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Do Employers Really Read Your Cover Letters?

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By Ozzy
Published May 6, 2025 

When Amanda Williams applied for a marketing job last fall, she agonized over every sentence of her cover letter. It was heartfelt and tailored to the company’s mission. But after clicking submit, a nagging question lingered: Would anyone actually read it? It’s a doubt shared by countless job seekers, from new graduates to seasoned professionals. For years, the humble cover letter has been both championed as a crucial first impression and derided as a formality destined for an inbox abyss. 

Recent research and expert insights show that the truth is somewhere in between. Many hiring managers do read cover letters – often with interest – but plenty of others skim them or skip them entirely. Understanding when a cover letter matters, and how to make it count, can help job hunters decide if writing one is worth the effort. Here’s what the data reveals and what career professionals say about the value of cover letters in today’s U.S. job market.

Are Cover Letters Actually Read?

Few topics in career circles spark as much debate as cover letters. On one side, skeptics claim time-strapped recruiters never bother with them; on the other, advocates insist a strong cover letter can be your ticket to an interview. So which is it? According to recent surveys, a significant majority of hiring managers do read cover letters, at least in many scenarios – but not always. 

A 2023 survey of 625 U.S. hiring managers by Resume Genius found that 83% of hiring managers said they frequently or always read the cover letters they receivelinkedin.com. Even at companies where a cover letter wasn’t explicitly required, 73% of those managers still reviewed them regularlylinkedin.com. In fact, nearly half of hiring managers reported reading an applicant’s cover letter before their resume, treating it as a first introductionlinkedin.com. Another industry survey echoed these findings: almost nine in ten recruiters (89%) expect candidates to submit a cover letter, and 83% say they read themprweb.com. These numbers debunk the notion that cover letters automatically end up ignored. 

And yet, the “cover letters are pointless” camp isn’t entirely imagining things. Other polls suggest a sizable minority of employers pay little attention. In one informal survey of 10,000 recruiters, 61% said cover letters don’t matter much to them, versus 31% who found them important (the rest were neutral)jobscan.co. A recruiting firm’s 2025 LinkedIn poll likewise found that 30% of hiring managers admitted they rarely read cover letterswelovesalt.com. “I’ve found that about 50% of hiring managers and recruiters read cover letters, and 50% don’t,” writes career consultant Erica Mann, noting that some large companies simply “skip the cover letter altogether” due to sheer volume of applicantslinkedin.com. Older studies back this up: a 2015 Jobvite survey found 55% of hiring managers deemed cover letters unimportant in their hiring decisionslinkedin.com. 

The reality is nuanced. Whether a cover letter gets read can depend on the company, the industry, and even the individual hiring managerworkboxstaffing.com. “Perhaps the best answer is that it depends on the hiring manager,” one HR staffing blog concluded, noting that roughly half consider them valuable while others remain lukewarmworkboxstaffing.com. There are patterns, though. In fields like journalism, marketing, public relations, or nonprofits – where writing and communication skills are paramount – cover letters are often seen as critical, and omitting one can hurt your chancesworkboxstaffing.com. “Certainly in the creative industries and the visitor economy, demonstrating your ability to communicate and pitch yourself in a powerful way gives a recruiter confidence you’ll be able to do this on the job,” says career expert Kate Landerjobscan.co. In contrast, tech and engineering recruiters may put less emphasis on cover letters, focusing more on technical qualifications. Tracy Saunders, a veteran tech recruiter, admits she didn’t read cover letters for every developer role: the candidates’ GitHub code or LinkedIn profiles often told her what she needed to knowjobscan.co. 

Company size can also make a difference. Large organizations inundated with applications (think Fortune 500 or big tech) often prioritize résumés and may not scrutinize every cover letter unless a candidate is a close contenderlinkedin.com. By contrast, smaller companies or startups – where each new hire impacts culture and team dynamics – are more likely to read letters to gauge a candidate’s fit and passionlinkedin.com. “The startups looking to change the world…they read cover letters, and make interview decisions based on them,” Mann notes of her experience as a hiring managerlinkedin.com. 

Given these mixed signals, it’s no surprise job seekers are confused. Career coach Monique Montanino, a former Fortune 200 hiring manager, says the value of a cover letter can even vary by stage in the hiring process: early on, screeners might not read every letter, but if you make a shortlist, hiring managers will “always read all the information presented by the candidate”jobscan.co. In other words, your cover letter might only get attention once you’re a serious candidate – but at that point it could become a tie-breaker. 

Bottom line: Many employers do read cover letters, particularly when deciding between well-matched candidates or seeking insight beyond a résumé. But not all employers give them equal weight. As we’ll see, choosing whether to invest time in a cover letter often comes down to understanding when they’re valued – and making sure that if you do write one, it truly adds value.

Why Cover Letters Still Matter

If cover letters can sometimes be overlooked, why bother writing one at all? The short answer: because a great cover letter can give you an edge in a competitive job market. When read, a cover letter can humanize your application, showcase your communication skills, and demonstrate your motivation in ways a résumé can’t. In many cases, it’s the cover letter that convinces a hiring manager to pull your application from the pile. 

Surveys consistently indicate that cover letters influence hiring decisions more than jaded job seekers might think. In the Resume Genius study, 94% of hiring managers said a cover letter impacts their decision of whom to interview – with 1 in 4 calling it “very important”resumegenius.com. Nearly half of hiring managers (49%) reported that a strong cover letter has secured a candidate an interview that might not have happened based on the résumé aloneresumegenius.com. Conversely, 18% said a weak cover letter had led them to reject an otherwise qualified candidateresumegenius.com. Recruiters confirm this from experience: in a recent survey by hiring platform Zety, a whopping 81% of recruiters said they have rejected an applicant based solely on a bad cover letterprweb.com. Common cover letter deal-breakers include generic boilerplate text, spelling errors, or a tone that doesn’t fit the company culture. In other words, a poor cover letter can backfire – but a compelling one can be a powerful positive differentiator. 

Importantly, a cover letter isn’t just a second chance to regurgitate your résumé. It serves a distinct purpose. “A cover letter is where you make a compelling case for yourself as a candidate, totally aside from what’s in your résumé,” says career columnist Alison Green, stressing that it should add new depth rather than repeat bullet pointsaskamanager.org. Think of the résumé as an impersonal list of facts; the cover letter is your narrative, your voice. It’s a place to explain why you’re interested in the role and how you can contribute, bridging the gap between your experience and the employer’s needs. In fact, hiring managers say the number one thing they look for in a cover letter is an explanation of why the applicant is applying and how their background connects to the jobresumegenius.comprweb.com. A recent press analysis found recruiters primarily use cover letters to gauge how well candidates connect their experience to a job’s requirements (27% of recruiters), assess their communication skills and personality (24%), and learn the motivation behind the applicationprweb.com. None of those insights come through from a résumé alone. 

Cover letters can also deliver a critical first impression. At companies where recruiters read them early, your letter might be your very first chance to impress – sometimes even before your résumé is reviewed. “Nearly half of hiring managers read an applicant’s cover letter before the résumé. That’s not just an impression; that’s a first impression,” notes University of Northern Iowa professor Russell Guay, summarizing the recent HBR cover letter studylinkedin.com. A well-crafted opening line or a poignant story in your letter can stick in a manager’s mind. Even when the letter is read after the résumé, it can reinforce your candidacy. Imagine two candidates with similar resumes – a vivid cover letter can tip the scales by making one seem more enthusiastic, informed, and suitable. Hiring managers at large companies told researchers they rely on cover letters to distinguish between otherwise similar applicantsresumegenius.com, and managers at small firms said letters help them judge cultural fit and personalityresumegenius.com. 

Crucially, cover letters allow candidates to address issues or nuances that aren’t obvious from a résumé. “The cover letter answers the question why – especially if the industry, type of company, or role you’re applying for isn’t consistent with your previous experience,” explains Erica Mann, who has reviewed thousands of cover letterslinkedin.com. Are you changing careers, relocating to a new city, or returning to the workforce after a break? Your cover letter is the place to proactively explain those situations in a positive light. In fact, 49% of hiring managers in one survey said explaining gaps in employment is an important function of a cover letterresumegenius.com. “Get ahead of any questions the hiring manager may have when reading your résumé,” advises professional resume writer Jazlyn Unbedacht, who says a cover letter is ideal for clarifying an employment gap or unconventional career pathjobscan.co. Recruiters agree: if you have a career gap or are shifting fields, you ignore the cover letter at your peril. (One recruiter on LinkedIn warned that if you’re using only your cover letter to explain a work gap, you might be out of luck – since “50% of hiring managers don’t read cover letters,” she suggests including a one-line note about the gap in your résumé itself, just in caselinkedin.com.) 

Perhaps most importantly, a cover letter can convey enthusiasm and fit in a way a résumé can’t. “Your résumé tells me what you’ve done; your cover letter tells me why it matters to you,” says one hiring manager. Career coaches often say that hiring is not just about who can do the job, but who wants the job and will excel at it. A cover letter lets you speak to that, demonstrating you’ve researched the company and are excited about the role. “How would you feel if someone showed up knowing your business’s accomplishments and challenges and offered thoughts on innovation for a positive impact?” asks Montanino, the former Fortune 200 hiring lead, who notes that a cover letter allows you to do exactly that homework and deliver a tailored messagejobscan.co. Showing a little extra effort – especially when a cover letter is optional – can signal genuine interest. It’s often an early test of a candidate’s motivation and attention to detail. Some hiring managers will even dismiss applicants outright if they failed to include a requested cover letter, viewing it as a sign the person didn’t read the instructions or isn’t that interested in the jobjobscan.co. 

Real-world hiring experiences bear out the impact a cover letter can have. Alison Green of Ask a Manager recalls hiring one candidate whose résumé was solid but unremarkable – however, “a compelling cover letter that doesn’t just summarize your résumé” put that candidate ahead of 95% of the competitionaskamanager.org. Conversely, career experts recount horror stories of boilerplate letters (or worse, letters with the wrong company name) torpedoing an applicant’s chances. Recruiters have little patience for cover letters that read like copy-paste templates. “If your cover letter is just going to reiterate what your résumé says, don’t bother,” says Susan E. Schwartz, a personal branding strategistjobscan.co. But she quickly adds: “if you can write a letter that lets them know you understand their needs — and you state clearly how you can help — that’s a letter worth writing.”jobscan.co In other words, when you use the cover letter to make a focused case for what you bring to that specific organization, you’re doing exactly what it’s intended for. 

And does this effort translate into actual job offers? There’s evidence it does. One analysis of nearly 1 million job applications found that applicants who included a cover letter were almost twice as likely (1.9 times) to get an interview callback compared to those who didn’t include a cover letterjobscan.co. That’s a striking statistic. Even accounting for the fact that more diligent applicants might also excel in other ways, it underscores that a thoughtful cover letter correlates strongly with moving forward in the hiring process.

Crafting a Cover Letter that Gets Noticed

If you decide to write a cover letter, make it count. Recruiters and hiring managers who champion cover letters emphasize that quality matters far more than quantity. A poorly written, generic, or rambling letter can be worse than no letter at all. But a sharp, tailored letter can grab even a skimmer’s attention. “Done right, a well-crafted one can capture attention and make a strong impact, offering insights that résumés alone cannot provide,” notes Workbox Staffing, an employment firmworkboxstaffing.com. 

So, what does an effective cover letter look like in 2025? Current best practices blend time-tested advice with some new twists for the modern job market. Here are the key elements most experts agree on:

  • Keep it concise. Hiring managers are busy; a novella will go unread. Aim for roughly 250 to 400 words, or about one page at most – enough to convey your message, but short enough to be digested quicklyshrm.orgjobscan.co. Many recruiters say shorter is better. “Limit your cover letter to 500 words,” advises one LinkedIn career guide, noting that readers have little time for long textslinkedin.com. In fact, some data suggests around 70% of hiring managers spend only 1-2 minutes reading a cover letter, and much of that is a quick skimresumegenius.com. By keeping it brief and focused, you increase the odds someone will actually read it end-to-end.
  • Personalize and tailor it. This is the golden rule of cover letters: never send out a one-size-fits-all letter. Use the letter to connect your specific skills and experience to this specific role and company. Mention the company’s name and refer to the job requirements or company mission. Generic statements like “I am a hard-working professional excited about your esteemed company” won’t cut it. Tailoring matters — 72% of hiring managers say customization of a cover letter is important, and larger companies are twice as likely to consider it “very important”resumegenius.comresumegenius.com. That means they notice when a letter feels copied and pasted. Show that you’ve done your research. If the job posting says they need someone with project management experience, briefly mention how you successfully led a team project in your last job. If the company’s mission of sustainability resonates with you, say so. This not only demonstrates fit, it also signals genuine interest (which recruiters highly value). As career coach Kate Lander puts it, “a cover letter contextualizes [your achievements] to the needs of the specific business and role… it’s the sales pitch” for why you’re the right hirejobscan.co.
  • Hook them early. The opening lines of your letter are prime real estate – use them to grab attention. Avoid dull introductions like, “I am writing to apply for X position at Y company.” They already know that. Instead, lead with a strong hook or a notable qualification. You might start by expressing excitement about a specific project the company is doing (“When I saw that [Company] is launching a new AI platform, I immediately knew I had to reach out…”) or by highlighting a top achievement of yours that’s relevant (“Having increased sales 30% last year at my current firm, I’m eager to drive similar growth at [Company]…”). First impressions matter: 41% of hiring managers say the introduction is the most impactful part of a cover letterresumegenius.com. A bit of confident enthusiasm can encourage the reader to keep going. One well-known hiring manager trick is to see if the candidate answered “Why us? Why this job?” in the first paragraph – if yes, they keep reading; if no, they might move on. So make sure your opening quickly answers what attracted you to this role and what you offer.
  • Tell a story (but keep it professional). Unlike a résumé, a cover letter allows for narrative. Use that to your advantage. Share a brief anecdote or specific example that showcases your skills or passion. Did a formative experience lead you to this career? Did you overcome a challenge in a prior job that prepared you for this next role? Storytelling can be powerful: it makes your application memorable and conveys your personality. “Cover letters show your accomplishments in your voice… Here is your opportunity to report your vision, leadership style, and successes with a personal perspective,” says Montaninojobscan.co. Just ensure your story is relevant to the job. Keep the tone professional and avoid overly personal confessions. The goal is to put a human face on your application while still aligning that “unique you” with the company’s needs. For example, a job seeker applying to a conservation nonprofit might briefly recount a childhood experience with national parks that ignited their passion for environmental work – a personal touch that underscores genuine motivation.
  • Highlight value, not just desire. A common mistake is making the cover letter all about why you want the job, instead of why they should want you. It’s fine (even good) to convey enthusiasm for the role – employers do want to know you’re excited – but be sure to tie everything back to how you will meet their needs. Be specific about the skills and achievements you bring to the table, especially those that match the job description. Use concrete examples. If you’re applying for a sales role, mention that you “led a team that exceeded its quarterly sales targets by 15%” or that you “built relationships with 50+ clients, resulting in $2M in new revenue” – whatever quantifiable accomplishments you have. This kind of evidence catches a hiring manager’s eye much more than vague assertions like “I have excellent communication skills.” The cover letter is your chance to connect the dots between your experience and their requirements, spelling out why you’re an ideal candidate. In one survey, 27% of recruiters said the top thing they look for in cover letters is an applicant’s ability to connect their experience to the role’s demandsprweb.com. Don’t assume the employer will infer the connection – use the letter to draw it clearly.
  • Show you know the company. Employers are impressed when it’s obvious a candidate has done their homework. If space permits, drop in a sentence or two that proves you’ve researched the organization or industry. For instance, reference a recent news item about the company (“Your CEO’s open letter about data privacy resonated with me…”) or an aspect of their work that you admire (“As an avid user of your app, I love its intuitive design – I would be thrilled to contribute to its next phase of development”). Flattery won’t get you everywhere, but demonstrating knowledge of the company’s products, culture, or challenges can set you apart. It shows sincerity. Recruiters also see it as a sign of future employee behavior – someone who prepares and cares. Career experts suggest that even if a cover letter is optional, candidates who take the time to customize it to the company signal a stronger interest in the rolewelovesalt.com. However, do avoid going overboard or being disingenuous; keep your tone genuine and professional.
  • Mind your tone and language. Striking the right tone in a cover letter is key. You want to come across as confident and eager, but not arrogant or desperate. Write in a professional yet conversational voice, much like you’d speak in an interview. It’s wise to mirror the tone of the company where appropriate – for example, a cover letter to a buttoned-up bank might be a bit more formal, whereas one to a trendy startup could be slightly more relaxed (while still courteous). Career coaches often suggest injecting a bit of personality, so the letter doesn’t read like a canned template. If humor comes naturally and the company culture seems to embrace it, a light touch (a witty line or an insightful observation) can make you memorable – but use humor sparingly and avoid anything that could be misinterpreted. Above all, be authentic. One hiring manager put it this way: “Write something that’s short, to the point, but shows enthusiasm and the experience that’s relevant. Emphasize your value.”hbr.org That’s a good tonal guideline: brief, upbeat, value-focused.
  • Format matters. A cover letter may be text, but it’s also a visual document. Make sure yours is easy to read at a glance. Use a clean, standard format with a professional font. Include a header with your contact info and the date, and address it to a specific person if you can find a name (e.g., “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable if a name isn’t available, but never use outdated salutations like “To Whom It May Concern” if you can avoid it)shrm.org. Keep paragraphs short and skimmable – large blocks of text can turn off a reader. Use an appropriate greeting and closing, and sign your name. If submitting as a separate attachment, PDF is usually preferred to ensure formatting stays intact (many hiring managers indeed prefer PDF cover letters over Word docs)resumegenius.com. And don’t forget file names: a file titled “YourName_CoverLetter.pdf” looks professional and is easy for hiring teams to locate.
  • Edit and proofread – meticulously. This should go without saying, but a cover letter is a writing sample. Typos, grammatical errors, or sloppy mistakes can undermine the very message of professionalism you’re trying to send. A survey of recruiters found that 68% would dismiss an applicant for a single typo in their applicationprweb.com. Treat your cover letter as the first test of your attention to detail. Double-check names (spelling the company or hiring manager’s name wrong is a classic kiss of death). Read your letter out loud to catch awkward phrasing. Consider having a friend or mentor review it. Any error, however small, can stick out – after all, if you claim to be detail-oriented but your letter has a glaring typo, it raises doubts. On the flip side, a polished letter free of mistakes subtly signals that you’re diligent and care about quality.

Finally, a note on current trends: With the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, many job seekers are now generating cover letter drafts with a click. In fact, polls indicate around 11% of candidates are already using AI to help write cover letterswelovesalt.com. There’s nothing inherently wrong with leveraging technology – but don’t rely on it blindly. Hiring managers can often sniff out a formulaic AI-generated letter. If you use AI to overcome writer’s block, be sure to personalize the output heavily. Inject your own anecdotes and specific details that an AI wouldn’t know. Customize the tone to sound like you. Think of AI as a helpful starting point, but your personal voice and effort are what will make the letter authentic. Submitting an unedited ChatGPT letter full of generic buzzwords is a fast route to the “no” pile, especially if another candidate submits a letter that clearly reflects real thought and originality. 

To summarize these pointers, here’s a quick reference guide to cover letter do’s and don’ts:

Cover Letter Do’sCover Letter Don’ts
Do tailor each letter to the job and company. Mention the role you’re applying for and why you’re a great fit. Show that you understand the company’s needs and culturejobscan.cojobscan.co.Don’t send a generic form letter. Avoid copy-pasting the same text everywhere. Failing to customize (or mentioning the wrong company by mistake) is a huge red flag and tells employers you didn’t put in effortresumegenius.com.
Do keep it concise and focused. Stick to one page (around 300-400 words). Get to the point quickly, with clear language. Busy readers will appreciate brevityshrm.org.Don’t ramble or repeat your résumé. Long-winded letters won’t hold attention. Likewise, a letter that just regurgitates your résumé line by line is a missed opportunity (and might not get read fully)jobscan.co.
Do grab attention with a strong opening. Lead with a compelling fact, achievement, or genuine excitement about the company. A good hook can entice the hiring manager to read onresumegenius.com.Don’t start with cliches or fluff. Phrases like “I’m the perfect candidate” or “Dear Sir or Madam, here is my résumé” won’t impress. Steer clear of overly formal or old-fashioned language that feels impersonal.
Do showcase your value and relevant skills. Provide one or two concrete examples of accomplishments that align with the job requirements. Back up your claims with brief evidence (numbers or results, if possible)prweb.com.Don’t make it all about you. Avoid focusing solely on why you want the job instead of what you can contribute. Employers want to know what’s in it for them – enthusiasm is great, but tie it to the value you’ll bring.
Do show personality and sincerity. Write in a professional yet natural tone. Let your enthusiasm for the role come through, and if appropriate, share a quick story that highlights your fit. Being genuine helps you stand outjobscan.co.Don’t be too casual or unprofessional. Emojis, slang, or jokes can backfire unless you’re 100% sure they fit the company culture. And never badmouth a former employer or sound overly cocky – it’s a turn-off.
Do address potential concerns. If you have a notable gap or a career change, briefly and positively explain it. Use the letter to answer any obvious questions your résumé might raiselinkedin.com.Don’t bring up negatives you don’t need to. There’s no need to apologize for experiences you lack or draw attention to weaknesses. Focus on the positive aspects of your background and your eagerness to learn.
Do end with a call to action. Close by thanking the reader and expressing interest in an interview. Reiterate your excitement about the opportunity and confidence that you’d excel in the role.Don’t forget to proofread. Typos or mistakes can undermine all your efforts. Read it again (and again) before sending. One hiring manager quips that nothing proves you’re detail-oriented like a flawlessly edited cover letter. prweb.com

Following these guidelines can significantly boost the impact of your cover letter. Remember, the goal is to complement your résumé, not duplicate it – and to give the employer a reason to be excited about you as a candidate.

When to Include a Cover Letter – And When You Can Skip It

Knowing how to write a strong cover letter is half the battle. The other half is knowing when you should take the time to include one with your application. In today’s job market, some applications practically demand a cover letter, while others make it truly optional. Here’s how to gauge the situation: 

Always include a cover letter if it’s requested. This may sound obvious, but it bears emphasis: if a job posting or application portal asks for a cover letter (or gives the option to upload one), you should almost certainly write one. Recruiters often use this as an initial compliance testjobscan.co. “Failing to include a requested cover letter can be a failure of the hiring manager’s first mini-test – measuring your attention to detail,” says Kelli Hrivnak, founder of a boutique recruitment firmjobscan.co. Ignoring application instructions is one of the quickest ways to get eliminated. Even a short cover note is better than nothing in such cases. By providing what’s asked, you signal professionalism and genuine interest. The only exception might be if the posting explicitly says “no cover letters” (which is rare, but some companies do state this). In that case, following instructions means don’t send one. 

Include one even if it’s optional, in most cases. Many online applications label the cover letter as “optional.” It’s tempting to save time and skip it – and indeed, if you ask around, you’ll find candidates who landed jobs without ever writing a single letter. But consider the upside: if there’s even a chance that letter will be read and will strengthen your application, isn’t it worth investing an hour or two to potentially vault ahead of other applicants? Survey data suggests that hiring managers often appreciate cover letters even when they’re not required. In the Resume Genius study, 72% of hiring managers said they expect a cover letter even when the job ad states it’s optionalresumegenius.com. They view an optional cover letter as a test of who is truly motivated. Career advisors generally agree: if you care about the job, sending a tailored cover letter – despite “optional” – is usually a smart move. As recruiting firm Salt concluded from its 2025 polls, while a cover letter may not be strictly necessary, for “your dream job” or any highly competitive role, it’s a “really useful way to distinguish yourself”welovesalt.com. It can tip the scales in your favor, especially if other candidates chose not to write one. 

Use a cover letter to provide context or a narrative that your résumé can’t. This is especially applicable to career changers, re-entering workers, or junior candidates. If you’re transitioning fields, a cover letter is your chance to connect the dots between your past experience and the new industry, explaining your passion for making the switch. If you’re early in your career with limited experience, a cover letter lets you highlight your education, internships, volunteer work, or personal projects that show relevant skills and motivation. And if you’ve been out of the workforce (due to parenting, illness, travel, etc.), you can briefly address that and emphasize the skills or perspective you gained during your time away. Recruiters are more sympathetic when they have that additional context rather than having to guess about a gaplinkedin.com. For any situation where your background isn’t a straightforward perfect match for the job on paper, a cover letter can be the great explainer that reassures employers and frames your story in the best light. 

Consider industry norms. As discussed earlier, certain industries expect cover letters more than others. If you’re applying in fields like communications, marketing, journalism, law, academia, non-profits, or any role requiring writing or client interaction, a cover letter is often expected and can be pivotal. These are industries where how you write is part of how you’ll be judged for the job. On the other hand, if you’re applying for a very technical role (say, a software developer position) at a company known for a fast-paced hiring process, the hiring manager might not place much stock in a cover letter. Some tech companies (especially big Silicon Valley firms) focus on portfolios, coding tests, or other assessments and pay minimal attention to generic cover letters. However, you never know who on the hiring committee does want to see that effort, so when in doubt, it’s safer to include one. If nothing else, you demonstrate well-rounded communication skills by writing a decent letter. And in the tech world, that can actually set you apart. As one tech career coach noted, lower-level STEM roles might not emphasize cover letters, but for roles in fields like HR, finance, or operations – even within tech companies – the cover letter could still carry significant weight as proof of communication abilityjobscan.co. 

When might it be okay to skip the cover letter? There are a few scenarios. If a job application literally doesn’t allow you to submit one (some automated systems have no field for it), then of course you move on. Also, if you happen to have a direct “in” – for example, the hiring manager already knows you through networking or you’ve been personally referred – the process might jump straight to an interview without a formal cover letter. Even so, many career experts would advise writing a brief introductory email that serves a similar purpose to a cover letter in those cases. Another scenario: extremely high-volume, entry-level roles (such as seasonal retail jobs or gig work) where decisions are made almost instantly based on basic criteria; a cover letter for a package handler job at a warehouse, for instance, is unlikely to be read. But these tend to be exceptions in the professional job market. 

Finally, if – and only if – you truly have nothing to add beyond your résumé, you might question the need for a cover letter. But be very honest with yourself here. Nearly everyone has something to add. If your résumé alone perfectly sells you for the job and there’s absolutely no nuance, story, or motivation you could articulate to strengthen your candidacy, sure, a cover letter might not change the outcome. More often, though, skipping the cover letter is a missed opportunity. At the very least, it’s a chance to demonstrate enthusiasm. As HR expert Mary Southern quipped, “Take the time to write a cover letter because others will not. Just knowing that you might be 1 of 50 candidates who actually submits a cover letter puts you ahead of the competition.”shrm.org In an era where some applicants try to game the system or cut corners, genuine effort can be a differentiator.

Conclusion: The Cover Letter’s Enduring Role

So, do employers really read your cover letters? Often, yes – and when they do, it can profoundly influence your chances. Not every recruiter will scrutinize your every word, but many will give your letter at least a cursory glance. And if you’ve written a compelling one, that glance could turn into serious consideration. Cover letters remain a fixture of the hiring process because they serve purposes nothing else quite fills: they introduce the human being behind the résumé, they explain motivations and idiosyncratic career paths, and they showcase communication skills in action. 

For job seekers, the challenge is to make that added effort worthwhile. The evidence suggests it usually is. A tailored cover letter can be the factor that differentiates you in a crowded field or the platform where you tell the story that gets you hired. As long as employers continue to ask questions like “Why do you want this job?” and “Can you write clearly?,” cover letters (or something like them) will have a role to play. 

In the end, writing a cover letter is an investment in your own candidacy. It’s your opportunity to speak directly to a potential employer, one-to-one, in a professional yet personal manner. Used wisely, it can turn a standard job application into a memorable impression. And even if half the employers out there skim over it, the half that don’t just might be the ones opening the door to your next big opportunity. In a job search, you often don’t know which half you’re dealing with – so give yourself every advantage and put your best words forward. 

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