Is it okay to not include a cover letter?

The decision to attach a cover letter when the application only indicates it is not required creates a unique modern hiring paradox, leaving candidates uncertain if they are missing an easy advantage or wasting precious time. In many application scenarios, candidates simply want to know if omitting the letter results in immediate disqualification or merely forfeits a potential edge. The immediate interpretation of "not required" is that the submission is optional, and failure to provide one will not disqualify an applicant outright. Yet, this leaves open the more nuanced question: is optional the same as recommended?

# Recruiter Reality

The experience of the person reading the application profoundly dictates the letter’s value. Recruiters, who often manage massive influxes of applications, may prioritize speed above all else. For these initial screeners, cover letters can be frequently ignored, making zero difference in their process. In fact, some HR professionals express a dislike for them, feeling obligated to read correspondence they often do not have time for.

For hiring managers, the reception is equally mixed. Some managers admit to rarely reading them, focusing almost entirely on the resume to find the best fit for the role requirements. A significant risk lies in poor execution: multiple sources note that poorly written, templated, or unproofread cover letters actively hurt a candidate’s chances, sometimes removing them from consideration entirely. One anecdote describes a candidate being disqualified when a template error left in the placeholder text, "(your name here)," demonstrating a fatal lack of attention to detail required for the job.

However, when a hiring manager does read the letter, it serves a specific purpose that a resume cannot replicate. It offers a chance to create a tiny, yet critical, emotional connection. If a recruiter or manager is truly torn between two candidates with identical experience, a cover letter that speaks directly and passionately to the hiring manager might tip the scales in favor of the applicant who submitted one. For roles where writing and communication are central—such as fundraising, marketing, or customer-facing positions—the letter acts as a necessary writing sample, offering a taste of the candidate's communication style.

# Industry Effect

The weight given to the cover letter seems highly dependent on the sector. In fields that are heavily writing-intensive, a well-crafted letter can secure a significant leg up over applicants who skip it. For instance, in fundraising, where writing and communication are essential to the job function, candidates are almost expected to provide one to demonstrate those skills.

Conversely, some fields, like technology, reportedly place little value on these documents, with some candidates securing high-paying roles without ever submitting one. In these contexts, the perceived effort of writing a boilerplate letter for every application may be viewed as an unreasonable demand on an applicant who is applying to dozens of jobs simultaneously.

If an application system provides no field for a cover letter, that is a clear signal that one is not expected or required for that specific role. Similarly, if the job description explicitly instructs applicants not to submit one, doing so signals an inability to follow instructions, which is a quick way to be disqualified.

How Important Is a Cover Letter?

# Strategic Choice

While many career experts advise that submitting a cover letter is the best practice in almost all situations—often stating that in about 98% of cases, one should be included—the actual decision comes down to managing competitive advantage versus effort expenditure.

The primary benefit of submitting a letter when optional is that it provides the reader with more data points, allowing you to frame your resume and explain why you fit that specific role over another candidate with the same background. It serves as your personal sales pitch, highlighting relevance beyond bullet points. If you have crucial information to convey, such as explaining a career gap, detailing a career pivot, or noting a relocation requirement, the cover letter is the appropriate place to address this context.

However, a crucial counterbalance exists: the quality of the document must match the application's seriousness. If you cannot dedicate the time to customize the letter for the role, submitting a generic, one-size-fits-all template is considered worse than submitting nothing at all.

To help frame this strategic decision, job seekers often grapple with how the application environment changes the necessity of the letter.

When evaluating the time cost, one approach for high-volume job seekers is to maintain a strong resume and rely on an excellent elevator pitch during initial phone screenings, saving the letter-writing energy for roles truly worth the extra work.

Here is an actionable consideration for situations where skipping feels risky but time is short. If an online application offers a small, open text box often labeled "Additional Information" or "Brief Introduction" instead of a formal document upload, do not treat it as a place for a full cover letter. Instead, distill your entire pitch into three high-impact sentences—one stating excitement, one linking your top achievement to their need, and one expressing anticipation for the next step—ensuring you offer some personal context without requiring the hiring team to read a full page. This fulfills the desire to go the "extra mile" without demanding the time commitment of a full letter, distinguishing you from those who leave the box entirely blank.

# When to Omit

There are clear scenarios where opting out is the correct professional move. If the application process explicitly states "you are not required to submit a cover letter," that instruction should generally be respected. If the application portal lacks an area to upload the document, take that as your cue to move on without one. The most important reason to skip writing one is if you cannot customize it meaningfully. Submitting a weak, recycled document offers little upside and a definite potential for negative impact due to poor quality.

Furthermore, if you operate under the belief that a company requiring an essay before they even look at your qualifications is signaling an undesirable, overly demanding culture, skipping the letter becomes a screen for identifying the type of employer you wish to work for. Some job seekers intentionally filter out applications that require a letter because they seek environments that value skills demonstrated on paper over expressive prose.

What are the three main things needed in a cover letter?

# Show Enthusiasm

Even when the letter is optional, the act of including a well-written one signals a higher level of dedication and interest in the specific position. Candidates often use the letter to reinforce their enthusiasm for the organization or the role itself, which is difficult to convey through a resume alone. If you have a connection, such as a referral or a previous internship with the company, failing to mention it in a cover letter is a missed opportunity to immediately establish rapport and relevance.

An effective strategy involves ensuring visual consistency between the resume and cover letter; using matching fonts and style helps reinforce your personal brand across the application package. The letter should be brief—optimally between 250 and 400 words, never exceeding one page—focusing on showing your relevance rather than repeating resume claims using weak phrases. Instead of stating you are a "great team player," a strong letter will use an action verb and quantify an achievement: "Managed five external stakeholders to launch the Q3 initiative, increasing lead conversion by 15%".

It is worth noting that while some skip it entirely, others substitute the traditional letter format. One suggestion is to include links to active social media profiles like LinkedIn to give the employer a broader, more current understanding of your professional identity, especially if the standard letter feels too cumbersome.

# Final Assessment

Ultimately, deciding to skip the cover letter when it is not mandatory is a calculation involving risk tolerance, industry expectations, and the job's perceived importance to your career goals. In transactional, high-volume screening situations, skipping it likely carries minimal risk, provided your resume is impeccable and tailored to the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) keywords. However, for roles you deeply desire or those where your resume needs narrative context—like explaining a transition in your career path—the cover letter remains the only document designed to speak directly to the human on the other side of the screen. While it might be okay to skip it, doing so removes a powerful tool for standing out in a competitive pile, especially when other candidates choose to make that effort.