Wondering how to use ChatGPT to write a cover letter? The job application process has changed a lot in recent years, and some traditional practices—like submitting cover letters—have been called into question. With the rise of online applications and applicant tracking systems (ATSs), fewer people are submitting cover letters, and many wonder if they still matter. But the truth is, they remain an important part of the hiring process—and if you’re going to outsource yours to AI, you need to know how to do it right.
Cover letters allow candidates to showcase their personality, explain gaps in their resume, and provide deeper insights into why they’re the perfect fit for the role. With the introduction of AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, candidates now have a new way to streamline the writing process. However, while it’s possible to have AI generate a cover letter, the real challenge lies in using these tools in smart ways.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of cover letters in job applications and discuss whether it's ethical to use AI tools to write them. We’ll also offer a guide on how to get ChatGPT to write a cover letter that represents your skills, experience, and personality.
Why cover letters are still relevant
In recent years, many candidates have started skipping the step of submitting a cover letter, and recruiters don't request them as frequently as they once did. This shift is largely due to the rise of online application systems and ATSs, which prioritize keywords and qualifications found directly in resumes. Plus, some employers don’t want to take the time to review a cover letter when they have access to so many applications.
Despite these changes, many recruiters still value cover letters. “They provide a narrative that complements your resume, highlight your interest and enthusiasm for the position, and offer insights into your communication skills,” says Linda Moore, a head of HR with more than a decade of experience in talent acquisition and employee relations. “Cover letters can relay your personality and unique selling points that may not be immediately evident in your resume.”
Here’s what cover letters uniquely offer:
- Personalization: A personalized cover letter shows the applicant has taken the time to understand the role and tailor their application accordingly, beyond what’s listed on their resume.
- Compatibility: A cover letter provides insight into the candidate’s personality, values, and motivations, which helps employers determine if they align with the team and the organization’s mission.
- Impact: With many candidates vying for the same position, employers look for ways to differentiate applicants. A thoughtful and well-written cover letter can help applicants stand out by showcasing their enthusiasm, initiative, and willingness to go beyond the basic requirements of a resume.
- Context: Sometimes, resumes don’t tell the full story. Whether due to gaps in employment or a career change, employers rely on cover letters for context. This helps them better understand the candidate’s journey and how their unique experiences can contribute to the organization.
Is it unethical to use ChatGPT for a cover letter?
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence tools, using a ChatGPT cover letter is not only acceptable but can also be beneficial. AI can help candidates organize their thoughts, structure a compelling letter, and even ensure they’ve highlighted their most relevant qualifications.
“As a recruiter, what I care about is the authenticity and relevance of what’s presented,” Moore says. “In my experience, AI-generated cover letters are usually concise and well-organized; what makes one stand out is the customization that reflects a candidate's understanding of the job and the company culture.”
In other words, AI can be a valuable tool as long as it’s used to enhance—not replace—personal input. Personalize the AI-generated content with your own experiences and insights into the company’s values and culture. Ethics come into play when candidates use AI-generated content without any personal input and fail to tailor it to the job, which could be seen as disingenuous.
There’s no ethical dilemma in using ChatGPT to write a cover letter, provided you’re using it to improve the quality of your writing, not to deceive the employer. A cover letter is meant to communicate your skills, enthusiasm, and fit for the role. If ChatGPT can help you organize and express these elements clearly, it’s a useful tool to use.
Do employers know if you use ChatGPT for cover letters?
Employers probably won't know if you used ChatGPT to write your cover letter unless you tell them. AI-generated content usually doesn't have obvious signs of its origin, especially if the letter is well-written and tailored to the job. (One caveat: If you’re applying to a role where skilled writing will be one of your main job responsibilities, maybe take a stab at doing your cover letter by yourself, without tech assistance.)
That said, if the cover letter feels generic, lacks a personal touch, or doesn't reflect your unique experiences, it might raise a few eyebrows. Also, some employers or platforms might use AI detectors to check for AI-generated content, but they're not foolproof.
While some candidates may worry about employers detecting AI-generated cover letters, many recruiters are actually open to the idea of AI-assisted job applications. AI-generated content is usually neat, well-organized, and clear—exactly the qualities recruiters appreciate, Moore says. What recruiters care about most is whether the letter demonstrates the candidate’s understanding of the job and company culture.
The right way to use ChatGPT to write a cover letter
“The key elements in any cover letter, even AI-generated ones, should be: a clear outline of the candidate's relevant skills, an overview of their experiences, and how their contribution aligns with the company's mission,” Moore says. “AI can intelligently propose these elements based on job description inputs.”
These tips will help you craft one that stands out and authentically represents you.
Be specific and focused
Tailor the content to both the job you're applying for and the company you're applying to. This means incorporating details about the role, company values, and how your skills directly align with what the employer is seeking. ChatGPT can help you refine your key points, but the more precise and personalized the content, the more positive the impression you make.
Showcase your passion
Hiring managers want to see you’re genuinely excited about the opportunity, and ChatGPT can assist you in expressing your enthusiasm for the company and the position.
“Candidates can infuse their unique personality and enthusiasm into AI-assisted cover letters by adding personal anecdotes or passion projects related to the role they're applying to,” Moore says. This creates an emotional hook that AI alone might miss and make it less robotic.
When prompted correctly, ChatGPT can help highlight how you’ve researched the company, showing how your values align with theirs and why you're motivated to contribute. For example, instead of just saying, "I’m excited to apply for this position," you could ask ChatGPT to craft a sentence that describes how your personal passions match the company’s mission or how you can make an impact in the role.
Be mindful of tone and style
Matching the tone and style of the company’s culture is crucial. A cover letter for a buttoned-up corporate job should be formal, while one for a creative startup might benefit from a more relaxed, conversational tone.
ChatGPT can be guided to adjust the tone based on the company’s style, but you should always double-check to ensure it reflects the right balance of professionalism and personality. For example, use “I am eager to contribute” for more formal settings, and “I’m excited to dive into” for a more laid-back workplace.
Use the right keywords
Many companies, especially large ones, use ATSs to filter resumes and cover letters based on keywords. To improve your chances of passing through the ATS, ChatGPT can help you naturally incorporate the right keywords from the job description into your cover letter.
This not only helps with ATS compatibility but also shows recruiters you’ve taken the time to review the job posting thoroughly. If the job description emphasizes “team collaboration” and “problem-solving,” for example, mention those terms in your letter.
Common mistakes to avoid
While ChatGPT can be a powerful tool for crafting cover letters, there are several common mistakes to watch out for. Sidestepping these pitfalls can make the difference between a compelling application and one that gets overlooked.
Over-reliance on ChatGPT
While AI is excellent at structuring sentences and adding polish, it lacks the human touch required to make your application feel genuine. “The most recurring mistakes are generic content and irrelevance,” Moore says.
Moore suggests prompting customization based on job data. For example, if the role calls for project management skills, highlight a project you led successfully, with measurable results.
Ignoring company culture
Failing to adjust the tone of your letter to match the company’s culture can leave a negative impression. ChatGPT can help craft a tone—whether formal or casual—but it’s your responsibility to guide the AI based on your understanding of the company.
Not proofreading
While ChatGPT can generate error-free sentences, you’ll need to use your own, human proofreading skills to check for context-related inaccuracies or awkward phrasing. Failing to proofread and edit the AI-generated text can lead to embarrassing mistakes. Always take the time to review the content for grammar, clarity, and relevance. This step also gives you an opportunity to inject your personality into the letter, ensuring it sounds authentically you.
How to ask ChatGPT to write a cover letter (with prompts!)
Now that you know that you can use AI tools to write a cover letter, you might be wondering how exactly to do it. We’ve prepared a simple but effective step-by-step guide.
1. Start with a strong prompt
Your input directly impacts the quality of ChatGPT’s output. A clear and specific prompt ensures the generated letter aligns with your unique voice and the job’s requirements.
- Include the job title and the company name
- Specify the tone you'd like (e.g., professional, conversational, enthusiastic)
- Highlight key attributes or experiences you’d like the letter to emphasize
Being specific, clear, and detailed will also help the AI tool tailor the letter more effectively. In the next section, we’ll share great examples of ChatGPT cover letter prompts, but you could start with something like:
Write a cover letter for a [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. The tone should be [professional/enthusiastic/insert your choice], and I want to highlight my experience with [mention key skills, experiences, or accomplishments]. I’m particularly excited about this opportunity because [insert personal connection to the role or company].
2. Provide your background information
For a cover letter that truly represents you, feed ChatGPT relevant details about your professional background. Share who you are, your career highlights, core skills, personal experiences that align with the role, and information about what you’re looking for in a job.
Include specific achievements and use numbers to highlight them (for example, “Led a team of 10 to increase sales by 15% in one quarter.”) Mention if you have any soft skills or values that reflect your personality and work ethic, and share details about why you’re excited about this particular job or company.
You could use a prompt like this:
I’m [Your Name], and I have [X years] of experience in [industry]. Some of my key achievements include [specific achievements, such as led a team to achieve X or increased sales by Y%]. I’m passionate about [specific skills or values] and am excited about the opportunity at [Company Name] because [reason why you’re excited about the role or company]. Please write a cover letter that showcases my qualifications and enthusiasm for this position.
3. Paste in the job description
The job description is a roadmap for tailoring your cover letter. Copy and paste key sections, such as the qualifications, responsibilities, and desired traits, into your prompt. You can also paste information about the company or the sector you’re interested in.
This allows ChatGPT to address specific requirements and show how you meet them. This step is also important because it helps the AI tool focus the letter on what the employer values most and ensures the cover letter is customized and avoids generic language.
You can try using a prompt like this:
Here is the job description for the [Job Title] at [Company Name]. Based on this, please write a cover letter that highlights my relevant experience, skills, and enthusiasm for the role. Be sure to emphasize [specific traits or skills from the job description] and align the letter with the company's values.
4. Include your resume (optional, but helpful)
While not mandatory, sharing your resume can provide ChatGPT with valuable context when crafting your cover letter. Summarizing your past roles, key accomplishments, and education ensures the generated content aligns with your experience.
Even if you’ve already mentioned similar details earlier, this step helps uncover additional points relevant to the role and ensures consistency between your resume and cover letter. If you prefer not to share your full resume, consider listing your top three career achievements or most relevant roles instead.
To help ChatGPT incorporate the most relevant details, you could use a prompt like this:
Here is a summary of my experience:
- [Job Title], [Company Name] – [Key achievements or responsibilities].
- [Job Title], [Company Name] – [Key achievements or responsibilities].
- [Education/Relevant certifications].
Please write a cover letter that highlights my experience and achievements in relation to the job at [Company Name].
5. Review, edit, and add personal touches
ChatGPT provides a great starting point, but your final step is crucial: editing. Read through the output carefully and refine it to reflect your authentic voice. This step matters because:
- AI-generated text can sound formulaic; editing makes it feel personal.
- Proofreading eliminates grammatical errors and awkward phrasing.
To finish your letter, include a tailored closing that expresses genuine enthusiasm for the role.
Best ChatGPT prompts for cover letter writing: 4 examples
If you need some inspiration, we prepared four ChatGPT cover letter prompt examples. They include comprehensive job details, candidate backgrounds, and company contexts to generate tailored and authentic cover letters.
Example #1: For a Marketing Specialist role
I am applying for the role of Marketing Specialist at XYZ Agency, a mid-sized digital marketing firm known for innovative social media campaigns and data-driven strategies. The job requires expertise in campaign management, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite, and content strategy, in which I have great experience. I have 5 years of experience in digital marketing, including managing a $500K annual ad budget at an e-commerce company. Some of my core responsibilities were to develop and execute marketing campaigns aligned with business goals and track and analyze campaign performance using data-driven insights. I also have an advanced understanding of SEO and SEM. Please, explain why these skills would be good for the role.
My key achievements include increasing ROI by 40% and leading a team that launched a viral social media campaign for ApexDriveMotors. I want this cover letter to reflect my strong analytical skills, creativity, and passion for marketing innovation. Keep it engaging, professional, and tailored to XYZ Agency's mission. Include why I’m excited about XYZ Agency’s recent work with non-profits, as this aligns with my volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity.
Use information from my resume to enhance the cover letter:
[insert resume copy here]
Check the full job description to tailor the cover letter accordingly:
[insert full job description here]
Example #2: For a Software Developer role
I am applying for the role of Software Developer at CodingX Solutions, a fast-growing tech firm specializing in cloud-based enterprise solutions. The position requires proficiency in Python, JavaScript, and cloud platforms like AWS and Azure. I have 4 years of experience in software development, including designing scalable backend systems for a SaaS company with over 10,000 users. My responsibilities included writing efficient, testable code, collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine product designs, and optimizing system performance to reduce server costs by 25%.
My key achievements include leading the development of a customer management platform that increased client retention rates by 30% and implementing machine learning algorithms to enhance product recommendations. I am excited about CodingX Solutions’ innovative use of AI in enterprise software, as I’ve recently completed a certification in machine learning to further expand my skills in this area.
I’d like this cover letter to reflect my strong problem-solving abilities, passion for technology, and enthusiasm for working at CodingX Solutions—include why. Highlight my eagerness to contribute to their development team and how my technical expertise and adaptability align with their goals.
Use information from my resume to enhance the cover letter:
[insert resume copy here]
Refer to the complete job description for additional tailoring:
[insert job description here]
Example #3:For a Junior Financial Analyst role
I am applying for the Junior Financial Analyst position at XYZ Partners, a boutique financial advisory firm renowned for its tailored investment strategies. The role requires strong analytical skills, proficiency in Excel and financial modeling, and the ability to communicate complex data effectively. As a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Boston University, I completed coursework in corporate finance, portfolio management, and financial statement analysis.
So far, my only working experience was the internship at Apex Money Advisors, where I assisted in creating client investment reports and performed data analysis to identify trends, contributing to a 15% increase in client portfolio performance through strategic recommendations. I also developed Excel models to forecast cash flows, which were implemented in client presentations.
My key achievements include receiving the university’s award for excellence in financial research and completing the Bloomberg Market Concepts certification. I am particularly drawn to XYZ Partners—please include that information and explain why.
I want this cover letter to reflect my eagerness to learn, enthusiasm for finance, and alignment with XYZ Partners’ values. Please ensure it highlights my academic and internship experiences while emphasizing my excitement for the opportunity to contribute to the team.
Use my resume to enhance the cover letter:
[insert resume copy here]
Tailor it further using the job description:
[insert job description here]
Example #4: Transitioning from marketing to UX design
I am applying for the UX Designer position at XYZ Tech, a dynamic software company dedicated to creating intuitive user experiences for small businesses. This role requires expertise in user research, prototyping, and cross-functional collaboration. While my background is in marketing, I’m transitioning to UX design, leveraging my ability to understand consumer behavior and craft engaging, user-centered solutions.
In my 8 years as a Marketing Manager, I worked closely with design teams to develop intuitive customer journeys for digital campaigns, which increased conversion rates by 25%. Recently, I completed a certificate in UX/UI Design from Udemy, where I mastered tools like Figma and Adobe XD, and worked on projects including redesigning a local e-commerce site to improve accessibility and usability.
LuminaTech’s mission to empower small businesses with seamless digital tools resonates deeply with my belief in designing products that simplify lives and drive growth. I’d like this cover letter to showcase my transferable skills, such as customer insights and project management, while emphasizing my dedication to this career shift. Highlight my hands-on UX certificate and how my marketing experience uniquely positions me to contribute to XYZ Tech’s goals.
Use my resume details to enhance the letter:
[insert resume copy here]
Tailor it further using the job description:
[insert job description here]
Bottom line: Can I use ChatGPT for my cover letter?
Using ChatGPT to craft a compelling cover letter offers a blend of efficiency and creativity while ensuring your unique experiences and personality shine through. When used thoughtfully, AI can help you organize your thoughts, tailor your message to specific roles, and emphasize the skills and achievements that set you apart.
Take the time to experiment with prompts and fine-tune ChatGPT’s output to create a letter that truly reflects your voice. Remember, generative AI tools are designed to enhance, not replace, your efforts. By combining its precision with your personal touch, you can elevate your job application and stand out in a competitive hiring process.