adding a covering letter for the sake of it?

[Lee2009]

If a firm gave you the option of adding a covering letter, but you felt the application form covered everything you wanted to get across, would you add one anyway? Is it interpreted badly if you don't add one?

[f1grainne]

I'd add one. The cover letter isn't so much for additional information as it is about highlighting your strengths.

Pick the three or four things you think makes you a great candidate and someone that stands out - a year abroad, really great work experience, and post-grad or extra qualifications (e.g. CTA) that would bolster your app, and really play those up. You want to make the recruiter flick straight to the relevant page of your app to read all about it, not skim past it.

Add a short paragraph about what kind of firm you want to join and would therefore be a huge asset to - making sure it mirrors the firm's own view of itself! and there you are.

[dragon]

I'd definitely include one. If nothing else, it's polite, and it can't do any harm to reiterate the main points on your application.

[unlikelyheroine]

If you do not add one, you are putting yourself at a clear disadvantages to candidates who do.