CV - cover letter yay or nay

[Gopin]

Very quick question. I am applying for analyst jobs in finance. Do I need a cover letter? All the applications essentially just involve a cv upload. I’m getting completely mixed answers from Google.

Apparently only 27% of hiring managers look at them. But others are saying a good cover letter can set you apart.

Thanks in advance.

I am a hiring manager right in your target space, I only glance at them. I go on the CV. All cover letters are basically the same and don't give any useful info on my view.

A lot of companies seem to be moving away from them. I'm guided by the application process. If it asks for one and has space to upload it, I do one. If they only had a box to upload a CV I just do that

Old school but I would always submit one as a courtesy. The whole online application process is bland and leaves little room for a candidate to demonstrate business etiquette, so use the opportunity to make yours stand out a little.

Thanks so much to the responders.

I work in HR and tend to skim past cover letters. I wouldn't bother unless they specifically ask for one.

Personally I rarely read them and they add little value but I have colleagues who I have heard state that they won't even read a cv if someone hasn't bothered to write a cover note. Which I think is bizarre but makes me inclined to do one myself if applying for a role, because you just don't know how random people can be.

Also a hiring manager in Finance and I can’t remember ever seeing one. I’m not sure if people don’t write them or if HR filter them out and don’t send them to me - either way I wouldn’t bother!