Cover Letter or No Cover Letter?

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?  

Seventy-five percent of agencies collecting your application materials use a back-end system called "USA Staffing." When it is used, all of your application attachments get forwarded to the hiring manager. S/he has the option of opening any or all of these attachments, including your cover letter. So if you do decide to include one for the hiring manager to possibly see, please don't forget to tailor it to the job and make it a powerful one. Furthermore, 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 18 months) 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. 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!  

For more information on developing your federal job search strategy to attract the attention of the HR hiring team, visit us on the web at www.FederalJobResults.com.