Do I need a cover letter for my resume?

Do you need a cover letter for a resume? Streamline your college application process with comprehensive answers about writing a cover letter with your resume.

You may have learned how to write a resume as part of a college or university application, but you may have asked yourself a question: Do I need a cover letter for my resume? Here are some guidelines to understand when you need a cover letter and why you should write one.

Are cover letters still necessary?

A cover letter may seem like an extra and unnecessary step in the college application process, but it can help college admissions officers learn more about you if they want to know more details.

Submitting a well-written resume adds strength to your application. A cover letter complements your resume by adding additional power — it can explain why your resume includes the information that it does in addition to other details about you. For example, share your excitement for the college or university’s course offerings, elaborate on your academic achievements and work ethic, and explain why you are a good candidate for their community.

How do I know if I need a cover letter?

Do you need a cover letter? The only time you must submit a cover letter is when the application process specifically requests one. However, including a cover letter for every application is always a good idea, as it can improve your chances of acceptance.

Is it unprofessional to not have a cover letter?

Although you’re only applying for acceptance for higher education right now, cover letters will become a standard part of your future employment applications when you need a cover letter for a resume. Applying to a college or university should reflect your professional ambitions, as reflected by submitting a cover letter. Submitting this letter also indicates you’ve taken the extra time and effort to make your application stand out. Learn how to end a cover letter with confidence.

Another common question is whether applicants should create a cover letter as a PDF or Word doc. You can draft your cover letter using any word processing tool, but the recipient’s computer may not have the same fonts as used in your Word file, which would affect the presentation of your letter. Once your letter is complete, convert it to PDF to ensure your document’s formatting and style are intact when your letter is read.

If you have an existing high school resume PDF, you can use it as a starting point. Simply convert your PDF to a Microsoft Word document to edit as a college resume. Then, learn how to write a cover letter using your resume information.

Is it okay to apply without a cover letter?

Unless the application platform does not include a place to upload a cover letter, don’t forego the added opportunity to promote yourself. The admission committee may be able to learn enough about you from your resume, but if they are comparing applicants with your same achievements and want to know more, not having a cover letter would be a disadvantage for your admission chances.