[BeetleB]

As I said in my original comment: I pretty much never include a cover letter. :-) I've discussed them in the past on HN where I argue they are a waste of time. Each time I bring it up I get comments supporting my stance, and comments strongly in favor of writing them. Amusingly, the last time this happened one responder admitted that he had screened out candidates based on things they said in their cover letter, but not those who didn't provide one (hence the cover letter working against the candidate).

If it is to work, the employer must require it, and must make some (verifiable) commitment that they read it.

> I've been curious about this recently, and have been asking around my network, and I actually don't think anyone I've worked with who's done interviewing for their company has ever even seen a cover letter as part of an interview packet.

If you read my comment, that's been my experience as well. I provide it, and if I get a call, I ask "Did you read the cover letter?"

"Oh, you sent a cover letter?"