ATS and Cover Letters: Do They Get Scanned Too?

Yes, most ATS systems do parse cover letters, but not always in the way you might expect. Understanding how ATS handles cover letters can help you write one that supports your application rather than undermining it.

How do ATS systems process cover letters?

Most modern ATS platforms process cover letters in one of three ways:

1. Parsed and searchable The text is extracted and made searchable by recruiters. Keywords from your cover letter may contribute to your overall match score. This is the most common approach in platforms like Greenhouse and Lever.
2. Stored but not scored The cover letter is attached to your application and available for recruiters to read, but it does not affect your ATS ranking. Common in Workday and some enterprise systems.
3. Ignored entirely Some application systems do not have a cover letter field at all, or simply discard uploaded cover letters. This is becoming more common as some employers move away from requiring them.

The challenge is that you rarely know which approach the employer's system uses. The safest strategy is to optimise your cover letter for ATS while writing it primarily for human readers.

Should you include keywords in your cover letter?

Yes, but naturally. Your cover letter is an opportunity to include keywords that did not fit naturally in your CV:

• Industry terminology Use the same language as the job description
• Company name Mention the company by name (shows genuine interest)
• Job title Reference the exact role you are applying for
• Key skills Weave in 3-5 priority skills from the JD
• Qualifications Mention relevant certifications or qualifications

Do not turn your cover letter into a keyword list. It should read naturally and compellingly. The primary audience is a human, not a machine.

How to format a cover letter for ATS

The same formatting rules that apply to CVs also apply to cover letters:

• Plain text or simple formatting No tables, columns, or graphics
• Standard font Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, 10-12pt
• No headers or footers for critical content
• Save as PDF or DOCX same as your CV
• Keep it to one page 250-400 words is ideal

What to include in an ATS-friendly cover letter

Opening paragraph

State the role you are applying for (exact job title), where you found it, and your core qualification in one sentence.

"I am writing to apply for the Senior Marketing Manager position at [Company], bringing 6 years of digital marketing experience with expertise in SEO, content strategy, and marketing analytics."

Middle paragraph(s)

Connect your experience to the specific requirements. Use 2-3 examples that include relevant keywords:

"In my current role at [Company], I developed and executed a content marketing strategy that increased organic traffic by 65% over 12 months. I managed a cross-functional team of 4, including content writers, designers, and an SEO specialist, using Asana for project management and Google Analytics for performance tracking."

Closing paragraph

Restate your interest and include a call to action. Mention the company by name again.

When cover letters matter most

Cover letters carry more weight in certain situations:

• Career changes Explain why you are transitioning and how your skills transfer
• Gaps in employment Briefly address the gap and what you did during it
• Relocation Explain your reason for relocating to the employer's area
• Senior roles Expected at director level and above
• Public sector / NHS Often required and evaluated as part of the application

When to skip the cover letter

If the application does not request one and there is no upload field for it, do not force it. Focus your energy on optimising your CV instead.

If the posting says "cover letter optional", a brief, well-written one can differentiate you, but only if it adds value beyond what your CV already says.

The bottom line

Treat your cover letter as a supporting document that reinforces your CV's keyword coverage while giving a human reader context that a bullet-pointed CV cannot provide. Optimise your CV first (use ATS Pass to check your match rate), then write a cover letter that fills in the narrative gaps.