Should You Bother With a Cover Letter? Recruiters Weigh In

Wellfound's "Ask a Recruiter" series brings job hunters face-to-face with real tech recruiters who share honest advice on how to get hired.

One of job searching’s most divisive questions finally gets answered—by the people who actually read your applications.

🎥 Watch the compilation on YouTube

If you’ve ever wondered whether anyone reads cover letters, you’re not alone. I’ve asked dozens of recruiters this on Wellfound’s Ask a Recruiter series, and their answers couldn’t be more different.

Some love them:

• Carmen Hudson: “I love cover letters… give me one or two short paragraphs that show why you’re perfect for this role at this company.”

Some hate them:

• Gloria Dallas: “I do hate cover letters. I never require them because I know I’m not going to read them.”

Some have no time:

• Emily Sutley: “I’ve taken cover letters off most applications… there’s just no time.”

Some are curious when they appear:

• Arielle Salman Bailey: “When I do see one, I’m like—cool. It doesn’t make or break your application, but it does make you interesting.”

And some even change their mind:

• Jacqueline Martinez: “I used to think they were a waste. Now I’d spend time on them if they’re authentic and tied to the mission.”

When to Write One — and When to Skip

Write a cover letter if:

• You’re making a career transition that needs explanation
• The job description specifically requests one
• You can share knowledge about the company/product or context your resume can’t show

Skip it if:

• The job posting doesn’t ask for one
• You can’t customize it for that company
• You’d just repeat your resume
• You’re tempted to send a generic template or unedited AI draft

Nathan Donato from Wellfound put it bluntly: “If you have like no cover letter at all versus a generic cover letter… it’s about the same. Just skip it honestly.”

The Smart Way to Write a Cover Letter

If you do decide to write one, here’s what recruiters recommend:

DO:

• Keep it 1–3 short paragraphs
• Focus on why you want THIS role at THIS company
• Use your authentic voice and personality
• Explain what your resume can’t show (motivation, context, passion)
• Show you’ve researched the company’s mission or product

DON’T:

• Send the same template everywhere
• Let AI write it entirely (recruiters can tell)
• Repeat your resume word-for-word
• Go over one page
• Start with “To whom it may concern” (address it to a real person)

The Bottom Line

Cover letters are inconsistent territory. Gloria will never read yours, Carmen absolutely will, Emily doesn’t have time, Arielle gets curious, and Jacqueline has completely changed her mind. You’ll never please them all—and you don’t need to.

Default to skipping unless you have a specific, authentic reason. If you do write one, make it short, company-specific, and personal. The recruiters who value it are the ones you’ll want to work with anyway.

Want to hear recruiters’ unfiltered takes? Watch the compilation or explore the full Ask a Recruiter playlist.