- 5 Steps to writing a cover letter using ChatGPT
- Prompts to ask ChatGPT to write a cover letter, with examples
- FAQs on using ChatGPT to write a cover letter
- 1. Is it ethical to use ChatGPT for a cover letter?
- 2. Is it OK to use ChatGPT to write my resume?
- 3. How much does ChatGPT cost?
- 4. Do employers really care about cover letters?
- 5. Can you use AI for job applications?
- Key takeaways
AI is here to stay, and it makes sense that we leverage this tool to save time, money, and stress in the job hunting process. In this article, we’ll show you how to use ChatGPT to write a cover letter, including prompts, examples, and more!
When you’re conducting a job search, it can get pretty overwhelming as you juggle applying for multiple jobs, polishing your resume, and creating unique cover letters for every job opportunity. Leveraging a tool like ChatGPT can help you get ahead in the application process and save you a lot of time, money, and stress.
While AI technology is continuously advancing, there are still limitations when using such tools, but we’ll show you how to use ChatGPT to write cover letters.
In this article, we’ll explore:
5 steps to writing a cover letter using ChatGPT
Prompts and examples of writing a cover letter using ChatGPT
FAQs on using ChatGPT
5 Steps to writing a cover letter using ChatGPT
ChatGPT is a great tool that can save you a lot of time, money, and stress during your job search. Follow these five steps to create a compelling AI-generated cover letter that shows you’re the perfect fit for the job opening:
Set up your account. Set up your free ChatGPT account on the OpenAI website by entering your email address, Google account, or Microsoft account.
Refer to the job description. Pull up the job description for the role that you are applying for as well as your resume.
Create a prompt. Enter a prompt into the ChatGPT box that requests a cover letter for a specific job opening as well as a copy of the job description and your resume.
Add specified follow up prompts. After reviewing the content of your cover letter, make some follow up prompts to target the cover letter toward the specific job opportunity. This could include adding specific keywords from the job description, amending any overused buzzwords, or adding information relevant to the company and industry (mission statement, etc.).
Proofread your cover letter. Proofread to ensure there are no spelling and grammar mistakes and give your letter a final polish before sending. Also, include the name of the hiring manager if detailed on the job posting.
- Use the job description as your guide when prompting ChatGPT on keywords. Look for terms that are repeated and emphasized.
- Allow ChatGPT to create long cover letters. Stick to 250 to 400 words, over three to five paragraphs. You can detail this in a prompt.
Prompts to ask ChatGPT to write a cover letter, with examples
When you’re using ChatGPT to write a cover letter, having the correct prompts is vital. If you blindly trust ChatGPT, you’re likely to generate a formulaic letter that a recruiter may pass over.
Here’s a suggested prompt to try first:
Hi ChatGPT, Can you write a cover letter? I’m currently a digital marketing assistant and I am applying for a job as digital marketing associate at ABC Marketing. Can you make the cover letter four paragraphs long and around 280 words. Can you bullet point three notable achievements in the second paragraph with a line that introduces the achievements.
Here is the job description: [Copy and paste the core responsibilities for the job opening]
Here is my resume: [Copy and paste relevant experience from your resume]
Here are the results:
[Your Details]
[Date]
Hiring Manager ABC Marketing [Company Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my keen interest in the Digital Marketing Associate position at ABC Marketing, as advertised. With a solid background as a Digital Marketing Assistant at Starlight Innovations, where I have been instrumental in driving successful digital marketing initiatives, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your agile marketing team and support ABC Marketing's business objectives during this pivotal period of strategic growth.
In my current role at Starlight Innovations, I have achieved several noteworthy accomplishments that demonstrate my ability to deliver impactful marketing campaigns:
Developed and executed a digital marketing campaign that led to a remarkable 35% increase in website traffic and a 25% increase in conversion rates.
Created and managed engaging content for social media platforms, resulting in a significant 50% increase in followers.
Conducted thorough market research and competitor analysis to identify new target audiences, informing strategic decision-making and optimizing campaign effectiveness.
My experience at Starlight Innovations has equipped me with valuable skills and insights that I believe will be highly beneficial in the Digital Marketing Associate role at ABC Marketing. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work within an agile marketing delivery team and utilize owned marketing channels to deliver impactful communication activities that will contribute to building the brand and achieving business objectives.
I am confident that my passion for digital marketing, coupled with my proven track record of driving results, make me a strong candidate for this position. I am eager to bring my skills and expertise to ABC Marketing and contribute to the continued success of the team.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my experiences align with the needs of ABC Marketing.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
The first prompt/draft is a solid start, but there are some improvements that can be made to polish this cover letter and make it more relevant to your specific skills, experience, and personality. Here’s some suggested prompts to try: “Can you replace “Hiring Manager” with the name Mr Anderson,” “Could you inject some personality into this cover letter,” “Could you mention in the last paragraph that I am inspired by the company’s mission to create category-defining brands and impactful digital experiences.”
Others include: “Can you remove ‘as advertised’ as well as ‘and support ABC Marketing’s business objectives’ from the first paragraph,” and “Can you highlight my creativity, great problem-solving capabilities, and strong communication skills.”
It’s important to also complete a final polish and full proofread before you send your cover letter to the hiring company. Here’s the result of including the above prompts:
[Your Details]
[Date]
Mr Anderson ABC Marketing [Company Address] [City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear Mr Anderson,
I am writing to express my keen interest in the Digital Marketing Associate position. With a solid background as a Digital Marketing Assistant at Starlight Innovations, where I have been instrumental in driving successful digital marketing initiatives, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your agile marketing team during this pivotal period of growth.
In my current role, I have achieved several noteworthy accomplishments that demonstrate my ability to deliver impactful marketing campaigns:
Developed and executed a digital marketing campaign that led to a remarkable 35% increase in website traffic and a 25% increase in conversion rates.
Created and managed engaging content for social media platforms, resulting in a significant 50% increase in followers.
Conducted thorough market research and competitor analysis to identify new target audiences, informing strategic decision-making and optimizing campaign effectiveness.
My experience at Starlight Innovations has equipped me with valuable skills and insights that I believe will be highly beneficial to ABC Marketing. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work within an agile marketing delivery team and utilize owned marketing channels to deliver impactful communication and brand-building activities.
What excites me most about this opportunity is ABC Marketing’s mission to create category-defining brands and impactful digital experiences. My creativity, strong problem-solving capabilities, and excellent communication skills make me confident that I can drive results and make meaningful contributions to your team.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my experiences align with the needs of ABC Marketing.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
FAQs on using ChatGPT to write a cover letter
Here’s some frequently asked questions on ChatGPT to help you make the most out of this AI tool when writing your cover letter and any other application documents:
1. Is it ethical to use ChatGPT for a cover letter?
Generally, it’s considered ethical to use ChatGPT to create your cover letter, so long as you ensure it's a true reflection of your skills and experience. When writing a cover letter, you also want your personality to shine through as this can really set you apart from other applicants. Adding that human touch will ensure your cover letter is more impactful.
2. Is it OK to use ChatGPT to write my resume?
ChatGPT is a great tool to use to help you write your resume, whether you’re revamping an old version of your resume or starting from scratch. Writing a resume can be tricky, so having a tool that helps you avoid writer's block is a real lifesaver.
However, you can’t 100% rely on ChatGPT. If you don’t provide enough information or use ineffective prompts, then ChatGPT can invent information to fill gaps and incorrectly represent your career. Provide specific information in your prompts to avoid this pitfall, then add some human input to ensure your resume is on point.
Expert Tip
ChatGPT is also a great tool for researching companies. You can use this information to find companies you want to work for, enhance your resume, or interview performance. Try a prompt such as “Provide details on [Company Name]. Include information on their mission, values, products, services, and the leadership team.”
3. How much does ChatGPT cost?
ChatGPT is free to use, with unlimited messages, interactions, and history. If you’re looking for additional tools, like the ability to use images and documents in your prompts, then you can pay a monthly fee of $20 for ChatGPT Plus.
4. Do employers really care about cover letters?
The value of cover letters is hotly debated. Many blogs and sources say that cover letters are outdated and that only a small handful of HR professionals still care about them. If this is the case, then why bother?
The answer is that hiring managers are not all the same—for every one that ignores cover letters, there’s another that will read every word, and this will influence who they invite to an interview. Since you have no way of knowing which type of professional you’ll get, it’s better to be safe than sorry and create a strong cover letter every time.
5. Can you use AI for job applications?
Let’s face it, most of us hate filling out job application forms, so letting ChatGPT do the leg work when you’re applying for numerous jobs is a major plus. You can use it to create a first draft or edit an existing resume, then make edits to ensure the content is truthful, accurate, and reflects your career.
Here’s a prompt if you’re creating a first draft of your resume:
Use the following job description to write a resume with a minimum of 1000 words. Focus on the skills of “project management” and “strategic planning.”
[Paste the job description]
Here’s an example when you’re updating an existing draft:
Suggest edits to the following resume. Use the following job description as context. Ensure the skills of “project management” and “strategic planning” are highlighted.
Resume: [Paste your existing resume]
Context: [Paste the job description]
Much like the process of using ChatGPT to create a cover letter, your initial results will likely be a little routine and impersonal, so add follow-up prompts to personalize and specify the information.
If your cover letter and resume has bagged you an interview, well done! Check out our Interview Prep tool with live recordings, mock interviews, and AI-driven insights.
Key takeaways
ChatGPT is a great tool if you’re looking to save time and reduce stress when creating cover letters to accompany each resume.
Providing clear prompts and relevant information, such as your resume and job descriptions, will avoid ChatGPT generating false information about your career.
The human touch can’t be underestimated. Complete a thorough proofread and tweak your cover letter so that it fully reflects your skills, experience, and personality.
