Do Cover Letters Need to Be ATS Friendly? (Yes, Here's How)

Many candidates skip the cover letter or treat it as a formality. But in most ATS your cover letter is stored with your application — and often searchable. That makes it a second chance to include the keywords that matter.

How ATS handles cover letters

Systems like Greenhouse, Workday and Lever attach the cover letter to your candidate profile. Depending on settings:

• Recruiters can search its text.
• Some setups parse and score it along with the resume.
• Hiring managers read it when deciding between close candidates.

So formatting and keywords matter here too, just a little less than on the resume.

Keywords to include

Pick 4–6 of the most important terms from the job ad:

• The exact job title
• 2–3 hard skills or tools
• One industry term or method (e.g. "GDPR compliance", "agile delivery")
• The company name

Use them in sentences that prove something:

The ATS-friendly cover letter format

• Plain document, one column, no header graphics
• Standard font, 11–12 pt
• Your name and contact details as normal text at the top
• Greeting: name the hiring manager if you can find it
• 3–4 paragraphs: why this role, proof you can do it, why this company, call to action
• File name: "Firstname-Lastname-Cover-Letter.pdf"

A simple structure that works

Paragraph 1: the hook

Name the role and one reason you're a strong fit.

Paragraph 2: the proof

One or two achievements tied to the job ad's top requirements. Numbers help — see how to quantify without metrics.

Paragraph 3: the company

Show you know what they do and why it matters to you.

Paragraph 4: the close

Thank them and say you'd welcome an interview.

Generate a tailored cover letter free

The CvPrais Cover Letter Generator writes a letter from your real resume and the job ad, in the tone you choose. It won't invent experience. Pair it with a resume tailored in the free CV builder and check both with the ATS checker.

Applying in Europe? Read resume vs CV: which to use. Wondering why you're not hearing back? See 11 reasons your resume gets rejected. Pick an ATS-friendly template, run a final ATS score check, and get started on the CvPrais homepage.