Should I bother with a cover letter?

“Trevor, should I bother with a cover letter?”

Ah, the age-old job seeker question - right up there with “Should I follow up?” and “Is my resume too long?”

Here’s the honest answer:

Sometimes, cover letters matter.

Other times, they go straight into the digital abyss, unread, unappreciated, and unloved, like that unopened tub of coleslaw at the back of the fridge.

But here’s where it gets interesting...

- According to Jobvite, only 26% of recruiters say they read cover letters regularly.

- But, when surveyed, 56% of hiring managers say a well-written cover letter has made them call someone in for an interview - especially when the resume was a maybe.

- And yet, most cover letters? Sound like they were written by ChatGPT on autopilot during a power nap.

Let’s be real - if your letter opens with “To whom it may concern” and ends with “I believe I’d be a great fit for your team,” it’s probably not helping your case.

So...should you bother?

Yes - IF you use it strategically.

Here’s when it works:

✅ When the job ad requests it (don’t skip it - it’s a compliance test).

✅ When you’re switching industries or roles and need to explain the why.

✅ When you know someone at the company and want to name-drop with flair.

✅ When your resume doesn’t tell the full story (contract roles, career breaks, side hustles etc.).

✅ When you don’t have all the skills or experience required but you have the potential – it’s your opportunity to mitigate the risks

But here’s how to make it count:

1️⃣ Open strong. Skip the fluff. Lead with something human and direct:

“I recently wrapped up a two-year cloud transformation project - and when I saw your ad, I didn’t even finish my coffee before clicking Apply.”

2️⃣ Show you’ve done your homework.

Mention something specific about the company, the product, or the mission. People love to feel seen.

3️⃣ Tell a short story.

Real humans remember real stories. Not buzzwords.

4️⃣ Be conversational, not robotic.

You’re not writing a uni essay. Be warm, be real, and for heaven’s sake, don’t copy ChatGPT’s “I am excited to apply for the position of…”

5️⃣ Close with confidence, not desperation.

“I’d love to chat further” > “I look forward to hearing from you.”

And companies - if you don’t read cover letters? Fine. Just be up front about it in the ad. Don’t waste people’s time.

Cover letters aren’t dead. But bad ones should be.

What do you think? Waste of time or secret weapon? Have you ever landed an interview because of your cover letter?