Cover Letters

My mom gave me a recent Business Insider article called “RIP Cover Letters” which talks about how AI has made cover letters obsolete. As a writer, I frequently get asked about how AI is affecting my job and if I will still have a job in the near future as a result of AI. Questions like that remind me of when I graduated from college with a degree in English Literature 20 years ago and was told I would never become a professional journalist because magazines and newspapers were going away. Guess what – 20 years later I’m still writing for newspapers and magazines! Clearly times have changed, and the publishing world looks different than it did back in 2026 (that’s the thesis of The Devil Wears Prada 2 for crying out loud), but physical publications still exist and people still read them.

Back to cover letters. Business Insider describes cover letters as “one of the most annoying parts of getting hired” but doesn’t explain why. Are they annoying because candidates don’t like writing them or because employers don’t want to spend time reading them? Conversely, the article is very clear about why cover letters are becoming less important – because people are using AI to write them and therefore they all sound the same. “They’re carrying less weight because they can be so easily tailored or crafted to match the role and misrepresent someone’s experience.” Well of course. That is why AI is not going to take my job – words written by AI sound robotic because AI is a robot. It’s that simple. There is no context, finesse, personal touch, or style.

I’ve been writing and editing cover letters and resumes for a variety of clients for many years and I’ve always suggested including a Professional Profile at the top of resumes – a few sentences that let the potential employer know who they are and what kind of position is best suited for them. Similarly, this article talks about using the “‘objective’ or ‘summary’ section at the top of [a] resume to briefly explain their background and fit for the role.” But how does an employer know that candidates aren’t using AI for that as well? The ones paying attention will be able to tell.

Another part of the article that caught my eye: “In the AI era, ‘show your work’ has become the new norm as employers look for more direct ways to evaluate candidates.” Through LinkedIn and other social media platforms, people are not only easier to find than ever but they also control their own narratives. With a few clicks, recruiters and HR representatives can quickly research candidates making hiring in 2026 a different ballgame. While I agree that “direct interaction has become increasingly important,” this notion is interesting because that’s how applying for a job originated – people engaging with one another through in-person interviews and actual conversations. Over the years, and especially since Covid, the world has shifted to relying on Zoom and online interactions so this full-circle situation is fascinating.

Regardless of whether people think that cover letters are dead and gone, resumes are still important – which brings me to another point. Somehow, everyone seems to remember their high school college counselor telling them that resumes should only be one page. And, for some reason, people still think that’s accurate and it is definitely not. You’re no longer 17 years old and, even if you’ve been working for the same company or organization for a number of years, it’s doubtful that you still hold the same title and responsibilities. Progress has been made and it should be documented.

That being said, depending on the situation, information from 10-15 years ago may or may not be relevant. Sometimes that longevity and history matters and sometimes it’s unnecessary which is why hiring or seeking guidance from an actual professional human is helpful. People looking for a job need to be prepared to tailor resumes for specific companies, organizations, and positions so having discussions about how they want to present themselves is essential to finding the right professional fit.