So you basically want candidates to duplicate what they already said (should have said) in e-mail with application? What for?
> Just put in enough to show me that you're not applying to every single posting because you're so desperately unemployable.
And how employability has anything to do with competence? Competence can be estimated from CV (if it was sensibly prepared) enough to invite for interview.
Again, what do you expect in the cover letter?
If you send an email with your CV attached that says something about why you're applying, then that email is the cover letter.
> Again, what do you expect in the cover letter?
It's just a sample of your business writing. I want you to write a simple, professional-sounding email explaining who you are and why you're interested because I want to know if you can write a simple, professional-sounding email.
You do realize that your company is (most probably) nothing special and skilled people can be indifferent to being employed by you particularly? The whole premise that a candidate wants to work for you falls apart.
Even more so if it was your company (or a head hunter on your behalf) that made the first move. Something along the lines of "I don't know yet why would I want to work for you. It was you who asked me to apply."