During the initial resume-driven screen, such as reducing 400 applications to 50 viable candidates, what weight does the cover letter typically hold?

It holds low weight, as the initial screen is purely resume-driven, often taking only 30 seconds per resume.

The Value Threshold Calculation described in the text explains the differential weight of the cover letter across the hiring funnel. In the earliest stage, where a large pool (e.g., 400 applications) must be rapidly reduced to a smaller pool of viable candidates (e.g., 50), the process relies heavily on initial resume scanning, often taking only about 30 seconds per document. During this high-volume screening phase, the letter is treated as a low-priority 'nice-to-have.' The document's importance only skyrockets later, during the shortlist differentiation stage, when the recruiter needs to choose between the already-vetted top tier of candidates.