It seems writing a resume becomes more and more complicated all the time. But that's only because employers have become more and more demanding in their response to the demands of recent college graduates looking for entry-level jobs with the best companies. There has to be a way "to separate the wheat from the chaff," as the saying goes. And the resume is the best way to do that. So no matter how bright, creative or motivated you are, if you aren't willing to spend a little quality time with your resume, a lot of today's employers will say thanks, but no thanks.

One of the many experts who responded to my query about resumes is Kristen Fischer, author of "Ramen Noodles: An After-College Guide to Life", has this to say about cover letters and the role they play as part of a job seeker's overall resume:

"A cover letter is vital to convey aspects that a resume doesn't. If a candidate is just starting out in the corporate world, or has a career gap to explain, the cover letter can do that in a conversational, yet professional tone. In addition, cover letters are great for reinforcing accomplishments and career goals in the event that the resume can't do that. Due to it's usually short length, a cover letter is a succinct way to wrap up what a candidate has to offer an organization," Fischer says.

Fischer, who has her own copywriting and editing business also feels its time for experienced job seekers to leave objective statements to recent college grads - and possibly college students looking for internships - and follow the latest trend of the professional profile or summary instead.

"Only entry-level candidates with little experience should use objectives," she says, "seasoned and even mid-level professionals have enough experience under their belts to state what they are skilled at,"

Sue Thompson, public speaker, supervisor with twelve years' experience, and author of "The Prodigal Brother," is in agreement with many of the numerous other experts who responded to my query. "A cover letter is important in that it tells me a person can present themselves coherently: 'here's what I can bring to this position you're looking ot fill - not just acquired skills but talent and character.' the standard 'I'm looking for a position with a fast-growing company that can provide me with the opportunity for advancement blah, blah, blah, blah,' is just so templated. Present yourself and your uniqueness. For instance," she continues, "tell me that far more important than mere salary is the thrill of working in a competitive atmosphere, because that's what you thrive on. Or you want to prove you have a work ethic that means business."

Okay, that's what Thompson and Fischer think. But what about those dissenters who follow Phil Rosenberg's philosophy? I'm talking about people like Susan DiTullio, manager of college recruiting for VistaPrint, and Tom Ruff, president and CEO of Tom Ruff Company.

"At VistaPrint, we do not require cover letters," says DiTullio, "so they are not as important in our process as the resume. Cover letters that show a candidate has done their homework about the role and the company and how these things relate to them really stand out!"

Tom Ruff definitely falls into the category of employers Rosenberg talked about in his article. "I don't read cover letters. I receive over 100 to 200 emails a day and don't have time to read cover letters," Ruff says. "I go directly to the resume and within a matter of seconds, can determine if a resume warrants some follow up. That being said," he continues, "the resume better be very good and in the format that works best for the specific industry you are interested in. Bullet pointed resumes work best for pharmaceutical sales and if someone has taken the time to research our industry, they will know this and adjust their resume accordingly."

Author Paul Peixoto falls into a slightly different no-cover-letter category. This twenty-five year veteran speaker and professional/personal develpment skills coach, believes today's job hunters should use a more modern, high-tech approach: "Don't send a resume! I suggest that new grads bypass that outmoded step and instead create a short video no more than three minutes long that highlights their strengths, uniqueness and relevant experience," says the author of "what On Earth Should I Do? Finding passion, purpose, and the life you desire." "This," he explains, "mailed with a cover letter will get noticed long before a standard-format resume. Who can resist a video?"

When one takes into consideration the number of companies that have decided to use video to give candidates an overview of what they have to offer, Peixoto may be on to something. Truthfully, whatever you decide, make sure you research both the position and the company to which you are applying.