For many job seekers, the thought of writing a cover letter evokes fear and dread. A lot of this comes down to uncertainty. As a Career Coach, I receive questions about cover letters on a daily basis. How long does the cover letter need to be? How much detail should I include? Are cover letters still important?
With the rise of applicant tracking systems, the role of the cover letter has changed. Even the name “cover letter” itself may no longer be an accurate description. When the job search was analog, the cover letter was a candidate’s introduction to the company. Now that hiring managers are using key word searches to find the most relevant resumes, the resume is the first thing they read. Many hiring managers don’t read cover letters; others only take them into account if they’re unsure whether or not to move a candidate forward.
With this in mind, it’s safe to say that the cover letter is not as important as it used to be. However, that does not mean you shouldn’t include one. While the content may or may not be taken into consideration, the presence of the cover letter itself is a point in your favor. Imagine that you are a hiring manager trying to narrow down a list of applicants. Would you prioritize applicants who submitted a cover letter alongside their resume, or applicants who just included a resume? Taking the extra effort to attach a cover letter may be what determines your future.
To make the most of your time while increasing your chances of landing an interview, I recommend creating a personalized cover letter template that you can easily tweak for different opportunities.
A strong cover letter template has three components: an introduction, evidence of your qualifications, and a closing. The evidence portion of your cover letter will remain more or less static – use it to showcase your professional brand and any accomplishments relevant to the roles you’re pursuing. As you develop your introduction and closing, build out space to include information about the company’s mission, vision, and values. Remember, this doesn’t need to be excessively detailed. Focus on big picture items that can be expanded upon in an interview. After all, the cover letter and resume are like the appetizer that entices a hiring manager to purchase the entrée – or in this case, invite you for an interview.