Do Employers Really Read Your Cover Letters?

By Ozzy Published May 6, 2025

When Amanda Williams applied for a marketing job last fall, she agonized over every sentence of her cover letter. But after clicking submit, a nagging question lingered: Would anyone actually read it?

It's a doubt shared by countless job seekers. For years, the cover letter has been both championed as crucial and derided as a formality destined for an inbox abyss. Recent research shows the truth is somewhere in between. Many hiring managers do read cover letters – often with interest – but plenty skim or skip them. Understanding when a cover letter matters can help job hunters decide if writing one is worth the effort.

Are Cover Letters Actually Read?

According to recent surveys, a significant majority of hiring managers do read cover letters, at least in many scenarios. A 2023 survey found that 83% of hiring managers frequently or always read cover letters, and 73% still reviewed them even when not explicitly required. Nearly half reported reading an applicant's cover letter before their resume.

However, other polls suggest a sizable minority pay little attention. One survey of 10,000 recruiters found 61% said cover letters don't matter much. Career consultant Erica Mann notes, "I've found that about 50% of hiring managers and recruiters read cover letters, and 50% don't," with large companies often skipping them due to application volume.

The reality depends on the company, industry, and individual hiring manager. In fields like journalism, marketing, or nonprofits where communication skills are paramount, cover letters are often critical. In contrast, tech recruiters may focus more on technical qualifications and portfolios.

Company size also matters. Large organizations often prioritize résumés unless a candidate is a close contender, while smaller companies and startups are more likely to read letters to gauge fit and passion. Even within organizations, a cover letter might only get attention once you're a serious candidate – but at that point, it could become a tie-breaker.

Why Cover Letters Still Matter

A great cover letter can give you an edge in a competitive market. When read, it humanizes your application and demonstrates motivation in ways a résumé can't. In one study, 94% of hiring managers said a cover letter impacts their decision, with 49% reporting that a strong letter has secured interviews for candidates who might otherwise have been overlooked.

A cover letter isn't just a second chance to repeat your résumé – it serves a distinct purpose. "A cover letter is where you make a compelling case for yourself as a candidate, totally aside from what's in your résumé," says career columnist Alison Green. It's your narrative, your voice. It's where you explain why you're interested and how you can contribute.

Recruiters use cover letters to gauge how candidates connect their experience to job requirements (27%), assess communication skills (24%), and learn about motivation. These insights don't come through from a résumé alone.

Cover letters are particularly valuable for explaining circumstances a résumé can't. Changing careers? Relocating? Returning after a career break? The cover letter lets you proactively address these situations. Nearly half of hiring managers say explaining employment gaps is an important function of cover letters.

Most importantly, a cover letter conveys enthusiasm and fit. "Your résumé tells me what you've done; your cover letter tells me why it matters to you," explains one hiring manager. The evidence suggests this effort translates to results: applicants who include cover letters are almost twice as likely to get interview callbacks.

Crafting a Cover Letter that Gets Noticed

If you decide to write a cover letter, make it count. Here are the key elements most experts recommend:

Keep it concise. Aim for 250-400 words (one page). About 70% of hiring managers spend only 1-2 minutes reading a cover letter, often just skimming. Brief, focused letters are more likely to be read completely.

Personalize it. Never send a generic letter. Connect your specific skills to this specific role and company. Mention the company's name and refer to job requirements. Tailoring matters—72% of hiring managers consider customization important.

Hook them early. The opening lines are prime real estate. Avoid dull introductions like "I am writing to apply..." Instead, lead with a strong hook about your enthusiasm for the company or a notable achievement. First impressions matter: 41% of hiring managers say the introduction is the most impactful part.

Tell a story. Share a brief anecdote that showcases your skills or passion. Storytelling makes your application memorable and conveys personality, but keep it relevant and professional.

Highlight value, not just desire. Don't just explain why you want the job—articulate why they should want you. Use concrete examples with measurable results. The cover letter connects the dots between your experience and their requirements.

Show company knowledge. Reference a recent company development or product you admire. Demonstrating research signals genuine interest and preparation.

Mind your tone. Strike a balance between confident and humble, professional yet conversational. Mirror the company's culture where appropriate, but always remain authentic.

Format professionally. Use a clean layout with short paragraphs. Include appropriate contact information and address it to a specific person if possible. Submit as a PDF with a professional filename.

Proofread meticulously. A cover letter is a writing sample. Typos or errors undermine your professionalism—68% of recruiters would dismiss an applicant for a single mistake. Have someone else review it if possible.

When to Include a Cover Letter

Always include one if requested. If a job posting asks for a cover letter, provide one. "Failing to include a requested cover letter can be a failure of the hiring manager's first mini-test," says recruitment firm founder Kelli Hrivnak.

Include one even if optional, in most cases. Survey data shows 72% of hiring managers expect cover letters even when optional. They view it as a test of motivation. For competitive roles, it's a way to distinguish yourself.

Use a letter to provide context your résumé can't. Career changers, recent graduates, or those with employment gaps especially benefit from the explanatory power of a cover letter.

Consider industry norms. Communications, marketing, law, academia and nonprofits typically value cover letters highly. Technical roles may focus more on portfolios and skills assessments, but a good letter can still demonstrate communication ability.

When might you skip it? If the application system doesn't allow one, if you have a personal referral that bypasses formal processes, or for high-volume entry-level positions where decisions are made on basic criteria. But in professional roles, a thoughtful cover letter is rarely wasted effort.

Streamlining Your Job Search with Technology

While personalized cover letters matter, modern job seekers can leverage tools like Multapply, a Chrome extension that streamlines the application process. Multapply automates applications across major job boards and company sites by entering your details once and auto-filling forms with a single click.

The extension tracks application status and follow-ups in one place while providing insights about your success rate. Its AI-powered resume and cover letter management intelligently tailors documents to each job, highlighting the most relevant skills for the position.

Particularly useful is the ability to create multiple professional profiles (software engineer, nurse, doctor, etc.) to target different careers with a single click. With privacy safeguards in place—data stored on Google Cloud solely for your applications—Multapply is ideal for anyone applying to multiple positions, exploring new opportunities, or starting their job search.

Conclusion

Do employers read cover letters? Often yes—and when they do, it can profoundly influence your chances. Cover letters introduce the human behind the résumé, explain motivations, and showcase communication skills that résumés simply can't convey.

A tailored cover letter can differentiate you in a crowded field. As long as employers continue asking "Why do you want this job?" and "Can you write clearly?", cover letters will remain relevant. Even if half of employers skim them, the other half might be opening the door to your next opportunity. Since you rarely know which half you're dealing with, give yourself every advantage and put your best words forward.