There is a lot of hype about cover letters and articles on how to write a proper cover letter. However, as a recruiter and someone who reads up to 100 resumes a day, I’m not sure how important these are. Actually, I bet most outside recruiters don’t read them, I know no one in our office does.
If you’re working with a third-party recruiter, most of the time you don’t need to send one. A good recruiter will pick up the phone and call you to get the necessary information that is not on your resume. The recruiter will then pass on the relevant information to the hiring manager directly. A recruiter’s job is to make it easy for the hiring manager. The less paperwork we send, the better. Consequently, the recruiters usually send the resume and the evaluations of the candidates, that’s all.
Let’s discuss when a cover letter can be important. If you are applying for a position online, directly to the company, they often ask for a cover letter. In this method of applying for a position, you don’t have a third party evaluating you, highlighting your attributes, and addressing red flags on your resume. In this case, it is very important to put together a winning cover letter. Companies typically look for a few key pieces of information: why you’re looking for a position, why you’re interested in their company, salary, and any outstanding achievements that set you apart.
The main reason companies ask for a cover letter is to get information that isn’t on your resume. They will use this information as a first screen. If you need to earn $100,000 and the company only pays $80,000, then you are out of the question. So be very careful about the information you include. This is your chance to address any gaps in your resume and why you are seeking a position. For example, if you’re moving or downsizing, you can address that and any other concerns here.
The bottom line is, if you’re working directly with one or more outside recruiters, they’ll be screening you and sending notes directly to the hiring manager/company, your resume is the only thing you need to submit. If you are going to send a resume directly to the company you are applying to, prepare your cover letter!
Keep in mind the importance of short but sweet. Only include information that is not on your resume.
