Are cover letters really important?
Early in our careers we’re told how important, vital even, a good cover letter is for our success in the job market. It may just be that I don’t really like writing them (chalk it up to a dislike of writing about myself), but I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about them lately. They seem more like an economics or game theory problem, wherein we need to put more thought into why we’re writing them and use a little less blind faith about how necessary they are.
I’ve seen bosses tear off cover letters and totally ignore them. With this knowledge (i.e. that they may not even be used), one has to ask if spending a large amount of time fussing over and perfecting a cover letter is worth it. What’s the cost/benefit? On one hand you can write a kick ass, tailored cover letter and hr/the hiring manager might read it and take it into account it, all of which might give you an edge over the next person. Or you can spend all those hours fussing over a cover letter for it to never be read. For the hiring manager to have a slightly different set of priorities or a different way of interpreting what you’ve written. Then there’s the worry that the reason that you never heard back was because of your cover letter – that you didn’t spend enough time.
As the person on the outside of the hiring process, there just seem to be too many variables for me to try and guess (writing style, important skills, pet peeves, how the person’s feeling on a given day, etc.) to make it worth my while to fuss over each and every cover letter. For example, say that each cover letter takes 2 hours to think through, focus on, write. If you apply for 15 jobs that’s an entire week’s worth of work on something that the outcome of you can’t control.
I know why HR wants cover letters. It shows the you’re willing to put the time in (i.e. you have the desire to work there) – although I’d argue that spending the time to set up countless profiles and the busywork it entails shows as much commitment. It shows that you can communicate with words and that your English is good.
Are we confusing the ability to self-promote with actual business writing skills? Are we confusing it with job performance and ability?
Maybe its just part of the game that I need to accept and play along with. Maybe its just more proof that I need to step outside the system and forge ahead with whatever my great idea will be.
But I can’t help thinking of what I could have accomplished in those hours I spent agonizing over which proactive/self-serving word gave the best impression without sounding too self-serving.
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while i try to always customize my cover letters to fit better with the company and job description… it’s always largely a blanket letter. the initial time investment for the first letter may take an hour or two… the next 45 jobs i apply for only has me changing the company name, HR person’s name if I know it… and maybe re-ordering my skill-set depending on what i think they value more.
there’s only so many ways you can write “you want to hire me because i’m awesome”
As someone who doesn’t read cover letters when hiring, I bow to you!
From my position as having recently hired someone I’d say a good cover letter won’t get you a job, but a bad one can blow it for you. I was way more interested in the resume to see how the relevant experience was obtained rather than the skills you tell me you have. However a poorly written one showing a lack of basic English skills would make me say “next”.