Should You Still Use a Cover Letter in 2025?

Once upon a time, the cover letter was non-negotiable. Every job posting required one, and without AI to help you phrase things just right, most of us wanted to bang our heads against the wall. Fast-forward to 2025, and while some job seekers hope this relic has become obsolete, here’s the truth: the majority of postings still ask for a cover letter. Sometimes it’s marked as required, sometimes optional.

Here’s my rule of thumb: if it’s optional, still send one. Recruiters see it as a sign you’re genuinely interested.

When I worked at Drexel University, I organized two recruiter panels every year, featuring hiring professionals from industries as diverse as finance, tech, retail, and nonprofits. Every time, I asked them about cover letters; how important they are and whether they actually read them. Consistently, around 75% said yes. That’s three out of four recruiters who may be using your cover letter to decide whether or not to grant you an interview.

So, what’s the point of a cover letter in 2025, especially with AI tools everywhere? Here’s how I frame it for my clients:

• Done poorly, it can knock you out of the running.
• Done well, it can get you in the door.

A strong cover letter gives you space to:

• Explain a resume gap without oversharing.
• Highlight an accomplishment that’s hard to capture in bullet points.
• Share a brief story that illustrates your skills.
• Express why you’re genuinely excited about this specific role or company (beyond “you’re a great fit for the job” or “this company sounds like a great place to work.”)

In an AI-saturated world, personalization stands out even more. Recruiters can tell when a letter is copied and pasted, or generated without thought. I get it, writing a tailored resume and cover letter for each role feels exhausting. But as I tell clients, quality over quantity wins every time. I’ve seen job seekers go from sending out 500+ generic applications with no results to landing interviews within weeks once they slowed down, targeted the right roles, and invested time in making their application materials shine.

At the end of the day, the cover letter isn’t dead, it’s just evolved. Use it to connect the dots between your background and the role, and to give recruiters a reason to pick YOU over the other equally qualified candidates in their inbox.