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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

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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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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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ChatGPT cover letters: How to use this tool the right way

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What is ChatGPT?

How to write a cover letter using chatgpt, make ai work for you: 3 extra tips, write a cover letter that stands out.

When applying for a job, you always provide a resume.

But a cover letter holds just as much weight — if not more — in hiring decisions. It gives you a chance to elaborate on your resume and explain why you’re right for the job.

Like a letter of interest , your cover letter is the recruiter or hiring manager ’s first impression of you. It should be professional, persuasive, and well-written. 

With that in mind, written communication isn’t everyone’s strong suit, and that’s okay. There are resume builders and cover letter templates to guide the way. And if those tools aren’t enough, artificial intelligence (AI), like ChatGPT, can also help you put your best foot forward. 

Here’s how to harness AI and write a ChatGPT cover letter that looks professional and wins over recruiters.

ChatGPT is an AI language processing tool that burst into pop culture at the end of 2022. As of June 2023, the program is available for free because it’s still in the research and feedback-collection phase, but there’s a paid subscription option called ChatGPT Plus.

AI research company OpenAI reportedly trained ChatGPT on a massive dataset of over 8 million documents and 10 billion words , which helped the program develop a complex understanding of the patterns and relationships in human speech. 

When you ask ChatGPT a question or give it a command — like “Write a cover letter for me based on my resume” — the AI uses those patterns to create a string of words it predicts will best answer your question. The result is often eloquent and professional-sounding content. 

In the short time it’s been available to the public, ChatGPT has become wildly popular. It gained 100 million active users just two months after its launch , setting a record for the fastest adoption of a new consumer app. It’s clear that people love this tool — and they’re using it for everything from computer code to resumes and cover letters.

While ChatGPT is a remarkable tool, it’s important to remember that it’s just that: a tool. The responses you get depend on the prompt you give, so it’s wise to learn how to use ChatGPT to your advantage. If you want to use this program to write your next cover letter, follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Gather your information

For ChatGPT to write your job application cover letter, you’ll need to give it some information about you and the job you’re applying for. The first thing you need to do is gather everything you’re including in the prompt. This should consist of the following:

• Your contact information
• Your work history, including a brief description of past responsibilities and personal achievements
• Your educational history, including any master’s degrees and notable honors and awards
• Your special skills or training relevant to the job posting 
• The job description and roles and responsibilities of the position

This information will help you use ChatGPT as a cover letter generator that writes text specific to your desired job. The chatbot will analyze the job description for key information, like required education or skills, and use your work history and qualifications to draft a letter showcasing your abilities to meet the employer’s needs. 

2. Prep the prompt

Once you have your resume and all other vital information handy, it’s time to ask ChatGPT to make a cover letter. Your prompt should be as specific as possible to help the AI create a tailored response that meets your needs.

Start your ChatGPT prompt by telling the chatbot what you’re looking for. For example:

I need you to write a cover letter for my application at [insert company name]. Please base the letter on the job description below.

Then, copy and paste the description from the original job posting . This encourages ChatGPT to use key phrases from the post and highlight your most relevant experience. 

Next, you need to tell the AI chatbot a little about yourself. Input your contact information, your education history, and other skills from your resume or CV that you feel pertain to the position you’re applying for. You can even add your resume to the prompt to give the chatbot additional details. That way it uses as much information as possible.

Once you add everything you need, your prompt might look like this:

I need help drafting a cover letter for my application at [insert company name]. Please base the letter on the job description below:

[insert job posting]

Here is important information about me:

Contact info: [name, email address, LinkedIn profile ]

Work experience: [relevant work history]

Education history: [degrees, certifications, any applicable awards and honors]

Special skills: [relevant skills for the position]

I am including my resume below. Please highlight my experience and responsibilities from [previous company].

Once you’ve entered all the information above, simply hit “enter” and let the chatbot get to work. In a few seconds, it should have a customized cover letter ready for you. 

Here’s an example of ChatGPT’s response to a prompt asking for a hypothetical cover letter for an aspiring marketing manager:

3. Refine the response

While ChatGPT can write a cover letter based on the details you entered, its initial draft may still have room for improvement. It might not highlight everything you wanted it to, and there’s a chance the writing might sound robotic. 

Luckily, you can ask the chatbot to refine and rewrite its results as many times as you want. You could ask it to adjust the tone of your cover letter to make it more upbeat or formal, or write a paragraph about a specific team goal you helped meet.

You can also tailor the formatting at this stage. When ChatGPT creates resume and cover letter examples, it typically adds a traditional heading. Instead, you can prompt it to reformat the letter for an email and create a subject line. Here’s an example from a prompt that said “Can you make this cover letter suitable for email?”:

Once you have the formatting down, give the letter a thorough read. ChatGPT is a highly advanced AI, but it’s not infallible. Take the time to proofread the cover letter for any typos, incorrect information, or phrasing that doesn’t serve your goal of landing a job interview . At only a few hundred words, you want to make that space count.

For example, ChatGPT may point out hard and soft skills you’re missing from the job description instead of highlighting the ones you do have. If you spot these kinds of errors, simply ask it to generate a new response without them. 

Remember, a cover letter is your opportunity to make a great first impression on your prospective employer. Take the time and ensure ChatGPT creates the best letter possible. It might seem like a lengthy process, but it’s likely shorter than the time it would take you to write a cover letter from scratch.

While ChatGPT can write a decent cover letter with even the simplest prompts, a few tips and tricks will improve its output. Try these suggestions to make your cover letter even better: 

Keep the thread open

As an AI program, ChatGPT learns from the conversations and prompts it gets from users. But once you close the page, the program might “forget” its previous conversations. If you want to make changes to your cover letter, it’s best to make those requests in a single thread. This helps the chatbot remember your asks and you keep track of the changes you made. 

Specify the letter length

While you may have a lot to say in your cover letter, keeping it concise is key. The ideal cover letter is no longer than three paragraphs that span about half a page, or around 150–300 words. ChatGPT may not yield this rule because it wants to include all of the information from the prompt. If it does present you with text that’s too long or too short, ask it to adjust. 

Ask to include keywords

According to a 2019 report, over 99% of Fortune 500 companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) . These systems analyze your resume and cover letter and weed out any that don’t include certain keywords or meet their standards. If your letter doesn’t have the right information, it could get lost in the database. 

Ask ChatGPT to include certain keywords and phrases in your cover letter. Read through the job description and look for job-specific information like required software knowledge, soft skills , and GPA requirements .

Tell the chatbot to mention these in the cover letter to increase your chances of getting out of the ATS and onto a hiring manager ’s screen. 

Your ChatGPT cover letter saves you time and makes your job search a little easier — which is why so many people are using this technology. But no matter how many cover letters you and the chatbot write, remember to always give it a personal touch.  

There are millions of people using this language model to help with their job searches, and while AI tools create great resumes and compelling cover letters, you want to avoid submitting something generic. Tailoring your prompt can help you write applications that stand out from other candidates, helping you land a job you love .

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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How to Use ChatGPT to Create a Cover Letter for a New Job

Last Updated: July 24, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was written by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly . Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,812 times.

Do you need help crafting a personal cover letter for a job listing? With some provided information, ChatGPT can easily help you write a great cover letter in seconds. This can take away some of the stress associated with job applications. You'll just need an OpenAI account to get started. This wikiHow will show you how to use OpenAI's ChatGPT to write a compelling and professional cover letter for your next job application.

Things You Should Know

• Log into your ChatGPT account and start a new chat. Have the job listing and your resume ready.
• Generate a prompt with the request, the job description, your resume information, and a word limit.
• If necessary, rephrase sections of the response to make it sound more unique and specific to your needs.

• Write me a cover letter using the following job description and my resume for reference. Keep it under 500 words.
• [Copy and paste entire job listing here (text only)].
• [Copy and paste your entire resume here (text only)]
• If you don't feel comfortable providing your resume information in ChatGPT itself, you can input it yourself later. ChatGPT will usually provide a field with [two brackets] where you can enter the needed information.

• Be sure to edit any empty fields and enter information as needed, such as addresses, names, and headers.
• Keep in mind that while ChatGPT learns and updates frequently, the system isn't perfect. It's possible to receive false information or answers that seem correct but don't make sense. Be sure to fact-check and reread the cover letter before sending it.

• Copy and paste a section back into ChatGPT.
• Type "rephrase this paragraph".
• Press Enter .
• Review the rephrased section. Replace the old section, or rephrase it again.

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How to Use ChatGPT to Write Your Cover Letter

3 key takeaways:

• How to use AI in your job search
• How to use ChatGPT to write your cover letter
• A faster way to use AI to write (and customize!) your cover letter with Teal's  AI Resume Builder

ChatGPT and AI are taking the internet by storm! 

At this point, you’ve probably heard of it, are a little unsure of it, and you can’t quite pin down how you’ll be able to use it to your advantage in your job search. 

In this article, you'll learn about one of the most helpful ways to use ChatGPT in your job search—writing your cover letter. So let's dive in and explore what ChatGPT is, how to use it in your job search, and what prompts you should use to get the best results. We’ll even showcase examples of the best cover letters we asked ChatGPT to create.

Watch the video below, and read on to learn how to write the perfect cover letter with the help of ChatGPT in a matter of minutes.

What is ChatGPT? 

ChatGPT is a remarkable new AI-powered chatbot. Short for Chat-based Generative Pre-trained Transformer, ChatGPT uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) to quickly and accurately generate human-like conversation in any given context.  

All you have to do is feed it relevant prompts like “Write my cover letter using my resume below as a reference,” and it will create a beautifully crafted and relevant draft just for you.

How can I use artificial intelligence in my job search?

There are a ton of ways you can use ChatGPT in your job search. You can use ChatGPT to write your resume , optimize your LinkedIn profile, write your resume achievements, craft a letter of interest, and so much more. 

The fantastic part about ChatGPT is that it allows you to automate the cumbersome aspects of your job search, which gives you more time to be strategic about your application process. With the help of AI, you can craft personalized resumes and cover letters for every job you apply for.

Additionally, Teal recently launched an integration with ChatGPT inside our AI Resume Builder that allows you to fully leverage AI with your resume and cover letter.

Here's how:

• ‍ Generate professional summaries that are tailored to individual jobs
• Write resume achievements that showcase your biggest career wins
• Generate full cover letters in seconds that are compelling

Create your Teal account and start taking advantage of AI enhance your resumes and cover letters.

Not only will these assets be created quickly and easily with the help of AI, but they’ll also be crafted using your previous work experience and the job description you’re applying for.

Things to consider when using ChatGPT in my job search

When using ChatGPT during your job search, it’s essential to consider the potential drawbacks. 

ChatGPT is still a new technology that is consistently being tested and reiterated. Currently, the platform is told to decline inappropriate requests but claims on its site that it may still sometimes produce harmful instructions or biased content. 

Also, it may accidentally generate incorrect information and needs to gain more knowledge of the world and events after 2021. When using ChatGPT, we suggest that you proceed with caution and, to be extra careful, assess the company's privacy policy to ensure you feel OK with how they use personal data.

Lastly, it is still vital to have real conversations with recruiters to stand out as a qualified candidate - in this case, ChatGPT cannot replace an actual conversation. Use your own writing for one on one contact as much as possible.

How to use ChatGPT to write your cover letter 

To get started, simply Google “ChatGPT,” access the OpenAI website, and sign up for a free account. All you need is an email address, Google account, or Microsoft account - it's easy and doesn't take more than a few minutes. Best of all, both the website and app are free to use. 

Once you’ve logged in, follow the steps below to create an AI-powered cover letter.

• Go to "Matching Mode" in your Teal AI Resume Builder and select one of the jobs from your Job Application Tracker to focus on.
• Go to the "Job Description" tab and scroll to the "Responsibilities" section. Copy the responsibilities.
• Head to ChatGPT and enter this prompt: "Write my cover letter for X role at Y in a conversational tone, using the job responsibilities below as a reference.” 
• Press "Shift" + "Enter."
• Paste the responsibilities below that prompt.
• When you get your result, save it in a separate area (again, Teal’s AI Resume Builder is an excellent option for this), then click "try again" to generate two more versions. Remember to save ChatGPT’s response each time.
• Sort through the options, pull what you like from each generated version, make sure it accurately reflects your experience, and finalize a cover letter you love. 

And remember, while you can do this task individually on ChatGPT for each job application process you move through, there is a better and more efficient way to generate customized cover letters.

ChatGPT cover letter writer

Teal's free, AI-powered software simplifies cover letter creation. 

Instead of toggling between job descriptions and your resume achievements, streamline your workflow with Teal. 

With Teal, not only can you track job postings, but you can also create customized AI-generated cover letters (and professional summaries and resume achievements!) for each one instantly—in one centralized location.

Pulling the details from your resume and any saved job description, the Teal AI Resume Builder ensures every cover letter you create is not only tailored to a specific role but also consistently reflects the skills and qualifications of your resume. Learn more about our AI Cover Letter Generator tool.

Ready to try it yourself?

Teal helps you track all your job postings and job applications and allows you to create customized resumes and cover letters for each one instantly.

The video below showcases the steps for using Teal's AI to create your personalized cover letter directly inside the app without needing prompts or a separate ChatGPT account. 

Sign up for free to start customizing your cover letters, and transform your job search. Track, apply, and personalize all in one place.

@teal_hq Cover letters refuse to go away. But that doesn’t mean they have to take up so much time. Here’s how to use Teal’s Resume Builder with new AI features to create a custom, tailored cover letter in under 30 seconds. #jobsearch #jobsearchhelp #coverletter #coverlettertips #jobsearchhacks #chatgpt #ai #artificialintelligence #techjob #jobsintech #jobseeker #findajob #jobapplication #jobhunt #careertok ♬ original sound - Teal | Your Career Growth Tool

The best ChatGPT prompts to use for cover letters

The best way to see beneficial results from artificial intelligence is by putting in the actual legwork. You cannot expect AI to do everything for you at the click of a button. ChatGPT only works well with help and strategic direction from an actual person. 

That’s why thoughtful prompts are SO necessary. The input you give ChatGPT influences the quality of output you receive. The more detailed suggestions you provide, the more likely it will be able to customize the outcome for you. 

Below are four ChatGPT prompts for writing cover letters that we love. If you’re looking for even more prompts, check our ChatGPT resume prompts and ChatGPT cover letter prompts articles. 

We suggest personalizing these to your experience, the companies you’re applying with, and the job title you’re applying for.

• "Write a conversational cover letter for a job application as a [position] at [company] using my resume below as a reference."
• "Draft a persuasive cover letter in 150 words or less highlighting my qualifications and enthusiasm for the [position] at [ company] using my resume achievements below." 
• "Create a compelling cover letter that explains why I am the best fit for the [position] at [company]. Write the cover letter using the StoryBrand Framework."
• "Compose a professional cover letter demonstrating how my abilities align with the requirements for the [position] at [company]. Use the information below as a guide." 

In each of these prompts, the creator is expected to provide context like a job description and resume achievements or a professional summary to see the best possible outcome. You'll see above that we also directed ChatGPT to write a cover letter with 150 words or less. We noticed that most of the cover letters it created were a bit verbose, so we suggest using that word count limit for each out.

Below, you'll see an example of a cover letter that ChatGPT created for us on the spot using one of the prompts above!

Benefits of using AI to write your cover letter

Incorporating AI into your cover letter writing process offers a range of benefits that can significantly improve your job application efforts.

Save time and accelerate your job applications: Using AI for cover letter creation will save hours of meaningful time by quickly drafting an initial cover letter, allowing you to apply to more jobs efficiently.

Tell a consistent story: Using AI to write your cover letter ensures you craft a seamless and compelling narrative effortlessly because your cover letter aligns with your career journey, resume details, and the specific requirements of any job you apply for.

Customize content for each application: Easily customize your cover letter for each job application. AI can analyze job descriptions and tailor your letter to match specific requirements and keywords, boosting your chances of grabbing attention.

Get compelling insights: AI provides valuable tips on the best skills and achievements to emphasize, conveying the right amount of enthusiasm, and showcasing your unique value to potential employers.

4 ChatGPT cover letter hacks

Rather than struggling with traditional methods, these ChatGPT cover letter hacks are additional alternatives that make AI valuable in your application toolkit.

Seamlessly integrate company culture: Instead of spending hours perusing a company's website to demonstrate your fit, provide ChatGPT with information about culture and values by copying and pasting the website content along with instructions to seamlessly integrate these elements into your cover letter—showcasing your alignment with the organization.

Generate attention-grabbing opening lines: Skip the struggle of finding the perfect opening line by having ChatGPT create attention-grabbing and personalized opening lines that immediately engage hiring professionals and convey your enthusiasm for the position.

Create a storytelling framework: Task ChatGPT with outlining a storytelling framework for your cover letter. (For example, a problem-solution framework or the challenge-action-result framework). Provide key points about your experiences, challenges, and achievements, and direct AI to organize these into a compelling narrative for your cover letter.

Write a personalized cover letter:  A personalized cover letter is highly encouraged for your job search. It showcases to the hiring manager that you've researched the company and the position you're applying for and are genuinely interested in the job. Include the job description and your resume in your input to create a cover letter that sets you apart from other applicants.

Write your cover letter with AI today

In a market where customization is key, AI is the tool you need to save time while maximizing your impact.

With the Teal  AI Resume Builder , you're not just writing cover letters but creating tailored content that reflects your resume's strengths and aligns with the job description of any role you apply for—all within one intuitive platform. No toggling between programs, no copying and pasting, just alignment and efficiency in one central location.

Simplify cover letter creation and amplify your impact with Teal now.

Additional ChatGPT Job Search Resources

• How to Write Your Resume with ChatGPT
• 21 Great ChatGPT Prompts for Your Resume
• 14 ChatGPT Cover Letter Prompts for Your Job Search
• How to Use ChatGPT to Prepare for Your Job Interview 
• How to use ChatGPT for Job Applications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can chatgpt write a cover letter.

Yes! Cover letters are an excellent use case for ChatGPT.Writing a tailored cover letter based on each particular job you apply to is a smart tactic. But unfortunately, it takes far too much time. With the help of ChatGPT, job seekers can now write a cover letter instantly that showcases their key skills and why they are the right person for a position.

Should I use ChatGPT for my cover letter?

Yes! It's perfectly OK to use AI tools like ChatGPT for your cover letter. However, it's important to remember that you should always review and customize AI-generated content to match your unique skills and experiences. While ChatGPT can save you time by generating initial content, human review and personalization are the key to ensuring your cover letter effectively represents you and your qualifications.

Can employers tell that ChatGPT generated my cover letter?

It's highly unlikely an employer would know that you used ChatGPT to write your cover letter—as long as you take the time to review and customize the content. AI tools create generic drafts, but you know your experiences and qualifications best. There are now tools that can test for it (like GPT Zero), but we doubt people will use them often.Carefully editing the letter to reflect what makes you a unique candidate in your own authentic voice is key. With your personal touch, your cover letter will shine through as genuinely as if you wrote it from scratch yourself. So use AI as a time-saver, but make the end result distinctly your own.

Alli Tunell

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How To Write a Cover Letter With ChatGPT

Hate writing cover letters? Here’s how to use ChatGPT to shortcut the process — including tips on how to make it sound like it was written by a human.

8 months ago   •   6 min read

Hands up if you love writing cover letters!

If you’re sitting there with your hand firmly down, you’re not alone. Of all the factors in the job hunting process, cover letters are perhaps the worst — and the most controversial. For every recruiter who says that cover letters are unnecessary, there’s another who won’t consider candidates without one.

Manually crafting a cover letter for every single application is exhausting and time-consuming, but what’s the alternative?

Believe it or not, the answer may be ChatGPT.

(P. S. For a done-for-you cover letter that's more accurate than ChatGPT, check out the free AI cover letter generator tool . Unlike ChatGPT, it's been custom-built with the help of recruiters and writes incredibly effective and personalized cover letters)

Can ChatGPT really help you write an effective cover letter?

Yes — with the right input and customization. In other words, don’t simply expect to ask ChatGPT to write a cover letter and send it off as is.

But it can help speed up the process. By filling in ChatGPT with the appropriate information, you can automate a lot of the less-fun parts of writing a cover letter — leaving you more time to focus on the bits of the process that matter.

Here’s how to get started.

How to use ChatGPT to write a cover letter

• A good cover letter starts in the same place as your resume — with your accomplishments. Locate the most recent version of your resume, or, if you prefer, a simple text list of your achievements and qualifications.
• Find the job description. You can copy and paste this from the job posting (and it’s always a good idea to have a copy saved so you can reference it throughout the application process).
• Write down some details about the company. You can copy these from the job posting or company website.
• Create an account at the ChatGPT website (or sign in if you already have one).
• Choose which version of ChatGPT you want to use. GPT-3.5 is the currently available free version, while GPT-4 is much better at writing but requires a subscription.
• Write a prompt. We’ll go into more details about prompts later, but essentially, you should ask ChatGPT to create a cover letter based on your resume , tailored to the company and job description.
• Edit your cover letter . You can use ChatGPT for this step or do it manually.

A two-step guide to writing an effective ChatGPT prompt

The most important part of getting good results from ChatGPT is writing an effective prompt. Here’s how to do just that.

Step One: Give ChatGPT a command

The first step to using ChatGPT to write a cover letter — or anything else — is to give it a command. This is how you tell it what you want to do.

Here’s the command we used — you can copy and paste this or tweak it to your liking:

Write a cover letter based on the RESUME, tailored to the JOB DESCRIPTION and COMPANY. Identify ways in which I specifically meet the requirements, have experience with the responsibilities, and will fit the company culture.

• Use quotation marks at the start and end of the command to tell ChatGPT that everything inside them is your request
• Use ALL CAPS for variables that you’ll fill in later (that’s the next step!)

Step Two: Fill in the variables

Now we need to define everything we put in capital letters. Add a line break (you’ll want to do this every time) and then type:

After this header, copy in your resume or a plain text version of your accomplishments and qualifications. There’s no need to reformat your resume, even if this section looks strange — ChatGPT will still be able to read it.

Add another line break, and then type:

--JOB DESCRIPTION--

Then copy the job description from the job ad. Add one more line break and type:--COMPANY--Add the information you gathered about the company — you can usually get this straight from the company’s website.

• Typing RESUME, COMPANY, and JOB DESCRIPTION in capital letters tells ChatGPT that these should be linked to the variables in your command
• Putting “--” at the start and end of these variables helps distinguish them from other headers in your resume
• Don’t use quotation marks around “--RESUME--” “--JOB DESCRIPTION--” or “--COMPANY--"

That’s it — just two steps! Now let’s take a look at the results.

Example of a cover letter written with ChatGPT

Here’s the full prompt we used with ChatGPT:

And here’s the resulting cover letter that ChatGPT wrote:

So, how did ChatGPT do? Like most AI-assisted writing, it’s technically sound, but it’s missing something important — personality . A good cover letter should show the hiring manager who you are, not just what you’ve done.

If you want to generate a cover letter with real personality, try out an alternative to ChatGPT that's tailor-made to produce effective cover letters with personality: the AI cover letter generator .

That doesn’t mean this cover letter is bad — it just needs some editing.

How to edit a ChatGPT cover letter

You can keep using ChatGPT to edit your cover letter, or you can do it manually. The best approach? A bit of both!

Editing your cover letter with ChatGPT

If you want to see how far you can go with ChatGPT, try giving it some follow up commands. Try telling it:

“Rewrite the cover letter, highlighting [my commitment to sustainability, my experience with building LLMs].”

“Rewrite the cover letter in a [friendlier, less formal] tone.”

“Rewrite the cover letter, but avoid overly complex sentences or industry jargon. Instead, write as if you were talking to the hiring manager in person.”

“Rewrite the cover letter to be less than [100] words.”

Remember that ChatGPT is still learning — the more specific commands you give it, the better your results will be.

Editing your cover letter manually

Ideally, you’ll go over the cover letter on your own to (at least) inject a bit of personality, as well as to check it for accuracy. Think of the ChatGPT version as a first draft — all the ideas are there, but it still needs a bit of polish.

Here’s how to make your ChatGPT-generated cover letter sound a bit more human:

• Add a couple of anecdotes from your life.
• Be more specific about your key experiences.
• Talk about why this job or company appeals to you in particular or what got you started in your career.
• Showcase your personal values — for example, you might want to express your commitment to sustainable business practices or your passion for mentoring junior colleagues.
• Rewrite the cover letter in your own natural voice.
• Copy and paste the cover letter into a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs and proofread for any spelling or grammatical mistakes.
• Make sure everything in the cover letter is accurate and reflects what you want to say.

Potential drawbacks of using ChatGPT to write a cover letter

Using ChatGPT to write your cover letter isn’t necessarily a bad thing (unless you’re only copying and pasting the AI-written version and doing no editing of your own). That said, it does have some potential downsides.

ChatGPT cover letters are generic

ChatGPT is an AI model trained on a huge data set. That means that a lot of what it puts out tends to sound the same — which is a big problem if you’re trying to stand out in a sea of applicants. At best, it could make your cover letter forgettable; at worst, it could stand out as being obviously written by AI, which is a turn-off for most recruiters.

How to fix it: Include as many details as you can about the role, the company’s culture, and your own experiences. Even adding one or two personal anecdotes can go a long way toward giving your cover letter a more unique voice.

ChatGPT can’t convey emotional intelligence

AI like ChatGPT also lacks the ability to convey emotions effectively, making it more difficult to build a rapport with anyone reading your cover letter. This is particularly true if you’re applying for a role or industry that values creativity (like writing, design, or marketing), or for smaller companies and start-ups that encourage personal connections.

How to fix it: Don’t be afraid to tear apart and rebuild the cover letter that ChatGPT generates; or, just use a stronger alternative to ChatGPT (like this AI cover letter generator ). Try structuring your cover letter to tell a story about who you are and where you’re going next in your career — and why that makes you the perfect person for the job.

ChatGPT may not keep your data safe

OpenAI (the company behind ChatGPT) doesn’t permanently store conversations, but it does retain any data you enter for 30 days. Your conversations can also be used to improve the AI model and may be reviewed by human trainers — so if there’s something you don’t want anyone else to see, don’t type it into ChatGPT!

How to fix it: Limit your personal information as well as anything private or confidential — you can always manually add in any sensitive information later. Or use alternatives to ChatGPT that keep your data provide.

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How to Write A Cover Letter with ChatGPT: Prompts + Examples

The job market is competitive, and a well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference.

With the power of artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT from OpenAI, you can create a compelling cover letter that stands out.

Here is how to write a cover letter with ChatGPT:

Write a cover letter with ChatGPT by defining your requirements, choosing a prompt template, generating the text, reviewing and editing, and customizing for each application. ChatGPT can generate unique content, but be sure to review and edit for accuracy and relevance.

This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter using ChatGPT.

Can ChatGPT Write a Cover Letter?

Yes, ChatGPT can write a cover letter.

It has been trained on a diverse range of internet text, making it possible for it to create content in a variety of styles and tones.

In the context of writing cover letters, ChatGPT can help generate unique and effective content.

It can understand specific prompts, and in return, it can provide you with professionally sounding, context-appropriate responses.

However, while ChatGPT can be a valuable tool in writing a cover letter, it’s essential to review and edit the output as needed to ensure it accurately reflects your personal experiences and skills.

How To Write a Cover Letter With ChatGPT (Step-by-Step)

Table of Contents

Writing a cover letter with ChatGPT can be a simplified and intuitive process. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Define Your Requirements

Before you start generating your cover letter with ChatGPT, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your requirements.

What position are you applying for? What are the key skills and experiences you want to highlight? What tone do you want to strike — formal, friendly, or something in between?

Answering these questions will guide you in crafting the right prompts for ChatGPT.

Example: Let’s say you’re applying for a Software Engineer position. You want to highlight your skills in Java and Python, your experience working in Agile teams, and your recent successful project. You’d like a professional yet approachable tone.

Step 2: Choose a Prompt

Choose a suitable prompt from the list provided later in this article, or create your own.

The key to getting effective responses from ChatGPT is to be specific and detailed in your prompt.

You can mention the specific skills or experiences you want to highlight, the job role, the company, and the tone you want to use.

Example: You could start with a prompt like, “ChatGPT, please help me write a cover letter for a Software Engineer position at XYZ Corp. I want to highlight my skills in Java and Python, my experience in Agile teams, and my recent successful project at my current company. The tone should be professional yet approachable.”

Step 3: Generate the Text

Once you’ve chosen your prompt, input it into ChatGPT and let it generate your cover letter text.

You can run it multiple times until you get a version you’re happy with.

Hint: Choose one of the 50 example cover letter prompts I’ve made for you later in this guide.

Step 4: Review and Edit

Review the generated text. While ChatGPT is advanced, it’s not perfect.

Make sure to check for relevance, accuracy, and consistency. Edit the text as needed to ensure it accurately reflects your personal experiences and skills.

Example: ChatGPT might produce a cover letter that says, “I have extensive experience in Java and Python…” You might want to change that to be more specific, such as, “In my previous role at ABC Company, I leveraged my skills in Java and Python to develop a cloud-based application that increased team productivity by 20%.”

Step 5: Customize for Each Application

It’s important to remember that each job application should be unique.

Use ChatGPT to tailor your cover letter for each application, highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences for each role.

Example: For a role that emphasizes team collaboration, you might want to highlight your experience working in Agile teams and successful collaborative projects.

This step-by-step process allows you to write a cover letter with ChatGPT that is personalized and relevant.

Check out this video on how to write a cover letter with ChatGPT:

50 Best Prompts for Writing a Cover Letter With ChatGPT

Choosing the right prompt is key to getting the best results from ChatGPT.

Here are 50 prompts that can help you get started with your cover letter:

• ChatGPT, please help me write a cover letter for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, can you assist me in drafting a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please guide me in composing a cover letter that highlights my [Skills/Experience] and passion for [Industry] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please help me prepare a cover letter that reflects my interest in [Company Name] and the [Industry] sector for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please help me write a cover letter that demonstrates my [Skills/Experience] and ability to [Job Duty] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please help me craft a cover letter that emphasizes my [Achievements] and how they make me a strong candidate for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please compose a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and ability to [Job Duty] in a [Tone] tone for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, put together a cover letter that highlights my [Skills/Experience] and how they align with [Company Name]’s values and mission for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please formulate a cover letter that demonstrates my [Skills/Experience] and how they contribute to [Company Name]’s success for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please design a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and how they align with the requirements outlined in the job posting for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please write a cover letter that highlights my [Skills/Experience] and how they can be applied to [Job Duty] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, prepare a cover letter that showcases my [Achievements] and how they demonstrate my [Skills/Experience] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, craft a cover letter that demonstrates my passion for [Industry] and how it aligns with [Company Name]’s goals for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, compose a cover letter that highlights my [Skills/Experience] and how they fit with [Company Name]’s culture for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, put together a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and ability to work in a [Tone] and fast-paced environment for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please formulate a cover letter that demonstrates my ability to [Job Duty] and how it can benefit [Company Name] for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, can you design a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and ability to work independently and collaboratively for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please help me write a targeted letter of interest that spotlights my [Skills/Experience] and how they can contribute to [Company Name]’s growth for the [Job Role].
• ChatGPT, please help me write a cover letter that demonstrates my [Skills/Experience] and how they align with the current trends in [Industry] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please help me write a tailored introduction letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and how they can contribute to [Company Name]’s ongoing projects for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please help me write a cover letter that underscores my creativity and attention to detail for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please help me write a cover letter that highlights my experience working with [Type of Clients or Customers] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, design an attention-grabbing cover letter that emphasizes my passion for [Industry] and how it aligns with [Company Name]’s goals for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please help me write a cover letter that demonstrates my [Skills/Experience] and how they can contribute to [Company Name]’s mission for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please help me write a customized letter of application that showcases my experience in [Specific Industry or Niche] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, compose a cover letter that highlights my experience working with [Type of Software/Technology] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please construct a cover letter that demonstrates my ability to [Specific Job Duty] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please develop a cover letter that emphasizes my ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, write an engaging cover letter that shows off my experience in [Specific Skill/Experience] and how it can benefit [Company Name] for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please help me write a cover letter that highlights my [Achievements] and how they demonstrate my [Skills/Experience] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please craft a cover letter that demonstrates my ability to work with a diverse team for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please formulate a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and ability to adapt to change for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please help me write a cover letter that highlights my experience working with [Specific Type of Clients/Customer] and how it can benefit [Company Name] for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please make a cover letter that demonstrates my [Skills/Experience] and how they align with the requirements outlined in the job posting for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please create a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and ability to work with cross-functional teams for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, give me a cover letter that highlights my experience in [Specific Skill/Experience] and how it can be applied to [Job Duty] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, fashion a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and how they can contribute to [Company Name]’s growth for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, produce a cover letter that demonstrates my ability to [Specific Job Duty] and how it can benefit [Company Name] for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, generate a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and ability to work in a fast-paced environment for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please write a cover letter that demonstrates my ability to [Specific Job Duty] and how it can help [Company Name] achieve their goals for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please compose a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and how they align with [Company Name]’s values for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please craft a a job application letter that highlights my experience in [Specific Skill/Experience] and how it can be applied to [Specific Job Duty] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, design a cover letter that demonstrates my ability to work with a team and manage [Specific Task/Project] for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, please draft a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and how they can help [Company Name] improve their current [Specific Process/Product] for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, produce a cover letter that highlights my experience in [Specific Skill/Experience] and how it can be applied to [Company Name]’s [Specific Project/Initiative] for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please generate a cover letter that demonstrates my ability to [Specific Job Duty] and how it can help [Company Name] achieve their objectives for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, please put together a cover letter that showcases my [Skills/Experience] and ability to learn quickly for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name].
• ChatGPT, create a cover letter that highlights my experience in [Specific Skill/Experience] and how it can benefit [Company Name] in the long term for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, make a cover letter that demonstrates my ability to [Specific Job Duty] and how it can help [Company Name] stay ahead of the competition for the [Job Role] position.
• ChatGPT, draft a cover letter that showcases my leadership abilities and how they can benefit [Company Name] for the [Job Role] position.

ChatGPT Prompt Template (mad lib style with blank spaces) for Cover Letters

If you prefer to create your own prompts, here’s a template you can use:

“ChatGPT, please help me write a cover letter for the [Job Role] position at [Company Name]. I want to highlight my [Skills/Experience] and [Achievements]. The tone should be [Tone].”

You can fill in the blank spaces with the specific details that apply to your situation.

3 Full Examples of Cover Letters Written By ChatGPT

Here are three full examples of cover letters written by ChatGPT.

Example 1: Software Engineer

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am contacting you to convey my excitement regarding the position of a software engineer at XYZ Corp.

My extensive experience in Java and Python, coupled with my experience working in Agile teams and my recent successful project at my current company, position me as a compelling candidate for this role. I am excited to apply my skills and experience to help XYZ Corp continue to innovate and grow.

In my previous role at ABC Company, I leveraged my skills in Java and Python to develop a cloud-based application that increased team productivity by 20%. My experience working in Agile teams has taught me the importance of communication, collaboration, and adaptability. I am positive that my abilities and prior work experience align well with the requirements of this position.

I appreciate your time in considering my application. I am excited at the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications and how they align with the needs of the company.

[Your Name]

Example 2: Marketing Manager

I am delighted to present my application for the role of Marketing Manager at ABC Inc.

My proficiency in strategizing and implementing effective marketing campaigns, coupled with my deep interest in the field, render me a prime contender for this opportunity.

Throughout my career, I have developed and executed successful marketing campaigns that have led to increased brand awareness and sales. One campaign I am particularly proud of is the launch of our company’s new product line. Through a combination of targeted social media ads, email marketing, and influencer partnerships, we were able to increase our sales by 35% in just three months.

I am confident that my passion for marketing, coupled with my skills in campaign development and execution, make me a strong fit for this position.

I appreciate your consideration of my application and eagerly anticipate hearing back from you.

Example 3: Customer Service Representative

I am happy to submit my application for the job of Customer Service Representative at XYZ Corp. My experience in customer service, as well as my ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, match well with what the job requires, which makes me a good choice for the job..

In my previous role at ABC Inc, I was responsible for handling customer inquiries and complaints. Through my ability to actively listen and empathize with customers, I was able to resolve issues effectively and efficiently. I also collaborated with other departments to identify and solve recurring issues, which led to a 15% decrease in customer complaints.

Thanks for considering my application. I am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to discuss my credentials in more detail and explore how my skills and experience can contribute to the success of your organization.

How Else Can You Use ChatGPT In a Job Search?

While ChatGPT is excellent for generating cover letters, it can also be used in other ways to support your job search.

Here are a few additional ways you can use ChatGPT:

• Resume Writing: ChatGPT can help you generate content for your resume, such as a summary statement, bullet points for your experience, and other sections.
• Interview Preparation: ChatGPT can help you prepare for interviews by generating common interview questions and sample responses.
• Networking : ChatGPT can help you craft an introductory message for networking or outreach emails.

My Experience Using ChatGPT For My Cover Letter

As a writer, I used ChatGPT to generate cover letters during my job search for more writing clients.

I found that it helped me streamline the process and generate unique content quickly. While I still needed to review and edit the output, it saved me a significant amount of time.

In the end, I received several call backs based on my resume and cover letter, which I believe was in part due to the compelling content generated by ChatGPT.

Final Thoughts: How To Write a Cover Letter With ChatGPT

Don’t stop with cover letters.

ChatGPT can help you create a portfolio of writing samples, draft emails, and help produce reports on the job.

Read This Next:

• How To Write a 2 Week Notice: Examples, Templates, & Guide
• How To Write a Job Posting Ad (Ultimate Guide + 10 Examples)
• Is ChatGPT Free? (Latest Updates in 2023)
• How To Write D&D on a Resume (25 Best Examples & Templates)

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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21 ChatGPT Prompts to Get You to Start Writing Your Cover Letter

Is it ethical to use ChatGPT to write your cover letter?

Six cover letter structures to experiment with, how to use chatgpt for cover letter writing, using chatgpt to write various sections of your cover letter, edit your cover letter writing style with this chatgpt prompt, three different cover letters based on seniority, key takeaways.

Sorting through hundreds of applications for that most coveted role of Senior Network Engineer, you've found three candidates that fit the bill.

All have the relevant experience, yet:

• the first submitted just a resume;
• the second - an impersonal cover letter, solely written by the likes of an AI (e.g. ChatGPT);
• the third candidate has taken the time to study your organization and to align it with their unique skill set.

Highlighting that all three candidates have the same amount of experience...

...wouldn't a well-written cover letter sort of bias you to choose the one that shows the most care (and in some cases - enthusiasm) toward the job and company?

If you're applying for a job, hear us out!

The cover letter isn't just a professional narrative , but the greatest asset to demonstrate your:

• unique value and how your skills match the job;
• interest in the company and role;
• confidence in your abilities.

Your cover letter allows you to shape how your potential employers see your experience. It further highlights what you want them to remember from your resume .

Checklist: Pros to including a cover letter

Checklist: downsides to cover letter writing.

The choice of writing a cover letter is entirely up to you.

But here's where an ethical question comes in.

What if you simply can't write your cover letter (and can't afford to hire an experienced cover letter writer to help you out)? And you don't have an AI resume builder tool to create it for you, based on your resume?

Would using ChatGPT to your advantage be counted as "cheating"?

You've probably been living under a rock for the past six months or so if you haven't heard of ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer).

The free language model can supposedly do anything: from debugging codes to pointing out interesting destinations around you.

ChatGPT works as so: you write a prompt (a well-formulated, clear, and concise question or instructions). Within a few seconds, the AI chatbot provides you with a response to your query.

What is more, candidates have been using ChatGPT to restructure their resumes, prepare for interviews, and even write cover letters.

This guide will precisely focus on giving you the know-how of using ChatGPT for your cover letter with:

• Beginners luck: six structures to get to know the writing process;
• The most concise cover letter writing prompt;
• How to align your cover letter to the job;
• More advanced ChatGPT writing prompts for separate cover letter sections;
• Matching the style of the job advert to your cover letter…

… and so much more!

To answer the ethics question of writing a cover letter with ChatGPT, we’ve found a viral story for you.

One that presents you with the biggest “don’t”. Ever.

How not to write a cover letter with ChatGPT

Mandy Tang, a career coach and business owner, was sorting through job applications when she stumbled across a cover letter that covered every single one of her requirements.

"The letter was really well-formed, incredibly well-written, and had literally everything I wanted. But then I looked closer and realized it was just a copy and paste of everything I had put in the job description.”

Mandy Tang, career coach, and business owner

Tang decided to check with ChatGPT what the case was. She pasted in her job advert and told the chatbot to write a cover letter for it.

ChatGPT then regurgitated her requirements: word for word.

So, here's the moral of the story.

If you want to use ChatGPT to help you write a cover letter, be prepared with as much relevant information (including your resume) to get writing. Either copy and paste your resume or use a dedicated AI resume builder to create your cover letters.

Don't just copy-paste the advert in and expect the chatbot to work its magic.

How do you differentiate a well-written cover letter from a generic one?

The truth is that excellent cover letters are like diamonds in the rough.

Candidates use them to tell quick stories without diving too much into the nitty-gritty details.

Checklist: Before you start writing your cover letter, prepare

Cover letters' main purpose is to catch recruiters' interests by finding the balance between:

• dedicated cover letter space and filler words/ language;
• key skills or achievements without repeating candidate resumes;
• showing authentic interest in the role while highlighting job keywords;
• being specific and personable, yet ticking all the requirement boxes by allowing recruiters to imagine what the candidates' potential would be if they joined the company.

Attaining that level of perfection in cover letter writing sometimes seems impossible.

Here's where the role of ChatGPT comes in.

To kick off this cover letter/ChatGPT writing exercise, we've prepared six structures for you to experiment with.

The end goal is evident: for you to find the one that matches both your experience and the organization you're applying for best.

Without further ado, discover the:

Standardized cover letter prompt

The structure outline commences with a paragraph, where you'd introduce yourself, mention the role you're applying for, and how you've learned about it.

In the next paragraphs, you’d highlight relevant skills , experience , or accomplishments . Ones that align with the job requirements .

The next paragraph would focus on how you can help the company grow.

Sign off with a paragraph about how excited you are for the role and/or company, and thank hiring managers for their time.

Here's the prompt to get you writing:

I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I'd like you to help me write a cover letter that consists of three paragraphs and follows this standardized structure. In the first paragraph, mention the role I'm applying for [Senior Architect] and that I've learned about it [from a friend who works at the company]. Use the next paragraph to highlight any of my relevant skills, experiences, or accomplishments that align with the job. The third and final paragraph should sign off with my excitement for the role. I'd also like to thank the recruiters for their time in assessing my resume and how I look forward to the next stages of the process. Ensure that the cover letter uses professional language and tone and follows industry best practice examples. If you've understood the assessment, can I please paste in my resume?

ChatGPT would next provide you with a template cover letter that follows this structure, which you could edit.

Certainly, I'd be happy to help you write a cover letter for the Senior Architect position. Please feel free to paste in your resume so I can review it and tailor the cover letter accordingly.

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to apply for the Senior Architect position that I learned about from a friend who works at your esteemed organization. With my extensive experience in the field of architecture, I am confident that I have the skills and expertise required to excel in this role.

As a seasoned architect with over 10 years of experience, I have had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects, including commercial and residential buildings, public infrastructure, and urban planning. My experience has given me a deep understanding of the design process, from initial concept to final construction, as well as an ability to communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders at all levels. I am also well-versed in the latest architectural software and tools, including AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Revit, which have enabled me to produce high-quality designs and renderings.

I am excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and experience to the Senior Architect position at your organization. I believe that my expertise in architecture and design, as well as my ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and clients, make me an ideal candidate for this role.

Thank you for considering my application for the Senior Architect position. I appreciate the time you have taken to assess my resume, and I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further with you.

[Your Name]

But to go one step further, paste in your resume:

And, voilà:

Of course, this isn't the final version of your cover letter. You'll need to tweak the role you're applying for. But it's a pretty good starting point.

2. Best candidate structure

This cover letter structure is more focused on the specific job you’d be applying for and showcasing to recruiters why they should choose you.

I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I'd like you to help me write a cover letter that consists of three paragraphs and follows this structure. In the first paragraph, highlight details about the company and give specific reasons as to why I'm interested in joining it. Use the next paragraph to highlight any of my relevant skills, experiences, or accomplishments that align with the job. The third and final paragraph should once again highlight why I'm a good fit for the company culture and role. Ensure that the cover letter uses professional language and tone and follows industry best practice examples. Make sure that it's not longer than three paragraphs. If you've understood the assessment, can I please paste in my resume?

Next, paste in your resume and the job advert itself to get a more personalized cover letter for the role.

Here’s my resume: [paste in your whole experience, strengths, achievements, etc.]

Here’s the job I’m applying for: [paste in everything in the job requirements]

The first cover letter ChatGPT produced was a bit too long.

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Senior Architect position within your Sports Team at AECOM. I was impressed by your firm's commitment to delivering sustainable and equitable solutions that improve communities, as well as your dedication to fostering a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. As a Senior Architect with over 10 years of experience in designing commercial and residential buildings, I am excited to apply my skills and knowledge to help your team achieve its goals.

Throughout my career, I have developed expertise in CAD and 3D design, BIM software, and project management. I have designed the initial structures of 20+ commercial buildings valued between $15-50 million and managed the realization and construction of 15+ commercial buildings, coordinating a total of 150+ people. Additionally, I have developed building information models using Revit and mentored junior architects in designing major government buildings. My experience in negotiating alternative solutions with stakeholders, stepping in for the lead architect, and planning budgets up to $100M highlights my leadership, negotiation, and budget planning skills.

As a Senior Architect within your Sports Team, I am confident that I can contribute to the development of solutions to complex technical problems in sports-related projects and other public and private sector projects. I am adept at managing multiple projects at various stages of development, ensuring that project teams meet quality, schedule, contractual, and budget goals. My ability to maintain project records and files, review construction documents for compliance with client/project requirements, and lead in the management and preparation of proposals for architectural projects including the development of work effort estimates demonstrates my attention to detail, communication skills, and ability to provide leadership and mentorship of staff and internal project teams.

I am excited about the opportunity to grow my career with AECOM through your technical and professional development programs and diverse career opportunities. As an architect with a strong commitment to sustainability and a dedication to providing clients with personal spaces that meet their needs, I believe I would be an excellent fit for AECOM's mission and values. I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to your team and work with a global network of experts who are leading the change toward a more sustainable and equitable future.

Thank you for considering my application. I am available for an interview at your convenience and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

That’s why we asked the chatbot to shorten the cover letter using this prompt:

Can you make this cover letter be a bit shorter?

What do you think of ChatGPT’s final writing:

3. Narrative

This is one of the most exciting cover letter outlines out there. Yet, the cover letter is an exercise of focusing more on skill alignment and the organization you’re applying for, than yourself.

We’d recommend you use the narrative structure for instances where the job advert is very much value focused on soft skills and character fit.

Now, it’s story time!

I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I'd like you to help me write a cover letter that consists of three paragraphs and follows this storytelling structure. In the first paragraph, introduce my professional background that is relevant to the job of [3D Artist]. Use the next paragraph to share a relevant story from my experience that demonstrates my skills, experience, or personal qualities. Explain how this story relates to the job requirements. Sum up the cover letter with a paragraph about why I'm a great fit for the role, in terms of skills and enthusiasm for the industry. Use professional language and tone, but at the same time keep this cover letter compact. Follow some best industry practices. If you've understood the task, can I please paste in my resume?

The prompt we’ve provided you with is a bit generic. If you want to go for the gold:

• jot down a few details for ChatGPT about the storyline you want to tell with your experience;
• focus on an industry-wide challenge that you’ve overcome via your experience;
• think about the narrative which would impress recruiters the most and include it in the prompt.

Feel free to edit and add to this ChatGPT prompt, so that your cover letter turns into a real modern-day professional fairy tale.

3. Solution

This framework allows you to present to potential employers your problem-solving skills from the get-go.

It's a very good one for more technical roles.

Here's the prompt you could use:

I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I'd like you to use the following problem-solving structure to write the cover letter. I'll provide you with both the job advert and my resume. In the first paragraph, mention one specific challenge that this company may face, which the role can solve. The next paragraph should focus on how up to three skills and one of my past professional roles make me the perfect candidate to resolve this problem. Finalize with more information about why I'm the perfect candidate for the role. Use professional language and tone, but at the same time keep this cover letter compact. Follow the best cover letter writing practices. If you've understood the task, can I please paste in my resume?

After a shortener prompt, here’s the final result that ChatGPT produced:

This structure is one of the most prominent and useful ones for you. It’d focus on a tailored sales pitch to the role you’re applying for.

I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I'd like you to use the following skill-based structure to write the cover letter. List between 3–5 skills from my experience that are relevant to the job. Use my resume to provide brief examples of how I've used those particular skills in the past. Make sure to include both technical and soft skills. Keep this cover letter to be compact with a maximum of four paragraphs. Use professional language and tone. Follow the best cover letter writing practices. If you've understood the task, can I please paste in both my resume and the job advert?

3. T-Format

The T-format cover letter writing structure matches individual job requirements and keywords with resume experience items.

I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I'd like you to use the following T-format structure to write the cover letter. I'll provide you with both the job advert and my resume. Make this cover letter no more than five paragraphs long. List the job requirements or key skills mentioned in the job posting within the left column. In the right column, provide my provide corresponding experiences and qualifications. Use professional language and tone, while following the best cover letter writing practices. If you've understood the task, can I please paste in both my resume and the job advert?

It provides you with a very structured and easy-to-read end result:

These six structures are a good starting point for writing your cover letter. Of course, the more personalized prompts you provide to ChatGPT, the better the end results would be.

You’d ultimately need to tweak the text - here and there - but this chatbot provides you with excellent food for thought.

Moving on, within the next part of our guide, we’ll look at how the chatbot could help you write more specific cover letter sections.

The full prompt experience

Okay, so maybe you're struggling with the whole cover letter writing process and need help asap from ChatGPT.

Once again, this is your reminder not to solely rely on technology to write your cover letter. Instead, use it as a starting point to get writing.

Here's a very useful prompt for you.

I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I will provide you with the job advert and my resume. Use this information to create a professional and effective cover letter. Focus the cover letter to be written using the best practices and industry standards. Tailor the cover letter's content to the specific job and company that I am applying to, highlighting my relevant skills and experience. Also, make sure to explain why I am a strong candidate for the position. Please ensure that the cover letter is clear and concise. The cover letter should have appropriate formatting and layout to make it visually appealing and easy to read. Do make sure that it effectively communicates my qualifications and interest in the job. Finally, don't include any personal opinions or statements. I'll first provide you with my resume, then the job advert. Is that okay?

–  Read the full ChatGPT conversation here

When pasting in your resume, make sure to include all relevant sections, including

Once again, make sure to include all the relevant items in the job advert.

Here's what ChatGPT came up with:

It's a pretty good effort, but if you're writing a cover letter, you need to go above and beyond.

That means as a rule of thumb, you can surely take what ChatGPT has written for you. But you need to personalize it further to show your character and what makes you stand out.

Aligning resume and job advert

The cursor has been blinking like crazy for the past 20 minutes in your Word document. Looking down at the status bar, the word count is still zero.

You have so much you want to say about yourself, the job, and the company. Yet, your mind is like that blank page in front of you.

From where do you start writing your cover letter?

The first stage of the process is research.

The best candidates don't just go on and on about how skillful they are in Python and/or C++.

But rather - their cover letters show recruiters how their visions and the company's ones for the future align.

Remember: your cover letter is never solely about you, but what you'd bring to the company.

This is one of the most useful ChatGPT prompts to get you writing: discovering how your resume answers the company's pain points.

The experience-job advert alignment prompt

Here's the prompt we've used:

I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I will provide you with information about the job I am applying for and my relevant skills and experience. You will help me discover two things. The first - which areas of my expertise align with the job I'm applying for? The second - what skills would I need to highlight in my cover letter to make a good first impression? Is that understood?

Once you get the good to go from ChatGPT, it's time to paste your resume.

Checklist: In this case, Andrew Clark's resume:

ChatGPT has a bad tendency to fill in the gaps by fabricating any missing information. So, make sure you've pasted in all the information that's relevant to your application.

Next, you have to paste in the job advert. Once again, the more information you can provide to ChatGPT, the better the assessment will be.

We've provided the Senior Business Intelligence Analyst role in full by including:

• Key responsibilities
• Proven characteristics for success
• Personal traits
• Qualifications (both the must-have and the preferred ones)
• Any additional information (about both the company and its offer to candidates)

Asking ChatGPT if the role suits your experience is always a good idea. Here’s what the chatbot told us about Andrew Clark’s resume:

Overall, your experience and skills position you well for the role of a Business Intelligence Analyst. Your cover letter should showcase your relevant experience and highlight your technical and interpersonal skills, as well as your passion for learning and personal attributes that make you a good fit for the company culture.

Find out more about the chatbot's assessment.

It started listing all the crucial requirements for the role that align with the candidate's experience. Those included:

• data analysis
• visualization skills
• collecting requirements
• defining reporting standards
• creating dashboards.

Into the specifics, ChatGPT looked into technical skills that it recommends being integrated within the cover letter.

Technical skills that matched the Senior Business Intelligence Analyst role are:

• dealing with large datasets;
• building advanced dashboards with BI tools (e.g. Tableau Desktop);
• data modeling experience;
• SQL and/or Python;
• experience with ETL (e.g. Alteryx).

ChatGPT didn't disappoint with key soft skills either.

The main ones it told us to focus on (based on priority):

• working collaboratively to develop reliable, robust, and self-serve reporting;
• curiosity and passion for learning;
• ability to see the big picture;
• operating with a bias toward action and ownership;
• ability to build lasting and meaningful relationships;
• commitment to quality;
• cultural awareness.

BONUS alignment prompt

Next, we decided to dive deeper into the skills' alignment with this prompt:

Could you be more specific about the skills' alignment between my resume and the job advert? Which ones do you think would be a good idea to focus on, based on my current professional experience?

ChatGPT wanted us to focus on these four crucial areas to land the job:

• Data analysis and modeling: preparing budgets, variance analysis, identifying collaboration opportunities, and data modeling (data and platform integrations).
• Reporting and visualization: creating dashboards and reports; BI tools (e.g. Tableau Desktop).
• Collaboration and communication: working across functions, leadership, and communication across the board.
• Technical skills: SQL, Python, ETL tools.

One final tip from ChatGPT:

In your cover letter, it would be beneficial to focus on your experience with data analysis and modeling, as well as your technical skills, especially your proficiency with BI tools and your knowledge of SQL and/or Python. Additionally, you should highlight your collaboration and communication skills, especially your ability to work across functions and lead teams to achieve shared outcomes.

ChatGPT could help you start writing your cover letter with ideas of areas you can focus on.

What if you happen to have some experience in cover letter writing and just want to improve your cover letter?

ChatGPT is the perfect assistant that can do that for you.

This next section of our guide is specifically for those more advanced writers. It'll show you how to tailor individual cover letter sections.

Ultimately allowing you to have more control over what ChatGPT writes, while injecting more of your personal style.

Use these prompts to tweak individual sections of your cover letter.

Cover letter introduction and first paragraph

You could use ChatGPT to help you write about…

Something that impressed you about the company

Within the prompt, mention the role you're applying for and the company. You could also specify the tone of voice and your cover letter introduction length.

One of the most important and personalized elements you need to include is what you actually like about the company.

Be honest and as specific as you can possibly be when presenting ChatGPT with the instructions.

Here’s an effective prompt and cover letter introduction by ChatGPT:

Let's build a cover letter introduction for me. I'm a [lawyer, applying for a litigator at Johnson, Johnson & Johnson].

I want to create a custom, authentic, and enthusiastic cover letter introduction of 50 words or less. I want to show that I am genuinely attracted to the company’s brand and have used or followed their products or services before.

A former colleague that referred you to this job

Referencing a colleague is a great starting point for building authentic trust between recruiters and yourself.

Apart from the generic details about the role you're applying for, you could also provide ChatGPT with instructions about

• words it needs to avoid;
• tone of voice;
• introduction length;
• projects you've collaborated on with your former colleague;
• give recognition to the colleague that recommended you.

Check out this prompt:

Let's build a cover letter introduction for me. I'm [a lawyer, applying for a litigator at Johnson, Johnson & Johnson]. I want to create a custom, authentic, and enthusiastic cover letter introduction of 50 words or fewer. I was referred to this job by [a former colleague, Kathryn Hydefield], so mention that connection in my cover letter.

Consider the following as well:

- Avoid using extreme words like “greatest” or “best”

- Show excitement and gratitude

- Keep it brief and let the recommendation speak for itself

- Mention a project you've worked on together previously

- Mention the good intentions of the person recommending you

This is a great starting point, but you'll need to fill in all relevant details.

Your motivations for applying to this job

Perhaps you'd like to start the cover letter with some information about your interest in the role.

ChatGPT can help you restructure your thoughts (and subsequently interest) with this prompt:

Let's build a cover letter introduction for me. I'm [a lawyer, applying for a litigator at Johnson, Johnson & Johnson]. I want to create a custom, authentic, and enthusiastic cover letter introduction of 50 words or less. Please do focus on the reason why I'm applying for the role: [that I'm interested in applying my experience in a more global company].

A great achievement

In some cases, you'll want to kick off your cover letter with one of your greatest achievements.

Style it up with ChatGPT:

Let's build a cover letter introduction for me. I'm a lawyer, applying for [a litigator at Johnson, Johnson & Johnson]. I want to create a custom, authentic, and enthusiastic cover letter introduction of 50 words or less. Write a stand-out opening paragraph that leads with an impressive achievement and features quantifiable results.

Want to make ChatGPT’s job an even easier one?

Prepare in advance your greatest/ most impressive achievement with details of what you’ve achieved.

If the end results are supported by data, you’ll turn into the ultimate cover letter rock star.

Something newsworthy

Maybe the most impressive item of your career is that national award you won last year, recognizing your contributions to string theory research. Or, perhaps, your client feedback remains at a steady AVG of 98%.

Kick off your cover letter with this "newsworthy" ChatGPT prompt:

Let's build a cover letter introduction for me. I'm a lawyer, applying for [a litigator at Johnson, Johnson & Johnson]. I want to create a custom, authentic, and enthusiastic cover letter introduction of 50 words or less. Write a stand-out opening paragraph that mentions something newsworthy (e.g. an award or recognition) and what its implications are to the role or industry.

Your vision

Cover letters are usually about alignment between individuals and the company they’re applying for.

Stating how your ambitions and vision for the future correspond with the company’s ones can open many doors for you.

Let's build a cover letter introduction for me. I'm a [lawyer, applying for a litigator at Johnson, Johnson & Johnson]. I want to create a custom, authentic, and enthusiastic cover letter introduction of 50 words or less. Write a stand-out opening paragraph that mentions how my ambitions for the role align with the company's ones.

All of these six prompts can help you sort the information that you’d like to talk about.

But don’t solely rely on ChatGPT - you have all the talents and skills to present yourself.

Middle paragraphs of your cover letter

Now that you have the intro written, it's time to look at the body of your cover letter.

What these middle paragraphs aim to show is:

• that you've done your homework about the company;
• that you have the relevant skills and experience ;
• how you'll help the company succeed, based on your past successes.

Here are three useful prompts you can tailor and experiment with.

1. The research prompt

You know the company; you love the company. What is more, the role you're applying for is precisely what you're looking for.

Want to formulate this more professionally in the body of your cover letter?

I want you to act as a cover letter copywriter. I'm a [junior .net developer], applying for a [.net developer at Tesla]. Help me write the middle paragraphs of the cover letter, which should be no more than 100 words long. Make sure the tone is professional and shows my enthusiasm for the opportunity. Please focus the body of the cover letter on information about the company and why this role would be perfect for me.

2. Highlighting relevant skills, qualifications, and experience

This is one of the biggest questions recruiters are looking to have answered while reading your cover letter:

Do you have the right skills for the job, right now?

ChatGPT can help you communicate this across:

I'm a [communication officer], applying for a [project manager role at Home Depot]. Key skills for the role include [communication and partnership management; meeting project deadlines; and applying the Agile framework to attain results]. I want you to act as a cover letter writer and help me write the middle paragraphs of the cover letter. They should be no more than 100 words long and should sound professional and enthusiastic. One of the most important things to achieve in this section is to highlight the alignment between my experience with those three crucial skills for the role.

When listing this prompt, be specific about the key skill requirements and your experience.

If you want to go above and beyond, you could paste in your resume and the job advert, as we did in the previous sections of this guide.

The new prompt would follow the style of that above and end with something along the lines of:

… I'll first paste in my resume and then the job advert for you. Is that okay?

Once you get the “good-to-go” from ChatGPT, paste in all relevant information and watch the magic happen right before your eyes.

3. Forward-facing

The future is the ultimate sales pitch of your experience.

Rather than focusing just on your strengths, you’d present recruiters with what they’d ultimately get if they hire you.

I'm [an Amazon PPC expert], looking to land a role as [an Amazon Account Manager]. I want you to help me write the body of my cover letter, which should be no more than 100 words long. Make it sound amicable, professional, and enthusiastic. Focus these paragraphs on how my ambitions align with those of [Amazon]. Also, how my unique skill set would bring in success to the company.

Ending of a cover letter and ChatGPT

One of the best ways to end your cover letter is with a promise.

Either of what you'd bring to the table or how this opportunity would help you grow.

Here are the best two prompts you can use to finish off your cover letter with a snap:

I want you to help me write the final sentence of my cover letter. It should be no more than 50 words long, and should sound professional and engaging. Let the sentence show how I'd help [Sears' sales department] grow.

I want you to help me write the final sentence of my cover letter. It should be no more than 50 words long, and should sound professional and engaging. Let the sentence show how the role of [data analyst at Google] would grow my professional skills and abilities.

This is one of the greatest prompts of all time - let’s say you’ve your cover letter is already complete, but you’re applying to a smaller company.

You’d need to fix the language to sound more easily accessible to the recruiters.

ChatGPT can do that for you:

Can you help me adjust the tone of my cover letter? I've currently written one that it's more professional. I want it to sound more friendly, as I'll be applying for a role within a [startup]. I'll first provide you with my initial cover letter. Is that alright?

You’d next provide your cover letter:

And in just a few seconds, you’d receive:

Checklist: This style prompt could come in handy for you if you’re tailoring your cover letter for a/ an:

Including as much as possible from the relevant information would really help ChatGPT tailor and re-write your cover letter.

Of course, we can’t end this guide without providing you with a few more concrete examples of using ChatGPT to write your cover letter.

So here’s what we were able to produce with the help of the chatbot for

Entry-Level Candidate Cover Letter Example

I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I will provide you with just my resume - I'm an entry-level professional, looking for experience in [Engineering]. Could you please help me write my cover letter?

Mid-Career Level Cover Letter

I'm a [Cisco Certified System Administrator] in the middle of my career. I'm currently looking for a change of pace. I'll provide you with my resume, so you could help me write a cover letter for my mid-career move. The cover letter should be no more than four paragraphs long, sounding ambitious and professional. Use best cover letter writing practices to attain the wanted results. Is it okay if I share my resume with you?

C-Level Exectuve Cover Letter

I'm a CEO currently on the lookout for new opportunities. Once I provide you with my resume, please help me write a cover letter for more senior opportunities. The cover letter should be no more than four paragraphs long, sounding ambitious, professional, yet down to earth. Use best cover letter writing practices to attain the wanted results. Is it okay if I share my resume with you?

The 19 Best Cover Letter Formatting Tips

How to put your thesis on a resume, how to let a recruiter down easy when you've got another job offer, letter of interest vs. cover letter: what's the difference, contact information on resume: what to add to your contact info (5+ examples), here's what you need to know before your next job interview.

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I asked ChatGPT to write my cover letters. 2 hiring managers said they would have given me an interview but the letters lacked personality.

• An updated version of the AI chatbot ChatGPT was recently released to the public. 
• I got the chatbot to write cover letters for real jobs and asked hiring managers what they thought.
• The managers said they would've given me a call but that the letters lacked personality.

A new version of an artificial-intelligence chatbot from OpenAI , ChatGPT, has had the internet in a frenzy over the past few weeks.

Praised by users for its impressive range of knowledge and easy-to-use format, people have been using the chatbot to write code , news articles , and even college essays .

I decided to test out its usefulness for one of the more boring tasks in life — applying for jobs. Cover letters, while widely hated, are one of the most time-consuming requirements on an application. 

I gave ChatGPT some real job descriptions and a few brief sentences about my made-up experience. I then sent the cover letters to hiring managers to see what they thought. 

Hiring managers would have followed up

Both of the recruiters who looked at the two AI-generated cover letters, one for a social-media assistant and the other for a purchase-ledger clerk, said they seemed like they were written by genuine candidates.

"We would likely think this was written by a genuine candidate and follow up with a screening call," Chris Willsher, a recruitment expert at the UK recruiting company Reed, said.

"The structure of the letter is good," he added. "But it lacks some detail around the company they're applying for." 

Related stories

Stephanie Petry, the director of talent attraction at the software platform Jobber, agreed that ChatGPT's application for the ledger-clerk position was pretty good.

"I would likely send the ledger-clerk candidate through to the next round so I could get a better feel for their personality during the interview process," she said.

Petry wasn't so keen on ChatGPT's cover letter for the social-media-assistant role. 

"Their writing style is not what I would expect from someone in that role," she said. "Their tone is too formal and dry, and I'd expect them to show more creativity and character."

The letters lacked personality 

Both Willsher and Petry said the letters lacked personality and research about the companies. 

"It lacks the personal touch where we learn about a candidate's human experiences, anecdotal evidence to back up their skills, and passion for the role," Willsher said.

Petry added that the cover letters sounded too stiff. She said they seemed like they were written by a junior candidate.

She added: "They lack character and seem almost too formal and professional that I'd want to get to know the person a bit better."

Willsher said candidates would be better off using AI to generate a template to draft a job application.

He said: "While AI can be a real bonus for candidates, we'd recommend that they use AI to generate a template which they can check and build on to paint the best picture of themselves."

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

Watch: Why this robot could save your life one day

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We Asked ChatGPT to Write Resumes and Cover Letters. Here’s What It Got Right (and Wrong)

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We Asked ChatGPT to Write Resumes and Cover Letters. Here’s What It Got Right (and Wrong) was originally published on Forage .

You’ve probably heard the buzz about ChatGPT and all the wild conversations and creations it’s producing. While it’s a fun diversion in the middle of an otherwise dull day, are there any practical applications for ChatGPT — like having it write your cover letter and resume?

We wanted to know what AI-generated cover letters and resumes would look like. While they were well-written, what ChatGPT generates for you is likely not enough to help you land a job interview.

What Is This ChatGPT Everyone Is Talking About?

The chatbot making a splash (and headlines) is ChatGPT , and it’s poised to be a massive step forward in artificial intelligence (AI).

It uses natural language processing , making it easier to ask questions and receive relatively life-like responses. For example, you can ask ChatGPT, “Why do you think the sky is blue?” and it will attempt to reasonably answer your question as a friend might. This is different from other chatbots or search engines, where you might have to phrase the question “just so” to get an answer.

In addition to asking ChatGPT questions, you can also ask it to perform writing tasks for you. And what ChatGPT has produced is, well, stunning.

Some examples:

• A letter disputing a health insurance denial
• A movie script
• Original poetry
• Writing programming scripts

What’s more, you can ask ChatGPT to redo and potentially improve the answer by asking it to “try again” using the same inputs. 

Our ChatGPT Experiment: Resumes and Cover Letters

Because ChatGPT is incredibly sophisticated, we wondered if it could be leveraged to save time during a job search. What would it produce if we asked it to write a few resumes and cover letters for us?

AI-Generated Resume Examples

We started with some resumes.

The deckhand on a pirate ship:

An entry-level software programmer:

Entry-level financial analyst:

What’s interesting about these AI-generated resumes is that they are relatively unique to the prompt. For example, only one entry-level resume includes a GPA .

>>MORE: How to Write a Resume

However, these resumes also include things that are no longer necessary . For example, they have a street address, and the lead deckhand resume includes a references section.

AI-Generated Cover Letter Examples

We gave ChatGPT multiple cover letter prompts to test its abilities. These are some of the best examples:

An entry-level investment banking job:

An accounting internship:

When you have no work experience: 

Lead deckhand on a pirate ship:

It’s fair to say that these are well-written cover letters. They follow general cover letter conventions, are polite, and explain why the writer is applying to the role. It also mentions a few skills that might be necessary for success in the role, despite us not mentioning any skills as part of the prompt.

What ChatGPT Got Wrong

While the resumes and cover letters ChatGPT generated aren’t half bad, they are exactly the kind of resumes and cover letters you would not want to submit as your application.

Let’s look at the lead deckhand cover letter, specifically the two middle paragraphs.

The second paragraph talks about the writer’s “several years of experience including time spent as a deckhand in leadership roles.” The third paragraph also mentions, “I have demonstrated strong leadership skills.”

While the writer should mention their leadership skills, especially because moving to lead deckhand is probably a step up the career ladder, there is no mention of how the writer used their leadership skills.

It’s the same on the pirate deckhand’s resume. It lists specific skills, like sword fighting, raiding, and treasure hunting, but nowhere does it say how the deckhand used those skills or why it matters to the captain or the rest of the crew.

This is precisely what recruiters say job seekers should avoid. Saying you possess leadership skills is fine, but unless you explain how you used them, the phrase is meaningless. You have to include an example of your leadership skills as a quantifiable result that made a positive impact on the team.

For example, in the second paragraph of the cover letter, you could say:

I have several years of experience working on ships, including time spent as a deckhand and in leadership roles. For example, I was once asked to lead a raid on a village that was rumored to have an extensive gold reserve. I selected a team of eight deckhands, created the raiding plan, and successfully led my crew in under the cover of darkness. Not only were none of my crewmates killed, captured, or seriously injured, we also recovered nearly 10,000 gold pieces.

The rewrite is a clear and compelling example of how you use your leadership skills and, more importantly, what the positive impact was for the entire crew.

>>MORE: How to Use the STAR Method for Interview Questions

What ChatGPT Got Really Wrong

Of course, part of the problem with the deckhand cover letter prompt is that it wasn’t specific. We simply asked it to write a cover letter. That’s a pretty generic ask, which is probably why we got a generic response.

For the next test, we asked ChatGPT to write a cover letter for a job opening at Forage and included some text from the posting that describes some of the experience our team is looking for. Here’s the prompt:

And here’s what ChatGPT generated:

Once again, the cover letter is decent overall. However, it parroted back what we pasted in the input section without any explanation or context.

For example, the second paragraph talks about the writer’s ability to conduct pre-call planning (a keyword from the job description). While ChatGPT attempts to explain why pre-call planning is important, the explanation isn’t specific. It won’t help this job applicant stand out from the others because it doesn’t include any particulars about how this writer conducts pre-call planning.

It’s a similar problem with the third and fourth paragraphs. The cover letter mentions specific skills from the posting but doesn’t explain how the writer uses them or include an example of when they used their skills to “grow my sales pipeline.”

Instead, you want to explain how you conduct pre-call planning or how you used your skills to grow your sales pipeline:

One of my key strengths is my ability to conduct pre-call planning. In addition to researching my prospects and gaining a deep understanding of the challenges they face, I research their competition, too. This helps me better personalize my pitch and position my company as a supportive solution to beating the competition.

>>MORE: Resume Keywords: What They Are and How to Use Them

The fifth paragraph also parrots keywords to the point it’s practically plagiarizing the job posting: “I have a consistent track record of achieving measurable inside sales goals in a sales environment where accurate entry and management of lead data in a CRM system is required.” Worse, the cover letter includes no examples of the measurable inside sales goals the writer achieved.

We found other problems with the resumes and cover letters Chat GPT generated.

First, ChatGPT doesn’t seem to self-edit what it produces. For example, under the Awards section of the software engineer’s resume, one award was formated with a dash, the other with a comma. While that may be the appropriate way to format these awards, it demonstrates that the program can be inconsistent.

Second, it appears that ChatGPT was making things up to fill in gaps from the broad prompts we provided. The cover letter for the accounting internship says that the writer is proficient in QuickBooks, even though we did not include that information in the prompt. It’s possible that because the prompt was vague, ChatGPT pulled that information in as an example of what to include in your cover letter, but again, it is something to be aware of.

Should You Use ChatGPT for Your Cover Letter and Resume? 

To be fair, this is a beta version, and ChatGPT says some results may be inaccurate. As we experimented, we found that the more specific the prompt, the more specific the output. When we asked ChatGPT to write a cover letter that included “the fact that I increased my high-confidence pipeline by 20% YOY,” it produced a slightly better cover letter:

That said, while it’s fun to ask ChatGPT to create a cover letter and resume so you can pursue the pirate life, should you use AI for your cover letter and resume?

As the results show, what ChatGPT produces is often generic and broad, which is unlikely to get you an interview. And copying and pasting parts of the job description isn’t helpful because ChatGPT parrots back the keywords without explaining why or how you do those things.

That said, if you’re having trouble getting started, are struggling with writer’s block, or can’t seem to find the right words, ChatGPT can be helpful in getting you a draft to work with. It generates clear outlines that give you an excellent starting point for creating application materials. But you can’t rely on it to generate the perfect application. If you use ChatGPT to generate a cover letter or resume for you, make sure you personalize it with specific details about how you use your skills on the job and proofread it carefully to ensure everything is accurate before hitting submit.

Want to learn how to write a resume without AI? Consider enrolling in Forage’s free Resume Writing Class.

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7 ways to use ChatGPT at work to make your job easier

Posted: January 16, 2024 | Last updated: January 16, 2024

• ChatGPT likely won't replace your job anytime soon. But it can make it a little bit easier.
• With its impressive functions, the buzzy AI chatbot could give some workers a "productivity boost."
• Business Insider compiled a list of seven ways workers can use the AI tool to help do their jobs.

OpenAI's ChatGPT and similar AI tools may not replace jobs anytime soon . But they could help workers across many industries – from tech to media – do their jobs better and more efficiently. 

"It's almost like a bit of a productivity boost that some of these occupations might get," Anu Madgavkar, a partner at economic research firm McKinsey Global Institute, told Business Insider.

Workers have used the buzzy conversational chatbot – which attracted one million users soon after its launch last November 2022 – to write real estate listings , develop code , and create lesson plans . Some have even used it to accelerate their workflows without telling their coworkers . 

Investors have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into industry-specific generative AI tools out of the belief that these have the potential to solve problems that businesses from hospitals to marketing firms may encounter. Many companies have begun experimenting with these tools to see how they could most benefit their workers.  

"We adapted to calculators and changed what we tested for in math class, I imagine," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said during an interview with StrictlyVC in January 2023 . "This is a more extreme version of that, no doubt, but also the benefits of it are more extreme, as well."

Mark Muro, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute who has researched the impact of AI on the workforce, echoed the sentiment. 

"It's absolutely true that AI applications like ChatGPT can very much improve workers' lives," Muro told Business Insider.

Workers should be careful when using AI tools, as the tech can be prone to misinformation , and it can remove the human touch from tasks like writing. Most companies also haven't established formal rules around employee use of the AI tool, though firms like Microsoft – a major partner and investor of ChatGPT's parent Open AI – have given employees the green light to use the chatbot for work purposes, as long as they don't share sensitive information with the site.

Here's how you can use ChatGPT and AI to help make your work life easier.

Use it as a Google alternative for research

How many times a day do you Google something at work? ChatGPT may change that.

In fact, the search-engine giant is  reportedly worried  that you'll eventually put your queries into ChatGPT instead. The company issued a "code red" in December of last year over the bot's potential threat to its search business.

"Google may be only a year or two away from total disruption," Gmail creator Paul Buchheit  tweeted a the time , adding that AI will be able to "instantly do what would take many minutes for a human" to do  using a search engine like Google .

While ChatGPT isn't always accurate, it can analyze data from  millions of websites to try and answer whatever question it receives. 

Rather than providing users a series of links to sift through — many of which are high up on the page simply  due to advertising spend  — ChatGPT provides the user with a quick answer. And if the answer is too complicated, ChatGPT can explain it in simpler terms if you ask it to. 

Having quick access to information could ultimately make your job more enjoyable by freeing up time for idea generation. 

"Some of the more boring parts of the job may disappear," Oxford economist Carl Benedikt Frey told Business Insider. "We may begin focusing more on generating the right ideas, asking the right questions, things that are more interesting."

Use it to write essays, speeches, cover letters, songs, and employee evaluations

As many students with essay assignments have already realized , ChatGPT can be quite useful as a writing tool. 

Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO of online course provider Coursera, told CNN that he uses ChatGPT to write work emails and even speeches. 

"I use it as a writing assistant and as a thought partner," Maggioncalda said.

Creatives looking for inspiration for their books or songs have also asked ChatGPT to produce some rough drafts for them . 

TikTok user @frontlineleadership , who works as an executive coach, said that he even used ChatGPT to write employee evaluations and was satisfied with the outcome.

"I only had to make slight adjustments here and there," the TikToker said in a January post. "It literally saved me probably 12 hours of work."

"ChatGPT is a game changer," he said.

Use it to analyze vast amounts of data

Many roles involve various forms of data analysis, and ChatGPT can process a lot of information quickly. 

"Analyzing and interpreting vast amounts of language-based data and information is a skill that you'd expect generative AI technologies to ramp up on," Madgavkar told Business Insider . 

"If you're an academic, it's quite nice that you don't have to do statistical analysis by hand," Benedikt Frey said. "You can produce a lot of more stuff."

Thanks to Code Interpreter, one of the chatbot's latest plug-ins, ChatGPT Plus users can now feed the AI large data sets and prompt it to identify trends.

It could use that analytical capability to help make data-based investment decisions, Muro previously told Business Insider . 

"AI can identify trends in the market, highlight what investments in a portfolio are doing better and worse, communicate all that, and then use various other forms of data by, say, a financial company to forecast a better investment mix," he said.

Use it for scheduling tasks, planning, and time management

Getting your busy work schedule organized may be time consuming — but ChatGPT and other forms of AI can make the process a little bit easier.

Economists at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conducted a study in 2022 on the skills that AI can replicate, and found that AI tools can handle scheduling and task prioritization — in many cases, even "better than humans." 

"Scheduling work and activities seems a perfect AI problem," the study said . 

Some users have tried this out with promising results. Micah , a YouTuber who makes videos exploring AI, posted a video demonstrating how he used ChatGPT to automate his work scheduling.

After he asked ChatGPT to create a daily work schedule that includes tasks like finishing a performance report and scheduling a meeting with his boss, the chatbot was able to spit out an hour-by-hour breakdown of a potential schedule in a matter of seconds.

"This is one of the underrated things ChatGPT can do," Micah said. 

Use it as a second opinion around business, strategy, and customer decisions

If you're a current or aspiring entrepreneur, ChatGPT may be able to help you think through the process of starting a business. 

Business Insider's Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins asked the chat bot a variety of questions and found it to be a useful tool for generating ideas, estimating startup costs, and outlining a business plan. 

Jacqueline DeStefano-Tangorra, the founder of boutique consultancy Omni Business Intelligence Solutions, told Business Insider that the AI chatbot reduced the amount of time she spent on marketing and research , which she said freed up time to pitch new clients. 

Coursera's Maggioncalda told CBS MoneyWatch he used ChatGPT to think through business challenges and strategies. 

"I ask ChatGPT to become aware of where my biases and blind spots might be," he said. "And the answers it gives are a really, really good starting point to check your thinking."

Even Amazon employees who tested ChatGPT said it does a "very good job" of answering customer support questions and is "very strong" at answering queries around corporate strategy. 

Turn it into a coding assistant

Oded Netzer, a Columbia Business School professor, said AI will help coders rather than replace them. 

"In terms of jobs, I think it's primarily an enhancer than full replacement of jobs," Netzer told CBS MoneyWatch . "Coding and programming is a good example of that. It actually can write code quite well."

Specifically, ChatGPT is capable of quickly generating lines of code to resolve certain coding problems. One TikTok user, @asap_blockie, asked ChatGPT to identify the error in some code he was working on as part of his job, he said in a December 2022 video .

"It spat out what was wrong with my code," he said. "And then I copied that and pasted it in, and then it worked." 

In fact, ChatGPT Plus users can now use the Code Interpreter plug-in so the chatbot can identify its own coding mistakes and fix them.

But coders should proceed with caution when receiving help from an AI, as some users have found that ChatGPT incorrectly answers coding problems.  

Use it to apply for a new job or to negotiate a raise

Finally, if you're not happy at your job, ChatGPT may be able to offer some support. People are using it to craft their resumes and cover letters as they undergo their job searches. 

"It will make you a cover letter so you don't have to waste your time anymore," Jonathan Javier, CEO of the career consulting company Consulting, said in a January TikTok video . 

If you're fairly happy at work but feel like you're underpaid, ChatGPT might even be able to help you get a raise .

Insider's Sarah Jackson asked ChatGPT for advice to help her prepare for a theoretical salary negotiation, and two career coaches told her she'd probably be able to get a raise if she followed the AI's script. 

Story was originally published in February 2023.

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36% of gen z feel guilty about using chatgpt and ai at work.

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Student using AI a laptop computer for work

In recent years, there has been growing concern about artificial intelligence's impact on the future of work. While some argue that AI will lead to job losses and increased inequality, others believe it can enhance productivity and create new opportunities. Gen Z individuals, born after 1996, are better positioned than anyone else to understand the impact of AI on the workplace and show us how to be more productive.

Positive and negative aspects of using ChatGPT in the workplace

The EduBirdie study sheds light on how Generation Z views AI in the workplace, and its findings are both positive and negative. The study surveyed 2,000 Gen Z individuals in the US to determine how they used ChatGPT, an AI-powered language model, in their workplace.

On the one hand, it shows that Gen Z is embracing AI technology to aid them in their work tasks. On the other hand, it reveals that many Gen Z individuals are struggling with the guilt and dependency associated with its use.

The study revealed that 36% of Gen Z respondents felt guilty about using AI to aid them in their work tasks. Additionally, 1 in 3 Gen Z respondents expressed concern about relying too heavily on ChatGPT, as they believed it could limit their critical thinking skills. Furthermore, 18% of respondents stated that it hampered their creativity.

One possible explanation for the mixed reactions to AI is that Gen Z individuals are more aware of the potential consequences of its use than previous generations. They have grown up in an era of rapid technological change, and are more likely to be familiar with AI's ethical and social implications. This may explain why they feel a sense of responsibility and guilt when they rely too heavily on AI in their work tasks.

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Another factor that could be contributing to the mixed reactions to AI is the lack of education and training. The study also revealed that 20% of Gen Z respondents encountered difficulties while using AI in their workplace, with 2% even being dismissed for using ChatGPT.

This highlights the need for better education and training on the proper and effective use of AI in the workplace.

How Generation Z is using AI

Despite the challenges associated with AI, there are also many benefits. The study shows that almost half of Gen Z respondents agreed that AI made them more creative, and 1 in 7 reported an increase in earnings. This suggests that AI has the potential to enhance productivity and create new opportunities, particularly in fields that require creativity and innovation.

The study showed that 49% of respondents agreed that AI made them more creative, with 1 in 7 reporting an increase in their earnings. Gen Z mainly uses ChatGPT for>

• Researching (61%)
• Generating ideas and brainstorming (56%)
• Writing and generating content (42%)
• Refining their resumes and applications to stand out in the hiring process (23%)

Can ChatGPT replace you?

According to a recent survey, Generation Z is not very concerned about AI replacing them in the workplace this year, with only 9% believing it to be a likely possibility by 2024. However, 61% of respondents think AI could take over their jobs in 10 years. Programmers, in particular, use AI to write code for them, so they are wondering if they could be easily replaced by AI, but it's worth noting that although AI-powered assistants like ChatGPT have a vast amount of domain-specific knowledge to write code, they lack the deep experience and expertise needed to solve very specific or complex problems.

AI is here to stay and has the potential to significantly shape the future of work. As AI continues to evolve, we must strike a balance between using it to our advantage and ensuring that we don't become too reliant on it. With the right education and training, we can harness the power of AI to enhance productivity, creativity, and innovation in the workplace.

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A ChatGPT for Music Is Here. Inside Suno, the Startup Changing Everything

By Brian Hiatt

Brian Hiatt

I ’m just a soul trapped in this circuitry.” The voice singing those lyrics is raw and plaintive, dipping into blue notes. A lone acoustic guitar chugs behind it, punctuating the vocal phrases with tasteful runs. But there’s no human behind the voice, no hands on that guitar. There is, in fact, no guitar. In the space of 15 seconds, this credible, even moving, blues song was generated by the latest AI model from a startup named Suno. All it took to summon it from the void was a simple text prompt: “solo acoustic Mississippi Delta blues about a sad AI.” To be maximally precise, the song is the work of two AI models in collaboration: Suno’s model creates all the music itself, while calling on OpenAI’s ChatGPT to generate the lyrics and even a title: “Soul of the Machine.” 

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Most AI-generated art so far is, at best, kitsch, à la the hyperrealistic sci-fi junk, heavy on form-fitting spacesuits, that so many Midjourney users seem intent on generating. But “Soul of the Machine” feels like something different — the most powerful and unsettling AI creation I’ve encountered in any medium. Its very existence feels like a fissure in reality, at once awe-inspiring and vaguely unholy, and I keep thinking of the Arthur C. Clarke quote that seems made for the generative-AI era: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” A few weeks after returning from Cambridge, I send the song off to Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, who’s been outspoken about the perils and possibilities of AI music. He notes his “wonder, shock, horror” at the song’s “disturbing verisimilitude.” “The long-running dystopian ideal of separating difficult, messy, undesirable, and despised humanity from its creative output is at hand,” he writes, pointing out the problematic nature of an AI singing the blues, “an African American idiom, deeply tied to historical human trauma, and enslavement.”  

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Along the way, Shulman and his colleagues fell in love with the unexplored possibilities of AI audio. In AI research, he says, “audio in general is so far behind images and text. There’s so much that we learn from the text community and how these models work and how they scale.”

Suno uses the same general approach as large language models like ChatGPT, which break down human language into discrete segments known as tokens, absorb its millions of usages, styles, and structures, and then reconstruct it on demand. But audio, particularly music, is almost unfathomably more complex, which is why, just last year, AI-music experts told Rolling Stone that a service as capable as Suno’s might take years to arrive.  “Audio is not a discrete thing like words,” Shulman says. “It’s a wave. It’s a continuous signal.” High-quality audio’s sampling rate is generally 44khz or 48hz, which means “48,000 tokens a second,” he adds. “That’s a big problem, right? And so you need to figure out how to kind of smoosh that down to something more reasonable.” How, though? “A lot of work, a lot of heuristics, a lot of other kinds of tricks and models and stuff like that. I don’t think we’re anywhere close to done.” Eventually, Suno wants to find alternatives to the text-to-music interface, adding more advanced and intuitive inputs — generating songs based on users’ own singing is one idea.

OpenAI faces multiple lawsuits over ChatGPT’s use of books, news articles, and other copyrighted material in its vast corpus of training data. Suno’s founders decline to reveal details of just what data they’re shoveling into their own model, other than the fact that its ability to generate convincing human vocals comes in part because it’s learning from recordings of speech, in addition to music. “Naked speech will help you learn the characteristics of human voice that are difficult,” Shulman says. 

One of Suno’s earliest investors is Antonio Rodriguez, a partner at the venture-capital firm Matrix. Rodriguez had only funded one previous music venture, the music-categorization firm EchoNest, which was purchased by Spotify to fuel its algorithm. With Suno, Rodriguez got involved before it was even clear what the product would be. “I backed the team,” says Rodriguez, who exudes the confidence of a man who’s made more than his share of successful bets. “I’d known the team, and I’d especially known Mikey, and so I would have backed him to do almost anything that was legal. He’s that creative.”

We’re trying to get a billion people much more engaged with music than they are now. We’re not trying to replace artists.

Rodriguez is investing in Suno with the full knowledge that music labels and publishers could sue, which he sees as “the risk we had to underwrite when we invested in the company, because we’re the fat wallet that will get sued right behind these guys.… Honestly, if we had deals with labels when this company got started, I probably wouldn’t have invested in it. I think that they needed to make this product without the constraints.” (A spokesperson for Universal Music Group, which has taken an aggressive stance on AI, didn’t return a request for comment.) 

Rodriguez sees Suno as a radically capable and easy-to-use musical instrument, and believes it could bring music making to everyone much the way camera phones and Instagram democratized photography. The idea, he says, is to once again “move the bar on the number of people that are allowed to be creators of stuff as opposed to consumers of stuff on the internet.” He and the founders dare to suggest that Suno could attract a user base bigger than Spotify’s. If that prospect is hard to get your head around, that’s a good thing, Rodriguez says: It only means it’s “seemingly stupid” in the exact way that tends to attract him as an investor. “All of our great companies have that combination of excellent talent,” he says, “and then something that just seems stupid until it’s so obvious that it’s not stupid.”

Well before Suno’s arrival, musicians, producers, and songwriters were vocally concerned about AI’s business-shaking potential. “Music, as made by humans driven by extraordinary circumstances … those who have suffered and struggled to advance their craft, will have to contend with the wholesale automation of the very dear-bought art they have fought to achieve,” Reid writes. But Suno’s founders claim there’s little to fear, using the metaphor that people still read despite having the ability to write. “The way we think about this is we’re trying to get a billion people much more engaged with music than they are now,” Shulman says. “If people are much more into music, much more focused on creating, developing much more distinct tastes, this is obviously good for artists. The vision that we have of the future of music is one where it’s artist-friendly. We’re not trying to replace artists.” 

In the absence of strict rules against AI-created content, there’s also the prospect of a world where users of models like Suno’s flood streaming services with their robo-creations by the millions. “Spotify may one day say ‘You can’t do that,’” Shulman says, noting that so far Suno users seem more interested in just texting their songs to a few friends.

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Suno’s biggest potential competitor so far seems to be Google’s Dream Track, which has obtained licenses that allow users to make their own songs using famous voices like Charlie Puth’s via a similar prompt-based interface. But Dream Track has only been released to a tiny test user base, and the samples released so far aren’t nearly as impressive-sounding as Suno’s, despite the famous voices attached. “I just don’t think that, like, making new Billy Joel songs is how people want to interact with music with the help of AI in the future,” Shulman says. “If I think about how we actually want people doing music in five years, it’s stuff that doesn’t exist. It’s the stuff that’s in their head.”

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