Only when the job ad asks for one, according to the biggest group in our poll of corporate Australia. 31% said they write a cover letter only if it's requested, 25% always send one and 26% called them pointless. Recruiters and HR were split down the middle on whether they read them at all.
What did the poll find?
We asked our community a two-word question. Cover letter?
| Answer | Share of votes |
|---|---|
| Always | 25% |
| Only if it's requested | 31% |
| Only for jobs I really want | 18% |
| Pointless | 26% |
Add up the first three answers and 74% send a cover letter at least some of the time. A quarter write one for every application.
Do recruiters read cover letters?
Some never have. Others won't look at an application that arrives without one.
As a recruiter I've never read a cover letter in my career
I toss all applications that don't include a letter
Recruiter - I read them and if the role requires strong communication look for spelling/grammar errors. If I am shortlisting and have one with a great cover letter Vs none I will go with the cover letter.
They're probably not being read but why risk not including one?
Why do employers ask for a cover letter?
A cover letter is the cheapest way to filter hundreds of applicants. The check is whether you read the advert and have basic attention to detail.
As a hiring manager sometimes I get so many applicants for a role that lack of cover letter is a really easy way to narrow the field. If they haven't bothered to write one it's an automatic no.
As a recruiter, if I request one on an ad and you don't send me one, I will not read your CV. Same as if you address everything dear sir, or to the wrong company. And while I'm at it, CHECK YOUR FILE NAMES
Someone who skips the one instruction in the ad probably skips other things.
Can you use AI to write a cover letter?
You can, at a cost. When every letter comes out of the same model, a bias forms against anything that smells AI-generated.
HR here. I always read the cover letter if the cv is up to the mark. Then if the cover letter is absent or A.I. it's a mark down. An interesting non A.I. cover letter gets bonus points.
AI has completely changed the essence of cover letters as peoples now sound sooo similar - nearly pointless
There's only so much personalising AI can do. It needs something from you about what makes you different.
When is a cover letter worth writing?
Whenever the ad asks for one. Leaving it out tells the reader you didn't read the ad. Two more cases came up in the answers.
As a recruiter, cover letters aren't needed. You should only be writing one if it's a requirement to apply OR if you're applying to a job with an atypical background and want to provide the hiring team some context regarding your move. Apart from that, skip it.
The other is a close shortlist. Two people in hiring said a good letter can decide between two strong candidates, as long as it is tailored to the job and written by you.
How long should a cover letter be?
Half a page. Use it to say something your resume can't, like why you want this job or why you are moving from one field to another. Then check the company name and the file name twice before you hit send. There's no point putting in the extra effort if a letter addressed to the wrong company undoes it.
Applying for an internship? Our guide to writing an internship cover letter has an example letter to adapt.
Common questions
Do you need a cover letter if the ad doesn't ask for one?
More than half of our poll would skip it. 31% only write one when it is requested and 26% think they are pointless. If your background is unusual for the role, a short letter gives the hiring team the context your resume can't.
Do recruiters notice an AI-written cover letter?
Some told us they do. One HR reader marks an AI-written letter down and gives bonus points to an interesting one written without it.
This article draws on our Big Conversation Cover letter, yes or no?, which has the original slides.
Source: The Aussie Corporate community poll, data as at September 2026. Spotted an error? Correct something.
