Should You Include a Cover Letter with Your Job Application?

One of the questions you'll ask yourself when applying for jobs is whether to submit cover letters with your resumes. Unfortunately, this area is another in the hiring world that doesn't have a yes-or-no answer.

The truth is that you only need to include a cover letter with your resume if it's specifically mentioned in the job ad. You may still want to include one if you're really excited about a role, though.

There are two reasons why I recommend you include a cover letter for positions that excite you. First, you can show your enthusiasm for a role by simply going through the trouble of including a cover letter. Also, it's another opportunity to make your case to the hiring team.

To learn what others think about cover letters, I asked LinkedIn members to share their opinion. Some of their responses are highlighted below —?along with a few pieces of advice if you decide to include a cover letter with your job application. You can read all of them by clicking here.

Cover Letters Don't Have to Be Formal Documents

Many people assume a cover letter is a formal document like a resume. While they should be professional, they don't always need to be a Word document or PDF that you upload alongside your resume.

Cover letters were originally a way for employers to gather more information about an applicant instead of just receiving a resume with a list of experiences, according to The Atlantic.?

The role of cover letters diminished as people started submitting their resumes and applications through applicant tracking systems (ATSs). The added information that was once found on cover letters are now asked for as part of the larger application.

The good news is that this allows you some creative freedom when providing additional information. Instead of thinking of a cover letter as simply another PDF, it can instead be an email or Inmail that you send to the hiring manager. Heck, it could even be an actual letter that you send through the mail.

The benefit of taking these routes is that you can personalize the cover letter instead of simply addressing it "To Whom It May Concern." Then, you can simply attach your resume.

"Cookie-cutter cover letters won't get you far, but the ones written from the heart and without your usual templates may help you get ahead in the hiring process," writes Ana Goehner, who is a career strategist.

Know Your Audience, Keep It Concise

Recruiters will likely not look at your cover letter unless they ask for it as part of the overall job application. Instead, the hope is that the hiring manager or a member of the hiring committee will open it when they are reviewing candidates.

Even though those people will likely be wading through a much smaller pool of applicants, they are still pressed for time as they juggle hiring with their other duties. You'll want to keep your cover letter short and to the point.

A cover letter should show your enthusiasm for and understanding of the role and company. The letter should also highlight the one piece of information that you'd like to leave with the hiring team that isn't included on your resume.

For example, you may want to highlight a specific story if you're making a career pivot to help them connect the dots with your experience.

Of course, the letter needs to be clear and well-written. In addition to showing your enthusiasm for the role and getting a point across, a good cover letter can show that you have excellent communication skills.

"If someone is going to submit a cover letter, it has to be a good one," writes Crystal Barrow, who is a career and leadership coach. "It's one of those things that can bring a candidate over the finish line towards at least a screening call, if not a first round interview, but if it isn't done 'right' it can leave a not-so-great impression."

Job Applications Need to Stand Alone Without a Cover Letter

You need to make sure your resume and overall application can stand on their own without a cover letter. As I mentioned above, there is no guarantee that your cover letter will be seen by… well, anyone. As a result, you need to make sure you can make a great impression without a cover letter.

"These letters are a bonus — they will not be the reason you get that next date," writes Rob Kim, who is a career educator. "Somebody may appreciate your extra effort but it is a small piece of your overall package."

If you're pressed for time, your focus and energy should go into your resume and main application. Then, if you have extra time, it may be worth investing in a cover letter.

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