Cover Letters in 2026: The Truth Nobody Tells You (Canada Tech Edition)

Q: Do Canadian employers expect cover letters?

It depends on company size. Startups and mid-size companies often read them carefully. Large tech companies (Shopify, Amazon, Google) rarely do unless specifically requested.

Q: Can I use AI to write my cover letter?

Yes, but don't submit raw AI output. Use it as a starting point, then add specific details and your actual voice. Hiring managers are increasingly skilled at spotting generic AI content.

Q: Should I address gaps in my resume?

Yes—briefly. One sentence explaining a gap is better than leaving them to wonder. "I took 6 months to care for a family member" is fine.

Q: What if I don't know the hiring manager's name?

"Hi [Company] Team" or "Hi Hiring Team" is fine. Don't use "Dear Sir or Madam"—it's outdated and assumes gender.

Q: Is a cover letter worth it for remote applications?

For remote roles at companies outside your local area, yes—you need to explain why you're interested in THEM specifically despite the distance. ---

"Cover letters are dead."

"Always write a cover letter."

"Nobody reads them."

"They read mine before my resume!"

You've heard all of this. And somehow, everyone is correct.

Welcome to the most confusing document in your job search. Let's cut through the noise with actual data.

The Paradox: Schrödinger's Cover Letter

Here's what the research actually says:

Finding	Source
83% of hiring managers read cover letters even when optional	Interview Guys, 2025
45% read cover letters BEFORE looking at resumes	Interview Guys, 2025
40% of HR professionals never read cover letters at all	Novorésumé Survey, 2025
66% spend less than 30 seconds on a cover letter	SecondTalent, 2026
One recruiter: "Read 100K+ resumes, maybe 50 cover letters"	LinkedIn, 2025

Sources: Novorésumé HR Survey, Interview Guys 2025 Report

So which is it? Both. And that's exactly why you need a strategy, not a blanket rule.

The Critical Question: When Does It Actually Matter?

After analyzing data from multiple surveys and hiring manager feedback, here's when cover letters move the needle:

High Impact (Worth 30+ Minutes)

Scenario	Why It Matters
Startup or small company (<100 employees)	Founder/hiring manager reads every application personally
Referral or warm intro	Your connection vouched for you—explain why you're worth it
Career switch	Resume doesn't tell the full story
Non-obvious fit	You need to explain why a physics PhD wants a frontend role
Company specifically asks	They're screening for effort and communication

Low Impact (Skip or Use Template)

Scenario	Why It's a Waste
Big tech (Google, Amazon, etc.)	ATS + high volume = nobody reads it
Mass applications (100+/week)	ROI doesn't justify time investment
Job posting says "optional"	At large companies, optional means "we won't read it"
Your resume already tells the story	Senior dev with perfect keyword match? Resume is enough

The 2026 Twist: AI Made Cover Letters Matter Again

Here's the irony: Everyone thought AI would kill cover letters. Instead, it made them more valuable.

The "AI Slop" Problem

According to Moving2Canada's 2026 report:

"Recruiters report being flooded with cover letters that look polished, keyword-rich, and completely interchangeable."

When 500 applicants submit AI-generated cover letters that all sound the same, the one that sounds human stands out.

What This Means for You

The bar has shifted. It's no longer: - Old bar: Did you write a cover letter? ✓ - New bar: Does your cover letter sound like a human with a point of view?

The Canadian Context: What's Different Here?

Canada's job market in 2025-2026 has shifted back to an employer's market:

Trend	Impact on Cover Letters
Job vacancies down from post-pandemic peak	More competition = need to differentiate
Hundreds of applications per posting	Anything that helps you stand out matters
International candidates competing	Cover letter can address work authorization proactively

Source: Statistics Canada, 2025

If you're competing against 500 other applicants, your well-crafted resume gets you past the ATS. Your cover letter gets you remembered.

What Actually Works (And What Doesn't)

The 3 Things Hiring Managers Actually Care About

Based on survey data from hiring managers:

Why this company (not generic "I'm passionate about technology")
Why this role (specific connection to your experience)
What you'll contribute (not what you'll learn)

What They Hate

Don't Do This	Why It Fails
"I am a hardworking team player"	Generic. Everyone says this.
Repeating your resume in paragraph form	Adds no new information
"Dear Sir or Madam"	Shows you didn't research
3+ paragraphs of text	Nobody reads that much
Focusing on what YOU want	They care about what THEY need

The Speed-Optimized Approach

Here's a practical system for the Canadian tech job market:

Tier 1: Full Custom (30-45 min)

When: Dream companies, referrals, career pivots

Format:

Para 1: Hook + Why this company specifically (1-2 sentences)
Para 2: Your most relevant achievement with metrics
Para 3: How you'll contribute + call to action

Example opening:

When I saw that Shopify is rebuilding its checkout infrastructure, I immediately thought of my experience reducing Stripe payment failures by 23% at [Previous Company]. Here's why I'd be a great fit for this exact challenge.

Tier 2: Template + Customize (10-15 min)

When: Good-fit companies, required cover letters

Keep a base template and swap: - Company name and why you're interested (research 5 min) - Most relevant 2-3 achievements for THIS role - Specific tech stack mentioned in posting

Tier 3: Skip It

When: Mass applications, optional at large companies, resume is a perfect match

Your time is better spent: - Tailoring your resume keywords - Applying to more positions - Building your GitHub portfolio

For New Grads: Projects Are Your Secret Weapon

Don't have work experience? Your cover letter is where you explain WHY your projects matter:

Weak:

I built an e-commerce platform using React and Node.js.

Strong:

My e-commerce platform handles 1000+ concurrent users on AWS—I learned more about scaling from that one "server on fire" moment than from any textbook. I'm excited to bring that scrappiness to Wealthsimple's infrastructure team.

See the difference? The second one shows personality, specific learning, and connects to their needs.

The LetterGen Shortcut

Writing customized cover letters for every application is exhausting. Here's a tool that can help:

LetterGen.io uses AI to generate tailored cover letters based on your resume and the job description—but with a human-sounding output that avoids the "AI slop" problem.

Use code Hanzi20 for 20% off if you decide to try it.

Disclosure: This is a referral link from a friend who built the tool. I recommend it because it solves a real problem.

When to use it: - Tier 2 applications where you need a cover letter but can't spend 45 minutes - As a starting point that you then personalize - When you're applying to 10+ jobs per week

Canada-Specific Tips

If You're an International Student

Your cover letter should proactively address: - Work authorization status (PGWP, study permit with work rights) - Timeline (when you graduate, when you can start) - Language proficiency (especially for Quebec)

Example:

I'm currently completing my CS degree at UBC and hold a study permit with full work authorization. After graduation in May, I'll transition to a 3-year PGWP, providing stable long-term work eligibility.

For more, see: International Student Tech Job Guide

For Montreal/Quebec Roles

Mention French proficiency if you have it—even intermediate level matters:

While my primary work language is English, I have intermediate French proficiency and am committed to improving through immersion.

See: Montreal Tech Jobs Guide

The Template That Actually Works

Here's a template based on what hiring managers say they want:

Hi [Hiring Manager Name or "Hiring Team"],

[1 sentence: Specific reason you're excited about THIS company—something
from their blog, product, or recent news]

[2-3 sentences: Your most relevant achievement with a metric, connected
directly to what they're looking for]

[1-2 sentences: What you'll bring + enthusiasm for the specific role]

[1 sentence: Call to action—available for interview, portfolio link, etc.]

Best,
[Your Name]

Total length: 100-150 words. That's it.

FAQ

Do Canadian employers expect cover letters?

It depends on company size. Startups and mid-size companies often read them carefully. Large tech companies (Shopify, Amazon, Google) rarely do unless specifically requested.

Can I use AI to write my cover letter?

Yes, but don't submit raw AI output. Use it as a starting point, then add specific details and your actual voice. Hiring managers are increasingly skilled at spotting generic AI content.

Should I address gaps in my resume?

Yes—briefly. One sentence explaining a gap is better than leaving them to wonder. "I took 6 months to care for a family member" is fine.

What if I don't know the hiring manager's name?

"Hi [Company] Team" or "Hi Hiring Team" is fine. Don't use "Dear Sir or Madam"—it's outdated and assumes gender.

Is a cover letter worth it for remote applications?

For remote roles at companies outside your local area, yes—you need to explain why you're interested in THEM specifically despite the distance.

Key Takeaways

Cover letters matter for ~60% of applications, not 100%—know when to invest time
AI has raised the bar—generic letters are now filtered out mentally
Keep it short—100-150 words max, 3 paragraphs
Be specific—mention the company name, recent news, or specific role details
For mass applications—use a tool like LetterGen (code: Hanzi20) as a starting point
New grads—use cover letters to explain project context and passion

Sources: - Novorésumé: The Hiring Landscape HR Survey 2025 - Interview Guys: Cover Letters Making a Comeback 2025 - Moving2Canada: Canadian Cover Letter Tips 2026 - SecondTalent: Job Interview Statistics 2026 - LinkedIn Hiring Manager Surveys - CareerFoundry: Software Engineer Cover Letter Guide