As we usher in the year 2023, it's time for an honest discussion: Is the cover letter still pulling its weight, or has it become a relic of the past? Buckle up; we're about to explore this question.
Picture this: It's 1956, and Dutch Boy Paints has just posted a job ad for an industrial paint chemist. Their request? Résumés must be mailed in, complete with a cover letter. Fast forward a few years, and services emerged to help job-seekers perfect their cover letters. Ah, the good old days!
Now, let's fast-track to the present. Technology has transformed the job application game. We've gone from snail-mailing résumés to faxing them and, ultimately, submitting applications online. But guess what hasn't changed much? Yep, the cover letter. It's like that classic vinyl record you can't bear to part with.
Once upon a time, the cover letter served as a window into your personality, a chance to say, "Hey, I'm more than just bullet points on a résumé!" But in today's world of instant updates and digital footprints, it's starting to feel a bit like a rotary phone.
Here's the scoop: in a world where we can practically stalk someone's entire life on social media, the cover letter is like sending a telegram when there's email.
Let's break down why the cover letter might be on the way out:
In a nutshell, the cover letter's relevance in 2023 is waning. While some employers may still hold it dear, the savvy job seekers among us recognize it's a bit of a throwback.