Fortune's article on the 100 best companies to work for includes mini interviews with a number of HR managers, many of which provide a peek into the hiring processes of some of the world's most prestigious organizations, and insights into how those involved approach the task of evaluating all those candidates on the way to a hire.

Lynn Franklyn, HR manager for the supermarket chain Wegmans, had an interesting reply when asked what she looks for first.

"I usually go right for the cover letter, because resumes are all very similar. I look for a candidate to engage me and to really get a glimpse of who that person is. What do they know about us as an organization? Can they clearly define how their values and their skill set match up to what we offer as an organization?"

True, Wegmans isn't a tech company, but it's famed for its logistics operation. It's interesting to note the HR manager there keys in on the cover letter - especially when we hear from a lot of job seekers who've been advised to "not worry" about writing one.

While there are certainly aberrations - some recruiters don't want them, and professionals with extensive contacts might not need them - most candidates benefit greatly from using a cover letter, especially when applying directly to the company. If someone disagrees, do your research. Check with accredited experts and read interviews with hirers. I've seen good cover letters expedite searches hundreds of times. But don't take my word for it - take Ms. Franklyn's.

-- Warren Simons