So you’ve submitted your résumé, you’ve created a LinkedIn profile and you’ve sent the online application. I know what many of you are thinking: Do I really still need a cover letter? Does anyone read those anymore? Do I seriously need to have a résumé, LinkedIn profile, cover letter and fill out an online application just to apply for a job?!
Look, no one said job hunting was easy, but I can take the mystery out of the cover letter issue for you. It’s nearly impossible to determine accurately if cover letters are getting read or not. Any statistics surrounding that are self-reported and we all know how that goes. It is generally estimated though that about 60% of cover letters don’t get read these days. While that doesn’t sound promising, that means that 40% of them DO get read. That’s enough to warrant you sending one, especially if the application requires one. Always follow the employer’s instructions and send whatever documents they are asking for.Here’s where the cover letter burden gets lightened. Write one good cover letter to use as a template. Then, tweak each time you apply so that it speaks to that job in particular. This is where a cover letter can do what a LinkedIn profile can’t. Online profiles aren’t usually tailored to one specific job, unless you are laser focused and specific in what you are targeting. Cover letters are always specific to a certain position and take into account the unique needs of the organization and position. In fact, cover letters are better at that than résumés or LinkedIn profiles.So get ready because now I’m about to contradict myself. The irony of all of this is that if you are really approaching your job search the correct way (i.e. networking and making connections with actual people BEFORE you apply) then the cover letter probably won’t even be necessary. Yup, that’s right. You can save yourself a cover letter by networking beforehand and being referred for a job instead.Take this as an example: A recruiter or hiring manager is given your résumé by a current employee of the company, or an acquaintance of some kind. This résumé is coming to them as a referral from someone that they know (and trust). They review it and determine that they are at least generally qualified. Then, they ask the person who gave them the résumé some followup questions. They ask, “Tell me about this person. How do you know them? Why are you recommending them?” Because you are smart enough to only network with people who are going to speak highly of you, they proceed to talk you up and reinforce all of your best skills and traits. So, as a result this recruiter or hiring manager calls you to chat on the phone. At this point, they’ve already viewed your résumé, you’ve already been given a glowing review and they already like you enough to pick up the phone and talk to you. Do you really think they are going to ask you for a cover letter at this point? While it’s possible, it’s pretty unlikely. The glowing recommendation that your friend gave about you, that is your cover letter.Here’s the lesson folks: There’s no substitute in the world for a good relationship. If you want to avoid writing a cover letter that may or may not get read, start digging deep and leveraging your current relationships and get someone to refer you. This is how the best jobs are found.