The Cover Letter in 2026: Why It Still Matters
In today's world, where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly permeating the hiring process, the role of traditional documents like resumes and cover letters is changing. Some believe that cover letters are losing their relevance, as AI can help candidates with any writing skills create impressive documents. However, hiring experts point out that a cover letter, especially if written sincerely and individually, can still be a key factor that distinguishes an outstanding candidate from others. Compiled thoughts from over 40 recruiters and hiring managers shed light on the current state of cover letters.
A Human Touch in the Age of AI
With the growing presence of AI in our lives, the cover letter remains one of the few ways to provide a personal perspective on a candidate before an interview. Sam DeMas, a career expert at ZipRecruiter, notes: “The cover letter is the most human part of the initial hiring process before the interview.” It allows you to address the decision-maker directly and present yourself confidently. Even if AI assists in the screening phase, the final decision always remains with a human. Aime Ayrehart, an HR expert, emphasizes: “The recruiting process is an exploration of potential human relationships.” While the application process is rapidly evolving, humans still play a key role. Paddy Lembros, co-founder and CEO of Dex, agrees that AI has limitations: “The role of a cover letter is to demonstrate a part of your character and individual personality. Any cover letter written by AI does not do this.”
The Cover Letter: Connecting the Professional Dots
Cover letters allow candidates to present a fuller picture of themselves, helping to bridge diverse professional experiences. Hayley Brooks, founder of Storyline, believes that “cover letters can be incredibly persuasive and add humanity and individualism to a job application.” They also provide an opportunity to explain motivation and reasons for career transitions that are not always obvious from a resume. “Cover letters allow candidates to express their intentions regarding why they are applying. They also serve as an opportunity to explain a career change, which might not be obvious from a resume,” says Brooks. Many recruiters still value cover letters because they provide insight into what is not always visible in a resume. DeMas adds: “The cover letter has never been as important for securing an interview as it is now, and it will remain a key factor in the hiring process in 2026.”
Differentiating Candidates Through a Cover Letter
A cover letter allows candidates to instantly stand out among those who do not write one. According to a 2024 American Staffing/Harris Poll survey, 31% of Americans would not apply for a job that requires a cover letter. “This means that more than three out of ten applicants are not inclined to write cover letters, which creates a competitive advantage for those who do,” notes Stephen Dwyer, president of the American Staffing Association. “Cover letters provide an opportunity for candidates to distinguish themselves among competitors by highlighting achievements and work experience that may not stand out in a resume.” Lembros shares: “Less than 1% of all applications I receive are accompanied by a note.” Thus, the very inclusion of such a letter can help you stand out from the crowd, signaling a candidate’s willingness to put in effort that others do not.
How to Stand Out Amidst AI-Written Materials
AI is becoming increasingly common in job search materials. While this may facilitate the application process for candidates, it also leads to the emergence of uniform, non-personalized texts that can alienate recruiters. Cover letters are a way to stand out in a sea of AI-generated materials. “With an increasing number of candidates using AI to write their materials, recruiters are constantly reviewing the same template-based, impersonal phrasing,” says Nicole Gable, president of LHH Recruitment Solutions. “Recruiters want to know about a candidate’s experience and passion, not what the AI ‘suggests’ the candidate should say.”
With this in mind, for a cover letter to be useful for an application, it is necessary to invest time and effort into its personalization and adaptation, rather than just relying on AI. “Invest the time in writing a solid cover letter only if you intend to make it meaningful,” advises Ali Gohar, CHRO of Software Finder, who argues that cover letters are only useful when they are well-written. “We see them as a bonus, not a requirement. If it is too generic or robotic, it is better to skip it altogether.”
Does Everyone Agree That Cover Letters Are Still Important?
Despite the potential role of cover letters, many recruiting experts are skeptical about their continued relevance, especially considering the rise in AI usage by both candidates and hiring managers. “Cover letters only matter when they are explicitly requested. Otherwise, frankly, it is a waste of time,” believes Victoria MacLean, founder and CEO of City CV. “Hiring managers simply do not have the capacity to read every cover letter. And this situation is unlikely to change, given how overflowing hiring managers' inboxes are due to the growth in AI-written resumes and one-click applications.”
“There is no practical benefit in submitting a cover letter. Very few clients are interested in reading cover letters, and less than 5% of resumes sent to us include one,” says Matt Collingwood, managing director of VIQU IT recruitment. “Nowadays, many companies and recruiting agencies use applicant tracking systems (ATS)… which often filter out non-essential documents such as cover letters.” Collingwood encourages candidates to focus instead on creating a well-structured resume that showcases skills confirming their qualifications for the position.
The Evolution of Cover Letters
Applicant tracking systems (ATS), AI, and decreasing attention spans suggest that cover letters may take on a new role. At the initial stage of hiring, the resume will continue to record “what” candidates have achieved, while the cover letter will provide space to explain “why” candidates chose their career path, made certain transitions, and applied for the target position. A candidate’s motivation will certainly remain a critical factor in the selection process, and before an interview, cover letters remain the best way to convey this. “Cover letters are still extremely important,” says Yulia Borisenko, head of HR at Mobilunity. “Looking into 2026, cover letters will not disappear, but they will simply take on new forms—shorter or more conversational. But the idea behind them will remain the same: a chance to show your motivation and values.”
MacLean suggests that the format of cover letters may soon change, where video cover letters might become more sought after, especially as it becomes easier for candidates to get help from AI or delegate the process of writing an effective cover letter to it. Video can indeed be one of the most human ways to connect with hiring managers before an in-person interview, a unique method that requires effort and time that other candidates may not want to invest. “Instead of a cover letter, something that truly stands out is a short video that you can send as part of your resume,” says Ben Foster, CEO of The SEO Works. “A video will help you convey your experience and personality. Few people do this, so those who put in that effort will stand out in the race for employment.”
Include a Cover Letter When Possible
Although some hiring managers may care less about cover letters, they can still strengthen your application when there is an opportunity to include them. Even skeptics of cover letters admit this. “When cover letters are requested, they can be incredibly influential,” acknowledges MacLean. “They give employers and hiring managers an opportunity to better understand your resume, to learn what drives you, how you think, and what your story is.”
They also remain one of the best ways to convey your human qualities and motivation. “An authentic, tailored cover letter is essential for revealing a candidate’s soft skills and potential cultural fit, qualities that recruiters find difficult to detect based on a resume alone,” says DeMas. “Cover letters are not meaningless. They connect the dots between a candidate’s resume and their readiness for the position.”
Ultimately, the choice regarding its inclusion in a job application remains yours. Omitting it might seem more efficient when managers make hiring decisions solely based on your resume. However, if there is an opportunity to include one and you refuse it, you risk appearing as a candidate who simply did not invest the time or effort to do more. In the worst case, the mere act of writing a cover letter signals your willingness to put in effort that other candidates may not. They allow you to go beyond the facts of your resume and paint a fuller picture of who you are. And when a cover letter is written thoughtfully, it can be the personal, human touch that sets you apart in a world of increasing artificiality, which could tip the scales in your favor, helping you secure the next job of your dreams.