A blunt Reddit post has reignited one of the most exhausting debates in modern job hunting: are cover letters still worth the effort, or are they just outdated rituals nobody truly reads anymore? The discussion, sparked by a user who says ditching cover letters actually improved their callback rate, quickly turned into a crowded comment section filled with contradictions, frustration, and lived hiring experiences.
ALSO READ: Who is Jesse Strang? In the Tumbler Ridge shooting, the transgender identity of alleged suspect sparks online firestorm
The original post came from Reddit user. According to them, job seekers are “wasting HOURS” writing elaborate cover letters that recruiters barely glance at, if at all. They argued that once they stopped obsessing over perfectly crafted letters and instead focused on aligning their resumes with job descriptions, interview invites started coming in.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Bruce Lee: 'Mistakes are always forgivable,…'—Inspiring quotes by the renowned martial artist
In their post,the user described spending entire afternoons polishing cover letters to sound like the ideal “cultural fit,” only to see no results. The turning point, they said, was treating the job search like a data-matching exercise rather than a creative writing project.
From their perspective, recruiters are overwhelmed with hundreds of applications and are more interested in whether candidates can do the job, not whether they can write what they called a “Victorian era essay” about passion and purpose. Their workaround? If a portal requires a cover letter, they upload a short note expressing interest in the role and direct recruiters back to the resume. “It is not about being lazy,” they wrote. “It is about being efficient with your energy.”
ALSO READ: Google offers voluntary exit packages to employees as company ramps up AI strategy
The comments that followed showed just how divided job seekers are. Another user pointed out that every cover letter discussion splits the same way: some hiring managers swear they haven’t read one in years, while others insist they won’t consider a candidate without one. With no clear consensus, many applicants feel forced to play it safe.
That confusion resonated with the another user, who summed up the broader job-search chaos. They listed conflicting advice applicants hear daily, from messaging hiring managers versus never contacting them, to tailoring applications for hours versus mass-applying as fast as possible. “What are we actually supposed to do?” they asked. “It’s a hellscape out here.”
ALSO READ: Word of the Day: Crestfallen
Not everyone agreed with the original post. Several users pushed back hard. Someone said they were explicitly told they landed an interview because of their cover letter. While others as well echoed that sentiment, saying interviewers often referenced details from their letters.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Maya Angelou: 'There is no greater agony than bearing…'—Inspiring quotes by the world-famous author
Others stressed industry differences. One Reddit user, who hires in nonprofit policy work, said cover letters are just as important as resumes for evaluating communication skills and mission alignment.
Meanwhile, some commenters landed in the middle. One usummed it up neatly: “Nobody reads them, but they all check if you made an effort to include one.”
ALSO READ: Employee quits on the spot after raise request, then wonders if he overreacted - Internet weighs in
The thread never reached a clear verdict. Some users argued applicant tracking systems still scan cover letters and can flag inconsistencies. Others admitted they use AI tools to generate them quickly, seeing the letter more as a checkbox than a storytelling opportunity.
What’s clear is that the job market feels inconsistent and opaque. Whether cover letters are ignored, skimmed, or carefully read seems to depend heavily on the role, the industry, and the individual doing the hiring.
ALSO READ: Word of the Day: Woebegone
Do recruiters actually read cover letters anymore?
Some do, some don’t. The Reddit thread shows practices vary widely by industry and hiring manager.
Is skipping a cover letter risky?
It can be. While some candidates see no downside, others report landing interviews specifically because of theirs.
ALSO READ: Who is Jesse Strang? In the Tumbler Ridge shooting, the transgender identity of alleged suspect sparks online firestorm
The original post came from Reddit user. According to them, job seekers are “wasting HOURS” writing elaborate cover letters that recruiters barely glance at, if at all. They argued that once they stopped obsessing over perfectly crafted letters and instead focused on aligning their resumes with job descriptions, interview invites started coming in.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Bruce Lee: 'Mistakes are always forgivable,…'—Inspiring quotes by the renowned martial artist
“Nobody Is Reading Them Anymore”
In their post,the user described spending entire afternoons polishing cover letters to sound like the ideal “cultural fit,” only to see no results. The turning point, they said, was treating the job search like a data-matching exercise rather than a creative writing project.
From their perspective, recruiters are overwhelmed with hundreds of applications and are more interested in whether candidates can do the job, not whether they can write what they called a “Victorian era essay” about passion and purpose. Their workaround? If a portal requires a cover letter, they upload a short note expressing interest in the role and direct recruiters back to the resume. “It is not about being lazy,” they wrote. “It is about being efficient with your energy.”
ALSO READ: Google offers voluntary exit packages to employees as company ramps up AI strategy
Why Hiring Advice Feels So Contradictory
The comments that followed showed just how divided job seekers are. Another user pointed out that every cover letter discussion splits the same way: some hiring managers swear they haven’t read one in years, while others insist they won’t consider a candidate without one. With no clear consensus, many applicants feel forced to play it safe.
That confusion resonated with the another user, who summed up the broader job-search chaos. They listed conflicting advice applicants hear daily, from messaging hiring managers versus never contacting them, to tailoring applications for hours versus mass-applying as fast as possible. “What are we actually supposed to do?” they asked. “It’s a hellscape out here.”
ALSO READ: Word of the Day: Crestfallen
Do Cover Letters Still Help Some Candidates?
Not everyone agreed with the original post. Several users pushed back hard. Someone said they were explicitly told they landed an interview because of their cover letter. While others as well echoed that sentiment, saying interviewers often referenced details from their letters.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Maya Angelou: 'There is no greater agony than bearing…'—Inspiring quotes by the world-famous author
Others stressed industry differences. One Reddit user, who hires in nonprofit policy work, said cover letters are just as important as resumes for evaluating communication skills and mission alignment.
Meanwhile, some commenters landed in the middle. One usummed it up neatly: “Nobody reads them, but they all check if you made an effort to include one.”
ALSO READ: Employee quits on the spot after raise request, then wonders if he overreacted - Internet weighs in
So, Are Cover Letters Dead or Just Misunderstood?
The thread never reached a clear verdict. Some users argued applicant tracking systems still scan cover letters and can flag inconsistencies. Others admitted they use AI tools to generate them quickly, seeing the letter more as a checkbox than a storytelling opportunity.
What’s clear is that the job market feels inconsistent and opaque. Whether cover letters are ignored, skimmed, or carefully read seems to depend heavily on the role, the industry, and the individual doing the hiring.
ALSO READ: Word of the Day: Woebegone
FAQs
Do recruiters actually read cover letters anymore?
Some do, some don’t. The Reddit thread shows practices vary widely by industry and hiring manager.
Is skipping a cover letter risky?
It can be. While some candidates see no downside, others report landing interviews specifically because of theirs.
