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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I read the cover letter first. Says a lot about the applicant.[/quote]

I agree with this.  But I'm looking for critical thinkers and people that are able to adapt to fluid situations.  A resume tells you what someone has done, but the reality is there are lots of people doing jobs that they're not very good at and they maybe didn't deserve in the first place.  A cover letter is a much better window into a person's actual aptitude and intelligence.  You can embellish a resume, but you can't fake good writing.[/quote]

OP here. I understand your reasoning, but a person can ask a friend to proofread or embellish the cover letter. I think the only way to actually get to know the aptitude and intelligence is through the interview. References may also help in confirming your assessment. [/quote]

Sure, totally agree ... But the post was cover letter vs. resume.  Interviews are critical and I would never hire anyone above a certain level without multiple interviews over a fairly long period and with multiple people in the organization that I trust (some people are good employees, but TERRIBLE interviewers/talent evaluators).  I'm constantly amazed at how few interviews some orgs do on relatively senior people ... I want to see one on one, group settings, formal, casual, email/written exchanges, etc. before I hire.  But I'm hiring pretty expensive folks, so there's a lot of cost to screwing up.  If I'm hiring a general worker where critical thinking isn't, err, critical, then a resume and one interview generally suffices.[/quote]

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