The candidates have spoken! In our latest LinkedIn survey, out of 966 voters, 82% believe that the cover letter is obsolete or prefer more modern alternatives. So, why the disdain? And how can recruiters adapt?
More flexible alternatives
Candidates favor tools that are more adaptable and suited to their needs. “The questionnaire is more flexible, less formatted, and allows for more complete and precise answers: I prefer it by far to the cover letter”, says one participant.
These alternatives allow talents to reveal themselves better without the formality often considered outdated of the cover letter.
Is the cover letter still useful for recruiting unconventional profiles?
Nevertheless, some believe that the cover letter still has its place, especially for unconventional or transitioning career paths. “I will continue to advocate for the cover letter for all unconventional or transitioning paths that sometimes only have this initial link to be able to express potential resume misunderstandings”, explains one voter.
But others challenge this view by proposing more flexible formats that also allow for the valorization of these non-conventional paths.
Time for a change!
One comment sums up the general opinion well: “Wow, 18% think it is still necessary, I’m shocked! Thank you for this instructive survey, Jobs That Makesense, and ready to help the 82% who want to move forward.”
So, shall we turn the page?
At Jobs that makesense, we support you in this transition and present 6 tools to more effectively screen candidates (spoiler: the cover letter is not one of them!)
