CV TIPS - Hiring Experts Reveal Why Cover Letters Aren’t Dead (Yet)
Posted 15th December 2025 • Written by Joseph Liu, Contributor • • • • • •
One of the most obvious areas where AI can assist job candidates is with their cover letter, submitted alongside a resume when applying for roles. With candidates now leaning on AI to assist with all forms of writing, it’s going to be much harder for hiring managers to judge a candidate’s actual qualifications based on a cover letter or CV alone.
Because of this, some hiring experts are even beginning to say that cover letters simply won’t matter anymore to the hiring process in 2026. Others still contend that cover letters, especially when written in a human, authentic manner, can differentiate truly outstanding candidates from the pack.
Cover Letters Provide A Human Touch
In a world where AI is becoming more present in our everyday lives, cover letters still provide a personal glimpse into a candidate prior to an actual interview.
Additionally, although hiring managers may be increasingly leaning on AI and technology to vet candidates, humans will ultimately give the final thumbs up or down to whether they want someone joining their team.
“Even if AI does the legwork in the early stages, if all goes well, someone is going to be reading your cover letter. So make it count. Make it human.”
Cover letters allow candidates to provide a more complete picture of themselves, enabling them to connect the dots among their various professional experiences.
They also enable a candidate to explain motivations and transitions, less obvious from a factual resume. “Cover letters allow candidates to express intent behind why they’re applying. They also serve as an opportunity to explain a career change or shift that may not be evident from the resume,”
Cover Letters Enable Differentiation
Ultimately, cover letters enable candidates to immediately differentiate themselves from those who skip writing cover letters. According to a 2024 American Staffing/Harris Poll survey, 31% of Americans would not apply for a job opening that required a cover letter.
Not All Agree Cover Letters Still Matter
Although cover letters can continue to play a role in hiring, plenty of recruitment experts are skeptical of their continued relevance, especially as AI continues to penetrate hiring processes, both amongst candidates and hiring managers.
“Cover letters only matter if they’re explicitly asked for. Otherwise, frankly, they’re a waste of time,” says Victoria McLean, founder and CEO of City CV.
Include A Cover Letter When The Option Exists
While some hiring managers out there may care less about cover letters, cover letters can still bolster your application when the option exists to include one. Even cover letter skeptics agree. “When cover letters are requested, they can be incredibly influential,”
They also remain one of the best ways to communicate your human qualities and motivations.
Ultimately the choice of including one as part of your job application is yours. Not including one may feel more efficient, where managers just make hiring decisions based on your resume alone. However, if the option exists to include one and you opt out of that option, you risk coming across as a candidate who simply didn’t put in the time or effort to go the extra mile.
At worst, just taking the time to write a cover letter signals your willingness to put in effort other candidates may not. They enable you to go beyond the facts of your resume and paint a more complete picture of who you are. And when written thoughtfully, a cover letter may just be the personal, human touch that differentiates you in a world of increasing artificiality, which may just tip the scales in your favor to help you secure your next dream job.
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