Searching for a job can be overwhelming. There’s so much to do—from finding opportunities to writing your resume, and securing references! That’s why many job seekers are now using ChatGPT cover letters to save time.
However, there are some common mistakes you need to avoid when using ChatGPT. This guide will help you use this free tool to generate a cover letter as a basic start for your job search.
Just follow the steps below and you’ll have a base cover letter to support your tailored resume!
What is ChatGPT and how does it write a cover letter?
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence-based tool developed by OpenAI and launched in November 2022.
It works by using natural language processing (NLP) technology to understand what you are trying to write. It then suggests words and sentences you can use to complete your writing.
To use ChatGPT, you first have to provide it with a prompt. A prompt is a form of instruction that tells ChatGPT what to do and how to respond.
The prompt is crucial when using ChatGPT. This is because it provides context and guidance for the model to generate a relevant response.
Without a good prompt, ChatGPT will return a vague and generic response.
Should I use AI in my job search?
Artificial intelligence tools can streamline your job search. They can help you create a resume, write a cover letter, and optimize your LinkedIn profile.
You can automate some of the most tedious parts of your job search with the help of AI, including:
- Writing a resume summary tailored to the job description.
- Generate bullet points with impactful and measurable achievements.
- Create a customized cover letter based on your resume and the job description.
AI can also help you find job opportunities that match your skills, qualifications, experience, and preferences. This can make your job search faster and more efficient.
How to use ChatGPT to write your cover letter
Even if you’ve never used ChatGPT before and aren’t sure how it works, you can quickly write a cover letter by following the steps below.
If you want an even simpler way to do this, use our automatic cover letter generator. It goes through all these steps within seconds, automatically drawing key information from your optimized resume and the job description. This takes the guesswork out of the writing process.
Watch this brief video to see how it works:
Step 1: Begin your prompt
To get started, tell ChatGPT that you need a cover letter. You can also provide some basic information about the job you’re applying for and what you’d like to emphasize in your cover letter.
Here’s an example:
You don’t have to provide too much detail about yourself in the opening portion of your prompt.
That’s the next step!
Step 2: Provide ChatGPT with a short bio
It’s time to give ChatGPT a little more information about yourself. This will help personalize the cover letter to highlight your unique skills and experience.
Here are some basic pieces of information you should include in your bio:
- Your name: Start with your full name.
- Your contact information: Then include your email address, phone number, and address (city and state are fine).
- Your professional experience: Summarize the positions you’ve held, the companies you’ve worked for, and any notable accomplishments.
- Your education: Include your degrees and the institutions you’ve attended.
- Your skills and qualifications: Focus on those that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Write your short bio directly into the chat bar following your opening paragraph.
Step 3: Paste in the job description
Now you need to provide ChatGPT with more information about the job you’re applying for.
To do this, simply paste the job description into your prompt, right after your short bio.
The job description will help ChatGPT generate a cover letter that is more ATS-friendly.
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. This is computer software that almost all companies use to help them manage the hiring process.
When you submit your job application, it typically goes directly into an ATS database. Hiring managers then search for suitable candidates by typing keywords into the ATS search bar.
These keywords are related to the job and can include job titles, skills, responsibilities, personal attributes, education level, and more.
To create new lines in ChatGPT, press “Shift + Enter“. Hitting “Enter” alone starts generating content.
Where do you find these keywords? In the job description! That’s why you should include it in your prompt.
When you add the job description, you can include the following sentence:
Make sure the cover letter includes the relevant keywords and phrases from this job description to make it ATS-friendly.
This will prompt ChatGPT to generate a cover letter that is tailored to the specific job description and optimized for the ATS.
Step 4: Paste your resume into ChatGPT
The final piece of your prompt should be your resume, which is full of details about your skills, experience, and qualifications.
Just copy and paste the text of your resume into the prompt.
You may want to explain to ChatGPT that you’re including your resume to help it generate a more personalized cover letter.
For example, you could say,
I’m also including my resume for reference [paste resume here]. I want to highlight my experience in developing and executing successful marketing campaigns and showcase my ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
You can do ALL of this automatically with Jobscan’s new AI-powered cover letter generator.
With this tool, you won’t have to worry about writing prompts because they’ve already been engineered into the design.
Jobcan’s prompts incorporate your resume and the job description to generate a highly personalized cover letter for you with just one click!
Step 5: Hit the “Enter” key
Once you’ve included all the necessary information in your prompt, it’s time to generate your cover letter! Just hit the “enter” key, and ChatGPT will generate a unique and customized cover letter for you.
But you’re not done yet!
Step 6: Fine-tune your ChatGPT cover letter
ChatGPT is a great tool for generating a first draft, but you still need to take the time to review, edit, and fine-tune it.
You’re not only looking for factual errors and grammatical mistakes, but also to make sure that your cover letter reflects your unique skills, experiences, and personality.
As powerful as ChatGPT is, the content it produces can sometimes sound a bit impersonal.
“As an applicant, you want to stand out from the crowd,” says Bonnie Dilber, recruiting manager at Zapier. “A lot of people are using ChatGPT so if you simply submit what it creates, it’s likely your resume and cover letter will be the same as everyone else.”
Here are some tips for making sure your cover letter has enough YOU in it.
- Customize the opening: First impressions are key! Take the time to add a little personality to the beginning of your cover letter.
- Make sure your cover letter matches the job description: Re-read the job description to confirm that your letter features the most important skills and requirements for the position.
- Emphasize your unique skills and experiences: Your letter should show why you’re the best candidate for the job.
- Make it clear and easy to read: Keep your cover letter concise and to the point. Employers receive lots of applications, so make yours easy to read.
- Adjust the tone if necessary: Formal is appropriate for a corporate setting, while casual might work best for a small start-up.
- Review for errors and typos: Use grammar checking and proofreading tools to check your work.
You can also try different prompts when fine-tuning your first draft to make it more personalized and targeted.
For example, you might ask ChatGPT to rewrite your cover letter with more emphasis on your industry experience, your technical skills, or your key qualifications.
As you work on your cover letter, feel free to create multiple versions of it (make sure to copy and paste them into another document).
There are two advantages to creating several versions of your letter:
- You can combine the best parts of each version to create the perfect cover letter.
- You’ll get better at using ChatGPT. Remember, the more detailed and specific the prompt, the better the result.
Creating prompts is a skill. Like any skill, it can be learned and improved by practice, practice, practice!
Read more: Cover Letter Examples for Job Seekers in Any Field
Best ChatGPT prompts for cover letters
Write a cover letter for a [job title] position at [company name]. Include my experience in [industry], key skills such as [skill 1], [skill 2], and [skill 3], and mention my enthusiasm for joining [company name].
Create a cover letter for a [new job title] position at [company name]. Highlight my transferable skills from my previous role as a [previous job title], including [skill 1], [skill 2], and [skill 3], and explain my motivation for changing careers.
Write a cover letter for an entry-level marketing assistant position at [company name]. Mention my recent graduation from [university name] with a degree in [field], relevant internships or projects, and my eagerness to start my career in marketing.
Create a cover letter for a senior project manager position at [company name]. Highlight my [x years] of experience in project management, key achievements such as [specific project], and my leadership skills.
Draft a cover letter for a data analyst position at [company name]. Include my [x years] of experience in [field], mention my specific interest in [company name]’s projects or values, and explain how I can contribute to their success.
Generate a cover letter for a sales manager position at [company name]. Emphasize my achievements, such as increasing sales by [percentage] at my previous job, winning [specific awards], and my strategic approach to driving revenue growth.
ChatGPT cover letter writer
Our cover letter generator uses GPT-4, the same technology ChatGPT is based on, to generate a personalized cover letter for you. As you now know, using ChatGPT effectively for your cover letter writing takes many steps, including a lot of copy and paste. Feeding ChatGPT your resume, the job description, and the prompts aren’t guaranteed to save you time.
Instead, the cover letter generator is already primed to combine the skills from your resume and the job description to optimize your cover letter for keywords and achievements. With just one click, you can get a personalized cover letter.
By optimizing your resume and creating your cover letter all in one place, you’re better able to track your job search and maximize your chance of securing interviews.
Key Takeaways
ChatGPT is an AI-based tool developed by OpenAI that can be used to generate a cover letter.
The key to using ChatGPT successfully is to create clear, detailed prompts. These prompts should incorporate your resume and the description of the job you’re applying for.
The cover letter that ChatGPT generates should be considered a first draft.
You’ll still need to spend time editing and fine-tuning it to make sure it reflects your unique skills, experiences, and personality.
You can do all this manually, or you can automate the entire process using Jobscan’s cover letter generator.
Powered by AI technology, Jobscan uses industry best practices to create cover letters that will get you more job interviews. It does this by….
- Analyzing both your resume and the job description.
- Tailoring each letter to the specific job you’re applying for.
- Focusing only on the skills you have listed on your resume.
- Featuring your most relevant accomplishments and measurable results.
- Creating a cover letter that is keyword-rich and ATS-friendly.
- Organizing all your cover letters in one place for easy access.
As with any AI tool, we recommend that you still take the time to review and customize it before sending it off.
With Jobscan’s cover letter generator, you’ll be able to get a quality cover letter while avoiding many of the mistakes others make by doing it alone.
FAQs
Yes, you can use ChatGPT to help create a cover letter. ChatGPT is an AI language model that can assist you in generating personalized and professional cover letters. Here’s how it can be beneficial:
– Content Generation: ChatGPT can help you draft your cover letter. It will include all the necessary parts: an introduction, body paragraphs that highlight your skills and experiences, and a closing statement.
– Customization: You can give ChatGPT details about the job and your relevant experience. It will then create a cover letter tailored to the job description.
– Polishing and Editing: If you already have a draft, ChatGPT can help. It can suggest improvements in wording, tone, and structure for your cover letter.
– Overcoming Writer’s Block: If you’re struggling to start or find the right words, ChatGPT can provide inspiration and initial drafts that you can then modify to better suit your personal style.
– Over-Reliance on AI: Relying entirely on ChatGPT without personalizing the content can result in a generic cover letter. Always add your unique experiences and voice.
– Lack of Specificity: Not providing enough context or details about the job and your qualifications can lead to a vague cover letter. Be specific about the role and how your skills match the job requirements.
– Ignoring Formatting: AI-generated content might not adhere to standard cover letter formats. Make sure the cover letter is well-formatted and structured. It should include a header, introduction, body, and conclusion.
– Skipping Proofreading: Automated content might contain errors or awkward phrasing. Always proofread the cover letter to correct any mistakes and improve readability.
– Failing to Highlight Unique Qualifications: Generic phrases and clichés can weaken your cover letter. Focus on what makes you uniquely qualified for the position and avoid overused language.
– Not Customizing for Each Job: Sending the same cover letter to multiple employers can be a red flag. Tailor each cover letter to the specific job and company.
– Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and state the position you are applying for. Mention how you found out about the job opening.
– Relevant Experience: Highlight your most relevant experiences and achievements that make you a strong candidate for the job. Use specific examples and metrics to demonstrate your accomplishments.
– Skills and Qualifications: Showcase the key skills and qualifications that align with the job requirements. Explain how these skills will benefit the employer.
– Company Knowledge: Demonstrate your knowledge about the company and express why you are interested in working there. Show that you have researched the company’s values, mission, and culture.
– Personal Attributes: Mention personal attributes that make you a good fit for the role and the company culture. This can include soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
– Enthusiasm and Fit: Convey your enthusiasm for the role and why you believe you are a perfect fit. Show your passion and genuine interest in contributing to the company’s success.
Cover letters are often necessary and can significantly enhance your job application. Here’s why:
– Personalization: Cover letters provide an opportunity to personalize your application and explain why you are specifically interested in the role and the company.
– Context: They allow you to provide context to your resume, highlighting your most relevant experiences and skills in relation to the job you are applying for.
– First Impression: A well-written cover letter can make a strong first impression, demonstrating your communication skills, professionalism, and attention to detail.
– Differentiation: Cover letters help differentiate you from other candidates by allowing you to showcase your personality, enthusiasm, and unique qualifications.
– Employer Expectation: Many employers expect a cover letter as part of the application process. Not including one when it is requested can reflect poorly on your attention to instructions.
While ChatGPT is a powerful tool, there are some limitations:
– Human Touch: AI-generated content might lack the personal touch and emotional nuance that a human can provide.
– Context Awareness: ChatGPT might not grasp the context of certain job roles or industries, so it’s important to provide clear instructions and make necessary adjustments.
– Originality: There is a risk of generating generic content. To counter this, make sure to personalize the content as much as possible.
