In this guide
ATS and application systems
Do applicant tracking systems read cover letters?
How cover letters are stored and read in application systems, when a letter is worth writing, and how to format one so it is readable wherever it ends up.
Where your cover letter goes
When a portal has a cover letter field, the letter is usually attached to your candidate record. Some employers search letters along with resumes, some read them only for shortlisted candidates and some never open them. None of this is visible to applicants, so there is no reliable rule about whether a letter will be read.
When a letter is worth writing
| Situation | Write one? |
|---|---|
| The advert or portal requires one | Yes; missing it may stop the application |
| There is an optional cover letter field | Usually, if you can make it specific to the role |
| You are changing career or have a gap to explain | Yes; it is the place to give context |
| You are applying internally or were referred | Yes, briefly, naming the connection |
| There is no field and the advert says resumes only | No; follow the instruction |
Formatting a letter so it is readable anywhere
A letter that survives being uploaded or pasted
- Plain paragraphs, no tables or text boxes.
- Your name and the role title in the first lines.
- No headers or footers carrying important details.
- A sensible length: usually under one page.
- If pasting into a box, check paragraph breaks survived.
If a portal gives a text box rather than an upload, paste a plain version and check it before submitting; formatting is often lost.
What to put in it
Use the letter for what the resume cannot do: explain why this role and this employer, connect experience from a different field to the requirements, or give context for a gap or a move. Do not repeat the resume line by line.
Luceria can write a matching letter alongside a tailored resume, grounded in your real experience and the selected job. You can edit it before using it anywhere.
Common questions
Should I upload my cover letter in the resume field to make sure it is seen?
No. Combining them in one file can confuse autofill and the reviewer. Use the cover letter field, or the advert's instructions, and keep the resume separate.
Do keywords matter in a cover letter?
Using the employer's terms for skills you genuinely have helps a person see the match. Stuffing a letter with terms adds nothing and makes it harder to read.
Put it into practice
See how Luceria helps with thisDrafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.