Are Cover Letters Necessary? To Send or Not To Send Your Cover Letter

We've all been there, thinking to ourselves "Do I need a cover letter for my resume? Is a cover letter really necessary? What if I don't send one? Will my application get disqualified automatically?"

Cover letters have long been an essential part of the job application process. But it's the 21st century and you might wonder why you need a cover letter in this modern-day recruitment, especially if the company doesn't ask for one.

Based on a survey of 2000 recruiters done by Yahoo! Finance, 83% of the respondents said that cover letters were essential for them to make hiring decisions. A great cover letter also helped a candidate in the running for the position and 83% of recruiters were more likely to schedule an interview if they received a cover letter. Additionally, over half of the respondents—63%—considered cover letters to be useful in explaining a candidate's motivation to join the company.

Well, in most cases when you ask "Do I really need a cover letter?", the answer is yes. But not all the time. In this article, we'll dive into when you need to write a cover letter and if the cover letter is optional, should you include one?

The short answer is yes, send a cover letter to complement your resume.

But why? Here are the reasons why cover letters are necessary:

1. Most job openings require a cover letter.

When recruiters ask, they shall receive. When it is listed under the required documents for application, then you should definitely provide one.

2. Writing a cover letter shows your effort & motivation for the job.

Recruiters anywhere know well that producing one superb cover letter takes time. Thus, when you send a cover letter, it shows how dedicated and serious you are to landing that job. It is also a chance for you to write about your motivation & show your sincere interest, which cannot be seen in just your resume.

3. Your cover letter sets you apart from other applicants.

Many companies have become more flexible in terms of receiving non-traditional format resumes. However, with the implementation of ATS, many resumes still look similar. A customized cover letter is a way to beat this uniformity and dazzle the recruiter with your personality.

4. The cover letter serves as an overview of your qualifications.

Compared to resumes, cover letters are shorter and briefer. Recruiters read cover letters before they go to read the resume because it helps them decide if the resume attached to the cover letter is worth reading. Therefore, you should include an overview of your qualifications so that the recruiters see that you potentially suit the job, and decide to read your qualifications even further through your resume.

5. You can justify any education or employment gap.

Although there is nothing wrong with taking a break, having a gap in your work history is still questionable, unfortunately. Since a resume has limited space and follows a certain format, there’s really not much you can do to explain about these gaps. That’s why it’s a smart decision to explain them in your cover letter.

With that being said, there are occasions when you don't have to send a cover letter with your application.

We'll explain more about why and when you don't need a cover letter.

Yes, that's right. While most job applications require a cover letter, there are few that don't. So, let's dissect the occasions when you don't need to submit a cover letter. Who knows, you might save some time and apply earlier to those popular job listings you are aiming for.

1. The company or job opening doesn't require one.

You'd be surprised to see there are some job postings that ask applicants to not include or send a cover letter. When they don't, you'd probably feel perplexed and wonder "Do I need a cover letter for my resume if they don't ask for it?"

If you are persistent in attaching your cover letter when they specifically say not to, it will not always come across as you have more dedication. Instead, it might show them that you don't read or follow instructions carefully. 

However, should you insist on sending a cover letter with your resume, you can merge your resume into one file. Try this at your own risk though, and keep in mind that your cover letter should come after the resume.

2. There's no way to upload your cover letter.

Some people ask, "Do I need a cover letter when I'm applying online?" Well, let's settle this, shall we?

It's common for companies to have their own online job application portals where they have tailored questions and specific details to be filled in by the applicants. When they don't have a section for you to upload a cover letter, you can safely assume that you don't need one. When this is the case, you can just skip it all and use your remaining time to perfect your resume or just submit your application earlier.

3. You don't have enough time to write or customize a cover letter.

One-size fits all might work for the fast-fashion industry, but definitely does not when it comes to the recruitment process. A generic cover letter that you can send in bulk should be avoided at all costs, especially if you are applying to many positions and want to write a cover letter for each of them.

Instead of stressing yourself out because you don't have the time or creativity—writer's block is a real thing—choose a few applications that you absolutely want and nail those cover letters.

Are you still debating if you need to send a cover letter for a job application? 

Here’s why you should include a cover letter in your resume:

💡 Your cover letter is an extension of your resume.

A cover letter provides more space for you to elaborate on your resume. For instance, you might want to explain why you took a gap year and what you have done during that time. Another example is you can also expand on your accomplishments and how you managed to attain them.

💡 Demonstrate good communication skills.

Although online meetings and calls have been surging in popularity in this AI technology era, writing is still an irreplaceable aspect of communication. You can show off exemplary written communication skills through a well-written cover letter.

💡 It can make up for a lack of professional experience.

Having minimum work experience shouldn't discourage anyone from applying for their dream job or internship. You can compose a cover letter to mention your other successes outside work or school.

💡 Appeal to the company on a more personal level.

If your values or goals resonate with the company's, by all means, you should have a cover letter in your application. The purpose of this cover letter is to let the company know you have similar visions and believe in what they do, making you stand out amongst the crowd.

💡 You can mention a mutual connection.

The name-drop trick can also work in cover letters. Consider writing the connection you have with the company to catch the eye of the recruiter whether a cover letter is optional or mandatory.

💡 It shows your interest and motivation.

Exude your enthusiasm and passion through a cover letter that leaves an impression on the recruiter's mind. By writing a cover letter, you're not only saying that you're interested in the position but also painting a picture of how your motivation can drive you to excel in it.

The above-mentioned is for a more general circumstance. Now, we get into more specific occurrences.

Some dilemmas such as "Do I need a cover letter when applying online?", "Do I need a cover letter for applying for an internship?", and "Should I have a cover letter if I'm applying as an internal employee?" might need to be addressed specifically.

💭 Q1: Do I need a cover letter for an internship?

Since most internships are gateways to debuting your way into the actual industry experience, you should send a cover letter to apply for an internship. Address what you hope to gain from the internship, the skills you have that will enrich the company, and what motivates you to apply to that specific company on your cover letter.

💭 Q2: Do I need a cover letter for my first job?

Having little to no professional work experience just means that you are willing to learn and have the capacity to absorb heaps of knowledge. That's the least of what you should communicate in your cover letter for your first job. In addition, you can also share your passion and career goals in your cover letter.

💭 Q3: Do I need a cover letter when applying for an internal position?

If you are already employed and would like to switch to a different department or compete for a higher-level position in your current company, having a cover letter might distinguish you from other candidates. How exactly does a cover letter help in this case? The cover letter can convey why you are the best for the role and show your loyalty to the company because it's highly possible that you will go up against internal employees and external applicants. 

💭 Q4: Do I need a cover letter for a part-time job?

While not all part-time jobs ask for a cover letter, having one is always a good idea. You might be applying for a part-time role, but who knows, your cover letter might just convince them to offer you a full-time position.

💭 Q5: Do I need a cover letter for a job I have no experience in?

If you are switching careers, it is always best to let recruiters know the reasoning behind it. Allow them to understand why you decide to leave a certain role or industry. At the same time, you can throw some flattery about the new position or industry that you are shifting to.

💭 Q6: Do I need a cover letter for an online job application?

When you apply through an online platform, see first if they allow you to upload a cover letter. If they do, definitely include one. On the other hand, a cover letter for an email application is necessary when the job posting requires it. If it's not mentioned or specifically asked not to, sending a cover letter is optional.

💭 Q7: Do I need a cover letter for nursing jobs?

Short answer, yes. You'll need a concisely and clearly written cover letter summarizing that you're a qualified nurse with credentials, practical skills, and knowledge.

💭 Q8: Do I need a cover letter for retail jobs?

Yes. Just think of it this way. If you can't sell yourself through your cover letter, how would you sell anything to anyone? Write a persuasive and engaging cover letter that is hard to resist.

--- Originally written by Teresa Edria ---