Is it still necessary to submit a cover letter with your resume?

Not all job ads request a cover letter, and determining whether or not to submit one can be difficult. Should you include a cover letter even if it isn't requested in the ad? Many people disagree on whether or not a cover letter is still necessary in today's employment market. Others believe that a cover letter is the only way to demonstrate what you bring to the position in a way that your resume or web profile cannot. But, despite years of criticism, cover letters may be more crucial than ever.

Cover letters are traditionally used to support your resume. They allow you to demonstrate your personality and explain why you are interested in the position. However, because writing a cover letter takes time, job applicants are often hesitant to include it.

If you are not an excellent writer, drafting a cover letter can be intimidating. It's simple to see why creative industries require an excellent cover letter, but for other businesses where you need to pitch your technical talents, it appears to be a little too much to ask.

When contrasted to other application processes, such as LinkedIn's Easy Apply, which merely requires one click, creating a cover letter can feel like a hassle. 

Some big companies have fancy AI systems that check out job applications. These systems decide whether they should bother reading your cover letter. But not all companies use these high-tech tools, so your cover letter might be the first thing the company sees from you.

You can't really know what the hiring manager wants or when they'll read your cover letter. That's why, even though it might feel like a waste of time, it's a good idea to write a cover letter.

Tips for Making Cover Letter Writing Easier

Making a custom cover letter can take a while, but sometimes you have to do it. To save time and stress, you can use the Jobkit+ app that generates the perfect cover letter for you in seconds. You don't want to sound too generic, but you also want to keep things efficient when you're looking for a job. Do some research and think about whether the time spent on the cover letter is worth the chance of getting an interview.

When It's Okay to Skip the Cover Letter

Do you have to write a cover letter every time? Well, it depends. If the job application doesn't ask for one, then don't bother. You don't want to bug the people in charge with something they didn't ask for.

If you're short on time and can't personalize it, it's okay to skip it. A good cover letter shows off your writing skills, but a bad one does the opposite. If you're not up for spending a bunch of time making a perfect cover letter that shows off your skills, then just skip it.

If you don't have anything new to say, that's another reason to think about skipping it. Recruiters want a nice cover letter that's interesting, not a copy-paste of your resume. If you're aiming for a specific company, talk about why you like them. Don't repeat your work history and skills – your resume already does that.

If you still think your resume needs a cover letter to land you an interview, you can try using JobKit+ to increase your chances.