Most cover letters are terrible. They’re generic, they restate the resume, they open with “I am writing to express my interest in the [position] role at [company]” — and then proceed to say nothing that a hundred other applicants didn’t also say.
ChatGPT can help you write a much better one. But only if you use it correctly. Here’s the approach that actually works.
The Problem with Lazy AI Cover Letters
The wrong way to use ChatGPT: “Write me a cover letter for a marketing manager job.”
The output will be professional-sounding and completely hollow. It’ll hit all the expected beats without any of the specificity that makes a cover letter memorable. Hiring managers have seen AI-generated cover letters — they’re easy to spot.
The right way: treat ChatGPT as a writing collaborator who needs real information about you, your target role, and why you actually want it.
Step 1: Gather Your Inputs
Before you open ChatGPT, collect:
- The job description — copy the full text, not just the title
- Your resume or work history bullets — the relevant experience
- One or two specific accomplishments with numbers if possible (“increased email open rates by 34%”, “managed a $2M budget”)
- Why this company specifically — something real: their product, their mission, a recent announcement, a project they worked on
- The tone of the company — startup casual, corporate formal, creative agency?
This takes five minutes to gather and completely changes the output quality.
Step 2: Write the Master Prompt
Here’s a template that works:
“I’m applying for a [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. Here’s the job description: [paste full JD]. Here’s my relevant background: [paste your experience bullets or bio].
I specifically want to mention that I [insert real accomplishment with data if possible].
I’m drawn to this company because [genuine reason — reference something specific about them].
The company culture seems [formal/casual/creative] based on their website and this job posting.
Write a cover letter that: opens with something more compelling than a generic intro, highlights my fit for the specific requirements in the JD, includes my concrete accomplishment, shows I’ve actually researched the company, and closes with a clear call to action. Keep it to 3-4 paragraphs, under 400 words. Don’t make it sound like AI wrote it.”
That last instruction matters. ChatGPT will pull back on the corporate filler phrases when you explicitly ask it to.
Step 3: Review and Personalize
The output will be good — significantly better than starting from scratch. But don’t send it as-is. Read through it and:
Check for hollow phrases. Things like “passionate about driving results” or “committed to excellence” are filler. Delete them or replace with something specific.
Make sure the accomplishment lands. If your achievement is the strongest proof point, it should be in the first or second paragraph, not buried at the end.
Read it out loud. If it doesn’t sound like how you’d describe yourself in an interview, it needs editing. You’re the one who has to stand behind this letter.
Confirm the company-specific detail is accurate. If ChatGPT generated a fact about the company based on what you told it, double-check that it’s true and current.
Example: Before and After
Generic AI output (what to avoid):
“I am excited to apply for the Marketing Manager position at Acme Corp. With over five years of experience in marketing, I have developed a strong skill set that aligns with your requirements. I am passionate about creating innovative campaigns that drive growth…”
Specific, personalized version:
“Acme’s pivot to direct-to-consumer last year — and the 40% growth that followed — is exactly the kind of inflection point I thrive in. At my last company, I led the email marketing rebuild during a similar transition, growing our active list from 80K to 210K subscribers in 14 months while maintaining a 42% open rate…”
Same basic structure, completely different weight. The second one gives the hiring manager something to respond to.
Tailoring for Different Roles
For multiple applications, use this workflow:
- Write one strong master cover letter in ChatGPT
- For each new application, prompt: “Here’s my existing cover letter: [paste]. Now here’s the new job description: [paste]. Adapt the letter to highlight the specific skills and requirements in this new JD. Keep my accomplishments, update the company-specific section and role-specific language.”
This takes about two minutes per application instead of starting from scratch each time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t let ChatGPT make up accomplishments. Only include real, verifiable achievements. Fabricated metrics will fall apart in an interview.
Don’t skip the personalization. “I’ve admired your company for a long time” is transparent fluff. Name a specific product, campaign, article, or initiative that you actually looked up.
Don’t use the first draft. Always do at least one revision pass. The first draft is a starting point.
Don’t ignore length. A cover letter should be under 400 words. If ChatGPT gives you 600, ask it to cut. Trim the preamble and the filler — keep the substance.
Don’t send without a final read. Check for the company name (embarrassing errors happen when you forget to update it), any outdated information, and anything that doesn’t actually sound like you.
A Few Useful Follow-Up Prompts
Once you have a draft, these help tighten it:
- “Make the opening sentence stronger and more specific.”
- “The third paragraph feels weak — can you punch it up while keeping it under 100 words?”
- “This sounds too formal for a startup. Make the tone conversational but still professional.”
- “I hate the closing — give me three alternative closing paragraphs to choose from.”
Cover letters aren’t going away. But with the right approach, they don’t have to take an hour per application. Gather real information, give ChatGPT real context, and spend your editing time on substance rather than structure.