The cover letter debate has been going on for years. Some hiring managers swear by them; others never read them. The truth in 2026 is nuanced: cover letters aren't always required, but when they're good, they can be the deciding factor between two equally qualified candidates.
When You Definitely Need One
If the application specifically asks for a cover letter, include one. Ignoring the request signals that you either don't read instructions or don't care enough to follow them. Both are disqualifying impressions.
You should also include one when you're changing careers (to explain the transition), when you have an unusual background for the role (to connect the dots), or when you have a personal connection to the company (to demonstrate genuine interest that goes beyond the job listing).
When You Can Skip It
If the application doesn't mention a cover letter and there's no field to upload one, don't go searching for a way to include it. Some companies explicitly don't want them. When in doubt, a short one is better than none, but don't stress about it for applications that clearly don't ask.
The Modern Format
The traditional cover letter — three paragraphs, formal tone, restatement of your resume — is dead. Modern cover letters are short, specific, and conversational.
Keep It Under 200 Words
Hiring managers are busy. A concise letter that makes its point quickly shows respect for their time and demonstrates your communication skills. If you can't be compelling in 200 words, adding more won't help.
Open With Why This Company
Start with something specific about the company that drew you to apply. Not "I'm excited about this opportunity" (everyone says that) but "Your recent work on open-source observability tools caught my attention because I've been building similar systems for the past three years." Show that you did your research and have a genuine reason for applying.
Connect Your Experience to Their Needs
Pick the two most important requirements from the job description and briefly explain how your experience addresses each one. Use specific examples, not generic claims. "I led the migration of our payment processing system to a microservices architecture, reducing downtime by 90%" is more compelling than "I have experience with system architecture."
Close With Confidence
End with a clear statement of interest and availability. "I'd welcome the chance to discuss how my experience with high-traffic payment systems could contribute to your platform team." That's it. No groveling, no "I hope to hear from you," no restating your phone number that's already on your resume.
What to Avoid
Don't repeat your resume in paragraph form. Don't open with "To Whom It May Concern." Don't use a template that obviously wasn't customized. Don't explain why you left your last job (save that for the interview). Don't discuss salary expectations unless specifically asked.
A strong cover letter paired with a targeted application to a verified job listing — one you found through a tool like True Jobs that filters out ghost jobs and scams — gives you the best possible shot at landing an interview.