For people that receive hundreds of applications a month this might be a thing, but in smaller cities, the number of applicants can amount to around a dozen a m

For people that receive hundreds of applications a month this might be a thing, but in smaller cities, the number of applicants can amount to around a dozen a month. I don't get the point of only reading a cover letter when the number of applicants are managable. If a potential employer can't be bothered to even look at my github then why would I try to write a cover letter? Trying goes both ways.