Are Cover Letters Necessary?
Few job search topics inspire more controversy than the cover letter.
I maintain that a cover letter IS essential when applying for a job.
It shows you've done some homework about the company and the position. You've gone the extra mile compared to the candidate who is just blasting out their resume with minimal effort.
It allows you to draw a direct connection between your skills and accomplishments and the position. Why not make it easy for the recruiter or hiring manager to appreciate your fit for the role?
What to Include in a Cover Letter
Many cover letters are WAY too long. In a world of TL;DR (too long; don't read), eyes will glaze over if the letter is too long.
The key elements are:
Who you are (briefly)
How you know the person/company. Mention shared connections, if any. If you don't know the person, you're at least familiar with the company through a little research.
How your skills and experience are aligned with the opportunity. Be sure to include some of the keywords they use, so it resonates with the reader.
The call to action -- ask the reader how you can best connect. They will choose their preferred method -- email, phone, Zoom, etc. If this isn't a blind submission, mention that "Alternatively, I'll follow up with you next week." That puts a little pressure on the recipient to act. DO follow up if you don't get a response in, say, four business days.
A cover letter shouldn't be a recap of your experiences. It isn't meant to take the place of an interview; it's intended to get you one.
The format outlined above, except for element #3, is applicable when requesting an informational meeting (one where there isn't necessarily a specific, identified opportunity.)
Some say that hiring managers don't look at cover letters; that they are a waste of time. While that may be true some of the time, some people do care and will look for a cover letter. It is unlikely that you'd be penalized for including one unless it's riddled with typos! And since you'll develop a basic format to reuse as a starting point, it won't take much effort to customize.
In my role as a career coach and advisor, I help candidates prepare cover letters, resumes, and LinkedIn profiles. I've hired more than 100 people and interviewed over 500 candidates. I've worked at large global companies like Morgan Stanley and a company that is now part of Bank of America Private Bank and founded/worked at six startups. I welcome you to contact me and join my mailing list and receive my free guide, "Top 5 Young Adult Job Search Myths."