[Waterluvian]

It’s not a charity. I’m kind of baffled by people who externalize employment like this.

[tomjen3]

It is not charity, it is an economic transaction.

What I don't get is what benefit does a company get by people pretending that they are applying for anything other than the (total) salary?

[PradeetPatel]

Although salary plays a big part in the transaction, it is not everything.

Many years ago I worked as a hiring manager for a PR firm in India, the cover letter is a very good way to sift out the dedicated candidates from the unfocused.

It also provides us with a unique insight into their psyche, using a combination of NLP and targeted interview questions regarding topics mentioned in the cover letter, we were able to discern potential points of leverage when it comes to salary negotiation. For example, an ideologically driven unior associate will accept a lower yearly salary as long as he's personal ego requirements are fulfilled, thus minimising operational expenditure for the business.

[sizzle]

This sounds scary accurate, what other insights on “points of leverage” did you uncover?

[Tao3300]

Didn't say it was. Do you think I'm putting words in your mouth? Or that perhaps I missed some subtle tone?

What's there for you to be baffled about?

[xyzelement]

He's talking about what enables him to effectively screen for his role. Your response and a few others are trying to guilt him for screening.