Should You Put Keywords in Your Cover Letter?

ATS keyword optimisation is essential for CVs. But what about the cover letter — should you apply the same keyword strategy there?

Do ATS Systems Scan Cover Letters?

Sometimes, but not always. Most ATS configurations use the CV as the primary document for keyword scoring. Some systems also parse and score the cover letter. Some systems store the cover letter but do not factor it into the initial screening score.

Because the behaviour varies by system and by employer configuration, you cannot assume your cover letter is or is not being scanned for keywords.

The Practical Approach

Write your cover letter for the human reader. Use natural language that reflects the employer's vocabulary — but because good writing about a relevant topic naturally uses relevant terminology, not because you are keyword-stuffing.

If the job description uses specific terms to describe the role and the competencies required, your cover letter will naturally use some of that language when you write about your relevant experience. You do not need to force keywords in.

What Keyword-Stuffed Cover Letters Look Like (and Why They Fail)

"As a results-driven stakeholder management professional with expertise in cross-functional collaboration, I bring project management, agile delivery, and communication skills to this senior project manager role, where my project management background and agile experience will contribute to your stakeholder management needs."

That reads like a keyword dump, not a cover letter. Even if it scores well in an ATS, it will make any human reader less inclined to interview you.

The Right Balance

Use the employer's language naturally. If the job asks for "programme management" and you have programme management experience, write about programme management using that term. If the job mentions a specific tool you have used, mention it where relevant.

What you should not do: insert keywords in sentences where they do not naturally belong, repeat them artificially, or write content specifically designed for an algorithm rather than for the recruiter.

Your CV Is the ATS Document

Your primary ATS optimisation effort should go into your CV — not your cover letter. Get your CV's keyword match score above 65% using CVCircuit's ATS checker, and then write a human-focused cover letter that complements it.

Build your CV free at CVCircuit — and generate a natural, compelling cover letter to match.