> If you received a notice that your resume had been read, they liked it, and they wanted a cover letter before an interview, would you submit one?

No, because that would mean they didn’t specify that the cover letter would be required ahead of time, and I am not trying to waste my time.

How am I so certain that they didn’t specify it ahead of time? Because I wouldn’t apply in the first place if a cover letter was listed as a requirement on the initial application.

If I am feeling particularly petty or upset about that surprise ask for a cover letter later in the process, I will just ask ChatGPT to write the most generic and useless cover letter for me, and then send it over.