should i add a cover letter if optional

Should You Submit an Optional Cover Letter? The Answer is Yes

The job application process is riddled with uncertainty, and one common dilemma job seekers face is whether to submit a cover letter when it is listed as optional. This article aims to answer that question by shedding light on the importance of cover letters in job applications and the potential drawbacks of not submitting one. We will also provide practical tips for crafting a compelling cover letter and share real-life examples of successful cover letters as well as expert opinions on the topic. So, let's dive in and explore the reasons why submitting an optional cover letter can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview.

The Importance of Cover Letters in Job Applications

Cover letters serve a vital purpose in job applications by showcasing the applicant's dedication and interest in the position. They complement resumes by offering a space to elaborate on one's skills, experiences, and motivations, providing context to the facts listed in a resume. As a result, cover letters can help create a more comprehensive picture of the applicant, ultimately increasing their chances of securing an interview.

Several studies highlight the impact of cover letters on interview chances. For instance, a study by ResumeGo found that job applications with tailored cover letters had a 53% higher callback rate than those without cover letters, emphasizing their significance in the application process. Despite these statistics, misconceptions persist about the importance of cover letters, with some job seekers underestimating their value and opting not to include them in their applications.

Reasons to Submit an Optional Cover Letter

Submitting an optional cover letter can be advantageous for job seekers in various ways:

• Demonstrates interest in the position : A well-crafted cover letter shows that the applicant has put in the effort to understand the job requirements and is genuinely interested in the position.
• Conveys professionalism and commitment : Taking the time to write a cover letter, even when optional, signals a high level of professionalism and dedication to potential employers.
• Helps the applicant stand out from the competition : Including a cover letter can differentiate an applicant from others who chose not to submit one, potentially improving their chances of being noticed by the hiring manager.
• Addresses potential concerns or gaps in the resume : A cover letter offers an opportunity to explain any gaps in employment, career changes, or other concerns that may arise from the resume.
• Personalizes the application : Tailoring a cover letter for the specific job and company demonstrates an understanding of the employer's needs and requirements, which can leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Potential Drawbacks of Not Submitting a Cover Letter

Not submitting a cover letter, even when optional, can have negative consequences for the job seeker:

• Gives the impression of a lack of interest or dedication : Choosing not to include a cover letter may signal to the employer that the applicant is not fully committed to the position or lacks enthusiasm for the role.
• Risk of being overlooked in favor of candidates who submitted cover letters : In a competitive job market, not submitting a cover letter can put an applicant at a disadvantage compared to others who took the time to include one.
• Missed opportunities to address potential concerns : Not providing a cover letter means losing the chance to explain any discrepancies or concerns that may arise from the resume, which could negatively affect an applicant's chances of securing an interview.
• Not maximizing one's chances in the job market : In today's highly competitive job market, it is crucial for job seekers to take every opportunity to stand out and increase their chances of landing an interview. Not submitting a cover letter, even when optional, can hinder those chances.

Tips for Writing an Effective Optional Cover Letter

Crafting a compelling optional cover letter requires following certain best practices and guidelines:

• Personalize the cover letter for the specific job and company : Research the company's values, culture, and recent projects or achievements, and incorporate this information into the cover letter to demonstrate a genuine interest in the organization.
• Address the employer's needs and requirements : Make sure to review the job posting carefully and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is looking for. Highlight how your experiences and skills align with these requirements and address how you can contribute to the company's success.
• Highlight relevant skills and experiences : Use the cover letter as an opportunity to elaborate on the specific skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the position. Provide concrete examples and anecdotes to support your claims.
• Maintain a professional tone and error-free content : Ensure your cover letter is well-written, free of grammatical errors and typos, and maintains a professional tone throughout.
• Make the cover letter engaging and memorable : Start with a strong opening that captures the reader's attention and use storytelling techniques to make your cover letter memorable and engaging.

"As a long-time admirer of XYZ Company's commitment to sustainability, I was thrilled to see the opening for a Project Manager on your team. With my background in environmental engineering and proven track record of managing successful green initiatives, I am confident that I can contribute significantly to your ongoing efforts to reduce the company's environmental footprint."

In conclusion, submitting an optional cover letter is an important step in the job application process that should not be overlooked. A well-crafted cover letter can demonstrate your interest in the position, convey your professionalism and commitment, help you stand out from the competition, address potential concerns, and add value by personalizing your application. By following the tips and insights provided in this article, you can maximize your chances of securing an interview and make a lasting impression on potential employers. So, don't hesitate – start crafting your optional cover letter today and increase your chances of landing that dream job.

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The Optional Cover Letter: Do You Still Need to Add One?

We all want to put our best face forward when we are applying for a job. This includes supplying a top-notch resume and an engaging cover letter . But what if the job ad states “cover letter optional”? Do I still need to provide one or not? Will I lose some potential brownie points in the eyes of the employer? 

Career experts have done some research around optional cover letters and how you should treat such requests. Let’s take a closer look at this hot topic.

Should You Write a Cover Letter if It is Optional?

Yes, it’s best to provide a cover letter even if it’s stated as optional. Why? Because it’s another “touchpoint” between you and the potential employer. Use it to draw more attention to your resume (and skill set respectively) and give a preview of your personality. Candidates who provide a professionally written cover letter are usually viewed as more professional and interested in the position than those who don’t.

Also, actually taking the time to write a cover letter can set you apart from the competition. One small-scale study, done by a recruiter, suggests that 73% of applicants don’t bother filing a cover letter or even write a short introduction in an email. So doing the courtesy of writing a formal or more informal email cover letter can be pretty refreshing for some employers.

OK, But Why State ‘Optional Cover Letter’ At All?

If data suggests that employers prefer cover letters, why some companies state that the “cover letter is optional”? That’s totally confusing. Yeah, we get that. 

But there are two possible reasons for that:

• By “cover letter optional”, some companies mean that you should write a less formal letter of introduction (email), rather than attach a “traditional” cover letter. They still expect more than a resume, sent without any further notice. 
• Others treat the “optional” thing as a quick applicant test. Many large companies, receiving hundreds of submissions, may want to easily weed out those candidates that don’t put in any extra effort. A company may begin its candidate analysis process by eliminating those who are not interested in the job enough to submit a cover letter. In some cases that could be potentially hundreds of letters or emails that they don’t need to waste time on.

The bottom line: If a cover letter is optional, it’s not an excuse to skip it altogether. 

Are cover letters necessary when you are applying via an on-site hiring form? It depends. Some job application forms, however, provide extra questions that allow you to talk about your personality, skills, and reasons for applying. But even in such cases, it’s best to add a quick introductory letter if you feel like you’ve got a few more things to say. 

Does The Cover Letter Content Matter?

So, if we have already established that most employers want you to provide a cover letter, along with your resume. But do you need to bother making the cover letter content relevant to the position?

Oh yes, you do! The purpose of a cover letter is not simply to “check a box” with the employer – it’s a sales tool to persuade them to meet with you for an interview . For that to happen, your letter has to be personalized to the job. 

• Research the hiring person’s name and add it to the letter 
• Specify if you have a “shared connection” (even on LinkedIn)
• Reference a recent company event or accomplishment 
• Explain how the company values align with yours

To personalize your cover letter, do some company research in advance. 

Also, treat your cover letter as an opportunity to explain why you are interested in taking on the position – something that you cannot really do with your resume. When your cover letter is done well it may be the deciding factor for you landing an interview with the company.

What Else Should Be Included In An Optional Cover Letter?

Optional or not, a cover letter should do two things well:

• Communicate your interest in the role 
• Highlight your “fit” for the opportunity 

To convey the above, the lengths of the resume may not be enough. 

In essence, a cover letter is an opportunity to showcase how you use your core competencies (listed as skills on your resume)  in your day-to-day work. For example, if the job on offer is to support a certain area, such as product development, then you can use your cover letter to mention how you would be able to fit in with their plans. Mention how you previously led product development within your current company, what results you’ve achieved and how you plan to replicate this success if given a chance. You can check cover letter examples on your website to get a better sense of how to convey your skills via extra context. 

Apart from the above, a good cover letter should include:

• A strong opening
• Two-three paragraph, centered around your skills
• Closing statement with a call-to-action

What If You Don’t Send In An Optional Cover Letter?

You might not have enough time to write a decent cover letter to go with your job application. Or you are facing the worst writer’s block of all time. What happens if you don’t end that optional cover letter after all? 

If you are short on time, focus on your resume instead. Put your available time into making sure it is perfect and send it in. Also, prioritize answering other questions on the job application platform. 

Finally, instead of a full-length letter, provide a quick personalized note that briefly introduces you and expresses your interest. You can re-use a variation of your personal statement . For example, as a recent graduate applying for a business analyst job you may write something like this:

“Good day, [Name], I’m looking forward to becoming part of the XYZ BA Office and applying my skills in process analysis, requirements gathering, quantitative and qualitative research, to help XYZ maintain its position as a leader in industry X”. 

Also, for the next time around, prepare a generic cover letter — a pre-written cover letter template you can quickly personalize to different job offers. Having one will say you heaps of time (and stress)!  

Conclusion 

When a cover letter is optional, a lot of job applicants may be tempted to skip it. Don’t be one of them! A cover letter is a great means to convey your interest in the job and provide a quick “preview” of your personality and work abilities. Given that a lot of employers now seek out “cultural fits”, rather than applicants who tick all the job requirement boxes, a well-written cover letter can majorly increase your chances of landing a job with a prestigious employer!

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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Find Your Future

Optional Cover Letters: Are They Worth it?

By skye.aitken, on 15 July 2020

Read time: 4 minutes

Written by Emily Oliphant, Recruitment & Selection Advisor at UCL Careers.

A question that I’ve heard time and time again in Application Advice appointments is ‘So, the company have stated the cover letter is optional – do you really think it’s worth writing one?’.

I understand it can sometimes be a difficult dilemma.  Cover letters take time, that’s a given.  Especially when you’re applying to multiple roles, it can be a seriously time-consuming endeavour to write a tailored cover letter for each of them.  However, in my opinion and from experience, the purpose of a cover letter is often misunderstood and the value of them disregarded .  With that in mind I believe that, if possible, an optional cover letter should always be an option you decide to make most use of.  Here’s why.

1.The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight your relevance

When you think about it, it doesn’t matter how much you tailor a CV to a job description, your CV will always be an entirely separate document to the job description.  Your CV is entirely focused on you – your education, your experience, your skills – from top to bottom everything on that CV is about you.  Turning the tables, you’ll recognise that the job description is really all about the employer.  Their company, their job, the skills they deem essential.  Therefore, without a cover letter there will always be a gap in how exactly your skills are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

A cover letter acts like a bridge.  It is a connecting document that provides you with a platform to connect your CV to the job description because it offers the opportunity for you to explicitly explain how your skills will allow you to perform the responsibilities of the job.

Explaining the skills you have, how you developed them and how you can apply them to the responsibilities of the role is a three-step process that can’t really be achieved through a CV.  By embracing this structure, you are painting a vision for the recruiter of you hitting the ground running and being able to perform the duties they want you to.  This positive psychology is always worth taking the time to get across.

2. Further Detail

CVs can be crammed with skills and experiences but sometimes you’ll find that there just isn’t enough space for you to unpack some of your examples enough to highlight exactly how they put you in good stead to undertake the responsibilities.

Cover letters allow you to incorporate the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action and Result) to your examples – for more information on this topic you can watch our CareersLab episode on the STAR method or have a read of our recent blog post on it .  Being able to go into more detail on relevant points will enhance your argument of your suitability and encourage the recruiter to believe that you are a good match to their person specification.

3. Commitment

Finally, taking the time to write a cover letter (where potentially others haven’t) will only ever display a positive quality – commitment.  Having worked in recruitment for two and half years before joining UCL Careers, I can say with certainty that if you have taken the time to show you have researched the company , explained why you are attracted to the role and why your skills are suitable for the position, you will positively demonstrate that you are indeed driven to succeed in the application.  This level of interest and dedication will rarely go unrecognised.

Therefore, in short, if you have the capacity – I undoubtedly believe that choosing to write a cover letter when given the option will only improve your application as a whole and should definitely be covered!

If you would like further information on cover letter writing please watch our CareersLab episode on Cover Letters .  Furthermore, please feel to free to book a Applications Advice appointment to discuss a particular cover letter you have written in depth with an advisor.

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How to Approach a ‘Cover Letter Optional’ Job Listing

Published: Apr 09, 2019

Have you ever been invited to a friend's birthday party and been told you shouldn't feel pressure to bring a gift? How often do you take this at face value? Do you assume your friend really doesn't want a present? Or do you think, "I'll just play it safe and get her something small to show I've thought of her?" 

Job seekers faced a similar dilemma when greeted with the words "cover letter optional" in a job posting. If you've been in this position, you've likely wondered, "Are they just testing me? Do they really want me to submit a cover letter, or are they genuinely fine with not receiving one? And what will it say about me if I don't attach one?" 

Read "optional" as "essential"

There is, of course, the chance that an employer has used the line "cover letter optional" because they honestly don't see much value in you attaching this document. But it's also entirely possible that recruiters give you the choice to submit or not to submit because they want to find out how keen you really are on the position.

Since you never know whether you're dealing with the first or second scenario, it's always safest to send a letter—even when doing so is not required and even when the job ad says nothing about it at all. The only time you wouldn't attach this invaluable document is if the posting explicitly requests that you don't.

Set yourself apart from the competition

First and foremost, submitting a cover letter when you don't have to shows that you really, truly want the job. If you're not willing to set aside an hour or two to craft a letter, recruiters might question whether you're really that motivated at all, and that won't reflect well on you.

Choosing to send a letter also offers hiring managers a preview of what's to come if they hire you—it shows that you're the sort of employee who’s prepared to go above and beyond and do more than the bare minimum. If you're being compared to similarly qualified candidates who didn't submit a letter, then this testament to your work ethic should give you an advantage over them. If a cover letter is potentially going to be the one thing that differentiates you from others, why wouldn't you attach one?

Demonstrate your soft skills

A cover letter also presents various other opportunities you don't want to miss out on. It's a chance to demonstrate strong communication skills, which are highly valued in almost every industry, and to say what you can't in your resume . In a letter, you can capture what it is about the role and the company that most appeals to you, showcase your unique personality, and make specific links between your skills and experience and the requirements of the position. Your resume offers a summary of your career history and qualifications; a cover letter acts as a bridge, showing how these details would translate to success in this particular job.

Make your cover letter work extra hard

If hiring managers include the line "cover letter optional" in a job posting, it might be because they don't want to be inundated with a heap of extra reading that doesn't add value. So, if you're going to give them something they haven't requested, make sure it's worth their time to engage with it. Compile a document that's customized, original, and attention-grabbing, and avoid making all the common cover letter mistakes . Never start with "To Whom It May Concern" (personalize the greeting with the hiring manager's name instead), stay away from clichés and tired buzzwords , and don't just repeat what's in your resume.

It's also best to keep the emphasis on the company's needs and how you can add value, rather than on what the job would bring to your life. And, of course, you should make sure your letter is free of any errors and is as concise as possible—the leaner, the better, especially if it's only optional.

A final note

If you're not sure where to start, it's a good idea to use one of the many cover letter templates available online to assist you. Cover letter templates are especially helpful in that they typically offer step-by-step guidance and even suggest job-specific keywords to include to beat applicant tracking systems that screen for certain phrases.

Since 2005, LiveCareer has been helping job seekers create resumes and cover letters via its free  resume builder  and  cover letter builder  tools. Also available are collections of free, professionally written  resume templates  and  resume samples , all of which are organized by industry and job title.

A simple guide for writing the perfect cover letter

No one loves writing cover letters.

They can seem awkward or even boring when you’ve written many. And they are time-consuming.

So when a job posting includes the words “cover letter optional,” it can seem like a relief. With those three words, you are blissfully let off the hook on that arduous but tedious task. Right?

The bad news is that the cover letter is never really “optional.”

The only time you don’t need one is when the job description specifies: “No cover letters, please.”

For many years, I’ve advised professionals as they navigate their career searches. As the director of MBA Career Coaching at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, I help candidates get jobs in consulting and professional services, among other fields. Before this job, I spent several years as a recruiter for PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Today, in the wake of the “Great Resignation,” a lot of companies are scrambling to fill record numbers of employment vacancies. It’s a great time to be looking for work. And it may seem reasonable in this environment to assume that, as a jobseeker, you’re in the driver’s seat and don’t need to write those “optional” cover letters.

But a cover letter — a good cover letter — is worth the time and energy when you want the job. It introduces who you are in a way that goes beyond the resume, it demonstrates your interest in the position and the organization, and it inspires the reader to take action. The cover letter can be the difference between getting the offer or not.

A large percentage of today’s job postings either require a cover letter or make it optional. Only a small percentage will indicate no cover letters. That means you should be prepared to submit a cover letter as part of your application 80% to 90% of the time.

As a former recruiter, I know there are times when two candidates end up closely ranked in the hiring team’s estimation. In those times, a cover letter can make the difference and help you inch ahead of the competition.

Here’s my advice for writing a good one, without a ton of effort each time.

Create a boilerplate. This part does take time and effort. For the first paragraph: Write an introductory paragraph that you’ll adapt for each new role and each new company. For the second paragraph: Write out several of your skills, or competencies, in a skimmable, bulleted format. Each competency will be in bold type, with a sentence or two that tells a short story of how you have used this skill and what outcome it produced. Focus here on direct evidence — facts, not judgments. For the third paragraph, describe what drives you and what you’re like to work with. That is your value proposition. For that final, closing paragraph, restate your interest, thank the hiring team for its consideration and look ahead to next steps.

Customize, customize. That boilerplate is going to do so much heavy lifting. Using it, you’ll modify the introductory paragraph, asserting your interest in the role and the company. Then, you’ll select two or three of the bullet points from your boilerplate list to specifically highlight the skills mentioned in the job posting. The third and fourth paragraphs can likely remain just as they are. That’s the beauty of this strategy. It’s far less daunting to modify an old cover letter than to start from scratch each time.

Find an editor. It should go without saying, but a good cover letter is well-written and free of grammatical errors and other silly mistakes — like accidentally leaving in a reference to the last company you applied to. Achieving that requires a second pair of eyes or even a third. Enlist a friend or loved one who will be your editor, and be prepared to return the favor someday.

One final tip: Always re-read the job description once or twice. Make sure you know what the posting is asking for, so the cover letter speaks directly to that. And remember, it’s not about what you want the hiring team to know — it’s about what they need to know.

Dori Jamison is the director of MBA Career Coaching at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Prior to coming to Maryland Smith, she worked for eight years as a recruiter for PricewaterhouseCoopers.

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What Does "Cover Letter Optional" Really Mean?

Published: Oct 30, 2019 By Andrea Moran

There is some debate in the business community about whether cover letters are even necessary anymore. But instead of eliminating them entirely, what you’ll probably find is that more and more companies simply make them “optional.” But…what exactly does that even mean? Before you bang your head against the keyboard in frustration, read one to decode the hidden meaning behind an increasingly popular application request.

The general rule is that, even if it’s marked “optional,” you should include a cover letter

There are a few reasons why companies would decide against requiring a cover letter—from not really thinking they’re that important, to testing which applicants are truly serious about the position, to wanting to reduce the amount of reading they need to do. Regardless of the reason (which you’ll never truly know), it’s a good idea to err on the side of caution and include one anyway.

According to Glassdoor , a well-written cover letter will leave a great impression from the outset. Writing one demonstrates dedication and the ability to go a step further than other candidates, with the added bonus of helping you stick out from the crowd (aka: those applicants who didn’t write one)…in a good way!

At the bare minimum, the inclusion of a cover letter will do what a cover letter always does: Explains to the hiring manager why you would be the best fit for the position and helps connect you on a more personal level to those in a position of authority. By taking the time and effort to write a thoughtfully crafted cover letter, you exude those same qualities just by virtue of writing one.

There is, however, a situation in which you should not include a cover letter

So after waxing on about the benefits that come from writing and submitting a cover letter even when it’s marked “optional,” there is actually a time you should skip its inclusion—and that’s when you don’t have time to write a good one.

Not including a cover letter is a much better decision than including a poorly written one—one that’s impersonal , too detailed, too egocentric, or riddled with spelling errors and typos. If you’re on a tight deadline or simply don’t have the mental energy to put toward a clean, concise, and professional cover letter, just leave it off. True, you’ll have missed out on a prime opportunity to set yourself apart—but it’s still infinitely better than the alternative, which is to set yourself apart as a definite “no” due to lackluster effort on your part. No one wants to write a cover letter while crunched for time, so trust that no one wants to read one written by somebody crunched for time either.

It may feel as though job posts are setting you up for failure (or at least exhausting mental gymnastics) by posting that cover letters are “optional,” but it will make your application process much easier if you simply view cover letters as a mandatory part of the application process unless explicitly stated otherwise. Ultimately, this is one of those situations in which you need to take an honest look at yourself and your abilities. Ask yourself: “In this particular moment, for this particular job, can I write a timely cover letter that thoroughly demonstrates my qualifications for the job in question?” If so, include one. If not, skip it. It’s as easy as that.  

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Cover Letter Optional: Should I Submit One Anyway

April 5, 2016

You’re applying to a great job for college students on WayUp, and you see that the employer has made submitting a cover letter optional. Do you write one or just ignore it and apply anyway?

The answer is if you really want the job, then yes, you should absolutely submit a cover letter. “Students shouldn’t waste their time otherwise,” admits Liane Hadjuch, a former campus recruiter for RBC Capital Markets. “Cover letters tend to hurt you because so many people have mistakes or a generic template where they just change the name of the company.”

“If you’re going to do it, it should be a value add,” she suggests. “Something that hasn’t already been said in your application otherwise.”

So if you decide to submit, here’s how you can make sure that your cover letter really adds to your application and gives you a competitive edge.

Tell a story that speaks to qualifications in the job description.

Many times, interviewers will ask questions like, “Tell me about an accomplishment you’re most proud of” or “ Why should we hire you ?” These questions are meant to conjure a specific scenario that can help the employer determine how great of a fit you are for the role (and how you’ll perform in the job). Your cover letter is a great way to answer these questions right off the bat. Find a few of the job qualifications that match your own, and tell a story about a time when you solved a problem under pressure or found a mistake that everyone else missed.

For more cover letter tips, check out this simple guide to an impressive cover letter .

Strive to be original.

If you want to be a competitive candidate, don’t do what everyone else does. That means you shouldn’t be writing a generic, one-size-fits-all cover letter and sending it off to your first or second choice jobs. There are two key ways you can ensure that your cover letter stands out. First, make sure you’re addressing your cover letter to a real person instead of writing, “To Whom It May Concern.” This will show that you’ve done your homework on the company and will help to personalize your cover letter. Check out a few other overused phrases to delete from your cover letter .

Secondly, talk about what attracted you to the company and why you’re excited by the opportunity to join this particular team. Remember that you shouldn’t kiss up to the employer, but you should show that you’re eager to hear back from a company that has impacted you as a job seeker.

Explain something that needs more clarification.

Whether it’s a gap in employment, a change in career paths or the fact that your major and your career choice don’t match , you can explain yourself and your motivations through your cover letter. This can help employers to better understand your idea of your career path and why you want this particular job. Remember that as you’re clarifying, you shouldn’t make it seem like you’re apologizing or making excuses. Don’t spend too much time explaining yourself, just explain why you’re interested in the position, what led you to it and how your alternative background can be an advantage–then quickly move on. For example, if you’re a Psychology major applying for a Customer Support role, you can say something like, “I was first introduced to customer support during my junior year internship, where I discovered that my Psychology background helped me to go a step further in collecting and analyzing data, optimizing the company’s understanding of user behavior.”

Remember that you should only be putting in this much effort if you truly want this job! If that’s the case, follow these tips, double check that your cover letter is error-free and send it off! Employers will be impressed that you went the extra mile to submit a great cover letter.

It’s important to note however that most jobs on WayUp don’t require a cover letter, so if you’d rather skip the more traditional application process, we’ve got your back!

Top Photo Credit: blog.greatvectors.com

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Should You Write a Cover Letter if it is Not Required?

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When applying for jobs, writing cover letters can seem like a hassle, especially when you are applying to as many jobs as you can. Sometimes, you may come across an application where it says “optional” next to the cover letter. In this case, should you write a cover letter? The answer is yes because writing a cover letter even when it is optional shows that you are hardworking, care about the position, and take initiative. There are lots of other reasons why writing a cover letter can set you apart from other job applicants.

Writing a cover letter shows that you care

A lot of job postings nowadays are Easy Apply. What this means is that all you must do is click a button and submit your resume. As a result, companies are getting a ton of job applications. One way to make your application stand out is by writing a cover letter. Writing one shows that you took the time to research the company and are really interested in the position. Showing employers that you care and are willing to take the time to submit a cover letter may very well be the reason you get an interview or not.

Allows you to highlight your personality

Resumes only highlight your accomplishments and skills. By reading a resume, an employer won’t get a feel of who you are as a person in terms of personality. To combat this, you can write a cover letter. A well-written cover letter can convey the type of person you are and show the employer how you would fit in on the team. Soft skills are just as important as technical skills and one way to highlight your soft skills is through a cover letter.

You can mention something that doesn’t fit on your resume

Resumes are only supposed to be one page long, so you might not be able to fit everything on it. As a result, you can use a cover letter to talk about experiences that you couldn’t highlight on your resume. For instance, maybe you’re involved with a club on campus but because of your professional experiences, you cannot highlight it on your resume. Writing cover letters allows you to show off other experiences and activities that you are not able to do on your resume.

Overall, it is ultimately your decision if you want to write a cover letter if it is optional. However, writing one does show that you care, allows you to highlight who you are as a person, and lets you show off experiences that you otherwise would not be able to on your resume. While applying for jobs, keep these thoughts in your mind when you see the word “optional” next to a cover letter!

Insights gathered from: https://www.themuse.com/advice/cover-letter-optional