[MRM]

Yes. Cover letters are essential. They separate the ordinary from the extraordinary resumes. However, like writing resumes, an intriguing cover letter is a work of art.

Seriously, a good cover letter is really important and can set you apart. The cover letter needs to be short and to the point, punchy and convincing. It has to show the reader that the applicant has a real interest in the job and the company posting the job, not that the applicant is simply desperate for any job and applied for this one.

The perfect cover letter is a variation on the theme: Dear ____ please consider me for the _____ position of _______ with SUPERBIGHUGE Corporation. My education and experience are a close fit for what the position you need to fill. I have ____ experience in this type of job and I have always wanted to work for SUPERBIGHUGE Corporation (or supertinystartup company) because _____ (you are the greatest company in the world because you care about/don't give a rat's patukas about) all the real popular and important issues of our day.

Again, and seriously, hiring managers want to know two things above all else. 1) you know something about the company and job and you're applying for it because you want that job (as opposed to wanting just any job and this one looked available) and 2) you really have some skills that match the job they're posting.

If you can state in your cover letter that you know the company and want to work for it and you know the position and that's how you want to spend your career, you will have distinguished yourself from the vast majority of candidates.

So, yes, do do a cover letter but make it unique to that position and customized to that position and what that company is looking for. That will get your foot in the door for an interview. Where you go from there is up to you.

PS, Legion is right.