The question job seekers most want answered: do recruiters and hiring managers actually read cover letters? The short answer: sometimes. The longer answer is more complicated and more useful for job search strategy.

The Honest Numbers

Survey data from 50 hiring managers and recruiters reveals the reality: approximately 40% read cover letters for every application. Another 35% read them selectively—only for candidates already deemed interesting based on resumes. The remaining 25% admit rarely or never reading them.

Candidates hoping cover letters will compensate for unqualified resumes face disappointment. Cover letters almost never rescue weak resumes. However, they can absolutely push borderline candidates into the 'yes' pile or provide crucial context that changes how background is perceived.

When Recruiters Actually Read Them

Recruiters read cover letters in specific situations. When resumes show qualification but choosing among several similar candidates, cover letters can serve as tiebreakers. When backgrounds are non-traditional and career change motivation needs clarification. When employment gaps or other resume question marks require explanation.

Cover letters also receive attention for senior roles where cultural fit and communication skills matter enormously. When recruiters are undecided about candidates and weighing whether to invest time in phone screens, compelling cover letters can tip the scales.

The ATS Reality

Many Applicant Tracking Systems don't parse cover letters well. They may store them as attachments, but they're not searchable like resumes. Candidates counting on keywords in cover letters to bypass ATS filters waste their time.

Cover letters only matter once humans open applications. Recruiters only open applications already meeting basic requirements based on resumes. Cover letters have never been what gets candidates noticed—they provide context once candidates are already being considered.

What Makes Recruiters Skip Them

Cover letters starting with generic openings or obvious templates don't get read past the first paragraph. Letters longer than half a page often go unread due to time constraints. Letters merely repeating resume content without adding new information serve no purpose.

The biggest issue: most cover letters are boring. They sound identical to every other cover letter. 'I am writing to express my strong interest...' prompts immediate disengagement. Candidates unable to write something distinctive should skip cover letters entirely.

The Industries Where They Matter More

Cover letters carry more weight in certain fields. Academia, nonprofit work, government positions, and communications roles often expect them and review them carefully. In these sectors, omitting a requested cover letter can be disqualifying.

In tech, especially for engineering roles, cover letters are often skipped entirely. Senior engineers at major tech companies have secured multiple offers without ever writing cover letters. Industry norms matter, and candidates should adjust accordingly.

When To Skip Them Entirely

When applications list cover letters as optional and resumes clearly demonstrate qualifications, skipping them is advisable. Time is better spent customizing resumes or applying to additional positions. Mediocre cover letters don't help—they might actually hurt by appearing generic.

Candidates applying to dozens of jobs weekly lack time to write quality cover letters for all of them. Energy should be conserved for roles genuinely desired, where thoughtful cover letters explaining fit could make meaningful differences.

When You Absolutely Need One

When job postings specifically require cover letters, submitting them is mandatory. Failure demonstrates inability to follow basic instructions. When making significant career changes and resumes alone don't explain qualifications. When employment gaps or other resume issues need brief explanation.

When applying for competitive roles with genuine company connections—long-term product use, mission admiration, personal stories relating to their work—cover letters can provide differentiation. These situations justify the investment.

What Actually Works

Effective cover letters are short: three paragraphs maximum. They're specific to companies and roles—mentioning recent news, products, or missions. They focus on the employer, not just the candidate. And they're proofread meticulously. Typos in cover letters are worse than no cover letters.

One particularly effective cover letter contained just four sentences. It explained the candidate's switch from consulting to product management, mentioned a specific product feature they admired with improvement ideas, and requested a conversation. Clear, specific, and compelling—it generated immediate interview interest.

The Bottom Line

Cover letters aren't dead, but they're not magic either. They're read sometimes, by some people, in some situations. When writing them, make them count—short, specific, and compelling. When that's not possible, skipping them and investing time elsewhere produces better results.

Resumes get candidates in the door. Interviews get them offers. Cover letters occasionally provide useful context in between. They deserve appropriate effort in suitable situations, but shouldn't consume the bulk of job search energy.