Once a candidate passes the initial digital screening reliant on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), what subjective need does the cover letter fulfill for the hiring manager?
It allows the applicant to explicitly state why their skills fit this specific company, providing subjective reasons to advance.
The digital hiring landscape often utilizes ATS for initial filtering based on keywords, leading some to believe the narrative letter is obsolete. However, the text explains that once past this technical hurdle, the hiring manager is actively seeking subjective differentiators to narrow the field. The cover letter shines here because it is the applicant's direct channel to address the hiring manager personally, explaining the 'why'—specifically, why their background connects to *this* particular company and role. This human connection and tailored rationale are precisely what a standardized resume template struggles to achieve in the post-screening environment.
