The end of the cover letter? Pros and cons in the digital era

The cover letter has a long tradition in the world of job applications. Originally, it served as a way for applicants to present their personality, motivation and specific qualifications and to stand out from other applicants. However, in the digital era, the necessity of cover letters is increasingly being questioned. More and more companies and applicants are asking themselves the question: Is the cover letter still up to date? Or are there more efficient and modern methods of evaluating applicants? Current trends show that many companies are beginning to dispense with the cover letter and use alternative assessment methods. In this blog post, we look at the pros and cons of cover letters and provide practical recommendations for modern recruiting strategies.

Arguments against the requirement of a cover letter

1. Personality and motivation – A cover letter offers applicants the opportunity to present their personality and motivation in a way that a CV alone cannot. Here, applicants can highlight their individual strengths and interests and explain why they are interested in a particular position and a particular company. This can provide valuable insights into an applicant's personality and motivations for HR professionals.
    
2. Specific qualifications and experiences – The cover letter allows applicants to present their specific qualifications and experiences in a context that goes beyond the mere listing in the CV. Applicants can explain how their previous experiences qualify them for the desired position and how they want to use their skills in the new role. This can be particularly important when explaining specialized knowledge or an unusual career development.
    
3. Company-specific motivation – A well-written cover letter shows that the applicant has looked into the company and has a specific motivation for applying. This can be a strong signal of commitment and interest and show the employer that the applicant really wants to fit into the company and its culture. A cover letter can thus help to strengthen the connection between the applicant and the company.
    
4. Time factor and efficiency – For both applicants and HR professionals, the cover letter is often a time-consuming part of the application process. Applicants have to invest time to customize each cover letter, and HR professionals have to read and evaluate these documents thoroughly. At a time when efficiency and speed are becoming increasingly important, the question arises as to whether this investment of time is justified.
    
5. Standardized content – In many cases, applicants tend to use standardized and often meaningless phrases to meet the requirements of a cover letter. This leads to many cover letters sounding similar and providing little meaningful information. Standardized cover letters can therefore fail in their actual function of highlighting an applicant's individuality.
    
6. Alternative assessment methods – There are now numerous alternative methods for evaluating applicants that may be more efficient and meaningful than a cover letter. These include, for example, work samples, online assessments or structured interviews. These methods can directly test the relevant skills and qualifications of an applicant and often provide a more objective and practical insight into suitability for a particular position.

Optimize applicant selection

Whether you decide to use a cover letter or not, an applicant tracking system like INJOBS can significantly simplify and optimize the application process. Here are some of the ways in which such software can help:

Storage and management of cover letters: With INJOBS, cover letters can be stored directly with the applicant profile. This ensures that no information is lost and that recruiters can access the cover letters again later if nuances between applicants tip the balance.

Customization of the application form: The software makes it possible to customize the application form so that only the most important information is requested initially. This lowers the threshold for applicants to apply and ensures a more efficient application process.

Efficient communication and collaboration: INJOBS offers centralized communication and collaboration tools that enable the HR team to manage all applicant information and documents in one place. This improves transparency and efficiency throughout the entire application process.

Automation and workflows: Automating routine tasks such as sending interview invitations or rejection letters can significantly reduce the workload and increase efficiency. In addition, workflows can be customized to meet the specific requirements of the company.

The decision to require a cover letter depends on the individual needs and resources of the company. For companies that value personal insight, a cover letter can be useful. However, alternative assessment methods such as work samples and online assessments offer a more efficient way to select applicants. An applicant tracking system like INJOBS helps to integrate both approaches and optimize the process.

The decision to request cover letters depends on the individual needs and resources of the company. For companies that value personal insight, a cover letter may be appropriate. However, alternative assessment methods such as work samples and online assessments offer a more efficient way of selecting applicants. An applicant management system such as INJOBS helps to integrate both approaches and optimise the process.