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The question of whether to include a cover letter in your job application doesn’t have a single answer. Cover letters allow you to provide insight into your experience that a resume can’t communicate and to clearly articulate why you’re an ideal fit for a position. But if you’re sending out dozens of applications, writing a customized cover letter for each one can feel like an unnecessary hurdle at best and a waste of time at worst. Hiring teams are also divided on the issue. Fifty-eight percent of professionals surveyed by Fishbowl said cover letters were unnecessary—but a survey by Arcadia University found that 83% of HR professionals considered them important in hiring decisions. So, is writing a cover letter a valuable chance to stand out or a waste of your effort? The answer: it depends. Read on to learn when you should include a cover letter in your application versus when you can skip it—plus our tips on writing a cover letter that will grab a recruiter’s attention. There are a few circumstances that upgrade a cover letter from a “nice to have” to a necessity. Here’s when you absolutely should include a cover letter in your job application: Just as important as knowing when to include a cover letter in your application is knowing when to skip one. Here are a few of those instances: So, you’ve determined that you should include a cover letter in your application—now what? Below are a few elements to include in your cover letter to help you stand out from the crowd: By paying close attention to whether the job you’re applying for requires a cover letter, and by including the above elements in the cover letters you do write, you can align with hiring teams’ expectations and differentiate yourself from the applicant pool. Looking for additional support in your job search? A staffing recruiter can help you improve your resume and cover letter, fine-tune your interview skills, match you with relevant opportunities, and more. Explore our national staffing agency’s solutions today. Do You Really Need a Cover Letter? Really??
When To Include a Cover Letter
When To Skip a Cover Letter
What To Include In Your Cover Letter