Do People Still Write Cover Letters? Here’s Why You Should

Searching for the perfect job is time-consuming. You have online boards to check, resumes to update, references to line up, and interviews to schedule. We don't blame you for seeking any shortcuts. But if you're thinking you can skip the cover letter to save time, we encourage you to reconsider.

Cover letters give you crucial opportunities to explain yourself, your career, and your interest. You can't recapture that chance once it's gone, and in some industries, skipping a cover letter is an unforgivable mistake that could cost your chance at a job.

You can't create one general cover letter and send it along with each job you apply for. You'll need to customize your words to fit the opportunities you're reacting to, which means crafting cover letters will take time.

Here's why you should make the effort:

1. Cover letters slow down recruiters. Hiring managers are short on time, and they blow through paperwork as quickly as they can. While they may claim added paper doesn't mean added attention, research suggests otherwise. For example, researchers spend twice as long reading two-page resumes as they do reading one-page versions, researchers say.
   
   Each added minute means another chance to stand out. Pop a cover letter onto that two-page document, and you could hold the floor long enough to secure an interview.
   
   
2. Cover letters contain keyword opportunities. Most modern employers run applications through computer programs. These machines sift through your words, and they pluck out terms that connect to the job you want. More sentences in your document gives you an enhanced opportunity to use all the keywords your future employer is hoping for.
   
3. This is the perfect place to share your backstory. Few people have a straight career arc. Most of us have an unusual job here and there, and some of us have gaps between gigs. The open format of a cover letter gives you the chance to explain what happened, so your boss is less likely to make (incorrect) assumptions.

Everyone should send a cover letter along with a resume. There's absolutely no reason to give up this opportunity to stand out from others who want the job you're hoping for. For some people, you won't even have a choice to skip the cover letter. It will be a mandatory part of your job application.

For example, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) asked hiring managers whether applicants should always include cover letters. Among people working in the government sector, 34% thought a missing cover letter was a mistake. Among organizations with fewer than 500 employees, 33% thought a missing cover letter was an error.

If you're hoping for a job in government or small business, skipping that letter will likely disqualify you from consideration. That alone should motivate you to start writing.

There are also some jobs that won't require them. For example, SHRM reports that about 50% of people with hourly jobs got the position through a paper application. They didn't submit a resume, and they likely had no opportunity to craft a cover letter. They walked into the facility, picked up a paper form, and applied that way. If this is the kind of job you're hoping for, you may not need a cover letter at all.

You know you need a cover letter, and you are ready to start writing. What should you say? Think of this document as an introduction to your resume. You'll tease the information included in that formal document, and you'll explain anything that may be unclear on your resume.

SHRM research says your cover letter must include:

• Statements that tie your work experience to the job posting. Among survey respondents, 51% said this was the most important part of a cover letter.
• Explanations of your skills and how they're needed in the job. Close to 50% of respondents said this was important too.
• Words that explain why you want to work for this company. Of respondents, 45% said this was crucial data.

Clearly, your cover letter doesn't need to grow into a novel. You have a few key points to share, and when you've done so, you're done talking. But if you don't include these elements, you could be leaving your future employer in the dark about why you're a good hire.

Sometimes, your cover letter is a separate document you attach to an email with your resume. Sometimes, it's the email you use to apply.

So-called "e-notes" are becoming the norm for some companies. They don't ask applicants to create a separate document to explain why they need the job. The email envelope that holds the resume does the trick.

Rules for e-notes are similar to those for other cover letters. But you will need to make modifications to ensure they have the most impact. An e-note needs:

• A snappy headline. The name of the position and one core skill work well for this function.
• Short paragraphs. We read differently online. Make sure your document is short and scannable for maximum impact.
• Contact information. You may not normally include your name, address, and phone number on all email messages, but they should appear here.

In most cases, a cover letter will help you stand out from the competition and land the job you want, but including a few things could make your letter work against you.

No cover letter should include:

• Profanity. You've heard that you should write as you speak. That rule doesn't apply to cover letters. This is formal communication, and it should be treated as such.
• Misspellings. Researchers say misspelled words carry the same negative weight as missing experience. Make sure to run your document through at least one spelling and grammar check.
• Graphics. There's no need to include letterhead, images, or pictures in your cover letter. It's likely to be read by computer first, and computers can't always decipher images. Use words only.
• Unusual formatting. We know you want to stand out. But highlighting, underlining, and other options don't look professional, and they aren't guaranteed to help you get the job you want.

You know just what to say to get the job you want. Now, you just need to find that job. We can help!

At Joblist, we make the hunt for a dream career a whole lot easier. Search for jobs near you, or seek out positions far from home for added adventure. We sort through each job, so you don't have to. Check out our listings and start your search today.

Recruiters Are More Than Twice as Likely to Hire People Who Ignore This Common Piece of Resume Advice. (December 2018). CNBC.

Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews. (April 2014). Society for Human Resource Management.

Paper Applications Keep Hiring Practices Stuck in the Past. (November 2015). Society for Human Resource Management.

Cover Letter Trends: Introducing the E-Note. (August 2017). Society for Human Resource Management.

Less Than Five Minutes Spent on a Single Resume, SHRM Survey Says. (April 2014). Society for Human Resource Management.

Do Employers Forgive Applicants' Bad Spelling in Resumes? (October 2016). Business and Professional Communication Quarterly.