How important is a cover letter?

[IntoTheFloodAgain]

As an employer/ recruiter, would you consider applications without one?

I’m focusing more on applications through Indeed and similar sites, regardless of if it’s through an agency or a direct to an employer.

If the link takes me to a full application on the company’s website, I do include one but if it’s just a case of clicking apply and submitting a CV then I don’t always. I’m wondering if this is hindering my chances.

For context, I’m not applying for sector specific, mainly admin or coordinator level jobs but varying sectors ( eg finance, social housing, building maintenance ) I do have relevant experience for the jobs I apply for. I am looking for part time mainly.

TIA

If you're applying through Indeed or such, the employer will receive hundreds of applications. Click and apply is a nightmare - the employer will be inundated with barely relevant chancers alongside good applications You will get perhaps 2 seconds to convince them to read your CV. The best covering letter for me is one that outlines relevant experience (perhaps currently working for a competitor) and why you are right for the job. A generic letter is not worth the paper it's emailed on - keep it specific and focussed and it's a way to stand out.

I don’t recruit now but have. No covering letter would have severely hindered your chances I’m afraid.

We have a mandatory application form where I work, so no covering letters any more, but if there is no personal statement tailored to the job, it goes straight in the bin - I don't even look at what experience the candidate has, as they clearly can't be bothered to articulate why they're a good fit for this particular job.

If we still accepted applications on the basis of CVs, I would bin any applications without a covering letter straight away.

I expect the covering letter/personal statement to outline how the candidate meets the specific criteria listed in the person specification, with concrete examples. I appreciate that it's time consuming to do this for every application, but it's equally time consuming for me to wade through the hundreds of applications that we get for each and every post, so I go with the candidates who make my job easy for me.

Very few people seem to know how to fill in applications properly. Most people would probably find that they get invited to interview far more frequently if they just put in the time.

If someone just sends off a CV without bothering to write a cover letter tailored to the position outlining how they meet the criteria then I wouldn’t consider them seriously, no.

Just add a page to your CV and make that a cover letter when you click and submit (I assume you mean the type where you can attach a file, rather than send a prefilled "auto cv" held on the site?)

Thanks for all the replies.

My cv does have a personal statement with a general outline of qualities and experience.

Because the jobs I apply for tend to have a generic job description, the criteria tends to be the same so my personal statement generally matches. I find it hard to tailor a letter because there isn’t any specialist experience (that I offer or that is required) if that makes sense.

Hmm my DH got an interview (and subsequent offer) just off the back of a CV, maybe he was lucky!

I think I’ll have to prepare a one I can just copy and paste and just amend the job title as and when. Thanks again!

Cover letters are such a waste of time filled with buzz words. I never read them (am a recruiter) as I want to see your actual experience.

Long CVs don't get my attention so keep it short and to the point.

That’s what I thought at first Green.

I’ve sat in on interviews etc but never managed applications. If I did I’d probably skim the CV for job titles first. In my own roles, when I need written information from someone I don’t like fluff, I like points

Maybe it depends on the industry?

Short punchy personal statement at the start of your CV should be enough.

I have personally not applied for jobs that ask for covering letter as it's so outdated I imagine the work environment to be too.

I'm not a recruiter, but I've hired/interviewed plenty, for technical roles

Unless it's coming direct, I wouldn't even see a covering letter - HR or the recruiter would remove and just give me a heap of CVs.

I do echo GreenEyedGoose though, for the love of God, keep your CV to 2 pages - by the time you've had a couple of jobs, I really doubt I care about your GCSE grades.

A cover letter should be tailored to the job description based on the duties AND the selection criteria. It's equally as important as the CV. I used to recruit and without one we didn't consider the CV at all.

Also, don't send a generic cover letter where you tailor the job title only. It's utterly pointless. Recruiters want you to be able to address how you meet the criteria.

Tailor your CV and the covering letter to the specific role being applied for. They should be companion, complementary (not disparate, generic) documents.

It would be foolish not to use the letter as an additional opportunity to slip in some meaningful (brief) comments to catch the recruiter's eye and convince them you're worth considering and highlight your enthusiasm to attend interview.

I agree, no buzz words or meaningless jargon. Make sure every well chosen word works hard for you!