write a cover letter using chatgpt

How to Create a Cover Letter with ChatGPT [Guide for 2024]

Your cover letter is a great chance to make a stellar impression on potential employers.

However, writing the perfect cover letter for each job application can be time-consuming.

The more jobs you apply to, the more cover letters you need to write. It's an endless cycle of customizing your pitch for every new opportunity.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, though, writing a cover letter doesn't have to be so daunting.

ChatGPT is an excellent tool to help you create a compelling cover letter for every job you're interested in, in just a matter of minutes!

In this article, we'll show you exactly how to do that.

We're going to cover:

11 Pros & Cons of Writing a Cover Letter with ChatGPT

7 Steps to Writing a Cover Letter with ChatGPT

A Free ChatGPT Cover Letter Template

...and more!

Get ready to make ChatGPT your personal cover letter writer.

Can You Use ChatGPT to Write a Cover Letter?

Yes, you can use ChatGPT to write a cover letter.

ChatGPT is a powerful AI tool that can help streamline your job application process, saving you time and potentially improving the quality of your cover letters.

However, like any tool, it comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

So, let's explore the pros and cons of using ChatGPT to write your cover letter:

Saves time. ChatGPT can generate a draft cover letter in seconds, significantly reducing the amount of time you have to spend on each job application.
Ensures consistency. The AI can ensure a consistent tone and structure across multiple cover letters.
Generates ideas. ChatGPT can provide fresh perspectives and ideas you might not have considered.
Enhances writing. It can help improve your writing by suggesting more professional language or different phrasing.
Tailors to the job . With the right prompts, ChatGPT can help tailor your cover letter to specific job ads for maximum impact.
Solves writer's block. ChatGPT can help you overcome writer's block immediately by providing a starting point for your cover letter.
Available 24/7. You can use ChatGPT to work on your cover letter at any time, day or night.
Lacks a personal touch . AI-generated content can be generic and lack the unique personal experiences and voice you need to make your application stand out.
Adds inaccurate information. Sometimes, ChatGPT can make up details or include wrong information if it misunderstands your prompt.
Has limited context. Some of the nuances of your career or the specific job requirements might be lost on ChatGPT, so you’ll have to provide extra information.
Can’t format your cover letter. While it can generate content, ChatGPT can't handle the visual formatting of your cover letter, so you have to do this part yourself.

What Is the Structure of a Cover Letter?

Writing a cover letter is crucial to your job application since it complements your resume or CV .

Your cover letter is your first opportunity to introduce yourself to the hiring manager in your own words and make a case for yourself as the best candidate for the role. However, if you want your cover letter to be impactful, you need to follow a specific structure.

Here are some of the key components it includes:

Contact details. This section should include your contact information, such as your full name, job title, professional email, phone number, location, and any relevant links, such as a portfolio or LinkedIn profile . Make sure to add as much contact information about the hiring manager as possible.
The greeting and introduction. You must address the letter to the right person , ideally the hiring manager or your potential direct supervisor. Then, you have to grab the reader's attention. Mention your top achievements, use numbers and facts to support your experience, and convey enthusiasm for the specific role you're applying for.
Body paragraphs. This is the bulk of your cover letter, where you should show why you're the ideal candidate for the job. Use this space to identify the core requirements for the role, demonstrate how your experiences align with them, and highlight your passion for the company by mentioning specific things that made you interested in the position.
Conclusion and closing. Wrap up your cover letter by recapping your key selling points, including a call to action, and adding an appropriate closing line.

Now, here’s what a great cover letter looks like in practice:

Want to learn more about what makes a stellar cover letter? Head over to our detailed guide and learn how to write a job-winning cover letter from scratch!

Now that you know what makes a great cover letter, it’s time to write your own!

We’ve split the process into easy-to-follow steps, so feel free to open ChatGPT and start working on your cover letter right away.

#1. Prepare Your Resume

Before you can start writing your cover letter with ChatGPT, you need to have your resume polished and ready to go.

Your cover letter is meant to complement your resume, which means it’ll be based on it. Done right, your resume must reference your work history, skills, achievements, and other qualifications.

If you’re looking for a job , you’re going to need an updated resume anyway, so we encourage you to do this first. It’s going to save you time down the line.

Take the time to write a professional resume that reflects your current skills, experiences, and achievements. This way, you will also refresh your memory about your professional journey, and you’ll be ready to provide ChatGPT with the necessary context to create a compelling cover letter for you.

If you’re not sure how to start, don’t worry - ChatGPT can help you write your resume , too.

#2. Use the Same Chat for Your Cover Letter

Once your resume is ready, it’s time to get started with your cover letter.

If you used ChatGPT to write your resume, you should just use the same chat to write your cover letter.

Ultimately, ChatGPT is a tool that works with the information you give it. This means that the more comprehensive and relevant your input is, the better the output you’re going to get.

Your resume already includes the details about your professional background. This means ‘feeding’ it to ChatGPT is going to need to create an impressive cover letter.

So, by using the same chat that already has that information, you’re helping ChatGPT write the best cover letter possible while keeping things consistent between both documents.

If you haven’t used ChatGPT to write your resume, you can still copy and paste its contents into a new chat. This way, ChatGPT still gets a comprehensive overview of your professional background, including your work experience , education, skills, and achievements.

But things don’t have to end there. After all, your cover letter is an opportunity to shed light on aspects of your professional life that might not fit neatly into a resume format .

You can ask ChatGPT to emphasize certain qualities or experiences that align closely with the job description. For example, you could prompt it with something like:

Write a paragraph for my cover letter that highlights my experience in project management, particularly the successful delivery of multiple projects under tight deadlines. Also, emphasize my strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. Be informative and use simple, human language.

And here’s what output that might give you:

Think about any impressive achievements , personal projects, or standout experiences that are particularly relevant to this job but aren't described in detail in your resume.

#3. Analyze the Job Ad

If you want your cover letter to grab the hiring manager’s attention, you need to reference the job ad when writing it carefully.

The job advertisement is where you can find exactly what the employer is looking for, so it’s crucial to tailor your cover letter accordingly.

This means you must carefully read the job advertisement, identify any keywords , find the most notable requirements and necessary skills, and sprinkle the ones that apply to you throughout your cover letter.

Thankfully, this is something ChatGPT can do in seconds.

Simply copy the entire text from the job ad and paste it into your chat with ChatGPT. This way, you’re giving the chatbot the full context of what you’re applying for and it can use that information to help perfect your cover letter.

Here’s how you could introduce the job ad to your chat so ChatGPT understands you:

#4. Write a Detailed Cover Letter Prompt

The prompt you give ChatGPT will make or break the content it generates for you.

Your commands are going to determine everything about the text - its length, tone, structure, and the information it includes .

There are a few different ways you can go about this:

Write a hyper-detailed prompt. By creating a very lengthy and personalized prompt, you’re going to tell ChatGPT exactly what you want, with very little room for speculation. This way, your first draft might be as close to perfect as possible.
Go with the flow. If you aren’t sure that your hyper-detailed prompt can do the trick, you can adopt a conversational approach with ChatGPT and iron out the details together. This is likely to take a few drafts but the process might be smoother.

We recommend you stick to the second method since trying to create a perfect prompt for a cover letter can be frustrating.

On one hand, if you give the chatbot too little information, it’s going to ask you for clarification and backup information:

But, on the other hand, if you give ChatGPT too much information at once, it might slip up and take your cover letter in a direction you weren’t intending.

That’s why we recommend having a conversation with ChatGPT. This method allows you to give all the details the chatbot needs without overwhelming it and, by gently correcting as you move forward, your cover letter can come out perfect in the end.

Here’s an example of a follow-up prompt after ChatGPT gives you its first draft for your cover letter:

follow-up prompt chatgpt for cover letter

Chances are, ChatGPT will keep perfecting your draft the more you instruct it on what your perfect cover letter should look like.

Want ChatGPT to write a perfect cover letter? Copy and paste parts of our article to help explain exactly what you need your cover letter to include and how to structure it.

#5. Proofread and Edit the Text

Once ChatGPT has generated a cover letter draft that you’re happy with, it's time to add your personal touch.

For starters, it’s crucial that you thoroughly proofread and edit the cover letter. While AI can produce impressive results, it's not infallible, and you need to make sure that the letter truly represents you.

Start by reading the text carefully and keeping an eye out for any cover letter mistakes , typos, or awkward phrasing.

You can also run the text through a grammar-checking tool like Grammarly or QuillBot. ChatGPT is usually quite accurate in terms of grammar, but occasionally the tone or specific language it uses can be awkward and robotic.

Additionally, pay special attention to names, dates, and specific details about you or the company you’re applying to. Make sure that all the points you want to convey are included in the cover letter and add anything that might be missing, whether it’s an important skill or an interesting fact about you.

Next, consider the overall flow of the cover letter. Does it tell a compelling story about why you're the ideal candidate? If not, you can try rearranging some paragraphs or adding transitions between them to improve the narrative.

Lastly, read the cover letter out loud and make sure it sounds like something you would write. While ChatGPT can use different writing styles, you want the cover letter to authentically represent your voice. So, add any personal anecdotes or change the language to match how you would express yourself.

#6. Use a Cover Letter Template

Writing a cover letter with ChatGPT is a great start, but there’s one last step before you can actually submit your cover letter - making sure it's visually appealing.

ChatGPT is excellent for crafting the text for your cover letter, but it can't handle the formatting. Creating a well-formatted, visually appealing cover letter takes a bit more time and effort.

You'd need to set the margins, adjust the line spacing, and choose an appropriate font , all while making sure your cover letter complements your resume.

But if you're looking for a shortcut, this is where our cover letter builder comes in handy.

Novorésumé offers a range of professionally designed templates that let you quickly personalize your resume and cover letter!

Each template is carefully made with input from HR experts, so your job application looks stylish while meeting all industry standards. Simply paste the content you've written with ChatGPT's help into our user-friendly interface, and you'll be done in no time!

Plus, our cover letter templates are made to match our resume templates , so you can create a cohesive set of documents that's sure to impress any hiring manager.

Just pick a template to get started!

ChatGPT Plug & Play Cover Letter Template

Sometimes, your first attempt at creating a cover letter with ChatGPT might not be what you need.

The easiest way to help the AI chatbot understand what you need is to give it an example. So, you need to show it a good cover letter and ask it to improve that.

You can do that by copying our plug-and-play cover letter template and giving it to ChatGPT as a reference.

ChatGPT Plug & Play Cover Letter Template

Dear [Recipient's Name],

As a seasoned [Your Profession] with [Number of Years of Experience] years of industry experience, I am eager to express my interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. With my experience in [Your Industry/Sector] and the successes I've achieved throughout my education and career, I believe I can bring unique value and creativity to your team.

In my current role as [Your Current Job Title], I've taken the lead on more than [Number of Projects/Assignments] projects, some valued up to $[Highest Project Value]. I pride myself on consistently exceeding client expectations and have successfully [Mention a Key Achievement] in just a [Amount of Time] through [Skill] and [Skill].

I've collaborated with various professionals, such as [List Roles], ensuring that all [projects/tasks] meet [relevant standards or objectives]. This hands-on experience, coupled with my dedication to understanding each [client's/customer's] vision, has equipped me to navigate and deliver on complex projects.

My key strengths include:

Improving [Achievement] by [%] over [Amount of Time] which resulted in [Quantified Result].
Optimizing [Work Process/Responsibility] which saved [Previous Employer] [Amount of Time/Budget/Other Metric] over [Weeks/Months/Years]
Spearheading team of [Number of People] to [Task] and achieving [Quantified Result].

Alongside this letter, I've attached my resume. My educational background, a [Your Degree] with a concentration in [Your Specialization], complements the practical skills that I'm particularly eager to share with [Company Name].

I'm excited about the possibility of contributing to [Something Notable About the Company or Its Mission]. I'd be grateful for the chance to delve deeper into how my expertise aligns with your needs.

Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

[Your Full Name]

FAQs on Writing a Cover Letter with ChatGPT

Are you still wondering something about writing a cover letter with ChatGPT? Check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below.

#1. Do I Need a Cover Letter?

Yes, you need to submit a cover letter with your application. Most hiring managers will expect one, and not including it can lead to an immediate rejection.

Even when it’s not explicitly asked for, writing a cover letter will give you the upper hand. It shows you’re willing to go the extra mile for this job opportunity, as well as allows you to elaborate on your qualifications, show enthusiasm for the role, and demonstrate your communication skills.

#2. Is It Okay to Use ChatGPT to Write My Cover Letter?

Yes, it's okay to use ChatGPT to help write your cover letter, so long as it isn’t the only thing you’re relying on.

ChatGPT can be a great starting point, helping you organize your thoughts and make your first draft, but it's crucial to personalize its output. Your cover letter should reflect your unique voice, experiences, and interest in the job.

So, use ChatGPT as an assistant, not as a replacement for your own input. Always review, edit, and refine the AI-generated content so it both represents you and addresses what the employer is looking for.

#3. Is It Obvious I Used ChatGPT for My Cover Letter?

It might be obvious you used ChatGPT if you don't properly edit and personalize the content of your cover letter.

ChatGPT can sometimes produce generic or overly formal language that doesn't sound human. If your cover letter has no personal anecdotes, specific details about your experiences, or genuine enthusiasm for the role, it may also come across as artificial.

To avoid this, make sure you thoroughly review and customize the output ChatGPT gives you. Add your voice, include specific examples from your career, and use a tone that’s appropriate for the company you’re applying to.

#4. How Long Should My Cover Letter Be?

Your cover letter should typically be between 250 and 400 words , fitting on a single page. This usually translates to anywhere between three and seven paragraphs.

If you're writing a short cover letter , just stick to the lower end of this range.

When it comes to cover letters, quality is more important than quantity. Tailor the length to the job and industry, but always prioritize being clear and engaging over hitting a specific word count.

Key Takeaways

That’s the end of our article!

By now, we’re sure you’re an expert at writing cover letters with ChatGPT.

But before we wrap up, let's recap the main points we've covered about using ChatGPT to write your cover letter:

ChatGPT can be a great tool for crafting your cover letter since it saves you time and potentially improves the quality of your writing.
Make sure you have your resume ready and analyze the job ad before you start using ChatGPT for your first draft. This way, the chatbot can ensure that your cover letter is tailored to the role you’re applying for.
While ChatGPT can write great content, you still need to proofread and edit the text to make sure it accurately represents you and your unique experiences.
A great cover letter complements your resume instead of just repeating it. Use ChatGPT to elaborate on your achievements and show enthusiasm for the role.
Don’t expect your prompt to result in a perfect cover letter. Try having a conversation with ChatGPT so you can gently correct it until it gets your cover letter just right.
ChatGPT can’t handle every part of your cover letter. It’s a great tool to help you write the text, not design it. We recommend you use a professional cover letter template so your application looks as good as it reads.

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Image Gallery

Mastering Cover Letters with ChatGPT: A Job Seeker’s Guide

In today’s competitive job market, a strong cover letter can set you apart, often becoming the deciding factor in whether your application advances or stalls. But writing a compelling cover letter can be daunting, especially if you’re unsure how to start or how to emphasize your unique qualifications.

That’s where ChatGPT, an advanced AI language model, comes in. Unlike other AI tools that generate text with minimal input, ChatGPT acts more like a creative writing assistant, providing ideas, helping with structure, and enhancing your language—all based on the details you provide.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to effectively use ChatGPT to streamline your cover letter creation while still infusing it with your unique personality and expertise.

Understanding ChatGPT’s Role in Cover Letter Writing

When it comes to cover letters, ChatGPT’s strength is in its ability to assist and guide, rather than replace, your creative process. Think of it as a well-informed collaborator that can help you find the right words, suggest impactful ways to showcase your skills, and even provide structure when you feel stuck. By using ChatGPT effectively, you can build a solid foundation for your cover letter, giving you the space to focus on what makes your story distinct.

With ChatGPT, it’s about making the AI work with your voice—not replacing it. This guide walks you through how to leverage its strengths to craft a tailored cover letter for each role you pursue.

Preparing to Write Your Cover Letter with ChatGPT

Before you dive into the writing, a little preparation can ensure ChatGPT provides you with the most relevant guidance. Here's how to set the stage:

Clarify the Context : Start by giving ChatGPT a concise description of the job role and your professional background. For example, “ I’m applying for a Marketing Manager position with five years in digital marketing. ”
Present the Job Details : Copy the job description into ChatGPT to help it understand the role's specifics, so it can assist you in aligning your skills and experiences with the job requirements.
Highlight Your Core Qualifications : Specify the key skills and achievements you want to emphasize in your cover letter. The more you provide, the more tailored the response will be.
Ask for Draft Assistance : Use ChatGPT to help craft initial drafts, generate ideas for specific sections, or suggest alternative phrasings.

These initial steps help ChatGPT support your writing process meaningfully. By setting it up for success, you’ll receive responses that are better aligned with your needs and more relevant to the job role.

Effective Prompting Techniques

ChatGPT performs best when given clear and specific prompts. If you’re unsure how to structure a prompt, think about focusing on what you want to convey in each part of your cover letter:

To Open Strongly : “ Help me write an engaging opening paragraph for a Marketing Manager role at [Company Name], focusing on my 5 years of experience in digital marketing. ”
Showcasing Technical Skills : “ Suggest ways to emphasize my proficiency in Python and experience with agile methodologies for a Software Developer position. ”
Highlighting Recent Experience : “ How can I best showcase my recent accounting degree and internship experience for an Entry-Level Accountant role? ”
Closing Impactfully : “ Help me write a strong closing paragraph for a Senior Project Manager position in healthcare, emphasizing my PMP certification and large-scale IT implementation experience. ”

These prompts can serve as starting points, allowing ChatGPT to help you craft a coherent narrative while giving you control over your message.

Making Your Cover Letter Personal and Authentic

Even with ChatGPT’s support, a cover letter should still feel distinctly yours. Here are some strategies to humanize the AI’s suggestions:

Add Personal Anecdotes : Briefly sharing specific instances where you demonstrated a key skill can bring your qualifications to life.
Tailor the Tone to Fit Your Style : Adjust the language to suit both your personality and the company’s culture. ChatGPT can suggest formal language, but feel free to add warmth or enthusiasm.
Highlight Unique Achievements : ChatGPT can draft generic accomplishments, but make sure to layer in details that are specific to your career.
Express Genuine Interest : Show enthusiasm for the role or the company’s mission. Adding a sentence or two about why this particular role excites you can make your cover letter more memorable.
Conclude with a Personal Touch : A strong closing paragraph should reflect not only your suitability for the role but also a sense of purpose or passion for the industry.

Each of these approaches helps ensure that the cover letter sounds like it was written by you, making it both credible and compelling.

Best Practices for Using ChatGPT Throughout the Process

For a seamless experience with ChatGPT, use it as an enhancement to your writing rather than as a standalone writer. Consider these best practices:

Use ChatGPT as a Brainstorming Partner : Ask it to generate ideas or phrases when you’re feeling stuck.
Focus on Structure and Flow : If your thoughts feel disorganized, prompt ChatGPT to help outline or structure your ideas more cohesively.
Enhance Your Language : Use ChatGPT to refine your phrasing, opting for more impactful or concise language as needed.
Keep Your Voice Authentic : Avoid relying on ChatGPT’s suggestions verbatim. Instead, use it as a stepping stone, refining its drafts to reflect your unique voice.
Target Key Responsibilities : If the job has specific requirements, prompt ChatGPT to suggest ways to align your skills with those duties directly.
Optimize for ATS Compatibility : Job descriptions often contain keywords that can improve an application’s standing in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Ask ChatGPT for suggestions on relevant keywords that fit naturally with your qualifications.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

While ChatGPT can be a valuable tool, there are some common mistakes to avoid to maintain your authenticity:

Avoid Over-Reliance on AI-Generated Content : Using ChatGPT as a base is fine, but adding personal details is essential.
Ensure Accuracy in Your Qualifications : Always fact-check to make sure the cover letter accurately represents your skills.
Don’t Neglect Customization : Each job application is unique, and so should be each cover letter. Adjust ChatGPT’s drafts for each role.
Edit Thoroughly : Proofreading remains vital; make sure you edit the final draft to ensure clarity and polish.
Maintain Your Own Voice : A cover letter that feels too generic or overly polished may seem impersonal. Prioritize sounding like yourself.

Ethical Considerations in Using AI for Job Applications

As you integrate ChatGPT into your job application process, it’s essential to remain honest about your qualifications and experiences. Use ChatGPT to help articulate your skills, but remember that integrity matters—both for landing the job and for your future interactions with employers.

Honesty is Key : Be truthful in how you present your experiences.
Don’t Misrepresent Skills : Use ChatGPT to emphasize your strengths, not to fabricate or inflate your abilities.
Be Ready to Discuss Your Cover Letter : Prepare to speak confidently about anything mentioned, as interviewers may ask for more details.

Reuse Your Prompts for Future Applications

One of the advantages of using ChatGPT for cover letter drafting is the ability to save and reuse your best prompts. As you draft each cover letter, make a habit of saving the prompts that worked well—especially those that generated strong opening lines, highlighted specific skills, or helped articulate your enthusiasm for a role.

Simply store these prompts in a Google Doc, Dropbox, or any note-keeping app. Label them by the type of position or skill they emphasize (e.g., “Marketing Manager Opening” or “Emphasizing Python Skills”), so you can quickly reference and adapt them when applying to new roles. This approach not only saves time but also provides a solid foundation, allowing you to focus on refining and customizing your letters rather than starting from scratch each time.

By building a library of prompts, you’ll create a reliable resource that grows with each job application, making it easier to generate polished, targeted cover letters and boosting your confidence in the process.

ChatGPT can be a powerful ally in crafting an effective cover letter, but the real strength lies in how you personalize its suggestions to create something uniquely yours. By balancing ChatGPT’s structure and language support with your voice, experiences, and enthusiasm, you can craft cover letters that stand out. Over time, you may find that working with ChatGPT even improves your writing skills, enhancing not only your job search but also your professional communication skills for the future.

With practice, you’ll master the art of creating cover letters that reflect both your qualifications and your personality—a combination that can make a lasting impression on hiring managers and help you secure that dream role.

If you found these prompts helpful

Please consider supporting the website with 'Buy Me A Coffee'

Buy Me a Coffee

CARTOON PROMPTS

Unlock the magic of cartoon creation with our expertly crafted ' 50 Midjourney Cartoon Prompts ' digital download. Whether you're a fan of Manga, Hanna-Barbera, or any style in between, this collection offers the best prompts to generate stunning cartoons effortlessly. All in one easy to download digital guide.