Why the cover letter still matters in 2025

With AI tools, fast-paced recruitment cycles, and quick-click job applications, it’s easy to assume the cover letter has had its day. But in reality, it still plays a useful role in helping the right people and the right companies connect.

A good cover letter adds something that no CV or automated system can - context, personality and intent.

Personalisation: Your story matters

A CV lists what you’ve done, but a cover letter explains why. It gives you space to connect the dots between your experience and what the organisation is looking for. It can highlight why you’re interested, clarify a career change, or explain what drew you to a specific field.

For employers, this context makes a big difference. It’s often how they tell who’s genuinely engaged versus who’s applying to everything that appears in their feed.

A 2021 survey by ResumeLab found that 83% of hiring managers said a well-written cover letter could give candidates an advantage, and 77% preferred candidates who included one - particularly when it showed a clear understanding of the role.

Showing how you communicate

Technical expertise is critical in sectors like biotech and medtech, but soft skills matter too. Communication, curiosity, and adaptability are harder to measure, yet they’re often what separates a good hire from a great one.

A thoughtful, well-written cover letter gives hiring managers a glimpse of how you think and communicate - something no list of skills can fully convey. Jobvite found that 26% of recruiters see cover letters as a useful way to assess written communication, which remains one of the most valued professional skills.

Standing out in automated systems

Even in an era of applicant tracking systems (ATS), cover letters still find their way to human eyes. While algorithms may filter by keywords, people still make the final decisions. In fact, a CareerBuilder study found that around 10% of recruiters read cover letters first, especially when deciding between candidates with similar experience.

When written well, a cover letter can humanise an application that might otherwise blend in.

Clarifying your path

Career breaks, changes in direction, or time spent in academia or consultancy can raise questions in a CV. A cover letter gives you the space to explain those choices and show what you’ve learned from them. Being open about your career story builds trust and helps employers see the full picture.

Final thoughts

The cover letter might feel old-fashioned, but it remains a simple, effective way to stand out. It shows intent, professionalism and a genuine interest in the opportunity.

For candidates, it’s a chance to show what drives you. For hiring teams, it’s a glimpse into who a person really is beyond their qualifications.

So before you skip it, consider the difference a few thoughtful paragraphs might make - it could be the part of your application that turns interest into an interview.

Have you noticed a difference when including a cover letter in your applications?

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Written by a human, edited by AI.