Cover Letters

To Send or Not to Send?... Is that the question?

Imagine a world where the first impression isn't made by a firm handshake or an eye-catching outfit but through the artful dance of words on a page. This is not the opening scene of a play penned by Shakespeare but rather the stage of modern recruitment, where the humble cover letter plays the starring role. As recruiters and hiring managers, we are the audience eagerly awaiting the next performance, hoping to be moved, persuaded, or, at the very least, entertained.

But is this ancient relic of job hunting still relevant in our age of LinkedIn profiles, personal websites, and digital portfolios? As someone deeply embedded in the hiring process, I've seen my share of cover letters, ranging from the tragically bland to the extraordinarily captivating. And yet, the question remains: in a world constantly seeking efficiency, do cover letters hold their weight in gold, or have they become the parchment scrolls of a bygone era?

Once upon a time, a cover letter was your voice in the silence, your stand-in when you couldn't be there to plead your case. It whispered (or sometimes shouted) your achievements, passion, and unique personality to someone sitting behind a mountain of similar pleas. And there lies its timeless charm, the ability to convey what you've done and who you are.

We've seen the magic a well-crafted cover letter can wield in the recruiting trenches. It can turn a list of achievements into a story, a narrative that breathes life into the dry ink of a resume. It's the difference between reading a list of ingredients and savoring the first bite of a well-cooked meal. The former tells you what's involved; the latter tells you why it matters.

Yet, for all their potential glory, cover letters can quickly turn into a comedy of errors. We've all witnessed the accidental love letter addressed to the wrong company, the overzealous applicant who compares their work ethic to Hercules, or the one who insists on using a font size so small it would make an ant squint. These moments, while amusing, highlight a crucial point: a bad cover letter is like a misfired joke; the intention is good, but the execution falls flat.

So, where does this leave our modern-day job seeker, or more importantly, you, the hiring manager or recruiter reading this soliloquy? The digital age has given us tools Galileo couldn't dream of and the ability to connect in multiple ways. A LinkedIn profile can showcase endorsements from peers, a personal website can exhibit a portfolio in stunning detail, and social media can offer a glimpse into a candidate's personality and interests.

To send or not to send?....

Herein lies our denouement, the answer to our titular musing. Like any good piece of theater, the cover letter has its place and time. It's not about whether to use one but how and when. A cover letter is your spotlight for roles that demand creativity, communication prowess, or a deep understanding of company culture. It gives depth to the character you present in your resume, allowing you to narrate your story beyond bullet points and job titles.

However, only some roles demand such a performance in the vast sea of applications. Sometimes, the winning ticket is the straight-to-the-point efficiency of a well-crafted resume and a compelling LinkedIn profile.

So...

Dear recruiters, hiring managers, and job seekers alike, let's remember the power of authenticity. Whether through a cover letter, a portfolio, or a profile, the most compelling narratives are accurate to the author. So, if you choose to wield the pen, do so to share not just what you can do but who you are.

As the final curtain falls on our discussion, remember: the question isn't whether to use a cover letter but how to make your introduction resonate with authenticity and purpose in whatever form it takes. After all, the goal is to find a job or a candidate and the right fit for a shared journey ahead.

So, to send or not to send? That is the question. And the answer, dear reader, lies not in the stars but in the story, you wish to tell.