[zaphoyd]

One point of data: My large organization’s HR department lists a cover letter as a requirement and will forbid us from moving ahead with even a first round interview if the application is incomplete. So yes, really, we can’t interview candidates who demonstrate right at the front door that they can’t/won’t/haven’t read the application requirements.

[bananaface]

I misspoke - I meant to say a generic cover letter. No cover letter full stop is stupid.

[bryanrasmussen]

ok but in the post of mine your replied to I specified I used a cover letter template - i.e a generic cover letter.

[bananaface]

Right, but you rewrote it. I'm saying totally copy-pasted content is still unlikely to move you from "good candidate" to "no interview".