Your cover letter summarizes your resume, right? False! A summary of the resume attached to the resume seems a little repetitive. Use a cover letter to add a warm handshake to your resume and to zero in on why the employer should be interested in you. Your cover letter should put your resume in context — it should draw attention to your strengths and present nonresume material that can make a difference between you and your next closest competitor when the interviewing decision is made.