Cover letters needed?

Looking for AE jobs. Would submitting a cover letter increase my chances of getting that first interview? or are Cover letters out dated? 
🧠 Advice
🎯 Career Development
10
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
8
☕️
Let's try something since this is a topic that is often shit on by folks on all platforms by various personas. HR loves them, applicants hate them, hiring managers are ambivalent. 

5 sentences that covers the technique of:

Why You, Why You Now

Write them a "cold email" that shows your ability to get straight to the point and build enough value to schedule an interview with you.
funcoupons
WR Officer
2
👑
100% this. I think a formal letter with several paragraphs is outdated. Nobody wants to read that. However, resumes don't give the org any context as to your personality, motivation for wanting to join them, or fill in any glaring "red flags" in your work experience/history. 

I like the Why You, Why You Now approach as well. If you know that there's something on your resume that may give the hiring team pause, I also recommend calling it out in your cover letter right away. No need to go into detail, keep it brief, but acknowledge that it's there. For example, if you have a large gap in your work history, it's good to say "between x and x I was furthering my education/traveling/dealing with a health issue that's since been resolved" etc.

Good luck!
NoSuperhero
Politicker
0
BDR LEAD
I second this, my brother has been the HR director for a stint when his company at the time was opening a call center in Bogota Colombia, he works in Dallas TX, and he told me practically the same thing. As a manager, he doesn't care much for it. But, in HR it's the first thing they look at, so it's a bit important.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
7
🦊
Unless they specifically ask for one, I don't write them. I do think they are a waste of time. Like uploading my resume then have to type everything out on the next few pages.  IRRITATING AF.
funcoupons
WR Officer
6
👑
Bruh the job applications make my ass itch. Same with employers who want you to sign up for a fucking account on their shitty site just to submit an application.
jefe
Arsonist
2
🍁
That's THE WORST
braintank
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
No. I haven't sent one in 15 years. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
3
🦊
Such a waste.
braintank
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
Especially since robots are programmed to read cover letters
Beans
Big Shot
2
Enterprise Account Executive
I have not written a cover letter since I was in high school...
Rallier
Politicker
2
SDR Manager and Consultant
I would 100% never write a cover letter, but that's just me. I don't think people would even bother reading them
Wellss
Tycoon
1
Channel sales
I honestly think it depends on the hiring manager. Almost every job that I've applied for gives the option to submit one but doesn't make it necessary. I work with two hiring managers right now who have polar opposite views on them. One thinks they're absolutely a must & the other doesn't spend the time reading them. So in short, I always attach one when applying. I created a very general one that I can just switch out company names & role. This way it looks like you put in the effort but if they don't read it then not too much time was wasted.
neversettle
Politicker
0
SDR
nope. Completely outdated!
slaydie
Big Shot
0
Account Executive
no, I say skip. I am on the hiring panel here and most people just give their LinkedIns so not needed at all
10

Cover Letter Content and Format?

Discussion
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16
Members only

What cover do you guys use?

Question
45