Funny how the excitement of a new job can be quickly cut by the prospect of actually applying to said job. If you really enjoy updating your resume and putting together a cover letter, you're a sickie.

Speaking of cover letters, I was wondering how large they loom when it comes to writers applying for writerly jobs. Let's assume, for the moment, that you can write a good cover letter. "Good" includes proper format, no spelling errors, any relevant information not in your resume and good reasons why you're perfect for this particular job.

If you have those skills, how much further does a writer need to take his cover letter? Should the cover letter pretty much serve as an additional clip, dazzling the hiring manager with witty turns of phrase, great punch lines and an amazing lead?

I asked hiring managers and those with job application experience on Ask Metafilter. The impression I get is that, again, a solid cover letter can never ever do you harm. A bad cover letter can. But should you break your neck writing a cover letter that in and of itself sets you apart from the crowd?

While the jury is still out, it seems that while hopefully you are setting yourself apart from the crowd, it might not be the best use of your time to gussy up your cover letter with gimmicks and jokes.

Show that you understand the job you're applying for. Prove that you're a competent human being and demonstrate that you're right for the job. But before you start sweating over whether your letter should be clear and competent versus a real 'zinger,' keep in mind that many hiring managers simply toss their letters and only look at resumes. That's no excuse, again, not to put forth the effort to prove you're a prefessional in your letter--but this isn't your college application essay. A few parting thoughts from those who weighed in at Ask MeFi:

"Attempts to come off as brilliant are as likely to misfire as to impress, especially if brilliance doesn't come naturally (requires excessive sweat."

and

"A great resume with a minimal cover letter would probably beat a bad resume with a great cover letter (depends how bad and how great)."

Oh, and Craig's List, of all places, offers good advice on writing good cover letters should you need it.