When sending a resume, how important is a cover letter?

It's important, no matter how much I hate writing one.

Very important. When I hired new employee's I often times hired based more on the cover letter than the actual resume itself :)

The cover letter is as important as the resume. Personally, I have never sent a resume without a cover letter.

A resume should be strictly matter-of-fact; information only. The cover letter can be tailored to reveal your special abilities, accomplishments, and education.

The cover letter is more important. The resume should just be mostly facts, while the cover letter should detail your interest and fit with whatever company.

Very important because it shows that the applicant is serious with his/her application.

For jobs that I'm seriously pursuing, I always attach a cover letter to my resume. For so-so jobs, I just send a resume (no cover letter).

Cover letters are as important, if not more important than the resume. Any good resume how to (http://www.resumedictionary.com/resume-how-to) guide will emphasize the importance of the cover letter. Your cover letter is what determines whether or not your resume is read. Mistakes in a cover letter can easily eliminate a candidate, especially in today's job market.

It usually makes them decide to look over your resume or not. It plays a major part.

It's very important. It shows part of maturity, integrity and just plain old good business manners.
I wouldn't look at application faxes without cover letters when I was a manager.

NOt at all. I think a company would rather see a one page resume taht tells as much information as possible, forget the fluff

Cover letters are nice, but it really depends. Some companies ask for cover letters for certain positions. I usually submit a cover letter with my resumes, but not with applications. Sometimes employers list the items they want from you, which normally includes a cover letter. If they request an application and resume only, do just that!

Take this for what it's worth. recently, our church was looking for a new secretary and Christian Education Director. I was one in charge of going through resumes and picking out candidates to interview. I liked the resumes that were less boastful and more to the point. We got one that had a cover letter that said to the lines of "Are you tired of a bunch of mopes and morons working for your company? Are you tired of employees who would ask what could the company do for me, not me for the company? Well, your answer has arrived!" That one was not a choice in my opinion.

Oh, the last job I got I had to make a resume. It took like 10 minutes to throw together and no cover letter. Gave them the bare basics, and they gave me the job. 7 years later, I'm still there and things couldn't be better!

I completely agree...The cover letter is the driver. While the resume succinctly lists your experience, the cover letter brings that experience to life and makes it relevant. Cover letters can be difficult to construct, but it is important to have a strong one.

Facts and figures are great but they don't really give a complete view of the applicant. I've always included some sort of cover letter or statement with my resume. It gives the employer more than data to go on. It gives you the opportunity to make a social impact.

Your cover letter is extremely important. Often, a hiring manager will not read through an entire resume - they have received hundreds. The cover letter is your first impression. You must capture attention immediately and give the reader a reason to read on in detail. You should highlight very briefly why you believe you can contribute to the organization and any particular items from your resume that would be of particular interest to this job. Bullets are best and tend to be read more than full paragraphs.

Remember, all cover letters and resumes must be tailored for each job you apply for. http://www.fpcnational.com/tailoring-resume.html

These days... Most of the larger corporate companies have software that weeds out resumes and appllicants by key words pertaining to the position.

In that case, I think a cover letter, being the first thing the program might scan is either REALLY important or actually a direct detriment depending on what words are used directly relating to the position itself.

They also spell and grammar check and eliminate accordingly.