Do You Still Need a Cover Letter in 2026?
· Keith Kwai
The honest answer depends on how the role is posted — here’s how to read the signals correctly.
If the application form has an optional upload field for one, treat it as not optional — recruiters notice who skipped it. If the application is a quick-apply through a job board with no upload option, a resume alone is expected and a cover letter emailed separately rarely gets read.
The one situation where a cover letter earns its place regardless of the form: when your resume alone doesn’t fully explain your fit, such as a career switch, a gap, or an application well above or below your obvious level. There, it’s doing real work, not just checking a box.
Not sure if your situation needs one? Book a free discussion with our team.