Cover letters in 2026: dead, alive, or undead?

Xoxo here, and I have opinions. Every few months someone declares the cover letter dead. A few weeks later someone else says it is the one thing that gets you the interview. Both are being a little dramatic.

So are cover letters dead, alive, or undead? Here is my honest take, built from what recruiters and the surveys say. The short version: they are undead. They show up less than they used to, they get read less than you hope, and when they do get read, a good one still helps.

The surveys disagree, and that is the point

Start with the loudest number. CNBC reported that 89 percent of recruiters expect candidates to submit a cover letter, according to Zety's 2025 Future of Work Report, which surveyed 753 recruiters or HR professionals. In the same piece, HR consultant Stefanie Fackrell, a former recruiter at Nvidia and Google, said she is "doubtful" it is really that many.

Then the opposite headline. A December 2025 press release from the resume site Novorésumé says its research, based on a survey of over 200 US recruiters and HR professionals, shows cover letters are losing their power to influence hiring choices, even effective ones. The same release quotes a Novorésumé spokesperson saying the cover letter still matters in higher-level hiring and that a strategic one is worth the time.

Both surveys come from companies that sell resume and cover letter help. That does not make them wrong. It does mean you should take the exact percentages with a pinch of salt and look for what lines up across sources.

What lines up

A June 2026 Forbes piece by Caroline Ceniza-Levine asked six experienced talent professionals the same question. Their answers differ by industry, level and company, but one thing repeats: if you are going to write about yourself, make it compelling.

One recruiter said that in high-volume hiring, ATS screening does not rely on cover letters, and many hiring managers will not read them unless they offer something meaningful. But they can still set a candidate apart, especially in smaller companies or communication-heavy roles. The difference now, in that recruiter's words, is quality: generic, AI-generated letters get skipped, while a short, specific note that answers why you, why here, why now shows the judgment hiring managers look for.

Another, a talent lead at Sandler Search, said that if a job posting asks for a cover letter, it is still important to send one. It shows you pay attention and follow instructions, and gives you room to explain why you are interested. Even if you use AI to help write it, you still have to think about the role and tailor the message.

When you can probably skip it

CNBC quotes career coach Phoebe Gavin listing a few cases: a recruiter reaches out and asks only for your resume, the application system explicitly says not to include one, or the application has specific questions that replace what a cover letter would do. Fackrell adds that technical professionals such as engineers often will not need one.

Gavin's other line is the one to remember: submitting a cover letter, unless explicitly told otherwise, will rarely if ever hurt your chances.

When it can help most

- You are switching careers. Gavin says to briefly explain a career switch and highlight transferable skills.

- You have a gap or might look overqualified. One or two honest lines can head off the question before anyone asks.

- The posting asks for one. Not sending it signals you did not read the instructions.

- The company is small or the role is about writing and communication. The letter is a work sample.

What a short, good one does

Gavin and Fackrell, in the CNBC piece, give simple advice. Do not rehash your resume. Explain how your approach and skills match what the job needs. Add a little personality so they get a sense of who you are. Keep it short.

A format that works for most people is three short paragraphs. The first says why this role and company. The second gives one or two specific examples that match what they asked for. The third says what you would like to do next. If you cannot write something specific to the company, send nothing generic. The Forbes recruiters said generic gets skipped.

Another option from the Forbes recruiters is a short email in place of a formal letter, with three or four tight bullets on why you are a strong fit.

My verdict

Do not agonize over one for every application. Write a strong one for the roles you really want, keep a flexible short version for the rest, and put your effort into the resume first. If your resume is not getting through screening, no cover letter can save it. And after you apply, a follow-up does more work than most people expect.

Never job hunt alone.