by Are cover letters outdated? As the hiring process continues to modernize with automated systems, online portfolios, and streamlined application platforms, many candidates and employers alike are rethinking their necessity.
Traditionally seen as a critical companion to a resume, the document's role is now under debate. This article examines are cover letters still relevant, how recruiters view them in today’s market, and what individuals should weigh before deciding to attach one.
Create your professional Resume in 10 minutes for FREE
Build My Resume
Do people still use cover letters?
Yes, these papers are still employed - but how often they’re required or reviewed depends greatly on the industry, designation, and company size. While their overall importance has declined in some sectors, they continue to offer value in others.
Where cover letters are still necessary
Mission-driven organizations (e.g., non-profits, education, government)
- Used to demonstrate alignment with values and interest in the cause.
Creative and media industries
- Allows applicants to showcase personality, tone, and original thinking.
Smaller companies and startups
- With fewer layers in the hiring process, managers often read cover letters for insight beyond the resume.
Specialized or competitive assignments
- A strong paper can help differentiate an individual in a saturated field.
Where cover letters are a waste of time
Tech-driven opportunities (e.g., software development, data science)
- Recruiters tend to focus on portfolios, certifications, or practical experience instead.
High-volume hiring (e.g., retail, logistics, hospitality)
- Speed matters more than personalization; applications are filtered quickly.
Large corporations using applicant tracking systems (ATS)
- Unless a letter is keyword-optimized or required, it may not make it past the initial scan.
When writing a cover letter still makes sense
- The job description requests or encourages it.
- You were referred by someone and want to highlight that connection.
- You’re changing fields and need to explain your career shift.
- The position involves communication or leadership skills.
How do cover letters matter in various industries?
| Sphere | Is cover letter necessary? | Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Profit / NGO | Commonly expected | Emphasizes alignment with organizational mission and personal motivation. |
| Education | Frequently important | Highlights teaching philosophy and commitment to academic goals. |
| Media & Publishing | Highly valued | Assesses writing ability, tone, and engagement with the subject matter. |
| Marketing | Often encouraged | Demonstrates creativity, messaging skills, and familiarity with branding. |
| Startups / Small Business | Regularly reviewed | Personalized content can make a strong impression on decision-makers. |
| Legal / Law Firms | Typically required | Conveys professionalism, logical reasoning, and interest in specific practice areas. |
| Healthcare (Clinical) | Occasionally relevant | Useful for administrative roles; less critical for purely clinical positions. |
| Technology / IT | Seldom necessary | Technical skills, project work, and portfolios carry greater weight. |
| Engineering | Not typically prioritized | Hiring tends to focus on qualifications and experience over written statements. |
| Finance / Banking | Situationally useful | May support applications for graduate programs or career shifts. |
| Retail / Customer Service | Rarely included | High-volume hiring focuses on availability and interpersonal fit. |
| Logistics / Warehousing | Generally overlooked | Efficiency and physical capability take precedence over supplementary documents. |
How to write a cover letter?
Writing a good letter of application involves more than simply summarizing your CV. It's your chance to introduce yourself, explain why you're interested in a specific position, and show how your competencies suit the organization’s needs.
1. Gather information
Before starting, invest time in understanding the firm and the vacancy.
- Explore the website, news updates, or social media to learn about priorities.
- Carefully review the job posting to identify essential qualifications.
- Find out the name of the person responsible for hiring to personalize your greeting if possible.
2. Organize with a clear format
Maintain a professional layout that is easy to read and visually balanced.
Key elements include:
- Your full name and contact details
- The date
- Recipient, title, company, and address
- A formal salutation
- The body consisting of 3–4 paragraphs
- A polite closing
- Your signature or typed name
Keep the entire document concise, ideally fitting onto one page.
3. Craft an introduction
Begin with a direct statement of your purpose and enthusiasm.
- Mention the position you are pursuing.
- Indicate where you discovered the opportunity.
- Summarize your motivation and what you hope to contribute.
I am excited to apply for the Marketing Associate role at GHL Corporation. With extensive experience in digital campaigns and audience engagement, I am confident I can help advance your team’s objectives.
4. Demonstrate relevance
Focus on how your talents match the employer’s expectations.
- Select two or three accomplishments that align closely.
- Explain how your background addresses specific challenges or goals.
- Quantify results whenever possible.
Avoid merely restating resume details; instead, offer additional insights and context.
5. Express interest
Outline that you have researched and appreciate the company’s mission.
- Reference a particular project, award, or value that resonates with your own principles.
- Describe why you find the organization an ideal place to grow professionally.
I admire your dedication to sustainable development, which conforms perfectly with my passion for environmentally conscious design.
6. Conclude with a courteous phrase
Wrap up by reaffirming your enthusiasm and encouraging further communication.
- Thank the reader for their consideration.
- Summarize briefly how your expertise would benefit the team.
- Suggest a meeting or interview to discuss your qualifications.
I look forward to the opportunity to explore how my skills can support your department’s success. Thank you for reviewing my application.
7. Use a professional sign-off
End with a formal phrase, followed by your full name.
Cover letter tips:
- Adapt your writing style to reflect the norms of the industry or employer.
- Mirror key terms from the job posting to reflect your background with their expectations.
- Maintain a professional format using consistent spacing, clean fonts, and standard margins.
- Avoid empty phrases; choose language that is specific, purposeful, and clear.
- Review the letter thoroughly to correct grammatical errors and improve sentence clarity.
- Save and submit your document in PDF unless another file type is requested.
Create your professional Cover letter in 10 minutes for FREE
Build My Cover LetterCover letter examples
Letter of application template
Cover letter sample
Alex Morgan
alex.morgan@gmail.com
(555) 123-4567
New York, NYHiring Manager
Condé Nast
New York, NY 10007Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m writing to express my enthusiasm for the Editorial Assistant opportunity at Condé Nast. With a background in multimedia storytelling and a strong eye for culturally relevant content, I’m excited about the prospect of contributing to the dynamic editorial teams behind iconic brands like Vogue and GQ.
My professional journey began at Refinery29, where I supported branded content campaigns and pitched lifestyle stories tailored to a Gen Z readership. There, I collaborated closely with editors and video producers to craft pieces that not only informed but inspired. One of which, a feature on emerging Black-owned wellness brands, became one of the top-performing lifestyle articles of the quarter. Most recently, as a freelance content producer, I’ve worked with clients like Dazed Media and PAPER Magazine. I produced fashion and music coverage under tight deadlines and shifting editorial needs.
What draws me to Condé Nast is its commitment to pushing boundaries across platforms — from groundbreaking fashion editorials to digital innovation. I’m particularly inspired by the evolution of Teen Vogue into a bold, political voice for young readers. I’d be thrilled to contribute ideas that merge cultural depth with visual storytelling.
I would welcome the opportunity to bring my creative energy, editorial sensibility, and collaborative spirit to your team. Thank you for considering my application. I hope to discuss how my experience and passion for media can support Condé Nast's legacy of storytelling excellence.
Warm regards,
Alex Morgan
Cover letter template for job
Cover letter example
Jordan Lee
jordan.lee@email.com
(415) 555-8274
San Francisco, CA
May 26, 2025Hiring Manager
Notion Labs, Inc.
San Francisco, CA 94110Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m excited to apply for the Marketing Associate role at Notion. As a long-time user and advocate of your platform, I’m inspired by the way Notion has reimagined the modern workspace. I would be thrilled to help share that vision with even more creators, teams, and organizations.
In my previous role at Loom, I helped scale customer-facing campaigns during a critical growth phase. I managed lifecycle emails for over 1 million users, optimized onboarding flows, and contributed to product marketing launches — including Loom AI, which saw 30% higher engagement than previous releases. My background spans content creation, email strategy, and community growth, all grounded in a user-first mindset and a love of storytelling.
What draws me to Notion is your thoughtful, design-driven approach to everything from product decisions to branding. I admire how your team speaks to a global audience without losing clarity or warmth — and I’d be excited to help craft messaging that reflects that tone while driving measurable results. Whether it’s supporting feature launches, collaborating with product and design, or experimenting with new formats, I’m eager to contribute wherever needed.
Thank you for considering my application. I’d love the opportunity to discuss how I can support your mission to make toolmaking accessible to everyone.
Warm regards,
Jordan Lee
Template of a cover letter
Sample of a cover letter
Samantha Rivera
samantha.rivera@email.com
(312) 555-8934
Chicago, IL
May 26, 2025APM Selection Committee
Google LLC
Mountain View, CA 94043Dear Selection Committee,
I’m writing to express my enthusiastic interest in the Associate Product Manager program at Google. With a background in computer science, a passion for inclusive innovation, and hands-on experience launching user-focused tools, I’m excited by the opportunity to solve meaningful problems on a global scale.
While completing my B.S., I led a team of five in building CampusLink, a peer-to-peer resource app that reached 3,000+ student downloads in its first semester. Through iterative testing and user interviews, I learned to navigate the ambiguity of early product development — balancing technical feasibility with real human needs. That experience, along with two summers at Atlassian and a recent product internship at Slack, strengthened my ability to translate user insights into scalable features.
What draws me to Google’s APM program is its commitment to developing products that not only work at scale but also promote equity. From the evolution of Android to the potential of Gemini AI, Google’s impact reflects the values I share — curiosity, responsibility, and bold thinking.
I would be honored to contribute to Google while growing into a product leader who builds for billions without losing sight of individual needs. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to share more about how my experience and drive align with the APM vision.
Warm regards,
Samantha Rivera
Are cover letters outdated - Conclusion
While the role of cover letters has evolved in today’s fast-paced hiring landscape, they are far from obsolete. In many industries, particularly those that value communication, creativity, or attention to detail, a well-crafted document remains a meaningful way to stand out.
Even when not explicitly required, submitting one can demonstrate initiative, clarify your motivations, and offer a glimpse of your personality beyond the resume. Ultimately, cover letters are still necessary — they are simply most effective when used thoughtfully.
Create your professional Cover letter in 10 minutes for FREE
Build My Cover Letter
