It’s a hotly debated topic in some circles: Do you need a cover letter? The answer, honestly, is that it depends.
And yes, I know that’s a bit of a frustrating answer. Here are some ways you can decide if putting the time and effort into such a thing makes sense.
First, of course, read the job posting. If it says to attach a cover letter, the good news is that you don’t have to think about the issue any longer. Just write your cover letter and congratulate yourself for having paid sufficient attention and doing what they asked.
But if it’s more optional, things get a little trickier. In those cases, I recommend you think about the nature of the job you would be doing. Is it heavy on communication? Is it in a large org so you are more likely to need to email or Slack people outside your department to get tasks done? Does your industry focus on creativity? In those cases, a cover letter can make a big impact, and can go a long way to impressing a decision-maker and giving context for your reasons for wanting this particular job.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to get started in a STEM field, if your work would be very numbers-based, or if the whole organization is remote, the cover letter is less likely to be necessary. Some folks in fields like this will even go so far as to tell you that the cover letter is dead.
If you do choose to send one along, though, be sure it’s adding substance to your application. Don’t just reiterate what’s on your resume or it just becomes meaningless. Instead, focus on what makes you such a great fit for the role and the organization. Illustrate how your experience sets you up to be valuable to them.
Ultimately, unless the job gives you specific advice regarding the letter, whether or not to include one is up to you and your best judgment. But it you just can’t tell if it’s normal in your chosen industry or not, go ahead and include one. I always say that it’s better to include one and not need it than to fail to include one and let that be a reason for a recruiter to pass you by.
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