Federal Job Cover Letters?

Do I need a cover letter when applying to Federal jobs?

The short answer is no. More than one HR specialist has told me that cover letters are
a waste of time. They add bulk to the application package and give the HR folks more
material to review (or discard as the case may be). So is it best to save a tree? Maybe
not…

Could there be a benefit in including a cover letter in your application package? Yes. If
you have to explain something in your resume that is out-of-the-ordinary, such as a gap
in employment that is especially long (over a year) or a change in career progression,
a cover letter can be just the thing you need to explain to the reader the “why” of your
uniqueness.

And don’t forget to tailor your cover letter to the job and make it a powerful one. Be sure
you make a solid connection between the skills desired and the skills you are bringing to
the Agency. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression!