Are cover letters obsolete? Are resumes obsolete? Are connections everything?

Have you ever sent a resume without a cover letter? Well, I have, sometimes. Are cover letters obsolete? I Googled this question and found that strange enough, this question has been asked and answered multiple times before? The answer is NO. Though I wish it was Yes, ha ha.

Here below are some myths about cover letters: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/exposing-cover-letter-myths.html

But what I liked the most was one paragraph from the page from user comments that has been reproduced below (and there is a ring of truth to it). This was posted in December 2011.

"The whole thing is ridiculous. Cover letters don't matter. Even
resumes don't matter. These days the only way to get a job is to
have someone already on the inside who can get you in. Almost no
one hires from applications anymore. Too much unemployment!"

Here is an interesting response by an actual recruiter to the question "Are cover letters becoming obsolete". From the link: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Is-cover-letter-obsolete-Some-4094798.S.78240638

Generally I think cover letters are becoming obsolete. As a recruiter having worked for a variety of organizations, the recruiting departments don't read or skim cover letters, and they are not forwarded to our clients. Candidate selection is definitely determined by solid skills and experience. I have never used a cover letter as a determining factor in selecting a candidate. Now that good jobs are harder to find, candidates with solid skills and lower salary requirements are the most desireable. That said, if a job requires a lot of writing, then I would look at a cover letter since it may be very telling of a candidate's writing skills. Hope this helps!