How to Use ChatGPT to Write Your Cover Letter
ChatGPT and AI are taking the internet by storm!
At this point, you’ve probably heard of it, are a little unsure of it, and you can’t quite pin down how you’ll be able to use it to your advantage in your job search.
In this article, you'll learn about one of the most helpful ways to use ChatGPT in your job search—writing your cover letter. So let's dive in and explore what ChatGPT is, how to use it in your job search, and what prompts you should use to get the best results. We’ll even showcase examples of the best cover letters we asked ChatGPT to create.
Watch the video below, and read on to learn how to write the perfect cover letter with the help of ChatGPT in a matter of minutes.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is a remarkable new AI-powered chatbot. Short for Chat-based Generative Pre-trained Transformer, ChatGPT uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) to quickly and accurately generate human-like conversation in any given context.
All you have to do is feed it relevant prompts like “Write my cover letter using my resume below as a reference,” and it will create a beautifully crafted and relevant draft just for you.
How can I use artificial intelligence in my job search?
There are a ton of ways you can use ChatGPT in your job search. You can use ChatGPT to write your resume, optimize your LinkedIn profile, write your resume achievements, craft a letter of interest, and so much more.
The fantastic part about ChatGPT is that it allows you to automate the cumbersome aspects of your job search, which gives you more time to be strategic about your application process. With the help of AI, you can craft personalized resumes and cover letters for every job you apply for.
Additionally, Teal recently launched an integration with ChatGPT inside our AI Resume Builder that allows you to fully leverage AI with your resume and cover letter.
Here's how:
- Generate professional summaries that are tailored to individual jobs
- Write resume achievements that showcase your biggest career wins
- Generate full cover letters in seconds that are compelling
Create your Teal account and start taking advantage of AI enhance your resumes and cover letters.
Not only will these assets be created quickly and easily with the help of AI, but they’ll also be crafted using your previous work experience and the job description you’re applying for.
Things to consider when using ChatGPT in my job search
When using ChatGPT during your job search, it’s essential to consider the potential drawbacks.
ChatGPT is still a new technology that is consistently being tested and reiterated. Currently, the platform is told to decline inappropriate requests but claims on its site that it may still sometimes produce harmful instructions or biased content.
Also, it may accidentally generate incorrect information and needs to gain more knowledge of the world and events after 2021. When using ChatGPT, we suggest that you proceed with caution and, to be extra careful, assess the company's privacy policy to ensure you feel OK with how they use personal data.
Lastly, it is still vital to have real conversations with recruiters to stand out as a qualified candidate - in this case, ChatGPT cannot replace an actual conversation. Use your own writing for one on one contact as much as possible.
How to use ChatGPT to write your cover letter
To get started, simply Google “ChatGPT,” access the OpenAI website, and sign up for a free account. All you need is an email address, Google account, or Microsoft account - it's easy and doesn't take more than a few minutes. Best of all, both the website and app are free to use.
Once you’ve logged in, follow the steps below to create an AI-powered cover letter.
- Go to "Matching Mode" in your Teal AI Resume Builder and select one of the jobs from your Job Application Tracker to focus on.
- Go to the "Job Description" tab and scroll to the "Responsibilities" section. Copy the responsibilities.
- Head to ChatGPT and enter this prompt: "Write my cover letter for X role at Y in a conversational tone, using the job responsibilities below as a reference.”
- Press "Shift" + "Enter."
- Paste the responsibilities below that prompt.
- When you get your result, save it in a separate area (again, Teal’s AI Resume Builder is an excellent option for this), then click "try again" to generate two more versions. Remember to save ChatGPT’s response each time.
- Sort through the options, pull what you like from each generated version, make sure it accurately reflects your experience, and finalize a cover letter you love.
And remember, while you can do this task individually on ChatGPT for each job application process you move through, there is a better and more efficient way to generate customized cover letters.
ChatGPT cover letter writer
Teal's free, AI-powered software simplifies cover letter creation.
Instead of toggling between job descriptions and your resume achievements, streamline your workflow with Teal.
With Teal, not only can you track job postings, but you can also create customized AI-generated cover letters (and professional summaries and resume achievements!) for each one instantly—in one centralized location.
Pulling the details from your resume and any saved job description, the Teal AI Resume Builder ensures every cover letter you create is not only tailored to a specific role but also consistently reflects the skills and qualifications of your resume. Learn more about our AI Cover Letter Generator tool.
Ready to try it yourself?
Teal helps you track all your job postings and job applications and allows you to create customized resumes and cover letters for each one instantly.
The video below showcases the steps for using Teal's AI to create your personalized cover letter directly inside the app without needing prompts or a separate ChatGPT account.
Sign up for free to start customizing your cover letters, and transform your job search. Track, apply, and personalize all in one place.
The best ChatGPT prompts to use for cover letters
The best way to see beneficial results from artificial intelligence is by putting in the actual legwork. You cannot expect AI to do everything for you at the click of a button. ChatGPT only works well with help and strategic direction from an actual person.
That’s why thoughtful prompts are SO necessary. The input you give ChatGPT influences the quality of output you receive. The more detailed suggestions you provide, the more likely it will be able to customize the outcome for you.
Below are four ChatGPT prompts for writing cover letters that we love. If you’re looking for even more prompts, check our ChatGPT resume prompts and ChatGPT cover letter prompts articles.
We suggest personalizing these to your experience, the companies you’re applying with, and the job title you’re applying for.
- "Write a conversational cover letter for a job application as a [position] at [company] using my resume below as a reference."
- "Draft a persuasive cover letter in 150 words or less highlighting my qualifications and enthusiasm for the [position] at [company] using my resume achievements below."
- "Create a compelling cover letter that explains why I am the best fit for the [position] at [company]. Write the cover letter using the StoryBrand Framework."
- "Compose a professional cover letter demonstrating how my abilities align with the requirements for the [position] at [company]. Use the information below as a guide."
In each of these prompts, the creator is expected to provide context like a job description and resume achievements or a professional summary to see the best possible outcome. You'll see above that we also directed ChatGPT to write a cover letter with 150 words or less. We noticed that most of the cover letters it created were a bit verbose, so we suggest using that word count limit for each out.
Below, you'll see an example of a cover letter that ChatGPT created for us on the spot using one of the prompts above!
Benefits of using AI to write your cover letter
Incorporating AI into your cover letter writing process offers a range of benefits that can significantly improve your job application efforts.
Save time and accelerate your job applications: Using AI for cover letter creation will save hours of meaningful time by quickly drafting an initial cover letter, allowing you to apply to more jobs efficiently.
Tell a consistent story: Using AI to write your cover letter ensures you craft a seamless and compelling narrative effortlessly because your cover letter aligns with your career journey, resume details, and the specific requirements of any job you apply for.
Customize content for each application: Easily customize your cover letter for each job application. AI can analyze job descriptions and tailor your letter to match specific requirements and keywords, boosting your chances of grabbing attention.
Get compelling insights: AI provides valuable tips on the best skills and achievements to emphasize, conveying the right amount of enthusiasm, and showcasing your unique value to potential employers.
3 ChatGPT cover letter hacks
Rather than struggling with traditional methods, these ChatGPT cover letter hacks are additional alternatives that make AI valuable in your application toolkit.
Hack #1
Seamlessly integrate company culture: Instead of spending hours perusing a company's website to demonstrate your fit, provide ChatGPT with information about culture and values by copying and pasting the website content along with instructions to seamlessly integrate these elements into your cover letter—showcasing your alignment with the organization.
Hack #2
Generate attention-grabbing opening lines: Skip the struggle of finding the perfect opening line by having ChatGPT create attention-grabbing and personalized opening lines that immediately engage hiring professionals and convey your enthusiasm for the position.
Hack #3
Create a storytelling framework: Task ChatGPT with outlining a storytelling framework for your cover letter. (For example, a problem-solution framework or the challenge-action-result framework). Provide key points about your experiences, challenges, and achievements, and direct AI to organize these into a compelling narrative for your cover letter.
Additional ChatGPT Cover Letter FAQs
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is a formal document you send alongside your resume when applying for a job. It's your opportunity to introduce yourself to the hiring managers, explain your interest in the position, and highlight your relevant skills and experiences. In essence, the cover letter is a way to sell yourself and make a strong first impression.
You can also use it to address gaps in your employment history or explain why you are switching careers.
Can ChatGPT write a cover letter?
Yes! Cover letters are an excellent use case for ChatGPT.
Writing a tailored cover letter based on each particular job you apply to is a smart tactic. But unfortunately, it takes far too much time. With the help of ChatGPT, job seekers can now write a cover letter instantly that showcases their key skills and why they are the right person for a position.
Should I use ChatGPT for my cover letter?
Yes! It's perfectly OK to use AI tools like ChatGPT for your cover letter. However, it's important to remember that you should always review and customize AI-generated content to match your unique skills and experiences. While ChatGPT can save you time by generating initial content, human review and personalization are the key to ensuring your cover letter effectively represents you and your qualifications.
Is it necessary to create a personalized cover letter?
A personalized cover letter is highly encouraged for your job search. It showcases to the hiring manager that you've researched the company and the position you're applying for and are genuinely interested in the job.
It also allows you to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match the job requirements and to explain how you can contribute to the company's success.
Finally, a custom cover letter can also set you apart from other applicants, which is crucial in today's competitive job market.
If you're interested in finding a way to quickly and strategically use AI to customize your cover letter and resume all in one place, sign up for a free Teal account today.
Can employers tell that ChatGPT generated my cover letter?
It's highly unlikely an employer would know that you used ChatGPT to write your cover letter—as long as you take the time to review and customize the content. AI tools create generic drafts, but you know your experiences and qualifications best. There are now tools that can test for it (like GPT Zero), but we doubt people will use them often.
Carefully editing the letter to reflect what makes you a unique candidate in your own authentic voice is key. With your personal touch, your cover letter will shine through as genuinely as if you wrote it from scratch yourself. So use AI as a time-saver, but make the end result distinctly your own.
Write your cover letter with AI today
In a market where customization is key, AI is the tool you need to save time while maximizing your impact.
With the Teal AI Resume Builder, you're not just writing cover letters but creating tailored content that reflects your resume's strengths and aligns with the job description of any role you apply for—all within one intuitive platform. No toggling between programs, no copying and pasting, just alignment and efficiency in one central location.
Simplify cover letter creation and amplify your impact with Teal now.
Additional ChatGPT Job Search Resources
