Don’t submit a cover letter — even with AI
Letters of motivation are often no longer a requirement these days. Find out why you should skip it despite ChatGPT and templates and how to make your CV stand out.
Views are my own.
Today, the good old cover letter is finally becoming a thing of the past. It’s an outdated, inefficient relic from another time that some recruiters or teachers still cling to, but it’s no longer necessary for most applications.
Many students have learned that a job application is incomplete without a cover letter. This fact is untrue today!
Thanks to AI and state-of-the-art application systems, cover letters are no longer viewed as frequently. And let’s be honest, who wants to spend hours struggling with empty phrases when there are better ways to apply? Even details such as your preferred starting date can go straight to your CV. A win-win for everyone!
Why cover letters are no longer appropriate
In the past, when the internet was not yet fully developed and job applications were sent by mail. Cover letters were often the only chance to highlight personality and motivation.
Today, however, most companies use parsing software that searches primarily for keywords and skills in the CV — and skips the cover letter. If you want to apply internationally, make sure to follow these tips for job hunting abroad.
Additionally, many applicants can now use AI tools such as ChatGPT to create a perfect, nearly emotionless cover letter in no time at all. Sure, someone who can use AI in a targeted way is an asset to any company! But where is the added value or the oh-so-desired engagement in the creation process? Let’s make it more efficient and skip this cumbersome step. But cover letters are not the only questionable component of today’s application process. Unfortunately, some companies still post ghost jobs, i.e. fake job ads. Learn how to recognize these dubious job ads and protect yourself from them.
Outside of Europe, cover letters have practically vanished from the application process. It’s totally normal to just apply with a CV! In the US, for example, many companies don’t even have a field for uploading one anymore. Some recruiters might even wonder why someone would spend so much time writing one. However, many application forms are still full of fields that you don’t even have to fill in. Find out here what you can skip (for now)!
The issue with cover letters and diversity
What really bothers me is that motivation letters often make the application process unnecessarily complicated. They require time and energy that many of us, and especially underrepresented groups, simply don’t have. And it’s not just about a lack of time: it creates a social imbalance. Those who have enough freedom to spend hours honing a perfect cover letter have an advantage. But what about those who may not have the time, but have unique strengths? You should also like into these 10 UX tips for more inclusive job ads.
In a world where we aim to promote equal opportunities and diversity, we should create application processes that reflect these values. A perfectly worded cover letter often fails to show what really matters: an applicant’s skills, enthusiasm and potential. It’s time to make applications leaner, fairer and more contemporary — a system that focuses on the essentials and gives people from different life situations a fair chance. Fortunately, there’s a trend towards optional cover letters: I would also personally advise all companies against making cover letters mandatory.
The chances of getting a job increase significantly if you apply very early. So there’s no point in waiting days or weeks to send your application just because you’re still drafting a text. Instead, send your application as early as possible!
Smart alternatives to the cover letter
- Perfectly tailored CV: Focus on a really good, minimalist yet personalized resume without a photo. Be sure to customize it for each position, show your qualifications that match exactly the position you’re applying for. Not just keywords are key: Here are 5 CV myths that a CV should not contain.
- Meaningful portfolio: Especially if you work in a creative or technical field, you should invest all your energy in a clear project portfolio. Projects or designs simply speak more than a thousand words, and they don’t always have to be finished masterpieces — ideas, designs or experimental projects are also great. The aim is purely to show what you’re capable of and how you think. With a really well-made portfolio, you will definitely stand out. You can also attach other digital profiles, for example the new career platform read.cv (a rising LinkedIn competitor).
When a cover letter can still be useful
Of course, there are always exceptions. A cover letter can be particularly important at the beginning of a career, for example for school internships, apprenticeships or dual study courses, in order to emphasize your own motivation and personality. It can be worthwhile in individual cases, especially if the CV does not yet contain much work experience. As a professional, however, it’s no longer worth it. By the way, if your goal is to find a job in Germany or Europe, don’t miss this list of Job Boards in Germany for Expats.
Especially in the public sector or in very formal industries, a cover letter is still often required, as it is usually part of a rigid application process. Here it’s worth checking the requirements carefully and deciding whether the opportunity is worth it and whether you want to invest time in it. In the private sector, on the other hand, many companies even emphasize the fact that cover letters are only optional. So in many cases, you can save yourself the effort. If in doubt, you can always ask the company.
Time is the most valuable resource in life. We never get back the time we invest in lengthy application processes.
Let’s rethink the future of applications together, without unnecessary hurdles, but with a clear focus on what really counts. Ultimately, we all win when the focus is on potential and not on paperwork!
Whether a cover letter is mandatory or not reveals deep insights into the corporate culture. So if fewer candidates send an optional cover letter, hopefully more companies will rethink and perhaps even remove this field from the application form. Completely in line with the American model.
Skipping the cover letter is a bold step for many. We must not forget that the cover letter is still an option. If you feel more comfortable with it and would like to invest extra time in a detailed text, you can of course do so
So, please don’t worry if you avoid sending cover letters from now on — you might even be setting a trend. In any case, I haven’t sent a cover letter for years and have advised all mentees to avoid it — with success.
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