I was recently asked about cover letters...

Do people usually do cover letters, or is that something that jobs don't look for nowadays?

The answer is, it depends... For some agencies and companies, it is advantageous to submit a cover letter. For example, in the past I applied for a promotion within my same company, wrote a cover letter and did not even get selected for an interview. After a few tries, I contacted our regional HR specialist and she wasn't even aware I applied. Apparently the automated system did not think i was qualified enough. Also, for applications that require a Statement of Qualifications or KSA's I would not submit a cover letter, as you are duplicating what is being asked for. If you are ever in doubt, just send a short cover letter, and most importantly make sure your resume is relevant to the experience required.