Attaching application materials with a staple was once standard practice. This physical joining of documents ensured that all pieces of an applicant’s submission remained together, preventing loss and maintaining a sense of order. For instance, a cover letter, resume, and references would be stapled in the top left corner.
This method offered a simple, readily available solution to keep organized in a pre-digital world. However, with the increasing prevalence of online applications and digitally scanned documents, this practice has become largely obsolete, even detrimental in some cases. Stapled documents can be difficult for automated systems to scan and process, and can damage delicate paper. Furthermore, many hiring managers now prefer unbound documents for ease of handling and copying.
