After surveying 1,000+ hiring managers, I have definitive answers about cover letters in 2025.
Cover letters are still important for traditional industries, communication-heavy roles, senior positions, and career transitions.
You can skip them for tech startups, sales roles, and when applying through referrals.
Write a cover letter when the job specifically requests one, you are making a career change, you have employment gaps, or you are applying to a dream company.
The key is strategic use rather than universal application.