Are cover letters still relevant in 2025?
Are cover letters still relevant in 2025?
Due to the fast-paced nature of the recruitment industry, a question that we seem to be hearing more and more is: Are cover letters still relevant in recruitment today?
With online application platforms, one-click applies, and tools like LinkedIn, it’s easy to think cover letters no longer matter in 2025. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth, in some cases, a well-written cover letter can have an even greater impact than your resume.
What are the benefits of crafting a cover letter?
It can set you apart from the crowd – Showcasing your personality, by detailing who you are and what makes you tick, in a cover letter, can enhance your cultural fit for an organisation, whereas the resume only showcases your technical abilities.
It allows you to tailor your application – you don’t want to make your resume too long, so a cover letter can show a potential employer your motivation for a role, and desire to work for that particular company or organisation.
Address any roadblocks to your successful application – a cover letter is a great way to address any areas you may feel you resume is lacking, demonstrating how you would make up for it, or address any career gaps, etc.
Demonstrate commitment and dedication – many candidates will skip writing a cover letter all together, so by putting in the time and effort to make a tailored cover letter will show your potential employer your commitment to the role and will separate you from the many.
Our top cover letter tips
- Keep it short: About one page or 3-4 short paragraphs should be more than sufficient to cover anything you would like, and anything that is addressed in the job advert.
- Be specific: Tailor your cover letter by including the role title, organisation and why you’re a good fit should be a minimum.
- Highlight achievements: Back up what you’re saying about being a good fit with 1 – 2 key examples that highlight this.
- Showcase your enthusiasm: Employers want to know that you want their role specifically, why you want to work at their company, rather than knowing that you want just any old job.
- Call the Hiring Manager: If there are contact details for the Recruiter or Hiring Manager on the job advert, we always recommend giving them a call to further discuss your suitability and what they are looking for. This is a great way to not only introduce yourself, but also to further tailor your cover letter for the role.
When not to include a cover letter
It’s always better to be on the side of caution and include a cover letter, particularly for white collar, executive or highly specialised roles. If an advert specifically tells you to not include one, don’t. It's always best to follow instructions. If an advert doesn’t specify, or you are in doubt, including a tailored cover letter can’t hurt your application.
In summary
The current job market is candidate heavy, meaning you need to do something that will help you stand out from the crowd, and a cover letter is a great way to do this. So, in short, yes, cover letters are still relevant in 2025, as long as they are tailored and demonstrate that you are a good fit for a particular role and company.
