What do employers and recruiters think about cover letters?

Cover letters are not really necessary especially if you have a consistent work history where your resume is sufficiently able to showcase you prominently as a close-fit candidate. However, in situations where your resume is unable to address specific gaps in your work history, then having a cover letter will help to complement your resume. An example would be for back-to-work homemakers who have left the workforce for a substantial period of time, it’s advisable to include a cover letter to explain your reason for leaving the workforce and efforts that you may have undertaken to keep yourself abreast of your profession.