What is the typical consequence if an applicant fails to include a cover letter when the job posting or application portal explicitly requires one?

Answer

Failing to include it is often grounds for immediate disqualification, irrespective of how impressive the resume appears.

The text clearly outlines that there are absolute thresholds where the cover letter moves from optional to mandatory. If a job posting or application system explicitly demands the document, the rule is rigid: failure to comply typically results in immediate disqualification. This strict adherence reflects the importance of following instructions, especially in professional sectors like law or highly structured consulting, where adherence to formal requirements is a critical measure of attention to detail. An impressive work history on the resume cannot usually overcome the procedural failure of omitting a stated requirement.

What is the typical consequence if an applicant fails to include a cover letter when the job posting or application portal explicitly requires one?

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