The top AI tools to write your cover letter

In today’s job market, you need to stand out from the crowd. And that includes having a tailored, effective cover letter. But writing that cover letter doesn’t have to take a lot of time, and that’s where Artificial Intelligence (AI) comes into play. You can use AI to help craft your cover letter, but you have to be careful so that you don’t sound like a robot. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered with the top AI tools you can use to write a top-notch cover letter that highlights your qualifications. 

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• Why do you need a cover letter?

• Can AI write a letter for you?

• What are ChatGPT and Gemini and how can they create a cover letter?

• Using Career.io’s Cover Letter Builder to write your cover letter

Why do you need a cover letter?

Some experts feel that in 2024, a cover letter is no longer necessary; after all, most jobs are posted electronically, and a lot of recruiters don't actually read them. You should still include one, especially if it's requested in the job posting. And while many hiring managers do actually read them, there's another reason to include a cover letter—the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). 

The ATS works by scanning for keywords, and the more times those keywords appear in your documents, the higher your ranking (and the better your chances of getting an interview). Remember, a cover letter shouldn't recap your resume; it should serve as an introduction that tells the hiring manager why you’re an ideal candidate, and include some (brief) information that isn’t on your resume. 

Including a cover letter can also help you stand out from the crowd. If other candidates aren’t bothering to submit a cover letter, showing the recruiter that you took the time to write one demonstrates that you’re willing to go above and beyond.

Can I use AI to write my cover letter?

Yes, you can, but with one caveat: you’ll want to add your own personal touches. AI isn’t foolproof, so you can’t just enter some data and use whatever AI generates. AI is a great starting point, especially if you’re intimidated by a blank page (or screen), and each AI tool has its own strengths and weaknesses. But, take the time to check the document for accuracy and tone, and tailor it for each job you’re applying for. 

That said, there are definite advantages to using AI tools for your cover letter: It can save you time writing it from scratch, it assists you with grammar and spelling, and it efficiently utilizes the important keywords from the job posting.

Remember, once AI creates a first draft for you, personalize it, correct the tone, and provide any necessary context. Keep in mind that many recruiters (about 39 percent) feel an obvious AI-created cover letter is a deal breaker.

How can ChatGPT and Gemini be used to create a cover letter?

As you might already be aware, ChatGPT stands for “Chat-based Generative Pre-trained Transformer” and aims to use natural language processing (NLP) to create text that sounds like a human wrote it.  It can be used to create internet content, code, social media posts, and yes, even cover letters. 

You begin by entering a prompt, and it will create a cover letter that you can then personalize for your specific background and experience. Your prompt should include relevant information from the job description as well as your qualifications, as this will help ChatGPT create a more detailed, personalized letter.

Similar to ChatGPT, Gemini, formerly known as Bard, is an AI tool created by Google. Relatively new to the tech scene (launched February, 2024), Gemini is multimodal and can handle the processing of STEM subjects like math and science and write code in a number of programming languages such as GoogleSQL in addition to simulating human-like text. Like ChatGPT, to create a cover letter, you need to provide as much information from your resume and job description as you can, then enter a prompt telling Gemini what you want it to do.

Using Career.io’s Cover Letter Builder

In addition to Career.io’s Resume Builder, there is also a free Cover Letter Builder that will provide expert-tested templates and allow you to personalize the design, formatting, and structure of your cover letter. You can customize your cover letter utilizing Career.io’s AI tools and professional insights along with templates designed for your specific industry. 

The AI will also customize each cover letter for you, saving you time and energy. There’s no cutting and pasting to another website, either, as Career.io’s AI-based cover letter tool does it all in one convenient place. It simplifies the ChatGPT/Gemini process by allowing you to simply enter your information, choose your template, and fill in the content with AI-generated suggestions and phrases. When you have it customized to your needs (and specific job), you can easily download the cover letter.

Remember, AI is just a tool and shouldn’t replace your unique voice. Once you’ve got a good first draft, review your cover letter to ensure that it aligns with the job description, conveys the tone you were aiming for, highlights your unique experiences and accomplishments, and isn’t too long or wordy. 

If you need a new resume to go along with your cover letter, try Career.io’s Resume Builder tool which will provide you with tested and proven resume templates using AI-supported “smart suggestions” and helpful expert insight to ensure your resume stands out from the crowd.

Key takeaways

1. A cover letter should serve as an introduction that tells the hiring manager why you’re an ideal candidate, and include some (brief) information that isn’t on your resume. 

2. Using AI to create your cover letter can save you time, assist you with grammar and spelling, and efficiently incorporate keywords from the job posting.

3. AI-generated cover letters should be used as a starting point, not a final document. Make sure to edit for accuracy, tone, and wording.