Are you an employer or hiring manager wondering whether cover letters are necessary to ask for? Or are you a job seeker pondering what you should submit with your job application?
Did you know that 49% of hiring managers find that a cover letter boosts the value of your resume? Cover letters are a great tool to help you stand out in the application pool, and employers often require them. They demonstrate your expertise, explain your career objectives, and tell the employer why you are the best fit for the role.
Here are a few reasons why cover letters are necessary for job applications:
1. You Will Stand Out In The Job Crowd
You can list your unique qualifications and additional information that your resume does not include, such as relocation plans. Your cover letter can connect your resume to the job opportunity at hand. Furthermore, you can highlight your best skills that demonstrate why you are the best fit for the opportunity.
2. Most Employers Appreciate Cover Letters
Submitting cover letters has been the standard practice in human resources for decades. However, some employers may not need cover letters these days. Yet survey results demonstrate that 78% of hiring managers read cover letters even when optional. They believe it is better insight into the applicant and shows time and effort made towards the position.
3. You Can Fill In Resume Gaps
Your resume includes the standard: work experience, education, and skills. The cover letter can fill in gaps, such as work experience, career objectives, additional skills, and showcasing your expertise in a particular area. It adds value to the application by going beyond your resume while providing a tailored showcasing of yourself for the specific job opportunity.
4. It Showcases Your Investment Into The Company
Your cover letter demonstrates to the employer or hiring manager that you are motivated to join the company to the employer or hiring manager. It shows that you made an effort to create a well-written, polished, and curated cover letter that will be read by hiring professionals.
When are Cover Letters not needed with your Resume?
There will be only a few cases where employers do not require a cover letter for job applications, mainly due to the ever-changing and growing hiring systems.
These may include:
1. The Employer Does Not List It As A Requirement
Submitting a cover letter is optional if a job listing does not include it as a submission requirement. It is important to mention that according to a survey, 77% of employers prefer candidates who have submitted a cover letter. So while it may not be listed as a requirement, it would be in your favor to include one. Attaching a cover letter to your job application allows you to introduce yourself more personally and positively impact the hiring manager.
2. You Cannot Submit One In The First Place
If you submit a resume through email, you are expected to submit a cover letter alongside your resume. However, if the employer requires you to apply through an online portal, it typically has set text and upload fields that may prohibit or not allocate a spot for a cover letter. If the portal does not allow you to submit one, it is okay to apply without it.
Hiring practices are changing these days rapidly. Employers may not even read your cover letter, but it is best to submit one to stand out in a competitive job market. If you are a job seeker, we encourage you to submit a cover letter and your resume when applying for a position. This will increase your chances of being noticed by hiring managers, whether it is optional or not.