Welcome to “Pressing Questions” Fast Company’s mini advice column. Twice a week, Deputy Editor Kathleen Davis, host of The New Way We Work podcast will answer the biggest and most pressing workplace questions in less than one minute.
Q: Do I really need a cover letter?
A: Yes. I know a lot of people don’t like writing cover letters and now a lot of people outsource it to AI, but as someone who has both covered hiring and work life for a long time and as a hiring manager myself, I am firmly in the pro-cover letter camp even if it’s not required and here’s why:
A cover letter gives you a personal way to show who you are and give context to your résumé. Your résumé is a list of where you have worked and what you did at those jobs, but a cover letter can be a fuller picture of who you are.
With a cover letter you also have the opportunity to make the case for why you are the best person for the job you are applying for and show a little about what you know about the position. It also gives you the opportunity to show your writing and communication skills, which are important in all fields. And it just makes things more personal.
I will say I’ve looked at résumés that I’ve felt lukewarm about and then read a great cover letter and decided to call the person in for an interview. It can really be the thing that puts you from the “maybe” to the “yes” pile.
And it’s not just me—according to surveys, 80-90% of recruiters and hiring managers say the cover letters are important and valuable. 
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