Are Cover Letters Still Necessary in 2025? What You Need to Know

Most job seekers waste hours agonizing over cover letters—or skip them entirely. Both approaches miss the point. So, are cover letters still necessary in 2025?

Short answer: Yes. But not in the way they used to be.

Let’s unpack what’s changed, what hasn’t, and when a cover letter can still make or break your application.

Even in 2025, the majority of job applications either require or strongly encourage a cover letter. Think of it as a professional courtesy and a signal of genuine interest. Submitting one—especially when not explicitly required—can position you as a proactive, detail-oriented candidate who goes the extra mile.

The ease of submitting job applications means recruiters are flooded with resumes. Most candidates won’t include a tailored cover letter. That means when you do—and do it well—you immediately separate yourself. It’s an opportunity to offer context, demonstrate alignment, and make your name stick in their memory.

Resumes are structured and mostly impersonal by nature. A cover letter is your chance to add warmth, personality, and a narrative thread to your application. Whether it’s why you admire the company, what motivates your work, or how a past challenge shaped your career, this is where you connect on a human level.

A strong cover letter helps fill in the blanks that a resume leaves behind. Transitioning from one industry to another? Taking on a new level of responsibility? Explaining a career pause? Your cover letter provides the “why” behind the “what,” helping hiring managers understand your story and envision your potential.

Hiring is risky. When you take the time to tailor a cover letter, it reassures employers that you’re serious. That you value their time. That you understand the assignment. These small signals build trust before you ever step into an interview.

Those stuffy, three-paragraph letters your career counselor taught you? Forget them.

Here’s what works now:

Opening with a bold personal statement or brief story creates immediate emotional connection. This “disruptive” style not only captures attention—it also showcases emotional intelligence and intentionality. It shifts the tone from transactional to relational.

Long-winded letters are rarely read in full. The modern standard is 3–4 tight paragraphs—enough to make your case without testing attention spans. Hit the high notes. Show your fit. End with a clear call to action.

It’s better to sound real than robotic. Hiring managers can spot template-driven letters instantly. Customize each letter to reflect the company’s recent wins, culture, or mission. A line or two of meaningful specificity can make all the difference.

Avoid the temptation to rehash your resume. Instead, use your letter to explain how your experience translates into results. Make it clear: “Here’s the problem I know you’re trying to solve. Here’s how I can help.”

In 2025, hard-copy mailed letters are virtually extinct. Most cover letters are submitted digitally—either as a separate PDF upload in an online application, pasted into an ATS text field, or included in the body of an email when applying directly. Always follow the employer’s instructions, but default to digital, clean, and easily scannable formatting.

AI tools can be useful for idea generation, grammar checks, and formatting suggestions. But they’re not a substitute for human insight. Over-relying on AI often results in cover letters that feel generic or robotic. Use AI to support your process—but make sure your final letter sounds like you and clearly speaks to the role.

There are a few exceptions:

• The job application explicitly says not to include one.
• You’re submitting through a rigid ATS that offers no field to attach a letter.
• You’re applying via referral and the resume is being walked in directly.

But even then, consider including a brief note of intent in your email or ATS message box—just to reaffirm your interest and value.

When asked, many hiring managers say they don’t read every cover letter. But when they do, it’s often the cover letter that tips the scale between two similar candidates.

Here are a few consistent takeaways:

• A generic, copy-paste letter hurts more than helps.
• The best letters are brief, personal, and clearly tailored to the company and role.
• Cover letters that show alignment with the company’s mission or values tend to stand out.
• When someone is changing careers or has a gap to explain, a cover letter can make the difference between being screened in or out.

Hiring managers aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for connection. A great cover letter helps them understand why you care and how you fit.

Here’s the bottom line: Cover letters aren’t going anywhere, but they’re evolving. The job seekers who adapt their approach will have a clear advantage over those who either avoid them completely or stick to outdated formats.

Cover letters are still alive and relevant in 2025—but only if they evolve with the times. They’re no longer formalities. They’re a chance to make a human connection, tell a brief but compelling story, and show the employer that you understand their needs and how you can help solve them.

Don’t overthink it. Focus on being genuine, specific, and brief. When done right, a cover letter becomes one more tool in your arsenal—not a burden, but an opportunity to stand out.

So, should you include a cover letter? If you want to give yourself every possible edge in a competitive job market, the answer is a confident YES.

Need help crafting a cover letter that positions you powerfully and authentically?

Book a resume strategy call today to learn how the expert team at Distinctive Career Services can help you develop a custom, professionally written cover letter—and a complete career marketing portfolio—that gets results.