Cover Letters Do What a Resume Can't

“Cover letters accompany your resume when you can’t,” writes career expert Mary Jeanne Vincent:

“They introduce you to your potential employer. Effective cover letters identify the position you are interested in by referencing the job title and the requisition number, when available. They add value to your résumé by highlighting your qualifications. There is no such thing as a good generic cover letter! If it is generic, then it won’t be effective.

“Your cover letter delivers when it brings you a telephone call or a face-to-face meeting. It should emphasize your skills and accomplishments as they relate to the organization and be easy to read.”