Ah, the cover letter – beloved by career coaches, feared by job seekers, and, let’s be honest, often ignored by recruiters. But before we toss them all into the recycling bin of outdated job search advice, let’s have a real talk. I’ve seen my fair share of cover letters – the good, the bad, and the deeply confusing. And I’ve got a message for candidates: if you’re not writing your cover letter intentionally, you may be better off not writing one at all.

Yes, I said it. A poorly written cover letter can do more harm than good.

The Problem with Most Cover Letters

Let me paint you a picture (an unfortunately common one):

“Dear Sir/Madam, I am very excited to apply for the role at [COMPANY NAME]. I bring great passion and enthusiasm and believe I’d be a great fit for your innovative company…”

There’s nothing wrong with “Sir/Madam” — in fact, it’s a respectful way to address someone in many cultures. But if you’re applying to a startup where the team signs off with first names and emojis, it might come across as a little too formal. Context is key. And if the company name is still in brackets… well, that’s a different story.

Many cover letters fall into one (or more) of the following traps:

• They regurgitate the resume: If your cover letter is just a narrative version of your CV, you’re wasting an opportunity.
• They’re painfully generic: “I’m a team player who thrives in fast-paced environments.” Awesome. So is 95% of the applicant pool.
• They’re clearly AI-generated: Look, I work with tech. I love tech. But if your cover letter reads like a ChatGPT fever dream, I’ll know. Trust me.
• They’re addressed to the wrong company: Yes, this happens more than you think.

If your letter falls into any of these categories, it doesn’t just fail to help – it raises red flags. It suggests a lack of attention to detail, genuine interest, or understanding of the role. And that’s not a great first impression

So… Should You Even Bother?

In most cases, a cover letter is not a must-have. When it’s optional, it’s truly optional. You won’t lose points for not submitting one. In fact, a clean, well-structured CV that speaks for itself often does the job beautifully.

But – and here’s the thing – if you can write a great one, then absolutely go for it. A good cover letter can:

• Show why you care about this company and this role

• Clarify a career goal or gap

• Add a dose of personality and charm to your application

How to Write a Cover Letter That Doesn’t Suck

If you’re going to write one, write it with intention. Here are some honest, recruiter-approved tips:

If you’re using AI, treat it like a spellchecker, not a ghostwriter
AI tools can help with structure or clarity, but don’t let them do the thinking. Add your voice, your stories, your nuance.

Open like a human being
If you know the name of the hiring manager, use it. If you don’t, “Hi [Company] team” is a warm, neutral opener that works well across cultures.

Answer: Why you? Why us? Why now?
These are the three questions you should aim to answer. Be specific. If you’re applying to a startup, mention something about their mission or product that genuinely resonates. Don’t fake it – we can tell.

Don’t narrate your CV – complement it
Use the letter to bring context, not repetition. Are you switching industries? Applying from a non-traditional background? Share that story. Highlight transferable skills and what excites you about the shift.

Keep it short and sweet
One page max. Ideally 3-4 paragraphs. This is not your memoir. It’s an elevator pitch – without the elevator awkwardness.

Proofread like it’s a legal contract
A typo won’t ruin your chances, but it won’t help either. And please, for the love of applications, double-check the company name.

Skip the buzzwords
Passionate, driven, self-starter? Cool. Prove it through what you’ve done, not adjectives.

Quality Over Quantity

If you’re going to write a cover letter, make it worth reading. If not, it’s completely fine to skip it – especially if the application doesn’t demand one.

As someone who genuinely roots for candidates, I want your application to shine. And if you’re short on time, energy, or clarity, you’re better off putting that effort into tailoring your CV or preparing for interviews instead.

Let’s make cover letters meaningful again – or at least, optional and harmless.