Do Recruiters Read Cover Letters

The answer depends upon the cover letter. Companies usually receive dozens daily from applicants. Some are one sentence long, stating the obvious. “I want to apply for this position.”

Others go into more detail, telling me about my company’s products, philosophy, history, etc., etc., etc. Some cover letters even state that the company will only survive if I consider hiring that particular applicant.

Do recruiters actually read cover letters?

  1. Don’t waste your time sending any recruiter a cover letter that tells them you’re applying for the job. You’re wasting your time writing that and their time asking them to read it. If you’ve submitted a resume to them, they know what you’re doing.
  2. Please don’t ever tell a recruiter what their company is about. They know. They work there. They have information about its operations that you couldn’t begin to understand or appreciate. You won’t impress them with this so-called information. Again, you’re wasting their time.
  3. Applying for a position with a veiled threat that the company will not survive without your expertise is not the way to impress the recruiter. Most will laugh. All will delete your cover letter/resume and will move on to the next candidate.

If the thought of creating a cover letter proves challenging, our resume writers can help. Skilled in 40+ industries, JC Resumes experienced writers can also assist with your LinkedIn profile makeover, resume writing, cover letters, and interview prep coaching.

A well-written cover letter can make your case for candidacy and will compel the hiring manager or recruiter to read your resume, delving deeper into your background.

Do hiring managers read cover letters?

  1. Always address your cover letter to the hiring manager. If you don’t know the name, find it. Do an internet search of the company. Call its HR department. Ask. If that fails, then don’t make the mistake of addressing the letter “Dear Sir or Madam” or worse “To Whom It May Concern”. You might as well write “Dear Occupant”. Leave off such salutations and state what position you’re applying for – something like this: RE: Job Opening #4581C – Administrative Assistant—Then move into your opening paragraph.
  2. If you have addressed your letter to the hiring manager, the opening paragraph should always state what position you’re seeking. If you’re targeting a large company they may have dozens of job openings. Don’t make them guess as to which you’re seeking.
  3. The body of the letter comes next. Here, you want to prove you’re qualified and that they should ask you to interview. You do this by dovetailing what you know/have done to the job requirements. You can use a T-style letter. That is, on the left you’d have a column titled “My Abilities/Experience”; on the right, the column would be titled “Job Responsibilities” (stating the duties of the position for which you’re applying). Again, dovetail the information in the two columns.
  4. Every cover letter should end with a proactive statement, stating that you’ll be following up. Don’t expect the hiring manager to do so, especially in this job market.

Do employers read cover letters?

Yes. Your cover letter shouldn’t be more than one page in length. It should get to the point quickly, stay on point, provide a glimpse of your background and entice the hiring manager, recruiter, or any company to read your resume.

If you have a cover letter like that, it will enhance your resume and candidacy.