There’s increasing debate over the cover letter and whether it remains a relevant tool in today’s job search. In fact, according to a recent Jobvite Survey, 63 percent of recruiters considered the cover letter unimportant and admitted to skipping it altogether, focusing solely on the resume instead. Meanwhile fewer applications require one.

So is it time to rejoice, and can we finally let go of the painstaking task of crafting the perfect cover letter? Not so fast. Whether optional or required, a well-written cover letter may still be worth the extra time and effort. Here’s why.

Recruiters May Not Read Cover Letters, but Someone Else Will

While only a handful of recruiters take the time to read cover letters, another, and perhaps more important, player in the applicant review process will—the hiring manager. This is not only the person to whom you’ll likely report but also the final decision maker. So their motivation is finding someone to suit both basic qualifications and the supervisor/supervisee relationship. As a result, they place greater emphasis on selecting the best overall candidate.

Though both recruiters and hiring managers can assess a candidate’s ability to do the job with a quick resume review based on education, training, and relevant experience, the hiring manager turns to the cover letter to gain a more complete picture and to further narrow their applicant pool.

How the Cover Letter Helps Narrow the Candidate Pool

First and foremost in narrowing the candidate pool is ensuring he or she meets basic job requirements. But the cover letter may be used next to glean additional insight and determine who’ll make the call list. In fact, a recent Career Builder survey found that 49 percent of hiring managers considered the cover letter the second-best way to boost candidacy. So what type of insight do hiring managers hope to gain, and what can you do to stand out?

• Level of interest and enthusiasm. Hiring managers want to understand the candidate’s motivation for applying. For instance, is this a thoughtful and deliberate career move or a means to some other end? To address this, briefly explain why you’re particularly interested in the position and the organization. For example, “_____ has always been a primary focus in my career.”  

• Organizational knowledge. Candidates earn points for subtly demonstrating their knowledge of the organization and showing an in-depth understanding of what the job entails. To stand out, emphasize your knowledge of the organization and then connect this information to your own background, qualifications, and career objectives.

• Basic communication skills. Regardless of the position or career field, employers expect candidates to write clearly and effectively. The cover letter provides them with an early opportunity to see how well you can both express your ideas and tell a compelling story while applying the rules of good writing. So take time to edit and proofread.

In the End

There’s no guarantee your cover letter will be read. But for those who do read them, a well-written cover letter can make the difference between an application that’s placed back in the “yes/maybe” pile or moved forward to the “call” pile.

About the author

Dara Wilson-Grant is a Licensed Professional Counselor and the Associate Director of Postdoctoral Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also the owner of Careers in Bloom. Dara’s focus is on career-related issues, including career change, professional growth, and workplace challenges. Her career management workshops have been presented at universities, government agencies, and research institutions across the country.