years of experience and they want several more, it’s best to continue looking for a job that is more appropriate.
Jennifer, a recruiting manager at Johnson & Johnson, said, “I’ve hired hundreds of people in my career. I pay closer attention if they apply using a cover letter. I also notice if they don’t include one. The letter must be well written and will make the applicant stand out. It needs to be persuasive and spot on. Sometimes, I reach out to learn more about that person based on the cover letter alone. Of course, that is only if the candidate addresses our needs.” She continued, “Most recruiters know that resumes can be written by a professional, but we also realize that it’s highly likely you wrote the cover letter yourself. That is why we read it more carefully. We view the person’s letter as a measuring stick of their communication skills.”
Should Everyone Use A Cover Letter?
The short answer is it depends. In recent years, as I work with hundreds of job hunters, people got away from using a cover letter. Where there were few applicants for a role, it was easy to exclude it and get a call from the recruiter. Now that the job market has many more people vying for one position, more job hunters are adding a letter to enhance their application as a way to stand out. On that assumption, they are correct.
When does adding a good cover letter make sense? Of course, any time the employer states in the job description, a cover letter is required. You must write one, or your application will be rejected. A personal referral guarantees your application will be reviewed. This is a warm introduction, so be sure that the first line of your letter identifies the person who referred you and note their connection, whether it’s an internal employee, a colleague, or a friend.
For certain jobs, cover letters are essential. Leadership roles—managers, directors, VPs, and Csuite—all benefit from using one. Positions in education must include a letter. Jobs in nonprofits typically need you to define how their mission and cause matter to you. The only way to do this is to write a cover letter that explains why. Communications and marketing roles benefit by starting the application with a cover letter. If you are in Human Resources, or it’s a government or higher-level manufacturing role, it’s wise to have one. Whereas healthcare administrators should use a cover letter, nurses and pharmacists do not unless it’s for a management role. Most new college graduates should add a cover letter when submitting their resume.
When No Cover Letter Is Necessary
The technology industry requires very skilled workers, and employers make decisions based on a good resume and a complete, detailed LinkedIn profile. The same is true for engineers. Recruiters do not expect a cover letter from accountants, finance, analysts, and internal IT folks.
To decide if you need a cover letter to go with your resume, ask yourself these questions: Are there a lot of people applying for this job? Can I make some key points and draw attention to highlight key achievements or relevant background to meet their needs? If they only skim through my resume, will my top abilities and experience be quickly noticed, or is a cover letter a more effective way to do that? If the answer is yes, spend the time necessary to write the best cover letter possible. For an example, read my Forbes article: “Cover Letters Are Now Essential to Standout to Employers. Here’s an Example.”