Cover Letters and ATS: Do They Matter and How to Optimize Them
Find out whether ATS systems scan cover letters, how to optimize them with keywords, and when a cover letter can make or break your application.
Do ATS systems actually read cover letters?
The short answer is: it depends on the system. Some ATS platforms like Workday and Greenhouse parse cover letter text and include it in keyword scoring. Others, like Taleo and iCIMS, store the cover letter as an attachment but do not factor its content into the initial ranking. Because you cannot know which system a company uses, the safest strategy is to assume your cover letter will be scanned and optimize it accordingly. Treating the cover letter as a keyword-rich supplement to your resume gives you the best odds across all platforms.
When a cover letter is required vs. optional
If the application explicitly asks for a cover letter, always submit one. Skipping it when it is requested signals a lack of attention to detail, and some ATS systems flag incomplete applications. When a cover letter is listed as optional, submitting one still helps. Hiring managers report that they read cover letters for roughly 50% of applicants who make it past ATS screening. For competitive roles, a strong cover letter differentiates you from candidates with similar resumes. The only time to skip it is when the application provides no option to upload one.
How to structure an ATS-optimized cover letter
Keep it to three or four paragraphs on a single page. Open with the specific job title and company name — this signals relevance to both the ATS and the reader. In the second paragraph, connect your most relevant experience to the role's key requirements using exact keywords from the job description. In the third paragraph, explain why you want this specific role at this specific company — personalization matters. Close with a clear call to action. Use a clean format without headers, tables, or graphics.
Keyword strategy for cover letters
Your cover letter is an opportunity to include keywords that did not fit naturally on your resume. If the job description mentions a specific methodology, tool, or qualification that you possess but could not weave into your resume bullets, the cover letter is the place for it. Mirror the exact language of the posting. If the job says 'cross-functional stakeholder management,' use that phrase — do not paraphrase it as 'working with different teams.' Aim to include 8-12 job-specific keywords in a natural, readable way.
Common cover letter mistakes that hurt ATS scoring
Using a generic template without customizing it for the role. Addressing it 'To Whom It May Concern' instead of using the hiring manager's name or the team name. Repeating your resume verbatim instead of adding new context. Submitting a cover letter as an image or in a non-standard file format. Writing more than one page. Failing to include keywords from the job description. Using an ornate template with graphics and text boxes that the ATS cannot parse. Each of these mistakes reduces your cover letter's effectiveness with both automated and human reviewers.
Pair your cover letter with an optimized resume
A strong cover letter cannot compensate for a weak resume, and vice versa. The two documents work together — your resume provides the structured data that ATS systems score, and your cover letter provides narrative context that human reviewers appreciate. ATSBoost focuses on resume optimization, ensuring your primary document scores as highly as possible against the job description. Use it to perfect your resume, then craft a cover letter that reinforces and extends the keywords and themes your resume establishes.
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