ATS Guide

Do Cover Letters Go Through ATS? (The Truth About How Bots Read Them)

One of the most common questions job seekers ask is: do ATS read cover letters? The short answer is yes, they do. However, the way an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) reads a cover letter is very different from how a human reads it. If you do not understand how this parsing software works, your perfectly crafted cover letter might turn into an unreadable mess before it ever reaches a recruiter.

Many job seekers complain on forums like Reddit about the “black hole” of application portals. They spend hours writing a great cover letter, only to wonder if anyone actually reads it. In this guide, we will break down exactly how ATS handles cover letters, whether you should use a PDF or Word doc, and how to format your text for the bots. You can also test your final document right now using our free ATS CV test tool to ensure it passes.

Do ATS Read Cover Letters? (How the Software Actually Works)

When you submit an application through a recruitment management system, the ATS immediately scans your documents. But do cover letters go through ATS scanners? Yes. The software extracts the text from your document, removes all formatting, and sorts the plain text into a candidate profile. The system then scans this text for specific keywords from the job description to calculate a match score.

How ATS Parsing Software Handles Attachments

When you upload a cover letter as an attachment, the ATS parser attempts to read the file. If you upload a highly designed PDF with graphics, columns, or weird fonts, the parsing software will fail. It will output random symbols or completely blank spaces. To avoid this, you must use a standard, text-based format.

The Text Box vs. PDF Upload Dilemma

Many modern application portals (like Greenhouse or Workday) offer two options: a text box to paste your cover letter, and an attachment upload button. Which one does the ATS prioritize? Usually, the text box. Pasting your text directly into the application portal guarantees that the ATS reads it as clean, plain text HTML.

Do Recruiters Actually Read ATS-Parsed Cover Letters?

Job seekers often debate whether recruiters actually read ATS-parsed cover letters. The truth is, most recruiters do not read them initially. First, the recruiter looks at the resume to see if your skills match the job requirements. If your resume passes that initial screen, the recruiter will then click the “cover letter” tab in the candidate profile to read your parsed text.

However, if your parsed cover letter is full of weird formatting characters or markdown symbols (like ** or ##), the recruiter will likely skip it. Therefore, formatting your cover letter for ATS readability is crucial if you want a human to actually read it.

How to Format a Cover Letter for ATS (Step-by-Step)

If you want to ensure your cover letter is parsed correctly, you must follow strict formatting rules. Here is how to format a cover letter for ATS.

Rule 1: Use Standard Word Headings and Fonts

Do not use creative fonts or graphics. Use standard, built-in Word heading styles. For example, use “Heading 1” for your name and “Heading 2” for section titles. Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.

Rule 2: Avoid Complex Tables or Columns

ATS parsers read text from left to right, top to bottom. If you use tables or columns to make a visually appealing layout, the ATS will scramble the text. Keep your document in a single-column layout.

Rule 3: Match Exact Keywords from the Job Description

Because the ATS scans your cover letter for exact keyword matches, you must echo the exact phrases from the job description. If the job description asks for “stakeholder communication,” use that exact phrase, not a synonym like “interpersonal skills.” This natural keyword integration boosts your match score.

Should I Upload My Cover Letter as a PDF or DOC for ATS?

Should I upload cover letter as PDF or DOC for ATS? In the past, DOC files were preferred because PDFs were harder to parse. However, modern ATS systems can read both perfectly fine. The safest bet is to upload a DOCX file if the portal allows it. If you use a PDF, ensure it is a text-based PDF, not a scanned image.

Furthermore, you must know how to name a cover letter file for ats. Do not name your file “CL_v3_final.pdf.” Name it clearly: First_Last_Name_Cover_Letter.pdf. This helps the system categorize the document correctly.

Platform-Specific Guide: Workday, Taleo, and Greenhouse

Different platforms handle attachments differently. Here is what you need to know about the biggest ATS platforms.

Workday & Taleo: Surviving the “Black Hole”

Users often complain about the Workday “black hole.” Does Workday read cover letter attachments? Yes, but it parses them strictly. If you copy-paste rich text from Word into a Workday text box, your formatting will break and introduce hidden HTML symbols. Always paste your text into Notepad first, then copy it from Notepad into the Workday text box to ensure it remains a plain text cover letter format for ats.

Greenhouse & Lever: The “Optional Attachment”

Do Greenhouse applications read cover letters? Yes. In Greenhouse and Lever, you usually get a simple text box. They rely heavily on the text box rather than attachments. Always fill out the text box, even if it says “optional.” Leaving it blank misses an opportunity for ATS cover letter keyword extraction.

Best Practices for Pasting Your Cover Letter into an ATS Text Box

Should you put your cover letter in the application text box? Yes, always. When you paste your text into a text box, the ATS parses it immediately. Here is how to avoid the text box formatting nightmare:

• Strip the Formatting First: Always paste your text into a plain text editor like Notepad or Mac TextEdit first.
• Remove Bullets: ATS text boxes often cannot render bullet points. Use standard dashes (-) or asterisks (*) instead.
• Check Line Breaks: Make sure your paragraphs do not run together. Add double line breaks between paragraphs for readability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do ATS systems actually read cover letters?

Yes, ATS systems read cover letters. The parsing software extracts the text from your attachment or text box, removes all formatting, and scans the plain text for keywords to calculate a match score. Recruiters can then read the parsed text in the candidate profile.

Should I upload my cover letter as a PDF or Word document?

You should upload a DOCX file if the application portal allows it, as it is the easiest for ATS to parse. If you must use a PDF, ensure it is a text-based PDF and not a scanned image. Name the file clearly, like “First_Last_Name_Cover_Letter.pdf”.

Does Workday read cover letters?

Yes, Workday reads cover letters, but it is very strict about formatting. If you paste rich text directly from Word into Workday, it will scramble your text. Always paste your cover letter into Notepad first to strip the formatting before pasting it into Workday.

Is a cover letter required for ATS?

While often listed as “optional,” you should always include a cover letter if the portal offers a text box or attachment button. Filling it out gives the ATS more keywords to match your profile against the job description.

How do I format a cover letter for ATS?

To format a cover letter for ATS, use standard Word heading styles, avoid complex tables or columns, use standard fonts like Arial, and match exact keywords from the job description. If pasting into a text box, strip all formatting in Notepad first.

Conclusion

In conclusion, yes, ATS do read cover letters. However, they do not read them like humans do. They strip away your formatting and scan for plain text keywords. By understanding how the parsing software works, you can format your cover letter to survive the bots. Always use standard fonts, match exact keywords, and strip formatting before pasting into a text box. If you need help formatting your resume to match your cover letter, use our free ATS CV builder right now.

Before applying, run your CV through our Free ATS Resume Scanner. If your formatting fails, use our free ATS CV builder to fix the issue instantly.