Let's be honest: most people's cover letters are bad. And most AI-generated cover letters are worse — they have that unmistakable corporate-speak quality that signals immediately that the applicant didn't think too hard about this.
Here's how to use AI to write a cover letter that's actually good.
Why Generic AI Cover Letters Fail
When you ask AI to "write a cover letter for this job," it produces a technically correct but deeply uninspiring document. The language is safe, the structure is textbook, and it contains nothing that could only come from you.
Hiring managers read hundreds of these. What they're looking for — and what almost no cover letter provides — is evidence that you specifically want this specific job at this specific company, and a concrete reason to believe you can do it.
AI's job is to help you articulate that, not to invent it.
The Right Inputs Make All the Difference
Before you write a single word, gather the raw material:
- The job description: Copy it in full, not just the title
- Your relevant experience: The 2-3 most relevant things you've done, with specific outcomes (numbers, results, scope)
- Why you actually want this role: Be honest with yourself here — if the answer is "the money," dig deeper. What is it about the work itself, the company, the team, or the problem they're solving that you find genuinely interesting?
- One specific thing about the company: Something from their website, recent news, a product you've used, a mission you connect with
These inputs are what make the difference between a generic output and a compelling one.
The Prompt
I'm applying for [job title] at [company name].
Job description: [paste full JD]
My most relevant experience:
[bullet 1 with specific outcome]
[bullet 2 with specific outcome]
[bullet 3 with specific outcome]
Why I want this role specifically (not generic reasons):
[your honest answer]
One specific thing about this company that resonates with me:
[the specific thing]
Write a cover letter that:
- Opens with something specific, not "I am writing to apply for..."
- Is 3 short paragraphs, max 250 words total
- Sounds like a smart human wrote it, not a bot
- Makes a specific, concrete case for why I'm a good fit — not just that I have the skills listed
- Ends with a clear, confident ask for a conversation
Do not use: "I am excited to...", "I am passionate about...", "I would be a great fit", or any other overused phrases.
After the First Draft
The AI draft is a starting point. Now do the things AI can't do:
- Replace one generic sentence with something only you could write: An observation from your actual experience, a specific project, a concrete thing you've noticed about their product
- Read it out loud: If you'd never say a phrase in a conversation, cut it
- Check the opening: If it starts with "I", rewrite it. The best openings start with the company or the role, not with you
- Verify the length: If you've been going over 300 words, cut. Hiring managers will read a short letter; they'll skim a long one
The Principle
AI is best at turning raw material into polished prose. Your job is to provide the raw material — the specific experiences, genuine motivations, and real observations that can only come from you. Do that, and the letter will sound like you, not a template.
