Are Cover Letters Pointless

Are Cover Letters Pointless Are Cover Letters Pointless Sometimes those online applicant tracking systems can take up to 30-45 minutes to fill in (I especially hate the ones that require you to manually add all your work history like the hiring manager wont already landsee that youve done this in your resume). And some even require applicants to take assessment and skills tests, which can take anywhere from another 30 minutes to one hour. So, to add a cover letter required stamp onto the process just makes it that much worse for job seekers. Especially as they listen to the tons of advice out there on perfecting your cover letter.This is no easy task. Unlike a resume where you may have to modify your objective statement and a few skills and/or experiences depending on the role, a cover letters tailoring process can be much more extensive.You have to edit details, such asCompany name, address, phone numberDateAddressee (not to mention the time spent trying to find who the hiring man ager is if a name isnt immediately provided)Reason for applyingRelevant work experience andHow your skills make you the best candidate for that particular position.As a job seeker who always makes sure to tailor her cover letter for each position I apply for, let me tell you, this task sucks up a large chunk of time during the job hunt.And as you learn more about the hiring process and how recruiters and hiring managers arent even spending 10 seconds looking at a persons resume, you cant help but begin to wonder, Whats the point?What exactly is the point?This is the question my cousin recently asked me after he applied for a job. When filling out the application, he noticed that the system left an option to add a cover letter, but it wasnt required. So, he skipped it.welches this the right thing to do? Are cover letters truly necessary during todays job search, especially if a job ad doesnt list this document as a requirement when applying?I think cover letters are very important an d useful when directly submitting an application- that is, when youre required to apply by sending certain materials to a specific email address. This is very different from applying through an ATS because applicants should put their cover letters directly in the body of the email, which immediately shows the recruiter or hiring manager that youre interested in the job. Theyre much more professional than simply writing, I saw your job ad and am sending my resume to apply. After all, you are looking to secure a job, not respond to a Craigslist ad.But, if you are required to apply via an ATS where a cover letter is optional, unlike a direct email, your cover letter may not be the first information a hiring manager sees. So, is it a big absprache?Well, like the familiar saying goes, It doesnt hurt to Even if the job ad doesnt say you need to include a cover letter, submitting one anyway could be beneficial.Oftentimes cover letters are more than just professional way to tell HR that you re applying for a job they can give recruiters and hiring managers a great deal of information about applicants aside from their resume.A few examples includeWriting skillsCover letters require applicants to writeduh. But, its not just about having a job seeker demonstrate his/her interest through writing, its about determining whether or not an applicant (and potential hire) can write well.Hiring managers will definitely look for the basics. Can the person spell? Can he or she put together a complete sentence? Does the letter flow? Does it even make sense?These details are extremely important to a recruiter as he or she wants to see firsthand that applicants have quality writing skills. Because, oftentimes, no matter what type of position youre applying for, it will require you to do some form of writing.Articulation capabilitiesCover letters are designed for job seekers to express why they should be considered for the next step in the hiring process- the interview. One must be abl e to adequately articulate this to a hiring manager. If on paper you cant convince HR to give you a second glance, the people in this department are much less likely to be convinced that youre worthy of an interview, and even less for the job.Detailed background informationAnother thing cover letters can offer hiring managers during the recruitment process is detail. Your resume can only tell a recruiter so much because it doesnt offer the space for details. This is where cover letters step in. They give you the chance to not only fully explain how the skills and experiences on your resume qualify you for the position, but opportunities to provide relevant, detailed examples from your work history. They can also help you go in depth as you explain what implemented an effective social media strategy really means and why thats significant to the position and potential employer.Master the art of closing deals and making placements. Take our Recruiter Certification Program today. Were S HRM certified. Learn at your own pace during this 12-week program. Access over 20 courses. Great for those who want to break into recruiting, or recruiters who want to further their career.