Do Cover Letters Still Matter in 2026?

Every year, someone declares the cover letter dead. And every year, hiring managers continue to request them. So what's the actual truth about cover letters in 2026? The answer, like most things in hiring, is: it depends — but probably more than you think.

Let's look at the data, the hiring manager perspective, and a practical framework for deciding when (and how) to write a cover letter that actually helps your application.

What the Data Says

A 2024 survey by Resume Genius found that 83% of hiring managers said a strong cover letter can convince them to interview a candidate even if their resume isn't a perfect match. Meanwhile, a separate study by Jobvite found that 47% of job seekers don't bother submitting a cover letter at all.

That gap is an opportunity. If nearly half your competition skips the cover letter, writing a good one instantly differentiates you — especially for roles where communication skills matter.

However, context matters enormously. A cover letter for a retail associate position will likely never be read. A cover letter for a marketing director role could be the deciding factor between you and another qualified candidate.

When Cover Letters Definitely Matter

There are situations where skipping the cover letter is a genuine mistake:

• The posting specifically requests one. Not submitting a cover letter when asked is like showing up to an interview without pants. It signals that you can't follow basic instructions.
• You're changing careers. A resume alone can't explain why a teacher is applying for a corporate training role. A cover letter bridges that gap.
• You have employment gaps. Rather than leaving a recruiter to guess why you were out of work for a year, a cover letter lets you address it briefly and positively.
• The role involves writing or communication. If your job requires you to write emails, proposals, or reports, your cover letter is literally a work sample.
• You have a personal connection. "Sarah Chen from your product team suggested I apply" is a powerful opening line that only works in a cover letter.

When You Can Probably Skip It

Cover letters are less critical in a few specific scenarios:

• The application system doesn't have a field for one. If they didn't build a place to upload it, they probably don't want it.
• High-volume hourly positions. Fast food, warehouse, retail associate — hiring managers for these roles are processing hundreds of applications and rarely read cover letters.
• You're applying through a recruiter. Recruiters typically summarize your qualifications themselves; your cover letter often gets stripped out.

The Real Problem: Bad Cover Letters

Here's what rarely gets discussed: the reason some hiring managers say they don't read cover letters isn't that cover letters are useless — it's that most cover letters are terrible.

The typical cover letter opens with "I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]" — a sentence that communicates absolutely nothing. It then restates the resume in paragraph form, adds a few generic compliments about the company, and closes with "I look forward to hearing from you."

This kind of cover letter doesn't help your application. It doesn't hurt it either — it's just noise. And when hiring managers see 200 of these, of course they stop reading them.

How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets Read

A good cover letter does three things: explains why you want this job (not just a job), connects your specific experience to their specific needs, and shows you've done your homework on the company.

1. Open with a Hook

Skip the boilerplate. Start with something that makes the reader want to continue:

"When I saw that [Company] is expanding its pediatric unit, I knew I had to apply. I've spent the last four years specializing in pediatric critical care at [Hospital], and building something new is exactly the kind of challenge I'm looking for."

That opening tells the reader three things immediately: you know what they're doing, you have relevant experience, and you're genuinely interested — not just mass-applying.

2. Connect the Dots

The body of your cover letter should do what your resume can't: tell the story behind the bullet points. Pick two or three requirements from the job posting and match them with specific examples from your experience.

Don't repeat your resume. Instead, add context: What was the challenge? What did you do? What was the result? This is your chance to show the how behind your accomplishments.

3. Close with Confidence

End by restating your interest and suggesting a next step. Keep it brief — one or two sentences. Don't beg for the opportunity; express confidence that you'd bring value.

Length and Format

Keep it under 300 words. Seriously. Hiring managers appreciate brevity. Three to four paragraphs is ideal. Use a clean format that matches your resume — same font, same header. This small detail signals professionalism and attention to detail.

Should You Use AI to Write Cover Letters?

AI tools can help you draft cover letters faster, but they have a significant weakness: they tend to produce generic, over-polished prose that reads like it was written by a machine. Hiring managers are increasingly skilled at spotting AI-generated content.

The best approach is to use AI as a starting point — get a draft — then rewrite it in your own voice. Add specific details about the company and role that only a human who did research would know. That personal touch is exactly what separates a good cover letter from a forgettable one.

The Bottom Line

Cover letters aren't dead — but lazy cover letters are. In 2026, a well-crafted, personalized cover letter remains one of the most underused tools in job searching. When nearly half of applicants don't bother, putting in the effort gives you an immediate edge.

If you're applying to roles where the posting asks for a cover letter, where you're changing fields, or where communication skills are valued — write one. Make it specific, make it brief, and make it human.