What to do when Cover Letter not required

Hi there,

Q: Does this mean it's not worth writing one, or is it always worth writing one?

Depending on the company, they may or may not screen your cover letter if you attach it. The problem is that you won’t know that in advance.

Given that most likely you have a format ready for the others and you just need to tweak it a bit, I would make the extra effort just in case.

You can find some tips on the cover letter below:

▶ How to Craft a Great Cover Letter

Good luck!

Francesco

If a company explicitly states that they do not require a cover letter in their application information, you should generally follow their instructions and not submit a cover letter. Here's why:

Respect for the Company's Process: Companies have specific application processes and requirements in place for a reason. Ignoring these instructions may be seen as not following directions, which is not a positive impression to make.

Efficiency: When a company states that they do not require a cover letter, it often indicates that their hiring process is designed to evaluate candidates primarily based on their resume, application form, and interviews. Submitting additional materials, like a cover letter, may not align with their streamlined evaluation process.

Equal Opportunity: Companies often aim to create a level playing field for all applicants. If some candidates submit cover letters while others do not, it could create an imbalance in the evaluation process.

However, it's crucial to make sure that your resume and the information you provide in the application form are comprehensive and effectively communicate your qualifications, skills, and experiences. In cases where a cover letter is not required, you should focus on making your resume and application form as strong as possible to ensure you present a compelling case for your candidacy.

If you're ever uncertain about whether to submit a cover letter, you can consider reaching out to the company's HR department or recruiting team for clarification. Otherwise, it's generally advisable to adhere to their stated application requirements and not include a cover letter when it's not explicitly requested.

Hi there,

If it were me? I would always submit a cover letter where there is an option.

Why?

If there are 100 identical candidates and 10 submit a cover letter, all things equal, who would you interview?

Why wouldn't you do everything to maximize your odds for your dream companies?

Now, remember, you don't have to write a whole cover letter for each one. I have built out cover letter mass production techniques that lets you churn out high quality cover letters in about 20 minutes (once you have the pieces together).

Feel free to message for how to do this!

Hi,

The way I interpreted these phrasings is that a CL is optional. So I don't think your application will be negatively viewed if you did submit a CL.

If I had a really strong CL already done I would probably include it. Otherwise a strong CV standalone is better than a strong CV + weak CL.

All the best!

I recommend consistently submitting a cover letter when given the option, as it can significantly enhance your chances of standing out among applicants, particularly for your dream companies.

Hi there!

It means that they're tired of candidates writing bad cover letter just to tick a box :)

So if you can write a great cover letter, that will make a difference. Which is why I do recommend people to write and give them my support in developing them. 

If you're now in the application process, have a look also at the following guide to see what else you can optimise for in the funnel to maximise the chances of getting invited to interviews:

• Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian

———————————————

Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> SoyTechnologies  

If they don't require one… don't write one… Unless there's something really special that you want to convey trough the Cover Letter. 

Otherwise you are wasting their time for no good reason.

Hi there,

I suggest to always submit the cover letter. This is a one-off main  effort that needs little tweaks among applications and it may be the differential factor to get the interview invitation call.

Best,

Alberto