I am just curious as to how many of you read cover letters and what value do place in them? I was reading a post from 2009 on another site. Almost all stated that they read the cover letters and used them to make hiring decisions. (This shocked me because many of my peers,corporate/agency recruiters, state that they don't read them.) Well, I looked back at the respondents to this post and 90% of them were resume writers and not recruiters.

So, what say you?

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I rarely read them. 

I read them. Most of my clients read them, after I have reviewed them with the candidate and forward them if I feel they are relevant and it's a client who prefers one.

If your client didn't request the cover letter, would you still read them?

Amber said:

I read them. Most of my clients read them, after I have reviewed them with the candidate and forward them if I feel they are relevant and it's a client who prefers one.

I find that most are poorly written and full of fluff. Once in a while one will catch my eye. I recommend to job seekers to use the T-Bulleted format when submitting a cover letter.

 

 

Rarely do I read them. They only catch my eye if they are very poorly written.  

I read them more than resumes.

I just can't see how anyone in our field would NOT read a cover letter.  It boggles my mind.

I do!  But typically after first reviewing the resume and finding it as a match for the position.  If they're not close to fitting the position, then I don't.  I find that half the cover letters are very well written and give me additional insight about a candidate. 

@Tiffany - I read them all. I send them to clients who have not told me they DON'T want them. I think most clients read them, I have had comments and questions from client based on the cover letter.

I agree with Peter - I read the resume first and if it's a match, I'll read the cover letter.  If it's a possible match, I'll read the cover letter to see if it answers any of my questions (eg, do they have the right to work in this country).  If it's a definite no, I won't waste my time.

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