Absolutely. Yes. That's the answer.
More importantly, you want a cover letter. Here's why:
A Glimpse into the Candidate's Writing Ability
Good cover letters can't be easily generated by AI (or more accurately, large language models), and they typically aren't packed with keywords designed to pass through automated screening the way resumes often are. This makes them the perfect tool to assess how well a candidate communicates. Resumes might be polished by apps or written to impress AI scanners, but a cover letter hopefully shows you the applicant's actual writing skills.
Engagement and Attention to Detail
An engaged candidate will pay attention to your application process. A cover letter containing specific details about your company, the job description, or any other relevant information shows they've done their homework. This attention to detail during the application process is a good indicator of their attentiveness on the job.
Additional Context and Character Insights
Resumes often leave questions unanswered, and cover letters can fill in those gaps. For example:
- Short Job Stints: Why did they only stay at a job for four months?
- Skill Gaps: They're very comfortable with Laravel but have never used Tailwind – why not?
- Side Projects: Do they have substantial side project experience that is not represented on their resume?
These details can be critical in understanding a candidate's background and potential fit for the role.
The Pros Outweigh the Cons
Yes, there are cons to requiring a cover letter. But let's break them down:
Time-Consuming
Reviewing cover letters will take more time, and it means you can only outsource this task to someone within your department. But the investment of time can lead to finding the right candidate who truly fits the role and the company culture.
Potentially Limiting
If the job doesn't require a lot of written communication or you're hiring people early in their careers, some otherwise promising candidates might not know how to write a good cover letter. This would obviously limit the pool of applicants for your position. However, consider this an opportunity to find candidates who go the extra mile and are willing to learn and grow.
The Inevitable Generic Junk
You're going to read some generic junk – it's just going to happen. But the gems you find will make it all worthwhile.
Why the Benefits Matter More
Ultimately, the benefits of allowing candidates to write a cover letter and taking the time to understand them more fully outweigh these costs. It's expensive and time-consuming to make a bad hire, so take the time upfront to do it right. Bad experiences with cover letters are forgivable. But a great cover letter from an excellent candidate is worthy of your time.
So, should you require a cover letter? Absolutely.
It's not just about the formalities; it's about getting a deeper insight into who the candidate is and how they will fit into your team.