AI and the Death of the Cover Letter: What It Means for Job Seekers

Judd Kessler, a Wharton professor, has witnessed the decline of the traditional cover letter. For 15 years, his research assistant positions attracted economics students like moths to a flame. But AI's entrance has turned this once reliable recruiting tool into a relic of the past. Cover letters now blur into one polished mass, thanks to AI's ability to craft hyper-personalized letters in seconds. It's got Kessler, and many others, wondering if there's any real sincerity left in those words.

AI Levels the Playing Field, Too Much

Kessler isn't alone. Applications are up 20%, but the quality is suspiciously uniform. The cover letters that used to provide insight into a candidate’s genuine interest now feel like a monotonous echo, mimicking each other's structure and flattery. It's no wonder recruiters are shifting focus away from these once-important documents. But who benefits? Certainly not the students genuinely interested in Kessler's work, now lost in a sea of AI-generated sameness.

In the tech field, companies like McKinsey and Cisco have already ditched cover letters altogether. They find resumes' objective sections and online profiles like LinkedIn more useful for gauging a candidate's fit. Google's long abandoned the cover letter too. No surprise there. It's a clear shift towards evaluating skills directly rather than relying on self-promotion.

The Rise of 'Show Your Work'

In today's job market, demonstrating skills directly has become the new norm. Employers seek deeper evidence of a candidate's abilities over a beautifully crafted narrative. LinkedIn's partnerships with AI platforms like Descript and Lovable highlight this shift, letting candidates showcase verified skills rather than rely on prose that AI can whip up in seconds. Ask who funded the study? They didn't, but they're changing the game.

For those hiring, the emphasis is now on practical assessments. Whether it's a live skills test or a GitHub repository review, the focus is on what candidates can do, not just what they claim they can do. This move dismantles the cover letter's influence, and rightly so. It's about time talent was recognized for its tangible skills rather than its ability to craft a persuasive essay.

The Last Word on Cover Letters

Yet, some candidates still cling to cover letters, seeing them as an extra signal of effort. In some industries, like those valuing strong communication skills, they may still have a place. But in the fast-paced tech and consulting worlds, they're increasingly a relic, discarded in favor of more direct interactions.

The real question is, in this AI-driven landscape, how will job seekers stand out? The answer seems clear: show your work, prove your skills, and let your experience speak louder than any cleverly worded letter ever could. The benchmark doesn't capture what matters most, it's your actual abilities that count now.