Advice Needed!

Question

I'm currently a graduate student beginning the oh so ever fun job hunt. I have a question for all of you ladies: when I'm applying for jobs and the cover letter is optional, do you think it's worth it to attach one?  From everything I've heard from hiring managers, it seems like they don't really look at it!

Marina Sideli · Answer

I always include it even if it's optional...my thought is that if they really didn't want you to send one they would make that very clear.

Anonymous · Answer

A cover letter provides you the opportunity to give the hiring manager an idea of what your personality is, which is important if they're trying to determine if you'll be a good fit for the team. Listing out your strengths, even if it's in simple bullet-point format, saves the hiring manager the work of puzzling over your resume and trying to figure out how your skill set matches the job description. In addition, if a cover letter is optional, writing one will make you stand out from the crowd of people who aren't including cover letters.

Another thing to consider: if the job you're applying for is a role that depends heavily on your ability to write (such as marketing, PR, etc), including a cover letter is a no-brainer because it's an example of your writing ability.

Anonymous · Answer

Not a hiring manager but I do have a thought on this. While some companies/job platforms require cover letters, I too have heard the same thing from many hiring managers not reading cover letters. And I get it... because if you think about it, say 300 people apply in one day to the same role with a cover letter that is required. And that's just one role. I truly don't think a hiring manager (or anyone in charge of filtering) would read all 300 cover letters but I could be mistaken.

Bernadette Sheridan · Answer

A brief, personalized cover letter or short note, making it clear that you're interested in THIS job for THESE reasons, can make a big difference in making it to the next round. A lot of time applications come in that seem like the person was just applying really quickly without much thought. Letting the company know you're serious can really help your chances.

Elizabeth Marie · Answer

I don’t think it’d hurt your chances! Making a cover letter is also a great way to prep for interviews because you’re really forcing yourself to think further about your accomplishments and why your believe you’re a good fit.

Anonymous · Answer

If a cover letter is optional, I wouldn’t bother unless I felt that I could write a great one that could be a differentiator.

That said, I got my current job (at a wonderful small company) by emailing the founder about why I was a strong and enthusiastic candidate for the open position.

If you are a strong fit and enthusiastic about the role, let the company know.

Anonymous · Answer

I've heard emphatic arguments from experts on both sides of this debate. If you're applying to a startup/small company, a cover letter is essential a significant percentage of the time (and equally likely to be completely ignored). It's hard to know, so if I care about the app, I'll include at least something. Larger companies are more likely to disregard them.

I keep mine very brief and pithy, though. A few sentences connecting my skills and interest to the specific company, not rehashing facts from my resume. I HATED reading formulaic letters from 100 applicants, but I did want to 'hear' my applicants' voice through their writing.

If you have a weird situation you want to address, like applying for a job in a career unrelated to your work history, a letter can help explain. If I see an app from someone 600 miles away, I wonder if they're really relocating or just lazily spamming apps everywhere. If I have 90 more apps to review, I'm not likely to  follow up and find out. A sentence in the cover letter explaining that they're moving to my city in 3 weeks answers my question.

Natasha Nurse · Answer

Cover letters are not read as much as they used to be. But, if you can submit one you should and make sure you tailor it for the position you are applying for.

Toni B. · Answer

Always include a cover letter unless they specifically say not to. The cover letter is a good opportunity for them to learn a little more about you and to see what you're writing skills are like.

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