should you use ai to write a cover letter

How To Use AI To Write a Cover Letter

Are you contemplating a career transition into the tech sector or another dynamic industry? It’s an exciting thought, but the job hunt often feels overwhelming—and the competition is fierce.

But here’s the thing: a standout cover letter can elevate an inexperienced candidate or weak resume in the eyes of hiring managers. So, how can you ensure yours makes an impact?

This is where an AI tool like ChatGPT comes into play.

Acting as your virtual writing coach, ChatGPT can offer suggestions to enhance your language, structure, and tone. But it does one better: With the right instructions, ChatGPT will write the entire letter for you, saving you precious time in the job search.

Follow this guide to unlock the power of AI for your cover letter. You’ll gain actionable insights on prompt writing, effective outlining, and refining your final draft with AI assistance.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Why should I use AI to write a cover letter?

Step 1: Input information about the company, role, and yourself

Step 2: create a detailed outline of your cover letter, step 3: give chatgpt a tone of voice and language style to use, step 4: create a writing prompt with all the necessary info, step 5: review and finalize with chatgpt’s assistance.

• Closing thoughts

1. Why should I use AI to write a cover letter?

If you’ve ever stared at a blank page, unsure how to begin, you’ll appreciate the AI’s capability to kickstart the creative process.

With its Natural Language Processing algorithms and vast knowledge base, ChatGPT can provide you with the inspiration and guidance you need to craft a unique AI cover letter that captures the attention of hiring managers.

This has multiple benefits:

• Speed up the process: Generating AI-powered cover letters shortens the job application process, allowing you to concentrate on other steps in your career transition.
• Customization: AI can craft personalized cover letters. You provide some basic details and get an entire draft suited to your needs.
• Cost-Efficiency : No need to shell out big bucks for professional writing services. ChatGPT is free to use, making it a budget-friendly option for job seekers at all stages.
• Quality improvement: Using AI, such as GrammarlyGo , ensures your writing is clear and mistake-free with the help of AI-powered suggestions.
• Find the right tone: The AI enables you to achieve the right formality, tone, and length in your cover letter by adjusting your text in a few clicks.

Let’s dive into the nuts and bolts of how to actually use ChatGPT to craft your next game-changing AI cover letter.

2. How to use ChatGPT to write a cover letter in 5 simple steps

ChatGPT is not limited to just text generation; it offers a range of capabilities to enhance your cover letter.

By leveraging its core features, such as natural language understanding and context-aware responses, you can create a compelling letter reflecting your skills and personality.

But before diving in, you’ll need to conduct some employer research and collect relevant data, both to give ChatGPT the necessary information to work with and to ensure you are tailoring your cover letter for the specific job opportunity.

This preparatory step ensures that your letter is tailored to the company and role, maximizing its impact.

To start, collect the following data:

• Identify the company: vision, mission statement, core values, and products and services.
• Review the job description for qualifications and experience.
• Create a list of key talking points for your cover letter.
• Gather digital copies of your resume, professional references, and supporting documents to feed the AI.

Once you’ve done this, there are five main steps to writing your cover letter with ChatGPT:

Start by creating a cheat sheet with data points like the company’s mission, the role’s responsibilities, and your qualifications, structured in a machine-readable format such as bullet points or JSON-like text.

This ensures that ChatGPT can effectively parse and incorporate your details. A common obstacle is making your cover letter ATS-friendly yet appealing to human recruiters. Counter this by authentically integrating keywords from the job description into your input.

With this well-structured data, you’re ready to input it into ChatGPT, using either an interactive session or chained prompts to ensure the AI waits for all your details before generating the cover letter for you.

ChatGPT Prompts

• “Let’s compile some information. The company’s mission is [mission statement], the role involves [responsibilities], and I have the following qualifications: [qualifications].”
• “For ATS compatibility, let’s include the keywords [ATS keywords] from the job description.”

Pro Tip: Always tailor this information for each job application to produce a custom, professional cover letter.

So, what exactly should your cover letter include? Outline the structure you wish to follow, breaking it down into introductory remarks, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

You should also list the key points or qualities you’d like to highlight. Doing this not only helps you but also guides ChatGPT in generating content that fits your desired format and flow.

• “Generate a skeleton outline for a cover letter with an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion using these talking points: [insert list].”
• “Improve this outline by focusing on three role requirements I fulfill based on my skills and qualifications.”

Pro Tip : Make your outline as specific as possible. For instance, under “Body Paragraphs”, you could specify: “Discuss software development skills, teamwork, and quick learning abilities.”

Now that you’ve inputted all the vital information, it’s time to set the tone.

Are you going for professional, casual, or somewhere in between? Mention this explicitly when you’re setting up your prompt with ChatGPT. It will help the AI tailor its language and style to match your desired tone, enhancing the cohesiveness of your cover letter.

• “The tone for this cover letter should be professional, with a light and friendly touch.”
• “Rephrase the following sentence to make it more concise: [insert sentence].”

Pro Tip : Experiment with different tones for different companies based on their corporate culture, which you can often gauge from their official website or social media channels.

Crafting the perfect prompt is like giving ChatGPT a roadmap to follow when generating your cover letter. This crucial step enables you to convey your specific needs and tailor the output according to the job description and company culture.

Here are some examples of how to instruct ChatGPT to generate a cover letter that ticks all the boxes:

• “Based on the following outline, write my cover letter for a Software Developer role at Company XYZ, incorporating a professional tone and discussing teamwork experience, Java and Python skills, and problem-solving abilities. [Attach outline.]”
• “Include a closing statement that reinforces my enthusiasm for the role.”

Pro Tip : Be as precise as possible in your prompt to get a cover letter that’s closest to what you envision.

Upon receiving the first draft from ChatGPT, read it thoroughly. If you find areas that need improvement or emphasis, don’t hesitate to ask ChatGPT for revisions.

Remember, you’re not just editing for grammar or style but also for substance. Ensure the final draft accurately represents your skills and enthusiasm for the role.

• “Review the draft and suggest areas for improvement based on the job description.”
• “Replace any generic phrases with specific details related to the role.”

Pro Tip : Before finalizing, read the cover letter out loud. This helps catch any awkward phrasing or errors you may have missed during the initial reviews.

3. Closing thoughts

Writing your cover letter with AI can significantly ease the often stressful process of job applications.

Here’s the deal: ChatGPT isn’t only about streamlining the process; it’s also about enhancing the quality of your applications. Yet, keep in mind the true power of a cover letter lies in its authenticity.

So, while ChatGPT provides a solid foundation, your adjustments will make your application genuinely shine.

Ready for a career change? Connect with one of our program advisors to explore how our courses can equip you for success in the tech industry.

If you found this guide helpful, explore more articles on career-related topics in our blog:

• How To Use ChatGPT To Write a Resume: The Full ChatGPT Resume Guide
• The Impact of ArtificiaI Intelligence: Is AI Taking Over Jobs?
• The 18 Best ChatGPT Prompts for Digital Marketing

How-To Geek

You can write cover letters and resumes with ai (but should you).

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Ai is shockingly good at creating cover letters and resumes, is it wrong to use ai for your cover letter and resume, how to use ai to create top-notch cover letters and resumes, some companies use ai detection tools to scan cover letters, key takeaways.

• ChatGPT can create decent resumes & cover letters from scratch and with minimal input.
• ChatGPT might create falsehoods based on the job posting you show it, so make sure to delete the inaccuracies.
• You can use ChatGPT to refine and improve personalized resumes and cover letters for job applications.

If you're on a job hunt, you know how tedious and time-consuming it is to write cover letters for every single job posting. Enter ChatGPT—it can save you countless hours by tailoring your resume and cover letter for each job application in just a few seconds. However, is there a catch?

Cover letters and resumes have a general layout and style that you should follow to come across as professional. ChatGPT can perfectly emulate that standardized style because it was trained on large amounts of data, which also includes thousands of cover letters and resume examples.

It knows all the patterns that make for a good cover letter or resume, and it'll apply those language patterns to your information to help you conform to standard job application forms.

All you have to do to create a half-decent cover letter or resume is give ChatGPT some information to work with. The recently added "Memory" feature , coupled with the " Custom Instructions " function, helps ChatGPT understand you and your writing style.

Still, you don't even have to use those features to create a resume or cover letter—just give ChatGPT some information relevant to your experience and ask politely . For example, you can copy-paste your current resume and a job posting and then ask it to create a cover letter based on the provided information.

Don't have a resume? Don't fret. You can ask ChatGPT to define a few important questions to help you create your first resume or use it to refine your existing one. Here's an example showing key pieces of information that should be in your resume:

Remember, your resume is a concise summary of essential personal information, your greatest achievements, relevant skills, and not much else. Even human-written resumes sound pretty robotic, so the results are more or less in line with the norm. For instance, I told ChatGPT to create a resume and gave it very little information to work with, and here are the results:

The reason why it knows about my hobbies is that I added them to "Custom Instructions." That being said, the experience, skills, and overall format are all ChatGPT's doing. While it's not an impressive resume by any means, it's way more than I expected considering how little information I gave it.

As for cover letters, the same general principles apply. It can easily turn a few sentences about your experience and a vague job description into a generic cover letter. Let's continue where we left off with our "resume" from above and write a cover letter for an imaginary job ad:

While it sounds as if a middle-schooler wrote it using a template, and you can't expect to land a half-decent job with something like this, it's a decent start. The most important information is at the top, the format is tidy, and ChatGPT even tried to establish a link between my relevant experience and the job requirements. I'll show you a few tricks and tips on how to make an outstanding resume and cover letter shortly.

The real question here is whether it's ethical to use AI for job applications. The main argument against AI-generated cover letters and resumes is that AI is prone to lying .

You see, much like humans, ChatGPT wants (you) to land the job, so it'll say that you possess the required skills and experience, even if you haven't actually done any of that. For instance, if a job posting has "Proficient in graphic design tools such as Canva," ChatGPT will say that you're a Canva expert in the cover letter, even if you've never used it. This happened to me on every single cover letter I created.

The flip side of this argument is that cover letters and resumes follow a highly formulaic structure. Using ChatGPT to assist you shouldn't significantly affect the outcome of your application as long as you've verified the information to be 100% true. Applicants have to send out an average of 100–200 job applications before they land a job, so ChatGPT speeds the process up quite a bit.

The worst part is that some recruiters won't even read your cover letter but will instead focus on your answers to the application questions. I briefly worked as a recruiter myself, and I'd only read a cover letter when I was on the fence. In such instances, the cover letter is there merely as a supplementary document that satisfies hiring norms. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether it's okay to use ChatGPT for your cover letter and resume. If you opt to use it, carefully proofread everything to make sure that there are no lies or half-truths in your job application.

I've shown you earlier how it's pretty easy to create a basic cover letter and resume with ChatGPT, but if you want to land a half-decent job, you'll still have to do some parts yourself. You might have heard the phrase "garbage in, garbage out," and the rule applies here as well. The trick to generating a good cover letter and resume with ChatGPT is to create the first draft yourself. In the case of a resume, write as much relevant information as you can about your skills and past work experience before handing it over to ChatGPT to process the data. Here's a quick example I came up with on the spot:

This is still pretty basic, as I haven't given ChatGPT enough information to work with, but it's serviceable. You can now ask it to identify gaps and help you improve the resume in general to make it even better. It'll give you actionable feedback you can implement immediately to improve your resume.

You can use these same general principles to create a killer cover letter as well. You can go back and forth with ChatGPT until you land on something that you like. You can treat ChatGPT the same way you'd treat a resume consultant. Once you're done generating, first make sure there are no errors in the text. After that, add some personal flair to make sure you stand out from other applicants.

Remember, other applicants also have access to ChatGPT and have likely used it to apply for the job, so you really need to make your cover letter unique and compelling to get hired. Pay particular attention to the first few paragraphs, as they can let your personality shine through the most. Also, note that some sections will probably sound robotic and "fake," so get rid of them.

Companies that care about whether you use AI to write your cover letter will scan it using AI detector tools. The tool can identify and flag text that sounds robotic based on patterns AI tools use.

However, these tools aren't perfect and will occasionally flag human-written text as AI as well, so your cover letter would get rejected anyway. This further underscores my point above that you must find a way to make your cover letter original, at least to some extent.

If you haven't tried ChatGPT on your resume yet, I strongly encourage you to do so now. Consult with ChatGPT to make your resume polished, compelling, and concise. Also, don't forget to use ChatGPT to make "bange"r cover letters by tailoring them to specific job postings and maximize your chances of getting hired while also saving time. Once you get used to your AI career advisor, you'll find it hard to apply to jobs the traditional way.

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Should You Use AI for Your Cover Letter?

In today’s technological age, there is an AI solution for everything. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to be the future of technological advancements; from chatbots to self-driving cars, the possibilities of AI are seemingly endless. One area where AI is starting to intrude is the job search, particularly in the application process and explicitly using AI for your cover letter. Are you considering using AI to craft the perfect cover letter that will make a lasting impression on your potential employers? AI has made great strides in job seeking, allowing for greater efficiency in your application process. In addition, combining these high-tech tools with your writing skills can give you an edge over other job seekers. But before you start relying heavily on technology for crafting one of the essential parts of your job application, let’s look at both sides of this approach and consider some pros and cons associated with using AI to create or edit your cover letter.

Standing Out Here are the pros of using AI for your cover letter. One advantage is that AI can help you stand out from the competition. Many companies receive hundreds of applications for a single position. A well-crafted cover letter highlighting your skills and experience could be the difference between getting an interview and not being considered. AI can help you create a dynamic letter that showcases your strengths and abilities, putting you ahead of other applicants.

Saving Time

Another benefit of AI is that it can save time. Anyone who has ever applied for a job knows how time-consuming it can be to write a cover letter. AI can help streamline the process by generating a letter based on input. This means you can apply for more jobs in less time, potentially increasing your chances of finding a position.

Grammar & Translations

If English isn’t your native language, you can rely on AI-powered tools to refine your writing skills. By checking grammar and spelling, you can avoid any embarrassing errors. You can also use these tools to reliably translate your writing into different languages. Although not flawless, these optimizations can lead to a more compelling cover letter that accurately presents your skills and experience.

Lack of Personalization

That being said, there are also some cons to consider before using AI for your cover letter. One issue is that AI-generated letters may come across as generic or artificial. While AI can create a letter based on your input, it cannot capture the nuances of your personality or writing style. As a result, it may be difficult for a hiring manager to understand who you are from an AI-generated letter, potentially leading to your application being rejected.

Generic Writing

Another concern is that using AI for your cover letter may not demonstrate your writing skills effectively. Being able to communicate clearly and effectively is a critical skill that many employers look for. If AI generates your cover letter, it may not accurately reflect your writing ability, which could hurt your chances of getting the job.

An Ethical Dilemma

Lastly, we come to the issue of ethics. Some argue that using AI for your cover letter is deceptive, as it gives the impression that you wrote it yourself. While it is true that many people use resume templates or get help from friends or family when writing their cover letters, using AI feels like a step beyond. Another piece to consider is that the company you’re applying to could use an AI detector when reviewing final-round candidate applications. If your cover letter shows up as written by AI, there’s a high probability that they will reject your application. It is up to you to decide if this crosses a line regarding being honest about your application. 

So, should you use AI for your cover letter? As with most things, the answer is, “it depends.” While there are benefits to using AI, there are drawbacks to consider. Ultimately, the decision is up to you. If you feel comfortable using AI to create your cover letter and believe it will help you stand out from other candidates, then go for it. However, suppose you have concerns about the artificiality of the letter or feel that it may not accurately reflect your writing ability. In that case, you should stick with a more traditional approach. The most important thing is to be honest and authentic in your application.

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ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

How to use ChatGPT to write a cover letter (and why you should)

As if perfectly crafting a resume that encapsulates your entire career isn't difficult enough, job applications also require a cover letter. This letter is meant to help you express specific details about why you are interested in the company, what makes you qualified, and, ultimately, why the company should hire you. 

How to use ChatGPT to create: Code | Excel formulas | Essays | Resumes  | Apps  | Charts and Tables  

If executed properly, a cover letter has the potential to make you stand out from other applicants by showcasing your genuine interest in the role, the experiences that make you a good fit, and what makes you different from other candidates who have similar qualifications.

However, synthesizing those ideas into a one-page letter can be a time-consuming and challenging task -- ChatGPT is here to help. 

How to use ChatGPT to help craft your cover letter 

Whether you've started writing a cover letter and feel stuck or don't even know where to start, ChatGPT can help you produce the cover letter of your dreams. 

Also: How to use ChatGPT

With a couple of prompts and your direction, ChatGPT will create a polished cover letter within seconds. 

1. Sign in to ChatGPT

Visit ChatGPT's website and sign in using your account. If you don't have an account, you can create one or sign in using your existing Google or Microsoft account. 

If you haven't created an account, click on Sign up. Otherwise, log in with your OpenAI credentials.

2. Ask ChatGPT to write you a cover letter

All you have to do is ask ChatGPT to write you a cover letter for the role and company of your choice. You should also include details about the experiences you would like the cover letter to highlight. 

For example, a possible input would be, "Can you write me a cover letter for the role of Associate Editor at ZDNET? I graduated from the University of North Carolina, majored in Journalism, and love technology."  

Also: More fun with DALL-E 3 in ChatGPT: Can it design a T-shirt?

That is only a loose example; you can be as specific or general as you'd like. The more direction you give ChatGPT, however, the better your output will be.

3. Kick it up a notch and paste in the job description (optional)

If you want your cover letter to be tailored to the exact role you are applying for, you can copy and paste the job description into ChatGPT before asking it to write your cover letter. This method is by far the most efficient way to get your cover letter written in a way that reflects the exact role and duties. 

Also: How to use ChatGPT to do research for papers, presentations, studies, and more

Like before, you can also include details about your own personal experience you'd like to include. Your prompt could look something like this, "Can you write me a cover letter for the position of [role title] at [employer]? This is the job description: XYZ. For context, I [include experience you'd like to highlight]."

4. Co-edit your cover letter

Despite ChatGPT's best efforts and advanced capabilities, there might be something you want to tweak in the letter. If that's the case, it's super simple to change something. All you have to do is ask ChatGPT to tweak a specific aspect of your letter and it will. 

Also: How to use ChatPDF: The AI chatbot that can tell you everything about your PDF

For example, following the prompt above, you would be able to say, "Can you emphasize my passion for tech a little bit more?"

Are cover letters necessary for a job application?

Cover letters are not always required for a job application. However, almost all job applications either require one or give you the option to submit one. The benefits of a cover letter include having the employer get to know you more and helping you stand out from other applicants. 

Should you use ChatGPT to write a cover letter?

ChatGPT can write an impressive cover letter within seconds, allowing you to focus more attention on other parts of your application that require a lot of time and effort. 

Also: 6 ways to ace a job interview

Once ChatGPT produces the letter, you can always add your own edits to give it your personal flair. 

What should be showcased in a cover letter?

Your cover letter should help to set you apart from other applicants. Therefore, in your cover letter, you should specifically communicate what makes you interested in the role and what experiences make you a great fit. 

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Benefits of Using AI to Write Cover Letters

Cover letters are the perfect way to capture a potential employer's attention with a personal touch. In our increasingly digital world, a cover letter is a way to stand out from the crowd and make your qualifications shine.

With AI becoming more commonplace in many industries, it's time for you to consider using AI when writing a compelling cover letter that will land you that next interview.

In the current job market, competition is high, and there are many qualified candidates for each position. Many job seekers are unaware of the impact of grammar and sentence structure on their cover letters.

Today, this is not a problem for job seekers with the onslaught of new AI writing tools such as WordHero . Many tools can write cover letters for you if you are unsure of what to say or how to put your thoughts into words. These tools will generate a letter based on keywords and phrases that populate applicant resumes and cover letters, including the employer's company's culture and mission.

With that, here are a few benefits of using AI when writing cover letters:

1. It saves time and effort.

One of the challenges of job hunting is writing your resume and cover letter. Many people take more than an hour to write and edit their resumes, and they find it equally difficult to compose a cover letter.

Luckily, artificial intelligence (AI) writing tools can help you with time-consuming tasks to have more time on the application, resume, or interview.

2. Efficiently finds keywords

In making the perfect cover letter, it is necessary to find keywords that will demonstrate your skills and abilities as a candidate.

AI writing tools can efficiently find keywords to create a better cover letter. The tool provides a list of skills and phrases relevant to a specific job position, which automatically generates a custom cover letter for that job.

3. No need to be mindful of grammar and sentence structure

A recent British Council study has revealed that job seekers will no longer need to be mindful of grammar and sentence structure when writing cover letters, thanks to AI-powered writing tools. The job search is an arduous task for any graduate and can often last months before securing a suitable position.

One of the critical parts of this process is the cover letter, which must be well structured and grammatically correct to impact the employer.

4. Easy to Create Quality Content

Job seekers still need to make sure that they send out great quality resumes and cover letters.

However, they can easily create excellent quality content for their cover letter using AI writing tools to maintain a professional appearance when applying for jobs. In addition to writing a cover letter that will stand out, you can also use AI to improve the content of your cover letter.

Using AI to write a cover letter guide can remove the "human factor" that allows for many errors in cover letter writing.

Easily write cover letters with AI writing tools

In conclusion, it's time for your cover letter to upgrade. If you're looking for the perfect way to end a job search, AI can help.

AI can be an excellent tool for creating personalized cover letters without the hassle of dedicating hours to it. Pick from a few templates that best represent your skills and interests, then use the 'done in minutes' wizard to fill in the blanks with a few clicks.

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Should you use AI to write your cover letter?

If you’re looking for a new job, chances are you’re going to have to write a cover letter.

This can be one of the more arduous steps in the hiring process — and involves summarising your skills, experience and suitability for the role in just a few paragraphs.

However, spending hours crafting the perfect cover letter may be a thing of the past, thanks to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT.

ChatGPT is an online chatbot tool that allows you to enter prompts and receive text outputs in response. And despite doubts over the accuracy of its responses, half of us have already used or would consider using ChatGPT to write a job application, according to a survey by FlexJobs .

So should you use AI software to help you write a job application — and if you decide to give it a go, what should you consider?

AI can provide a starting point

Victoria McLean, CEO & founder of award-winning career consultancy City CV , says AI tools like ChatGPT can be a great starting point for writing a cover letter — but, crucially, they should only be used to get you started.

“You can use it to generate ideas for how your cover letter could be written, but ultimately, copying a ChatGPT response directly into your cover letter won’t work,” she says.

Read more: Will AI make us even lonelier at work?

“That's because the information might not be correct and it will make your letter sound generic and robotic. It won't be using your tone of voice or showing your personality, and it will probably be obvious to a recruiter that you've used AI.”

And you might not be able to dupe an employer into thinking you wrote your cover letter, as recruiters may have software to check whether applications have been written by a bot.

It can create a template

Bryony Stickells, co-founder of recruitment company Jelli , says ChatGPT can help you create a structure for your cover letter, which can be one of the most difficult parts to get right.

“It can help save time using AI to write your cover letter, and help you develop the structure and provide you with information that you may want to include, and give you a good starting point,” she says.

“Also, AI draws from experience and data, so if you use specific prompts, AI can help you develop a professional style cover letter that addresses all of your talking points.”

AI can helps with writer’s block

One of the problems with cover letters is that it can be hard to know what to put in and what to leave out, but this is something AI can help with.

"Many job seekers encounter writer’s block when it comes to cover letters because it can be challenging to determine the type of information you should include,” says Keith Spencer, career expert at FlexJobs.

Read more: Why AI is making anxiety worse in the workplace

“AI can help you effectively analyse job descriptions to identify the employer’s top needs and priorities related to the role, which can give applicants better insight into the types of skills, experiences, and qualifications they should emphasise that will be highly relevant to their audience.”

Spencer adds that you can also ask AI tools to provide you with suggestions for the types of examples or success stories you can write about, which will help you give more detailed information about your specific accomplishments.

“AI can also be highly useful in giving you ideas for ways to phrase certain aspects of your experience and checking your grammar to avoid unnecessary mistakes,” he says.

You cover letter will be impersonal

AI doesn't know you, so your personality won't come through in an AI-written cover letter.

Often, employers are keen to see your personality within the hiring process, so it probably won’t work in your favour.

The aim of a cover letter is to show hiring managers how your skills and experience interrelate with the position you’re applying for. “That's very personal, and something that's difficult to get right with AI,” says McLean.

AI content isn’t perfect

One of the key problems with AI tools like ChatGPT is that the output depends entirely on the data the software uses. If you don’t provide the AI tool with enough context, like a job description for the role to which you want to apply or background information related to your skills and work experience, it will only be able to provide you with general or vague ideas for your cover letter.

Read more: Will AI make the hiring process fairer – or will it worsen discrimination?

“AI can only draw from the data that it has available, so it may create duplicate content across users,” says Stickells. “And in many cases, AI produced content that isn't edited can look obvious so it may damage your chances of getting the applied for position.”

There are ethical concerns

Another problem is that using ChatGPT raises ethical questions, like whether you’re cheating the hiring process or misrepresenting yourself to a potential employer.

However, the process isn’t always fair and is often riddled with bias.

How to use AI to write a cover letter

“Whatever content the AI you use provides for your cover letter, you must edit it so that it sounds like you and check that all the information is correct,” says McLean.

“It'll probably be quite generic, so make sure you add tangible examples and point to your experience. You'll also want to make sure your cover letter demonstrates genuine interest in and knowledge of the company you're applying to.”

Read more: Are antidepressants stigmatised in the workplace?

Your personality needs to shine through when creating cover letters, as this is what will stand out to potential employers. “Your cover letter needs to be an insight to who you are, and AI is unable to humanise this in a way that appears natural. Tone of voice, style of writing and language is so important,” says Stickells.

Ultimately, it's important to use AI as a tool and not as a solution.

“Use it to identify a structure and for content inspiration, but never just copy and paste it and use it verbatim,” says Stickells. “Always tailor and edit it to make it personable and unique to you and your experience.”

Watch: AI job hunting warning

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How to Use the AI Cover Letter Generator

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to build a tailored cover letter using our AI cover letter generator. 

Most job applications give you the opportunity to send a cover letter alongside your resume.

Good cover letters take a considerable amount of time, thought, and effort to write. All of which could be greatly minimized with one feature. Rather than writing one yourself from scratch, it can now be written itself by using some key information. 

Not into reading? No problem – we made the video below just for you. 

What You Need to Complete this Tutorial 

Here are the prerequisites for completing this tutorial:

• A Rezi account 
• The job description
• AI writer credits 

A Rezi Account 

You’ll need to have an account on Rezi to access the AI cover letter generator. 

It’s free. No card details are required – all you need to do is enter your email and create a password. 

Get started now.

The Job Description

The minimum information required from the job description is the following: 

• Company name
• Job position/title

This is used to ensure your application is tailored by mentioning the relevant skills and responsibilities.

AI Writer Credits 

AI writer credits are used each time you generate a cover letter. When you sign up on Rezi for free, your account is given a limited amount of credits. If you’ve run out but would like to continue using the feature, you can upgrade your plan at any time. 

Learn more about how the AI writer credits work . 

Method 1: Creating a Cover Letter for an Existing Resume 

Follow this method to build a cover letter for one of your existing resumes with Rezi. 

1. Go to the Rezi Dashboard

Log in to your account to access the Rezi dashboard. 

2. Select an Existing Resume

Select an existing resume from your dashboard that you want to build a cover letter for.

If you don’t have one, you’ll need to create a new CV and complete your resume before moving on to the next step. 

3. Go to the ‘AI Cover Letter’ Tab

After selecting an existing resume or completing your resume with Rezi, head over to the ‘AI cover letter” tab. 

4. Complete the Form Provided on the Right Side of the Page

On the right side of the page, you’ll find a form requiring the following information:

• Company name: The name of the company you’re applying for.
• Position/title: The job position/title you’re applying for.
• Position highlight: A job position from your work history you’d like to highlight.
• Education highlight: An academic qualification you’d like to highlight (we only recommend this for students and recent graduates).
• Skills highlight: These are the skills you want to emphasize in your cover letter.

5. Click the ‘AI Writer Ready’ Button

After completing the form, click on the ‘AI Writer Ready’ button and wait for the results. 

6. Generate a New Version or Save the Suggestion 

If you’d like to generate a new version of the cover letter, press the “AI Writer Generate” button again. 

But if you like the cover letter that’s been produced, press the “save suggestion” button.

Method 2: Creating a Cover Letter From Scratch 

Follow this method to build a cover letter by itself without using an existing resume with Rezi. 

1. Go to the Rezi Dashboard 

2. Head Over to the Cover Letters Tab 

Click on the ‘cover letters’ tab. 

3. Select ‘Create New Cover Letter’ 

Select the ‘create new cover letter’ button shown on the page. 

4. Enter Your Full Name

Enter your name and press the ‘save’ button. 

5. Complete the Contact Information Section

Fill out the bars with your contact details. Once this has been completed, press the ‘save basic info’ button.

6. Head Over to the ‘Finish up’ Tab

Go to the finish up tab as shown below. 

7. Complete the Form Provided on the Right Side of the Page

8. Click the ‘AI Writer Ready’ Button

9. generate a new version or save the suggestion .

What Are the Best Things to Highlight On Your Cover Letter?

The best things to highlight on your cover letter are your most relevant strengths to the job duties and responsibilities. These should imply to your hiring managers that you’re a good fit for the role.

Here are a few examples of things to highlight:

• Accomplishments
• Work experience

If you’re a student or graduate, then it’s worth focusing on your academic background since you likely won’t have much work experience. On the other hand, those with more than 2 years of experience could focus on their employment background and workplace achievements. 

The only rule is to not repeat what you’ve already mentioned in your resume. Unless you’re adding in new information, don’t write about the same things over and over. 

Which AI-Generated Cover Letter Version Is the Best? 

It depends – which one do you find most suited to your needs? 

This comes down to your professional judgment in deciding whether or not the cover letter best represents your ability and character as a worker. Look at the job description and think about your own skill set. 

If you’re not satisfied with the results, you can keep using the feature until it generates something you’re happy with. 

How Many Times Can You Use the AI Cover Letter Generator?

As long as you have enough AI writer credits, you can use the feature as many times as you’d like. Just remember that once you press the AI writer generate button, the previous draft won’t be saved. 

The Best Practices for Using the AI Cover Letter Generator 

Editing and proofreading.

Using the cover letters that have been generated, see which ones you like the most and edit accordingly to suit your needs. It’s good practice to edit and proofread what’s been written to customize the job application as your own.

Personalize It

Your cover letter isn’t generated randomly. It uses the information from what you’ve mentioned in your resume and the short form you filled out. Aside from solely relying on this, think about the expectations of your employers. 

Ask yourself, how are you the best person for the job? What do they want to see from you? There may be subtle details that could be included for further personalization. 

It’s worth saving each draft the AI cover letter feature generates. 

Although you might not be entirely satisfied with what’s been written, use them as references for certain sections in your application. Or even use them as inspiration for the future cover letters you work on. 

Using An AI Cover Letter Generator VS Writing From Scratch 

Let’s briefly look at the benefits you stand to gain from using the AI writer compared to writing from scratch. 

Using an AI writer:

• Skip the outline and drafting process by getting straight into editing
• No more constant back and forth research or page hopping
• Make the writing part easy by getting instant inspiration
• Save time and get more applications sent with minimal effort

Writing from scratch:

• Start with an outline or draft before editing and refining your application
• Constantly refer to the job description page to ensure it’s tailored 
• Search up multiple resume examples online to draw inspiration from other candidates
• Generally takes more time and effort, which can be draining and result in fewer applications sent 

The Advantages of Sending a Good Cover Letter 

It shows your enthusiasm .

Cover letters aren’t usually essential. But your employers will see the effort you’re putting into your job application. This can indicate your passion and work ethic, which are differentiating factors that set you apart from other applicants. 

You Get to Explain Why You’re a Good Fit 

Resumes give the company an overview of your professional background. It’s like a report summarizing your career history and highlights. 

Whereas, a cover letter gives you the chance to explain yourself as a professional. In other words, it allows you to talk more about why you’re the right person for the role. This extra room for information could be used to your advantage.  

Let Employers See Your Personality 

Another aspect recruiters look at is if a candidate is a good cultural fit for the organization. This means aligning with the company’s mission and values. Those who are a good cultural fit are likely to adapt better to the work environment and be more productive.

It’s harder for employers to get insight into your personality in a resume compared to cover letters. But, keep it professional otherwise you’re making a common writing mistake . 

Structuring Your Cover Letter

Here’s the general structure of a cover letter:

• Opening paragraph
• Closing paragraph

All cover letters should be no further than one-page long. Half a page is also more than enough. 

You might find our guide on how to write a cover letter helpful . This goes through everything you need to know when it comes to writing cover letters. 

What About Letters of Interest? 

Letters of interest are similar to cover letters. 

The difference is that they’re usually for job positions that aren’t being advertised. So, you’re letting the company know you’re keen to work in a specific role for them if there's an opportunity for it.

Read our guide on letters of interest . 

You Might Also Find These Helpful 

Ats cover letter examples.

Use our cover letter samples for inspiration. These are optimized for beating the applicant tracking system (ATS). It’s also helped our users land interviews with competitive companies such as Apple, Sony, and Tesla.

Check out our cover letter examples .

AI Keyword Targeting Feature 

Most organizations are using recruiting tools to screen candidates. To get past this, you’ll need an application that matches the job description by using the right keywords. 

Learn more about how to use our AI keyword targeting feature . 

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

100 Horizon Center Blvd. – Suite #212 Hamilton, NJ 08691

CALL TODAY: 732.786.9070 or 888.543.6043

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AI – Should You Use It to Write Cover Letters?

First, to clarify the question, “Should I include a cover letter?” The answer is an emphatic “YES.”

A cover letter is an opportunity to introduce oneself professionally to the recruiter or employer and demonstrate a passion for the position.

It allows the job seeker to highlight their core competencies, market their skills and gain the hiring manager’s attention, increasing the chances of getting the position.

Also, a cover letter provides the hiring manager with further detail on how the job seeker’s skills match the job requirements, what they can bring to the team, and why they want the position.

AI to the rescue?

AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology focuses on creating intelligent machines. It is used in various applications, from robotics to healthcare to finance. Recently, in addition to writing resumes, AI has been used to automate writing cover letters.

There are pros and cons to using AI for cover letters. Understanding them can help you decide whether or not to use this technology for your application process.

Pros of using AI for cover letters:

Save time and effort: Writing a cover letter from scratch can be lengthy and detailed. For job seekers who are short on time or want to save some effort, 

AI can be a great tool to speed up the process. AI can take the user’s input and quickly generate a professional cover letter tailored to the employer’s requirements.

Improve the quality of your cover letters: AI can improve the quality of your cover letters. Many AI tools use sophisticated algorithms to understand the employer’s job description and write cover letters targeted to their needs. 

This type of “tailoring” benefits job seekers who may not have the time to understand the job requirements fully or need help crafting a compelling narrative for their application.

Reach a wider audience: AI can be used to reach a larger audience by automatically submitting your cover letter to multiple job postings. Bulk posting can save time and effort in searching for the perfect job opportunity.

Cons of using AI for cover letters:

It can lack a personal touch: Even though AI writes cover letters professionally, they may need to gain the unique personal touch and enthusiasm that comes with a human-written cover letter. 

This lack of a personal touch can make it harder for job seekers to stand out amongst other applicants and connect with employers more meaningfully.

Not be tailored to your specific skills and experience: AI tool developers created algorithms to match the employer’s job requirements. 

However, they need to capture the nuances of your experience and qualifications. Without this “personal touch,” it can leave certain aspects of your cover letter incomplete or mischaracterized, leading to a less successful application overall.

Can be expensive : Despite their potential to save job seekers time and effort, some AI tools can be costly for people. 

The cost of using a robust AI application can add up for those applying to many jobs simultaneously needing to generate multiple cover letters quickly.

Tips for using AI for cover letters:

Use AI as a tool , not a replacement for your writing skills: AI can be a great tool to help you generate a professional cover letter, but it should not replace your writing. 

Utilizing your skills and knowledge to craft a cover letter tailored to you and the employer can be more effective in the long run.

Please be clear about your outcome for your cover letter: When using an AI tool, could you explain what you hope to accomplish? 

By being specific about what you want, the AI tool can help craft a cover letter tailored to you and the job you are applying for more accurately.

Please provide the AI tool with as much information as possible about the job you are applying for.

Providing the AI with more detailed information about the job you are applying for can help craft a more accurate and comprehensive cover letter. 

Detailed background information can help you save time and ensure your application is as strong as possible.

AI Cover Letter Prompts

Most AI apps that offer resume and cover letter tools use similar technology.  These tools can generate cover letters quickly, however as mentioned above, the results may look stiff or impersonal.

A well-crafted prompt can help the AI tool produce more relevant responses. It helps the AI understand the context and the specific information you seek.

Here is a prompt for a general cover letter.  Use the [bracket] to customize the information for your prompt:

“Generate a cover letter for a job application. The applicant has [X] years of experience in [occupation or industry], with a focus on [most valuable skill or experience]. They are applying for a [position] at a growing [company]. The cover letter should highlight their project management skills, leadership abilities, and experience in the [occupation or industry]. It should also express their enthusiasm for the role and the company.”

Your AI Cover Letter Decision

The decision of whether or not to use AI for your cover letters is a personal one. However, by understanding the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision that is right for you.

AI can be a great tool to help you save time and improve the quality of your cover letters. 

However, it is important to remember that AI is no substitute for your writing skills.

If you feel comfortable using AI, it can be a great asset in your job search – but remember to add your personal touch to the process.

Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Writing > Using ChatGPT to write resumes and cover letters

Using ChatGPT to write resumes and cover letters

Job hunting can feel like a job of its own, which is why some are using ChatGPT to write resumes and cover letters. Learn how AI can make the process of creating these documents easier as well as its limitations.

ChatGPT has become a popular choice for all kinds of content creation . Here’s what you need to know about using ChatGPT for your resume or cover letter.

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Should I use AI in my job search?

The process of searching for a new job is rarely easy. Not only are you constantly checking job boards to find positions that both interest you and fit your skillset, but you’re also updating your resume and cover letter with every new application and editing these documents to suit each potential employer.

Using AI like ChatGPT for your job search can help you if you’re truly stumped for how to express your thoughts. Of course, it isn’t foolproof, either. Because this technology is so new, its output won’t be entirely accurate, and is no substitution for putting in the work yourself. The AI does the best it can with the information it’s given, which means it’s up to the job seeker to be both specific and accurate when inputting prompts, and to make any necessary adjustments to achieve a specific result.

If you plan to use ChatGPT for resume writing or crafting a cover letter, make sure you have a solid understanding of how to write both documents. After all, they’re a potential employer’s first impression of you; if you’re not well-represented because you relied on AI instead of your own skills, you’re not likely to get the job. ChatGPT can be useful for helping you come up with new ways to talk about your relevant skills and experience, but your personal touch is what will really make your resume and cover letter stand out.

Tips for writing a resume and cover letter

Whether you’re editing existing documents or starting from scratch, here are some tips to make sure that your resume and cover letter can help you make a good first impression.

• Use simple, professional formatting. Use a template to ensure that you’re delivering something that makes you look your best and is easy to read.
• Less is more. A busy resume can feel overwhelming for a recruiter. Show results where you can and leave off any unnecessary details.
• Proofread. Even if you’re using ChatGPT to help you with your job search, you’ll still need to look over the results to not only make sure that the content is accurate, but that it’s grammatically correct and sounds like you.
• Insert yourself. Make sure that your resume and cover letter are representative of you and not a chatbot. Your own personality should shine through, even if you’ve used AI to help you put things together.

At the end of the day, recruiters want to learn about you and whether you’re a good fit for a job. The best way for you share that information with them is with a well-written cover letter and a resume that’s easy to read .

What are the drawbacks of using ChatGPT to write a resume or cover letter?

Leveraging AI like ChatGPT to write your resume or cover letter does have a few pitfalls:

• This AI is very new technology and is certainly not foolproof. It’s constantly being tested and adjusted due to its newness.
• It may accidentally generate inaccurate statements due to its limited knowledge of the world after 2021.
• If you’re not proofreading carefully, you may gloss over some major errors. ChatGPT may generate content that is biased or harmful and it’s on you to catch those statements and not use them in your resume or cover letter. The AI may also repeat information between sections of a generated resume.
• The AI works with the information it’s given. The quality of the output depends entirely on the quality of the input.
• If you’re not specific enough when entering your prompts, you will get vague, generalized output. Similarly, if your prompt is poorly formatted, the AI may not understand what you’re asking for.
• ChatGPT may embellish some of your accomplishments. While it may be tempting to leave these in place, it’s never a good idea to lie about what you have and have not done.

This AI is not a replacement for doing the actual work yourself, but it can be a useful tool during the process of looking for a new job. Only you can truly know what you’ve achieved through your work and life experiences, and you’re the one who is best suited to crafting any type of resume or cover letter.

Entering resume and cover letter prompts into ChatGPT

The goal of using ChatGPT to write your resume or cover letter is to lessen the stress of creating these documents. But that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. You still must give the AI very clear instructions about what you want it to generate.

Prompts for using AI to write a resume

You can use AI to review an existing resume and provide feedback or tailor your resume to a specific posting. Make sure you ask very clear questions about what you’re looking for, as well as providing very clear guidance to the AI about what its role is. In both scenarios you’ll need to include your resume in its entirety, but if you’re looking for tailored edits, you should also include the job posting.

Prompts for these scenarios might look like:

• I am going to provide my resume and want you to act as a reviewer and provide feedback on it. How can I make it more readable? Are there any action verbs I should use? Am I using too many buzzwords?
• I will provide you with a job description for a position I am applying for. Understand the key points and requirements for this role and summarize them. Then review my resume and provide feedback on how to tailor it for this job.

These might seem overly specific but if you’re not specific enough, you won’t get the response you’re looking for.

Prompts for using AI to write a cover letter

When using ChatGPT to work on your cover letter for a specific job, you’ll need to provide:

• Your resume
• The job description of the role you’re interested in
• Information about what kind of tone you’d prefer

You can also ask the AI to review your cover letter for readability and help you get through a bout of writer’s block.

Prompts for these sorts of asks might look like:

• Write a cover letter for a [position] role at [Company] in a professional tone. Use my resume and the job description as a reference.
• I want you to review my cover letter for readability and relevance to a job post. I will share the job post as a reference. Tailor my cover letter for the job referenced in the post and adjust wording to make it more relevant.

These prompts may feel awkward to write, almost as though you’re explaining something to a small child. But the clearer and more specific you are, the more pleased you’re likely to be with the results.

While AI like ChatGPT is making some waves on the tech scene, it doesn’t totally replace human writing and editing skills, especially when it comes to resumes and cover letters. It certainly has value but comes with a few caveats. Use ChatGPT with caution, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for grammatical errors .

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How to Write a Cover Letter That Stands Out Using AI

Table of contents

Kinjal Dagli

Using AI tools to write an outstanding cover letter requires experience.

For each job you apply for, you can use AI to create a personalized cover letter. This way, employers are more likely to notice you and select you.

Take, for example, this intro taken from a pretty generic cover letter:

Bad cover letter 😢

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as advertised on [Job Board/Company Website]. I believe that my skills and qualifications make me a strong candidate for this role.

How would you go about improving it, adapting it for a specific marketing intern job offer?

Using AI, I was able to come up with this intro:

AI-optimized cover letter 😁

Better right?

Follow me, and I'll guide you through the process of creating the best cover letter to get you noticed by HR.

Why is your AI-generated cover letter likely to get ignored?

Writing a cover letter is hard. But writing a cover letter in 2023 is harder, when the global economy is slower and hiring freezes are in place. There are fewer open roles and hundreds of job seekers for every position. On average, each job posting attracts 250 resumes , and this number is likely higher in the current economic climate. 

You want a cover letter that stands out. This means you need to impress recruiters enough that they advance you into the interview process. And, it's not enough to just list your qualifications. You need to show deep interest in the role, explain why you're the best person for the job, and demonstrate how you can help the company succeed. The cover letter should also relate back to your resume .

All this in 250-400 words. 

The good news is that it’s not as hard as it sounds, especially if you keep these pointers in mind as you write the perfect cover letter. 

Include the right information

It’s easy to get carried away by the creative side of writing a cover letter but don’t forget the basics. Include your full name, contact information — phone number, location and email, and link to social media profiles like LinkedIn. Use a salutation to address the hiring manager like “Dear Hiring Manager” or start with a plain and simple “Hello.” On many cover letter templates, you might find “To Whom It May Concern” but it’s an outdated and impersonal way to begin a cover letter and let’s face it — makes me want to yawn.  

If you have previously connected with the hiring manager over LinkedIn or through a recruiter, and you know who to address in your application, use the correct name and spelling. And if you’re unsure of the hiring manager’s name or spelling, look them up on social media or use a general greeting like "Dear Hiring Manager." 

In your first couple sentences, you need to let the employer know which role you’re applying for and why. A company may be hiring for more than one role and you want the hiring manager to have all the relevant information upfront when they’re reading your cover letter.  

Follow a logical structure

Your cover letter is a chance for you to show off not just your writing skills but also your ability to follow logic and structure. Potential employers will be grateful for an easy-to-follow cover letter format and you’ll increase your chance of landing an interview.

A well-written cover letter has three parts:

•  Introduction: Introduce yourself and explain why you’re interested in the job listing.
•  Body: Mention your qualifications and highlight relevant experiences. Specifically point to any achievements or awards that showcase your skills and explain why you’re passionate about the opportunity.
• Conclusion: Add a closing paragraph to sum up why you would be a great fit for the specific job and sign off on a positive and enthusiastic note.

Make your introduction count

Your opening paragraph should be concise but powerful. In a few sentences, include a brief introduction of yourself, a description of the role you are applying for, and a captivating statement that will give the reader a reason to continue reading. This opening paragraph will essentially set the tone for the rest of your cover letter and should be crafted carefully.

Think deeply about the role and the company and use it as a guide to come up with an opening statement that’s witty, engaging, and authentic. But first, decide the tone of your cover letter. Here are some opening line examples to choose from:

Although I considered submitting my latest credit card statement to demonstrate my love for online shopping, I decided it would be safer to write this cover letter and spell out all the reasons I'm the one for the job.

I prefer not to be right if loving data is wrong. The rest of the team at [Analytics Company] seems to think the same way and that's only one of the reasons why I'd be a great fit for your sales team.

Complementing

While I am currently employed as a marketing manager, the job description for your company's PR director position caught my attention. As a long-time customer, I've always been impressed by the company's treatment of its employees, customers, and community.

With three years of experience managing internal communications for a 2,000-person company, I can organize a monthly town hall meeting or draft an interoffice memo in my sleep. My next step? Use that experience to help executives elevate their communications strategies as a strategic consultant.

Get comfortable with self promotion

Writing about yourself is hard, especially when you're trying to self-promote (which is the idea when looking for a job). A good way to deal with this is to use an AI writing assistant that you can hand the writing off to.

Here, we used Wordtune's "Continue Writing" feature, that you can use to beef up your cover letters without feeling to self conscious about your self promotion.

Pro-tip: Make your opening lines keyword-rich when applying for a larger company with an applicant tracking system. By choosing the right keywords, you'll ensure that your cover letter is read, and many of your most relevant skills will be highlighted immediately.

Show your enthusiasm

A great cover letter conveys your passion for the job and shows what makes you a unique candidate. Explain why you’re interested in that particular role and how it aligns with your career goals. 

But companies don’t just want to know why you want the job. They’re interested in why they should hire you and how you can make a difference at that organization. So tie your enthusiasm back to the business needs of the company and impress them with your strategic mindset. For instance, if you’re applying for a marketing position, discuss how your past work experience and skills have enabled you to create successful campaigns that have increased sales and boosted customer loyalty.

Provide proof of your claims

It’s okay to talk about how great you are and why you’re the perfect person for the job, but don't forget to back up your claims with concrete evidence. Provide examples of projects you have worked on in previous positions or training certificates that relate to the role.

This will make your qualifications more tangible and will help the interviewer understand why you are the perfect person for the job. Additionally, it will help to demonstrate your knowledge and skills and show that you are prepared for the role. Say you are applying for a job as a software engineer. You could include your experience building a website or a mobile app, as well as any coding certifications that you have obtained.

Give your cover letter a personal touch

Hiring managers receive dozens of applications for each position and you want to make sure yours stands out. Don’t just copy the job description — show that you read through it and understand what the company is looking for by using similar language in your cover letter. 

For example, if the job application mentions that the company values collaboration, you could mention how you thrive in a team setting and share an example of how you worked with a team to achieve a goal. This shows prospective employers how you will contribute to the company culture in addition to being a productive employee.

Don’t forget to proofread

Regardless of the industry, every employer is looking for committed and detail-oriented candidates. Written communication is a useful and valued skill, and your cover letter is evidence of how well-trained you are in this area. Focus on the content of your cover letter, but remember that grammatical errors and spelling mistakes leave a bad impression. Plus, it makes you look unprofessional.

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How to Write a Cover Letter Using ChatGPT in 7 Steps (+Prompt Template)

• Klara Cervenanska , 
• Updated January 30, 2024 11 min read

Thanks to tools like ChatGPT, the once-dreaded task of writing cover letters is becoming more manageable. But do you actually know how to write a cover letter using ChatGPT?

If you're not familiar with this tool and how to use it, your cover letter might become an even bigger mess than it was before.

Furthermore, using a generic prompt, such as "Write a cover letter for a junior accountant," will result in a generic cover letter.

To avoid that, we'll guide you through the essential steps to operate this AI language model effectively and explore the right prompts for writing a cover letter — ensuring your cover letter is personalized, tailored for the job, and professional.

Lastly, we'll also show you an alternative to using ChatGPT for crafting your cover letter.

But first...

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is ChatGPT?

How to write a cover letter using chatgpt in 7 steps, prompt template for chatgpt to write a personalized cover letter, the drawbacks and limitations of chatgpt.

• If you don't want to use ChatGPT...

Key takeaways: How to write a cover letter using ChatGPT?

Due to the current hype, you probably already heard about it.

ChatGPT is a state-of-the-art AI language model developed by OpenAI, designed to generate human-like text based on user input.

This tool is useful for a variety of tasks, such as drafting emails, writing articles, providing customer support, or debugging code.

To better understand how ChatGPT can help you with your cover letter writing process, let's explore its key capabilities.

• understands context and generates relevant content
• adapts to different writing styles and tones
• responds effectively to user prompts for customized output
• is capable of generating creative and engaging text

Hence, in the context of crafting cover letters, this AI tool can be a game changer for job seekers and provide a high-quality draft and/or improve the overall quality of your writing.

Want to try an easier option?

Discover Kickresume's AI Writer. Instantly generate eye-catching, ready-to-use cover letters in stunning templates.

Now that you know the key capabilities of ChatGPT, let's explore step-by-step how to use this powerful AI tool to write a cover letter.

By following these 7 steps, you'll be able to produce an impressive cover letter in minutes.

1. Sign up and create a free account on OpenAI

Head over to chat.openai.com and sign up for a free account. It's pretty straightforward — all you need is an email address, Google account, or Microsoft account.

Both the website and app are completely free to use.

Since ChatGPT is extremely popular, you might encounter some delays while signing up. If that happens, just wait a few minutes and try again.

Just FYI, there's also a paid version called ChatGPT Plus, which has a number of advantages, including faster response times. Currently, it's available for $20/month.

2. Ask ChatGPT what information it needs from you to write a cover letter

This tool is, first and foremost, a chatbot. Hence, you can actually ask ChatGPT what information it needs from you in order to create a well-written and personalized cover letter.

So, instead of guessing what information about yourself to include in the prompt, the AI tells you directly.

Use one of the following prompts to inquire about ChatGPT's requirements:

• I'm in the process of applying for a job and need your assistance in writing a persuasive and effective cover letter. Could you instruct me on the necessary details I should provide you with to compose such cover letter?
• I'm currently in the process of applying for a job and need your help in crafting a cover letter for me. Can you explain what information and details you would need from my end to create the most effective and compelling cover letter for me?

The chatbot will then give a list of information it needs, why it needs them, and some concrete examples.

For instance, here's what ChatGPT churned out after using the second prompt:

3. Ask ChatGPT to create an example prompt containing the required information

Now that you know what the AI needs from you to create a cover letter, you may need a little help with phrasing the full prompt.

After all, it requires a lot of information and details from you, including a job description. Hence, it may be a little complicated to formulate an effective prompt.

So, here's what to say next to make the chatbot create the full prompt for you:

• Can you create an example prompt I should give you that entails all of the information you require?
• That's good. Can you give me an example of a prompt that includes all of the information and details you said you need?

Then, GPT does the work for you and creates an example of the final prompt.

Have a look:

It might also be helpful to utilize some additional resources like  AI prompts by PromptVibes   to get some inspiration or guidance in crafting your prompts.

4. Copy the example prompt and fill in with your own information

Now that ChatGPT created an example of the whole prompt for you, copy it.

Paste the example prompt as a prompt. You'll use this as a template/inspiration.

And now comes the harder part. You need to replace all of the squared brackets or "sample details" with your own details and relevant information.

It shouldn't be too complicated since you already have inspiration for what to include and how to write it from GPT.

Rather than attaching the job description, copy it from the job ad and paste it into the prompt where required.

Plus, consider adding any extra specifications in the prompt...

5. Add any additional details to finalize the prompt

Now that you provided ChatGPT with the essential information for your cover letter, you can now specify any extra details.

These can include your desired tone, style, or word count.

Have a look at an example of how to specify any extra details for the prompt:

Additional instructions for ChatGPT

• Word count: The cover letter should be between 200 and 300 words long.
• Tone: The tone should be professional and persuasive but still natural.
• Style: The text should be well-structured with clearly defined paragraphs.

Now your prompt should contain everything to ensure the AI generates a personalized and relevant cover letter.

Here's what the final prompt looks like:

Dear ChatGPT,

I am currently applying for the [position title] position at [company name] and I am seeking your assistance in crafting a compelling cover letter.

Could you please help me by using the following information to create an effective cover letter?

• Job Description: [Insert a copy of the job description here]
• Company Information: [Provide some background information about the company’s mission, values, and culture]
• My Goals: [Tell me about your professional goals and how this job fits into your career aspirations]
• My Achievements: [Provide some examples of your previous accomplishments that are relevant to the position you are applying for]
• My Motivation: [Tell me why you are interested in this particular job and what excites you about the opportunity]
• Additional instructions: The cover letter should be between [word count] words long. The tone should be [you can include multiple adjectives] . The text should be well-structured with clearly defined paragraphs.

Thank you for your assistance, and I look forward to seeing what you create.

6. Run the prompt and review the output

Finally, run the prompt. It'll take a few minutes at most.

Here's the final cover letter written by ChatGPT:

When your cover letter is generated, ask yourself:

• Do I like the output?
• Does it include everything you wanted?
• Is there something specific I don't like?
• Is it long enough? Or is it too long?

You want to examine the cover letter to make sure everything is to your liking.

If you find a specific thing you'd like to adjust, feel free to specify this as your next prompt.

For instance:

• That's good, but I think it's too long. Can you make it a little shorter?
• That's good, but I don't like that every paragraph starts with "I". Can you re-phrase the first sentence of each paragraph?
• That's good, but you used too many keywords from the job description. Can you re-phrase it and use the keywords from the job description less?

And, if you like the cover letter but you're not 100% convinced and can't pinpoint why — hit the Regenerate response button. Just make sure to save each output so that you have some options to choose from.

7. Proofread and edit the final cover letter

After the AI generates your cover letters, it's crucial to review them for any misrepresentations, mistakes, or grammar errors.

So, make sure to proofread and carefully edit the content before sending it.

Here are a couple of things that you might need to edit:

• Grammar & punctuation. ChatGPT often struggles with commas and inconsistencies in the verb tense in particular.
• Repetitive vocabulary. Replace repetitive or vague words with more precise and varied vocabulary to provide clarity and avoid redundancy.
• Sentence structure & flow. Rearrange sentences or rephrase them to improve the overall flow of the text. Also, break up long sentences into shorter ones and combine short, choppy sentences.
• Fact-checking. Verify any facts, statistics, or claims made within the text to ensure they are accurate and up-to-date.
• Consistency in formatting. This mostly includes consistency in abbreviations or capitalization.

Additionally, keep in mind that ChatGPT's homepage warns about the possibility of generating incorrect or biased content — so always fact-check! More on ChatGPT's drawbacks later.

Ideally, you should use the AI-generated cover letters as a starting point for the final version you'll send. Or an inspiration, if you will.

As mentioned before, ChatGPT isn't perfect.

While ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in generating content, you have to be aware of its shortcomings when using this tool to create your cover letter.

Here are some of the potential challenges you may encounter when using ChatGPT to write a cover letter:

• Limited understanding of context. ChatGPT might not fully comprehend the complexities of a specific job or industry, and may struggle to understand complex queries. This could lead to generic or less-targeted content in a cover letter.
• Inaccurate or nonsensical responses. Since the chatbot doesn't possess human-level understanding, it might generate irrelevant, incorrect, or illogical information — which can decrease the quality of a cover letter.
• Sensitivity to input phrasing . The way a prompt is phrased may affect the response generated by ChatGPT. Slight changes in phrasing can lead to different or inconsistent content in the cover letter.
• Wordiness. ChatGPT may produce wordy or repetitive responses, which could result in a cover letter that's perceived as unprofessional or difficult to read.
• Over-optimization for engagement. This can lead to a cover letter that contains catchy or captivating phrases but lacks the necessary information or professional tone expected in a job application.

If you don't want to use ChatGPT...

As you can probably tell, writing a cover letter with ChatGPT isn't so straightforward. It takes a lot of effort to put together a suitable prompt, adjust all of the details and information to be more personal, and has a couple of limitations overall.

What's more, this chatbot only provides you with raw text, which you then need to design and format yourself. You may also need to add a signature in a different text editor.

So, if you're looking for an alternative AI-powered solution to help you write a cover letter, consider Kickresume — a platform that specializes in creating professional resumes and cover letters (with or without AI).

Their AI cover letter writer tool uses the GPT-4 language model (used by ChatGPT, too) to produce cover letters without the need to create a lengthy prompt. The generated cover letter is well-formatted and designed and ready-for-use immediately.

Here's why you might want to give Kickresume's AI Cover Letter Writer a try:

• No complicated prompt is required. Kickresume specializes in resumes and cover letters. Which is why the AI cover letter writer only needs a few basic data from you, and there's no need to generate multiple prompts.
• Easy-to-use interactive platform. A user-friendly interface that makes navigating and creating your cover letter a breeze. To create an AI cover letter, you simply fill in a 2-step questionnaire, where you provide your desired job title, the job description, your credentials, and your previous employment. You can then add any details and edit the cover letter.
• Cover letter ready to use immediately. You don't need to worry about formatting or designing your cover letter. There's a variety of visually appealing templates available that follow industry-standard formatting. You can customize the design to match your preferred style. Once you pick a template, your letter is ready to be used.
• Provides expert tips & guidance. Apart from templates and AI assistance, Kickresume also offers expert guidance on crafting the perfect cover letter. Its Help Center is constantly updated with advice articles to help you make the best impression on potential employers.
• Integrated signature feature. You can digitally sign your documents , eliminating the need to add a signature in a separate text editor. This ensures that your cover letter looks polished and professional.
• Pre-written content for various industries. If you’d like to add more role-specific content to your cover letter, you also have access to pre-written phrases specific for various industries and job roles.

Here's an example of an AI-generated cover letter created with Kickresume:

AI-generated cover letter created with Kickresume

This cover letter was generated using Kickresume’s AI writer for  “copywriter”  position.

Despite the limitations of this language model, ChatGPT can be a very valuable tool in generating content for a cover letter.

Here's a quick rundown of how to write a cover letter using ChatGPT in 7 steps:

• Sign up and create a free account on OpenAI.
• Ask ChatGPT what information it needs from you to write a cover letter.
• Ask ChatGPT to create an example prompt that contains all the information it required from you in the previous step.
• Copy the example prompt and replace all of the "sample" details with your own details.
• Add any additional details to finalize the prompt, including the word count, tone, and style.
• Run the prompt and review the output. If you want another option, click regenerate response .
• Proofread and edit the final cover letter. Is it over-using certain keywords? Is the grammar correct?

Every cover letter needs a resume, too.

Let our AI resume writer write the first draft of your resume for you.

Klara graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. After having written resumes for many of her fellow students, she began writing full-time for Kickresume. Klara is our go-to person for all things related to student or 'no experience resumes'. At the same time, she has written some of the most popular resume advice articles on this blog. Her pieces were featured in multiple CNBC articles. When she's not writing, you'll probably find her chasing dogs or people-watching while sipping on a cup of coffee.

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There's a big debate over whether it's OK to use AI in your job search. Some companies say it's 'a definite dealbreaker.'

• Many job seekers have started using ChatGPT and similar AI tools to write résumés and cover letters.
• 39% of surveyed HR professionals said using AI in applications is a dealbreaker.
• Some recruiters said that using AI to write applications could be a "marketable skill."

Job seekers are using ChatGPT for cover letters,   job-interview questions , and résumés.

Not all hiring managers are on board.

That's according to a March survey by Wakefield Research of 500 HR and recruiting professionals for the talent-cloud company iCIMS that found 39% of respondents said entry-level job candidates using AI bots such as ChatGPT to make their cover letters or résumés "is a definite dealbreaker." iCIMS and Wakefield Research also surveyed 1,000 college seniors in March.

"Almost half (47%) of college seniors are interested in using ChatGPT or other AI bots to write their resumes or cover letters, and 25% of Gen Z already use an AI bot to help write their résumés or cover letters," a press release from iCIMS said.

Almost a third of responding HR professionals said they "wouldn't hold it against them" if entry-level candidates did use AI tools to create cover letters or résumés, and almost a quarter responded, "I don't love it, but it's the new trend."

"I don't think it's that they're looking at this like, 'Oh, we don't want them to have that kind of support,'" Christy Spilka, the vice president and global head of talent acquisition at iCIMS, told Insider. "It's more we want to see your authentic self and how you handle certain interview questions."

ChatGPT might not be the best way to tell your story

Mandy Tang is a career coach and business owner. Tang told Insider's Beatrice Nolan  a story of receiving a job application that included a cover letter even though the job posting didn't require one. While Tang said the cover letter was "well-formed, incredibly well-written, and had literally everything I wanted," she thought it may have been AI-generated because it seemed to be "just a copy and paste" of the job description.

"I thought of responding to them," Tang said. "But I just moved on and hired three really great people who were actually qualified — this person was probably qualified too, but I wouldn't know it from the cover letter."

Even AI-powered Bing discourages job seekers from using it to write a résumé. Insider's Huileng Tan tried asking the new Bing to generate a cover letter for a role . However, it responded with "I'm sorry, but I cannot write a cover letter for you. That would be unethical and unfair to other applicants," according to Tan's reporting.

AI tools might not even be that helpful for presenting your best self. Insider's Rebecca Knight tried experimenting with ChatGPT to help make her résumé "sharper, better, and targeted at potential senior-level editorial jobs" and said "the results wouldn't move me enough to hire an AI bot to tell my story."

Related stories

"There were some helpful ideas, but there were also a lot of flowery phrases, needless superlatives, and bland suggestions," Knight wrote. "The upshot is that while ChatGPT can perhaps offer some inspiration, you still need to put in most of the work yourself."

Instead, use AI as a starting place for an application

Sandy Torchia, KPMG's vice chair of talent and culture, noted in a statement to Insider that people have historically had things including career centers and career coaches as available resources to provide assistance in the job-application process. Torchia added that "generative-AI tools used in the same way could be a game changer."

"For example, an applicant using generative AI to create a résumé or cover letter that accurately depicts their background and experience is far different from an applicant that uses said technology to produce misleading or inaccurate information," Torchia said.

Doug Ebertowski, a former career expert at FlexJobs, told Insider that hiring managers, recruiters, and HR professionals are "smart people and they can spot something that's canned and not personal to them and their organization."

According to Ebertowski, people could use ChatGPT for a starting point but should then personalize what the bot gives them. That way, hiring managers "can see that this is somebody that's taken time to think about who they are," Ebertowski said.

Even if you're not using it to write your application, knowing your way around AI is a good skill to tout

While some employers and recruiters may have a negative reaction to using AI in the job-hunting process, career experts also see the benefits of knowing ChatGPT or other types of AI. For example, Lisa Frank of LBF Strategies, a career-coaching and recruitment firm, said she thinks "ChatGPT will increasingly be a marketable skill for candidates to have on résumés and to discuss during interview processes — definitely those who have gone through an online course or even obtained a certification."

"Being skilled in how and when to use ChatGPT effectively and ethically could be a great way to stand out and add value to a role or company," Frank told Insider.

AI could also make you more productive at work. One study that gave customer-support agents access to AI assistance reported that "access to the tool increases productivity" by an average of 14%. While highly skilled workers didn't really benefit, lower-skilled workers did.

"These tools are still really new, so it's hard to predict how companies will use them, given the potential benefits and risks," Trisha Plovie, the senior vice president of Future of Work at Robert Half, said in a statement.

Plovie added that it's hard to say if companies will seek job candidates who have "expertise and experience" with AI tools.

"That said, learning about new technologies and how they can be leveraged at work is always a good idea, particularly if your job could be impacted by their use," Plovie said.

Have you landed a job with the help of an AI tool? Are you an employer who doesn't want job candidates using AI tools to help with their résumés or cover letters? Reach out to this reporter at [email protected] .

Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, has a global deal to allow OpenAI to train its models on its media brands' reporting.

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Maybe AI can finally kill the cover letter

Jobs still require cover letters. Apps like ChatGPT can help.

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Grace wanted a better-paid job based closer to where she lived, but she dreaded writing another cover letter. And although her job as a land-use planner does require some writing, she felt a cover letter wouldn’t actually do a good job of showcasing it.

“It’s technical writing,” Grace said. “It’s not plucky ‘You should hire me because I’m amazing but my weakness is I’m extra amazing.’”

Instead, she took a friend’s advice and used ChatGPT, the text-generating AI software that’s gone viral in recent months. Grace, who asked that we leave out her last name so as not to jeopardize her employment, gave the AI the job description and fed it some qualifications she wanted to highlight. ChatGPT spat out an “adequate” cover letter that she gave a quick edit.

She ended up getting the job but she doesn’t think it was because of her cover letter. “I think they just looked at my resume,” she said.

Grace is one of a growing number of job seekers turning to AI to complete what can be one of the more arduous — and arguably unnecessary — steps in the hiring process. A recent online survey from job service site Resume Builder found that nearly half of current and recent job seekers were using ChatGPT to write their resumes or cover letters. LinkedIn , TikTok , and media outlets abound with info on the best ways to get a decent cover letter from the software.

Using technology like ChatGPT to apply for a job raises some thorny ethical questions, like whether you’re misrepresenting yourself to a potential employer. But job seekers see it as a necessary step toward getting ahead in a job application process that’s fraught with inefficiencies and unfairness. The hiring process, in general, is getting longer and longer , and companies themselves are using software to screen out employees — a process that feels like a black box. Consumer AI software can let job seekers feel like they’re fighting bot to bot.

It also forces people to ask if cover letters are even important these days, and if there might be better ways to design the application process so that job seekers don’t have to resort to an AI to write one in the first place.

Do cover letters even matter?

The main point of cover letters is to explain why your experience would make you a good fit for a position, but that’s also information hiring managers can glean from your resume or a phone call. And now that AI can make a pretty decent cover letter with the right prompts and a bit of editing, the exercise of writing one by hand can feel more pointless than ever.

The extent to which employers are asking for cover letters these days is unclear. Alex Alonso, chief knowledge officer at the Society for Human Resource Management, says that “most” professional jobs still ask for a cover letter. Recruiters we spoke to pegged that rate at closer to 10 or 20 percent. Data from Indeed, which hosts job listings for job listings that traditionally require cover letters and those that don’t, shows that just 2 percent mentioned a cover letter.

What we do know is that many hiring managers are not actually reading cover letters . Alonso says that hiring managers spend very little time, a couple minutes at most, reviewing an applicant’s qualifications before deciding whether or not to disqualify them.

While a cover letter can be a place for applicants to explain why they might be good for a role they aren’t quite qualified for, or to explain away a work gap or career change, it’s not likely many get to those details in that amount of time. Rather, most hiring managers — two-thirds, he estimates — are simply checking whether or not you included the cover letter they asked for, rather than judging the erudition of your prose.

“Most employers don’t really put a lot of stock in what goes into the cover letter other than to demonstrate that the person understood that they should have one,” Alonso said. “To use TikTok parlance: Yes, they understood the assignment.”

For the occasions when hiring managers do want to know if an applicant is good at making a persuasive argument or linking their skills to the job description, it’s also not clear cover letters do a good job of these things. For example, James Shea, a freelance writer who has consulted clients on using ChatGPT, doesn’t think that a cover letter, with its formulaic structure and braggy nature, is a good way of showcasing his writing talent.

“It’s a terrible form of communication,” said Shea. “I have a portfolio of writing that shows I can write. Do I have to write a formal, arcane cover letter?

Shea recently used ChatGPT as a starting point for writing some cover letters. He says he’s been using the generative AI application as a sort of editor, taking bits and pieces from ChatGPT’s output when he thinks the suggestions are good, then tailoring it to be better.

Applicants are not the only ones who don’t care for cover letters. It’s also apparent that employers themselves are valuing them less and less.

Experts say that requiring cover letters has been on the decline for a while. But whether or not the job explicitly asks for cover letters or someone actually reads them, many job seekers still fear skipping them, lest its absence costs them a job.

“I think cover letters have been utterly useless for quite some time now,” said Atta Tarki, co-founder of recruiting firm TalentCompass and author of Evidence-Based Recruiting . Still, if an employer asked for a cover letter, he’d include a very short one. “It’s an unnecessary risk not to put it in.”

The perceived need for cover letters also varies by industry. Tejal Wagadia, a senior technical recruiter, says it’s rare to see tech companies these days require a cover letter. She also urges hiring managers not to ask for them and to look at writing samples or portfolios instead.

“I’m all about candidates and job seekers not doing extra work if they don’t have to,” Wagadia said.

Still, she does receive cover letters from time to time, and she reads them.

What’s the alternative?

Job seekers are in the strange position of needing to write cover letters that are unlikely to be read but in some cases are important. So why not make the process a little easier?

Experts we spoke to said it’s probably fine to use ChatGPT to get a general structure or to get ideas, but that it’s important to personalize and edit your cover letter. A good rule of thumb is to give the AI the job description and your resume, and to tell it what skills of yours to highlight or what tone you’re going for.

It’s not necessary for you to disclose that you wrote your cover letter with the help of ChatGPT. After all, people have been using templates and writing services to write their cover letters for years. Just be sure to edit it enough that that doesn’t feel like the case. Alonso, from the Society for Human Resource Management, thinks that disclosing that you used AI could actually be beneficial , since it demonstrates to potential employers that you’re efficient and resourceful.

And if you can avoid a cover letter — or at least outsource some of the work to ChatGPT — there are far better uses of your time when it comes to actually getting a job. Wagadia says the most important document you submit is your resume, so make sure that’s up to date, well-written, and has a short summary that does some of the heavy lifting a cover letter is supposed to do, like explaining why your skills are good for a certain job.

“A resume should say everything that it needs to say to identify whether you’re qualified for a role or not,” Wagadia said. “As a recruiter, my first question is: Is this candidate qualified for the role that they have applied for and for the role that I’m recruiting for? If the answer is yes, whatever the cover letter says does not matter.”

Tarki said it’s much more effective to send a short email or LinkedIn message — two paragraphs — to the employer, saying why you’re interested in the job and offering any other helpful information. Networking and relying on common connections to make introductions or vouch for you is also a plus.

Austin Belcak, founder of job coaching site Cultivated Culture and creator of a video instructing people how to use ChatGPT to write a cover letter, advocates for spending time you saved on the cover letter doing things like researching the company for ways where you can add value, and networking. If you’re able to snag a referral from people who work at a company, he says you’re much more likely to get an interview than simply by applying online. He also suggests creating a pitch deck that would show rather than tell why you’re good for a role.

There are clearly many good alternatives to the dreaded cover letter. But until it can be replaced completely, people will continue to use available technology to do what they don’t want to.

Cigdem Polat Dautov became a software engineer to make people’s lives easier by eliminating redundant and repetitive tasks. Now, as she searches for a job, she sees using ChatGPT to write cover letters just like she’d use any other technology. She enjoys playing around with the software to see what it can yield, and then edits around its shortcomings.

“In the end, it’s a tool,” she said.

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Mar 19, 2024

How to Use AI in Your Job Search

• Digital Management and Leadership

Written by Clodagh O’Brien

When it comes to the job sector, artificial intelligence can get a bad rap. Many media outlets have made a lot out of robots replacing people’s jobs across industries. 

Marketers are already learning that AI is something that you can use to be more effective and productive in your role - 68% of our members said that it will help automate routine tasks followed by improving customer experience (46%). Not just that, AI can also boost your career by helping in your job search. 

If you’re not embracing AI already, you should be. There are loads of great AI tools out there that can take over automated tasks and even help get creative juices flowing. But how can you use AI to boost your chances of landing the job of your dreams? 

Toolkit - Assess Your Career

In this blog we’re going to explore seven different ways that AI can be used in your job search:

• Help market yourself
• Write and improve your resume and cover letter
• Find a job that matches your skills
• Communicate with recruiters or hiring managers
• Prepare for interview questions
• Role play for interviews
• Evaluate your career

“64% of companies are more likely to hire a new employee who had an AI certification ” DMI Membership survey Feb 2024

How is AI impacting the job market?

There’s no doubt that AI is having an impact on the job market. Companies always want to be more productive and efficient, and technology like generative AI offers the opportunity to streamline tasks and optimize processes.

According to a New York Times article, the most popular job in the corporate world right now is an AI executive, while the Mayo Clinic in Arizona created a first-of-its-kind job at the hospital system: Chief AI Officer.

This shows how much the job market is changing. Roles are now being posted with ‘ ChatGPT ’ in the job description or ‘AI skills’. The fact is that AI is not a fad or something that will fade away. 

Marketers have been using AI for years in email automation and copywriting (just think about Grammarly), so it’s not something new. It’s a technology that’s evolved and can have an impact on departments across a company (but it’s also something that MIT believes will be adopted more gradually than people think).    

A recent LinkedIn poll we ran asked members about their concerns for AI and their jobs. The results show that people are worried about the ethical impact of AI and also the need for new skills. 

“If you're not already experimenting with AI and everyday tasks, you're going to be left behind.” Morgan Cummins

Recruiters have used AI for years to wade through resumes and screen candidates. Now it’s the turn of candidates as with easier access to AI, the technology can be used to bolster a job search in these key ways.

1) Help market yourself

How you present yourself can go a long way to landing an interview. It’s about communicating your experience, skills and achievements while adding some personality at the same time. Ultimately it’s about building a personal brand . 

AI tools can be really helpful in helping you do this. For example, you can use AI to help optimize your LinkedIn profile based on a specific job description that you’re applying for.

A great tool for this is the AI career co-pilot, Careerflow.ai. It can help optimize your LinkedIn profile, generate cover letters, automate your job search by auto-filling applications, and has a dashboard to track all job seeking activity. 

ChatGPT is another useful tool as it can help you create a great LinkedIn headline, generate LinkedIn messages, or spice up your existing copy to be more engaging but more importantly, more relevant to the role you’re looking for. 

If you have a website, blog or portfolio use AI tools to help refine the content. Use a website builder or no-code portfolio site or build a website using ChatGPT to write the code . Make sure to have an ‘About Me’ section on the site to sell yourself and your skills.  

Top tip: Never forget the golden rule of AI prompting : the better the input, the better the output. Carefully craft your prompts so that they’ll meet your specific needs. Don’t rely on generic prompts and make sure to check the facts and tweak it to sound more human. 

2) Write and improve your resume and cover letter

You should still write a specific CV for every job you apply for. This can be a time-consuming task but with the power of AI, you have no excuse for not customizing your CV for whatever role you’re applying for! 

There are some great resume-building tools out there such as Kickresume, Teal, and Rezi. You can also use ChatGPT by submitting specific prompts. You can also ask follow-up questions to get more details or clarify something. Getting experience in prompting can go a long way to helping here. 

To double-check, use a tool like Jobscan to analyze the likelihood that your resume will be approved by an algorithm and get put in the “yes” pile.

Keep in mind the AI outputs might not be perfect, so proofread… and then proofread again. 

Remember that not everybody is using AI yet to further their careers. If you’re already getting skilled at boosting your profile with AI, you’ve just nudged yourself a little further ahead of the pack.

“70% of people who used ChatGPT to write their resume or cover letter saw a higher response rate on their applications and 59% were hired” ResumeBuilder

3) Find a job that matches your skills

Finding the right roles can eat up a lot of your time even when using job sites. Even when you find a role that seems to be attractive, you need to comb through the job description to see if it matches your skillset and knowledge.

Luckily there are some great AI job-matching tools out there to do some of the work: 

• LinkedIn uses AI to enable personalized job recommendations based on skills, preferences, and profile information. This reduces the time and effort spent on manual searches. It also uses ChatGPT to analyze profiles and see if they are suited for a specific role. 
• On Fortay you can take a quiz that looks at what workplace culture might suit you. This will then produce a list of companies you may like to work for.    
• One for remote workers and freelancers, Pyjama Jobs uses an AI algorithm to match you with relevant jobs based on your expectations such as salary or job type and the details in your resume. 
• Sonara claims to be the first AI-powered job search automation platform that finds and applies to relevant job openings until you're hired.
• Autojob collects new job postings daily and searches for jobs in your desired locations. It then applies on your behalf (based on preferences and any restrictions such as companies to exclude).
• Talentprise is a job marketplace where you can do an assessment that ranks you based on education, expertise, experience, capabilities, and skills. Based on this data, the platform uses AI to match you with jobs. 

4) Communicate with recruiters or hiring managers

Throughout the job application process, there’s a likelihood that you will need to reach out or respond to the HR department or a recruiter. AI can help with that too!

In 2023, LinkedIn started using generative AI to help premium subscribers draft personalized messages when messaging on the platform with hiring managers.

“Using generative AI with information from your profile, the hiring manager’s profile, the job description, and the company of interest, we create a highly personalized draft message to get a conversation started,” said Ora Levit, Senior Director, Product Management, Head of Core Growth + Premium at LinkedIn. 

If you’re applying to a lot of roles, use a product like Zapier to connect with Gmail to automate emails. By labeling an email, the automation pulls that information and uses it to generate a prompt for GPT and then uses the response to create an email draft.

You can also create follow-up and thank you emails to keep front of mind and demonstrate professionalism. 

Top tip: Consider using Google’s GPT for Sheets browser extension to generate personalized outreach messages at scale in Google Sheets.

5) Prepare for interview questions

Did you know you can use AI tools to help you prepare for likely (or even tricky) interview questions? 

For example, you could feed the job description into ChatGPT and ask it to generate some likely interview questions based on that job description.

For example, by typing in ‘Pretend you're a marketing manager looking to interview me for an SEO role. Ask me questions and provide feedback’, you can find yourself getting a very meaty response from ChatGPT:

A great way to cover all bases for any job is to use ChatGPT to generate interview questions for each bullet point in the job description and analyze the job description for the top 10 keywords. This will help you show how suited you are to the role and give examples that can match. 

By using AI, you can prepare for the dreaded competency-based questions and appear more confident no matter what question is thrown at you! 

6) Role play for interviews

Another great way to use AI when hoping to boost your career is to use it to “role play” in preparation for an interview. 

Having used AI to predict what questions you’re likely to be asked, you can then have a natural language conversation with it based on these questions. And you can even ask AI to assess your answers. 

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There’s a great free Google tool called Interview warmup that helps you practice key questions and get insights about your answers. You’re asked questions and then your answers are transcribed. The AI tool then gives you insights about your answers to help you improve. 

Standout is a tool that’s used in universities to prepare students for interviews. Once you select an interview the company’s Intelligent Mirror™ technology records your response which you can then play back and get personalized AI feedback to reflect on performance.

Prepper has an AI interview coach that invites you to enter details for any role to generate questions. You can then choose a level - easy, hard or pirate - depending on the seniority of the role. 

“By 2024, four in ten companies would use AI to “talk with” candidates in interviews and 15% said hiring decisions would be made with no input from a human at all” Survey Builder

7) Evaluate Your Career

It can be useful to assess your career from time to time to see if you’re on the right track and also to see how you compare to your peers. 

A new platform called NAV provides AI-driven analysis and human coaching. Once you complete an online evaluation NAV assesses the value of a current job or the potential value of a future position. The idea is to give you a score or a JVI (job value index)

Each evaluation includes actionable tips and the ability to access career experts offering customized advice and assistance. It also gives feedback on your current or future job opportunities, evaluating against industry benchmarks and your career goals and expectations.

Top tip: If you decide your current job isn’t right for you, Rezi has an AI-powered resignation letter builder. Just enter key details and it will generate the email for you! 

Boost your career and salary with AI skills

As AI becomes more widely used in digital marketing activities across companies, it’s crucial to gain knowledge and hands-on experience. Our short and interactive AI course will teach you the fundamentals of AI, help you understand and implement AI data-driven marketing, use key tools like ChatGPT and Stability AI, and explore AI ethics. Get started today to get new skills. 

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Clodagh O'Brien is a content creator and strategist. Over the last 12 years, she has created and managed content for many SMEs and global brands. She's passionate about digital marketing and the impact of technology on culture and society. You can find her on  Twitter  or  LinkedIn .  

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How to Use AI to Land Your Next Job

F rom writing a recipe with the ingredients in your fridge to drafting a maid of honor speech, there are hundreds of creative ways you can use artificial intelligence (AI) to save time in your personal life. But AI can also be used responsibly in your professional life, from drafting emails and marketing copy to automating simple tasks so you have more time to focus on high-level work. And AI isn’t just helpful on the job—it can also help you land a new job. Here’s how to use AI to streamline every step of your job search.

Optimize Your Resumé

AI, in a nutshell, combines computer science and robust data analytics to enable, speed and amplify problem-solving. Most recruiters use applicant tracking systems to manage the hiring process. Instead of reviewing each application for an open role, they can have the system scan all the resumes for keywords and phrases from the job description so they only have to review candidates who are likely to be qualified for the job. The best way to ensure that a recruiter sees your resume is to include the right keywords and phrases. Luckily, AI makes that easier.

Bridget Lohrius, founder of the female-focused career coaching firm Sandwina, recommends using the free AI tool Jobscan to tailor your resume to each job. “Their free scanner tool enables users to upload their resume and a job description to evaluate your match rate. Once the AI-powered assessment is complete, the tool generates recommendations for optimization. It's intuitive and actionable,” she says. 

Write a Compelling Cover Letter

Although it takes a recruiter seconds to skim a cover letter, everyone who has applied to a job knows that it can take much longer to write one. Resist the urge to forgo a cover letter or send the same template to every job. Your cover letter is a great opportunity to stand out from other candidates and show that you’ve done your homework and that you’re excited about the role. AI can help you write a customized cover letter faster. 

Lohrius recommends the cover letter feature on the AI tool ResumeGenius. “It takes the user through a series of questions to customize the cover letter, making the process simple and straightforward. Once the questionnaire is completed, you add some personal information and a bit about the job you're applying for, and the cover letter builder gets to work, creating a solid letter that you can then customize to sound like you and sell you,” she says. 

Polish Your LinkedIn Profile

As anyone who has googled someone before a first date knows, your LinkedIn profile is often one of the top search results. Hiring managers are likely to check your LinkedIn profile before deciding to schedule an interview. Plus, recruiters use LinkedIn to fill open positions every day.

Catherine Fisher, career expert at LinkedIn and author of the newsletter Career Companion, says that job searchers with compelling “headline” and “about” sections land nearly twice as many job opportunities. Wondering what to write? LinkedIn’s new AI tools will suggest engaging descriptions based on your current profile and all you need to do is customize them to make sure they accurately reflect your experience and sound like you. 

Use your “skills” and work experience sections of your profile to show off what you know and the impact you’ve made. “Ensure you showcase your skills on your profile with the context that shows how you used them. For example, if you are a part of the PTA and helped organize a fundraiser, note what you did specifically, like coordinating with vendors and promoting the event,” says Fisher. 

Strengthen Your Skills

As you’re reading through dozens of job descriptions, you’re likely to see hard and soft skills you need. Make a list of the most common and crucial skills and focus on upskilling, AKA being proactive and taking the initiative to learn the skills you need to advance your career. 

Fisher suggests scrolling through the vast catalogue of LinkedIn Learning classes to learn the skills that will help you get ahead. Looking for more skills to learn? You can type in your current and intended job title to find additional classes. 

Ace Your Job Interviews 

You no longer have to ask a friend or relative to do a mock interview; you can use AI to practice common questions and get instant feedback. Fisher recommends using LinkedIn’s Interview Prep AI tool. You can film your response to both common and role-specific interview questions and get feedback on your delivery, including suggestions on pacing, tone, and removing filler words. You can also give similar tools like Yoodli’s AI Interview Coach, Google’s Interivew Warmup, and Huru a try.

Arguably the most popular AI chatbot is ChatGPT. With more than 100 million monthly active users, it is the fastest-growing consumer app in history, according to a UBS study. You can also use ChatGPT to prepare for a job interview. Lohrius recommends uploading the job description and asking the tool to provide interview questions you’re likely to be asked and advice for answering each question. After you nail the interview, she suggests using ChatGPT to draft your thank-you email–another formality you should never skip. While the draft can get you started, make sure to personalize the note by mentioning something you discussed in the interview and why you’re excited about working with the company.

Use Your Network

When it comes to landing a job, it’s what you know and who you know. Use LinkedIn to find people in your network who work at your target companies. If you don’t have any first-degree connections, look for second-degree connections and people who may want to help like people who went to your college or high school. 

Fisher recommends using LinkedIn’s new AI-personalized writing suggestions to write your messages. As with all AI-generated messages, “Just be sure to review, tweak, and edit all content created with AI assistance to make sure it still reflects your voice. AI will help you with your first, not final draft,” she says.