What Is the Purpose of a Cover Letter? Benefits and Key Points

You’ve spent time polishing your resume, so do you need a cover letter? Absolutely. This letter complements a resume in a job application, supplying additional details and describing your motivation. What is the purpose of a cover letter? It helps recruiters understand your relevance to a job role and makes you stand out from the crowd. In this guide, learn the purpose and key elements of a cover letter, as well as top tips for creating a great one.

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What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a document often submitted alongside a resume for a job application. It’s typically two- to three-paragraphs long and describes a candidate’s motivations, achievements, and history.

What’s the point of a cover letter? It’s used to complement a resume and supply additional information. This letter shouldn’t repeat details from your resume – it’s an opportunity to mention new accomplishments and skills that can’t fit on a tidy one-page resume.

These documents should also discuss your potential employer, the open role, and what you’ll bring to it. Cover letters are a chance to add a personal touch to a job application and connect to the hiring manager, providing them with vital details they appreciate.

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

What is the main purpose of a cover letter? They’re typically used as a personal touch on a job application. Resumes are primarily informative, leaving little room to personally connect with the hiring manager and describe your experience in-depth. Cover letters let you address the employer directly rather than just stating facts.

Writing a cover letter gives you the opportunity to:

Connect with the recruiter: Hiring managers review hundreds of resumes per week, and a conversational cover letter lets you stand out from the crowd and tell them more about yourself.
Highlight vital skills: While a resume lets you list your skills, cover letters give you space to discuss your expertise and how it relates to the open role.
Discuss your background: Cover letters let you touch on your previous roles, career progression, and projects to give more context.
Demonstrate cultural alignment: A letter allows you to display your personality and values so the hiring manager can see if you would get along with the team.
Detail impressive achievements: Your resume will contain work achievements, but writing a cover letter lets you detail additional achievements and provide more information.
Showcase motivation: This letter allows you to show your enthusiasm and excitement about joining a specific team or company.

Why cover letters matter in the modern age

Cover letters have been a vital part of job applications since the 1960s, but with countless technological advancements, many people question their modern relevance.

Cover letters are still a relevant, impactful element in a job application. Many job ads request them, and even when they don’t, most recruiters expect them. Including a cover letter helps you align with employer expectations and provide them with the information they want and need. This is especially beneficial when other candidates omit cover letters, as it helps you stand out.

These letters also give you ample opportunity to include essential keywords. AI recruitment software and application tracking systems (ATS) scan job applications for relevant words and phrases, such as job titles and skills, and including a cover letter lets you insert them naturally. This is one of the easiest, most effective ways to create an ATS-friendly application.

Key elements of an effective cover letter

While it forms one cohesive document, a successful cover letter can be broken down into four key areas:

Contact details: The header of your letter should contain your name, phone number, and email address so recruiters have a quick way to contact you.
A strong opening: Address the hiring manager by name to grab their attention. Follow this by mentioning where you saw the opening and using the job title by name.
Powerful body text: In two to three paragraphs, expand on your background and provide in-depth accomplishments. Use measurable metrics and percentages to give tangible impact to your achievements.
An engaging closing statement: End on a spirited call-to-action, encouraging the recruiter to contact you so you can discuss the role.

Make sure you sound professional and positive throughout the entire letter and provide specific examples to show your letter is tailor-made for the open role. Here’s an example of a poor cover letter opening versus a strong one:

Poor cover letter

“I'm interested in the marketing coordinator position at your company. I have experience in social media and email marketing. I would be a great fit because I'm passionate about marketing and a solid team player.”

Effective cover letter

“With five years of experience managing social media and email marketing campaigns, I'm excited to apply for the Marketing Coordinator role at Shine Industries. In my previous role at Blaque Agency, I increased social media engagement rates by 45% through a data-driven content strategy. I'm eager to bring this expertise to your marketing team and enhance Shine Industries' online presence.”

Remember: An effective cover letter should complement a resume, not repeat it. Check out our resume samples to understand which elements to include in a resume so you know what to add to your cover letter.

When you need a cover letter (and when you don’t)

While cover letters are an important part of an application, they aren’t always necessary, and sometimes it’s best to omit them.

When you need a cover letter

When the job post asks for it: If a job ad asks for one, always take the time to create a thoughtful, relevant cover letter.
When applying for senior roles: Important, high-paying roles are tricky to fill and require specific qualifications, so it’s a good idea to detail your background and give the employer as much information as possible.
When applying for most standard roles: If a job post doesn’t specify the requirements, it’s best to include a cover letter regardless. When you have the time to invest, err on the safe side and include a cover letter.

And when you don’t

When the ad asks you to omit it: Some companies prefer to review resumes only. If the ad specifies that they don’t want cover letters, follow their rules and listen to it.
When there’s no place to upload one: Many companies use online portals to accept applications, and they don’t always have a spot to upload a cover letter. If there isn’t space to add a cover letter, don’t try to add it in the resume spot or bundle them together – just omit it.
When you don’t have time: Cover letters require special care and personalization, so if you don’t have the time to craft a detailed one, it’s best to skip it.

Expert Tip:

Always address the hiring manager by name. Search the company’s social media to find who’s likely in charge of hiring – if you’re applying for a sales role, look for the head of sales. If you can’t find a name, start your letter with a warm yet general greeting like “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Hello to the team at [Company].”

How to make your cover letter stand out

While a cover letter already makes your application eye-catching, the following tips provide a powerful finishing touch:

Personalize it wherever possible: Your cover letter should never look copy/pasted. Add custom touches, like the hiring manager’s name, the company’s name and mission, and specific terms from the job description.
Use strong storytelling techniques: Use the STAR method to convey your achievements accurately. Describe the situation and the results in depth to show the impact you made in your previous roles.
Avoid generic phrases: Instead of vague phrases like “I am writing to apply for…” and stick to valuable, targeted sentences. Don’t waste space – every sentence is an opportunity to discuss something important.
Use correct formatting: Choose a professional cover letter template that uses professional formatting with sufficient white space and an appropriate font. Find one that matches your resume template to create a consistent application.

“This letter shouldn’t repeat details from your resume – it’s an opportunity to mention new accomplishments and skills that can’t fit on a tidy one-page resume.”

Build the perfect cover letter and get noticed

Cover letters are still a vital, relevant element of a successful job application, and it pays to include one. They give you space to discuss your history and achievements and prove that you have what it takes to succeed in the role.

Take the time to read the job description, consider your best accomplishments, and craft a personalized cover letter. Companies appreciate it, and you’ll leave a lasting impression.

Get started today and try CVwizard’s cover letter maker for a professional application without the time investment. Fill in your information, choose a template, and download your cover letter in minutes.

Looking for more resources? Check out our resume maker. Choose similar templates and build a strong, cohesive application in a few clicks.

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James Bunes

Author

James Bunes, copywriter, editor, and strategist, combines job search and HR writing experience to produce actionable content on resumes, career advice, and job search tactics.