Would sending a cover letter increase my chances of getting selected for interview?

I know it is normal in western country to send in cover letter. But in Malaysia do recruiters even care?

Would like to know your opinion...

No harm trying to submit the cover letter together with your CV/resume.
Treat it as extra effort in applying any jobs.

some company did asking for it.. but most of the company just looks at your CV

Yes!
1. Your cover letter is an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and passion for the position you're applying for.
2. It's an avenue for you to show that your professional writing ability.

The CV is a list of your achievements
The cover letter/email is a story of how you reached those achievements specific to the job that you're applying to.

At early stages of your career maybe it won't make much sense but at the middle/later stages it paints you as a human

The world is full of AI though, so sad to say I don't know how a cover can make a difference unless it goes to a human. If you read the viral posts on LinkedIn, most will say that the cover email is only relevant when you reach the hiring manager directly

depends really. i guess in job street, is a no?

but in some other cases, worth a try. so far i never personalise cover letter before, yet. until desperate i guess lol

It depends, but I think it's good to just put in a cover letter - shows effotr imo

Correct! It just shows to your potential employer that you've put in extra effort.

Also agree with this. It helps your potential employer to get an idea of your character. And also how you communicate.

I think it also depends on your industry. Got a few buddies who are writers and they always include a cover letter with their CV.

But I also do think that having a cover letter is an extra effort you put when applying for a job. Employers usually skip it but if there is a chance that one did read your letter, that's your added advantage.

Of course, anything that can give you an edge is good. I once got hired on the spot just because of my cover letter.

Here's a tip, if you want to stand out, record a video introducing yourself & send to your potential employer, I guarantee you'd stand a better chance because most people won't do that.

Our company receives 300 applications monthly, and over the course of a year we only select about 15 to 30 ppl for interviews & only 3 to 5 will be hired. You do the math. It's tough out there.

No harm done, the key is what are you highlighting in your cover letter. Highlight the something special or extraordinary that you are afraid the recruiter might miss while scanning your resume. Simple language and concise is the way to go. No one likes to read a wall of text.

Good luck all the best


I have actually been seeing that abit lately haha. Thank god its a link to youtube or Vimeo and not that actual video haha. And yes it does make you stand out. But still substance is important. If the video is just about your bubbly personality, whats the point if the position is technical in nature.

Yes but if your job routine involve looking at cover page a lot, you quickly realize 99% just fluff with no substance. If the recruiter is smart enough, they would go check the CV content than cover page.

That said, consider it a tradition and write one anyway, briefly on your exp and background, like putting subject header on an email.

That also depends on the job you are applying. Outlandish cover page which exhibit your personality may have better chance on jobs involving event organizer or presenter.

This post has been edited by TrialGone: Jun 27 2020, 10:55 AM

I agree substance & context is important. There's always a good way and a bad way to approach something. Some don't even know how to make a basic CV presentable let alone a cover letter. Because TS was asking if it's 'necessary' to include a cover letter, I think it's not a question of whether it is necessary, but a question of what extra 'value' (honest, non-cringey, relevant value) you could add in your application in order to stand a better chance. Just my 2 cents.

I usually send a cover letter with my CV to describe the work done in my previous jobs, and explain why I will be a favourable contributing staff in the new company. So...no harm trying tbh.

A well researched cover letter that highlights your strengths and how it matches with the advertised job scope is always a plus point. However, remember to proofread your draft, especially when you're recycling parts of the letter. I'd seen quite a few cover letters that was addressed to a different company, and it leaves a really bad impression.