Do Recruiters Read Cover Letters Before Resumes?

The truth is that some recruiters and hiring managers read cover letters, but others go directly to your resume. You probably don't know what approach the people who hire for the position you want will take. As a result, you should take the time to write a

cover letter

whenever possible. Employers first examine a resume, usually to ensure that you have the desired skills and experience before taking the time to read your cover letter.

This is especially true in fields that require specific skills, such as computer science and engineering. Even if a cover letter isn't specifically requested, providing one could give you a competitive advantage.Instead of a hiring manager dismissing your resume because of an employment gap, you can consult the cover letter to better understand the circumstances surrounding it. Preparing a cover letter when it's not a formal requirement shows that you're willing to put in extra effort to demonstrate how much you want the job. Smaller companies tend to hire fewer people at a time, so their hiring managers are likely to take the time to search for and read a cover letter to better understand each candidate.

However, in creative fields such as publishing, journalism and copywriting, employers can first read your cover letter to ensure that your writing skills are at the level they require.You can also find incentives to write a cover letter once you understand the specific ways this helps you stand out as a candidate. While online hiring tools and digital portals don't always explicitly request it, the inclusion of a cover letter can capture the interest of a human resources manager, demonstrate your value and solidly demonstrate why you're the right candidate for the position. But do recruiters really read cover letters? An excellent cover letter acts as a tool for the HR manager to easily identify the right candidates by taking advantage of their unique skills and personality, saving precious time in the pre-selection process.Creating cover letters takes time and energy, making it tempting not to write them at all, but don't give up. Just like following LinkedIn profile best practices while searching for a job, you should give your cover letter the same level of attention.

The United Kingdom shows that 36 percent of those surveyed consider a cover letter to be “quite important” when receiving an application from a candidate, and 20 percent consider it vital, stating that they wouldn't consider an application without it.The data also showed that the cover letters made a strong impression whether the job was full-time, part-time, or an internship.In conclusion, it's important to remember that some recruiters and hiring managers read cover letters before resumes. Whether or not it's explicitly requested, including one could give you an edge over other candidates. Writing an excellent cover letter is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your value and show why you're the right person for the job. It's also an opportunity for you to explain any employment gaps or other issues that may be present on your resume.