Are Cover letters are a waste of time and recruiters or hiring managers do not read them?

This is not entirely true. 

Cover Letters are used as an introduction and should accompany your résumé, whether e-mailed, posted on a job site, mailed, or hand delivered to an employer. Do not think that recruiters or hiring managers do not read them, because THEY DO!  When writing your cover letter make it a powerful introduction that makes them want more. A strong fact and figure to support your credentials in the cover letter can support your case to getting an interview which is one step closer to getting that job.  There are a couple of exceptions where cover letters may not be needed or necessary.  They are at job fairs or when you are introduced to someone in person.  But all in all make sure all of your career documents stand out and show out.  

I want my ‘formatted résumé’ to be seen by employers on the Internet…so I’ll will not place it in their text blocks when I apply for an advertised position.

This blog is a little short but powerful!  I have had clients say to me, Dr. Tre, I have a 

wonderfully crafted CV so why do they want me to put it in their form? Because, they said

so!! You should follow the rules that they have set for their online application program.  No, 

it is not necessarily a trick or scheme from the employer. I have seen where applicants 

neglected their direction and not gotten a phone interview or invited to the interview 

because the reviewer from the company could not read or understand the information 

submitted to them.  Applying for a job takes work so take the time to complete the boxes 

and fill in the information they require.  Many times they will have a place for you to upload 

your ‘formatted résumé’ into their system. It does not hurt for you to take the extra effort to 

enter your information twice to get the position that you want.