Do People Still Read Cover Letters? (The Honest Truth)

"Do I actually need a cover letter?"

It's the question that haunts every job seeker at 11 PM. The honest answer from the industry is: mostly no, but sometimes absolutely yes.

The "Skip It" Scenarios

If you are applying to a mega-corp (Google, Amazon) via a standard portal, there is a 95% chance nobody will read it. The volume is too high.

• If the field says "Optional," and your resume is a perfect match for the job... skip it.
• If you are going to write a generic "To Whom It May Concern, I am hard working..." letter... definitely skip it. That hurts you more than helping.

The "Must Write" Scenarios

There are 4 times when a cover letter is non-negotiable.

1. The Career Pivot

Your resume shows history. Your cover letter shows intent. If you are a Teacher applying to be a Sales Rep, your resume looks confusing. The cover letter connects the dots. "You might be confused why a Teacher is here. Let me explain why grading papers makes me a cold-calling machine."

2. The "Dream Job" (Small/Mid-Sized Company)

Smaller teams care deeply about culture match. A passionate letter about why you love their specific product can tip the scales.

• Recruiters love flattery. "I've been using Product X since beta..."

3. Explaining a Gap / Relocation

• "I took two years off to care for a sick relative, and now I'm ready to return full-force."
• "I am currently in Chicago but relocating to New York next month on my own dime." (This prevents them from discarding you for being 'non-local').

4. You Were Referred

"Jane Doe suggested I apply." Put this in the very first sentence. It guarantees your letter gets read.

The Winning Formula (Keep It Short)

Recruiters don't read essays.

• Para 1: The Hook. (Why them? Who referred you?)
• Para 2: The Meat. (One specific story of a win that relates to their problem).
• Para 3: The Close. (Call to action).

Total word count: 250 words max.