Using AI to Write A Cover Letter

As you are aware, the Singaporean job market is highly competitive. A strong resume is essential. But a well-crafted cover letter can significantly boost your chances of landing your dream job. 

While your resume lists your qualifications and experiences, a cover letter gives you the chance to express your genuine interest in the company. You can highlight key skills and discuss relevant work experience.  

However, when applying to numerous opportunities, crafting a unique cover letter every time can be challenging and time-consuming. It often leads to discouragement during job search. 

This is where artificial intelligence (AI) tools come in handy. They can assist in generating initial drafts and help tailor them to your preferred style and tone. 

In this article, we will help you learn how to use AI to write a cover letter.  

Here is what we will cover:  

• Pros and cons of using AI for your cover letter  
• Getting started: Using ChatGPT for your cover letter 
• Other AI tools you may use for cover letter writing  
• Tips for optimising AI-generated cover letters 
• Conclusion 
• FAQs 

Pros and cons of using AI for your cover letter  

The advancements in AI technology have helped streamline the process of crafting a good cover letter. The tools have made the process more efficient and effective. However, AI often faces criticism regarding personalisation and authenticity.  

Let us look at the pros and cons of using AI for your cover letters. 

Pros 

Here are some advantages of using AI for your cover letter: 

• Time efficiency: AI can generate initial drafts of your cover letter. This can save you considerable time. With a few clicks, you can have a draft ready to refine. With your cover letter drafted, you can focus more on other aspects of your job application. 
• Guidance and suggestions: Tools like ChatGPT can provide valuable ideas for improving your content. AI tools can enhance the overall quality of your cover letter. From sentence structure to word choice, AI can offer insights to help you polish the letter. 
• Customisation based on prompts: AI can help tailor your cover letter for different job posts by utilising specific prompts. This can help ensure that the letter fits the role you are applying for. 
• Language enhancement: AI can help you refine your language, grammar, and overall writing style. Polishing your writing skills can contribute to producing a professional cover letter. This can help you present yourself to employers in a positive way. 
• Overcoming writer's block: AI can provide a starting point from which you can continue to enhance your cover letter. It may help you overcome writer's block and provide fresh ideas for expressing your skills and achievements.  
• Consistency in tone: AI can help you maintain a consistent tone throughout the cover letter. This ensures a fluent presentation. Fluency reflects positively on your attention to detail and professionalism. 

Cons 

Here are some limitations of using AI for your cover letter: 

• Lack of personalisation: An AI cover letter generator may need help capturing your individuality. This can result in a generic and less tailored cover letter. Recruiters always value authenticity. A generic cover letter may fail to make a positive first impression. 
• Inability to address nuances: The generator may need help grasping the nuances of your experiences or industry-specific details. Without specific prompts, the cover letter may appear inaccurate. Mistakes in your cover letter could hinder your ability to communicate your qualifications and achievements to an employer. 
• Limited understanding: Generative tools might not understand the context of certain situations. A lack of understanding could make it challenging to convey your passion or address complex career narratives. This could result in a cover letter that feels disconnected or lacks depth. 
• Risk of over-reliance: Depending solely on AI may make you reliant on the technology. Depending on AI to write your cover letters could mean you overlook the importance of using your intuition and emotional intelligence. The human touch is essential in conveying sincerity and authenticity. 
• Potential ATS compatibility issues: AI-generated content may not always meet applicant tracking systems (ATS) requirements. This can affect the cover letter's effectiveness in an automated screening process. The ATS algorithms could overlook your cover letter and reject you from the application process. 
• Missed opportunities for creativity: AI generators may lack the ability to add creativity to your cover letter. This may cause you to miss opportunities in creative or non-traditional industries. A well-written cover letter can make employers remember you. It can also differentiate you from other job seekers.  
• Impersonal tone: Using AI might result in a mechanical or impersonal tone. A flat tone may disconnect the reader from the human aspect of your cover letter. Building a personal connection with the recruiter is essential in making a memorable impression. 
• Use of AI-generated detectors: Many companies may start flagging cover letters written using AI-content detector tools in the future. This is due to the influx of AI-generated cover letters (as it is) that job seekers have been submitting.  

Provide specific prompts to these tools to personalise your cover letter. You will have to ensure that it does not sound generic. Also, look out for the overuse of sophisticated vocabulary, which may not sound natural. 

For example, "I'm proficient in amalgamating development skills and architecture knowledge in building intricate IT systems resilient to exponential usage patterns." This may come across as verbose and fail to convey meaningful content. 

Getting started: Using ChatGPT for your cover letter 

The right ChatGPT prompts can help you create tailored and impactful cover letters. AI can give your letter the best chance to resonate with potential employers and increase your chances of securing your desired job position. 

Navigating the ChatGPT interface 

ChatGPT offers a user-friendly interface for crafting a compelling cover letter. Here is a step-by-step guide to accessing and utilising ChatGPT for cover letter writing: 

1. Access ChatGPT 
   ⁠Visit the ChatGPT website or use the available app. Sign in or create an account if you do not have one already.  

2. Type your prompt in the message box 
   ⁠Start typing or use the prompts ChatGPT provides to kickstart the writing process. Instruct ChatGPT through multiple prompts to refine its responses based on the job description and your qualifications.  

3. Review and edit 
   ⁠Once satisfied with the output, review it thoroughly and add personal details wherever applicable. Ensure the cover letter reflects your personality and qualifications.  

If you are using the premium version, which is GPT-4, then you can also follow these additional steps:  

1. Visit "Explore GPTs" 
   ⁠Click on the "Explore GPTs" option on the left side of the screen.  

2. Search for cover letters 
   ⁠In the message bar, search for "cover letters" and select one that you find appropriate based on its rating, number of conversations, and ranking. These are tailored versions of ChatGPTs designed using pre-defined prompts and instructions.  

3. Create your GPTs 
   ⁠You can also create your personal GPT by following the steps here. Then, you can use this personal chatbot to generate first drafts of cover letters with much more accuracy and personalisation.  

ChatGPT prompts to create an effective cover letter 

ChatGPT can craft a good cover letter when given the right prompts. The prompts act as instructions that guide the tool to create an effective cover letter.  

Here are some example prompts for generating cover letters:  

Data scientist position  

Here is an example of an AI cover letter prompt for the job title of a data scientist:  

"I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I would like you to write a cover letter for me for the role of a data scientist. I want you to follow the classic three-paragraph format. In the first paragraph, start by mentioning my interest in the position of data scientist at [Insert Company Name Here]. This needs to be enthusiastic. Also, add that I learned about the company from an acquaintance. Use the next paragraph to highlight my skills and work experience as a data scientist with over five years of experience. My primary skills include machine learning, deep learning, and cloud deployment. In the last paragraph, reiterate my interest in the position. Restate the key skills I possess and mention how I would be an excellent fit for the company. Tell the employer that I look forward to hearing from them soon. Add details about my availability.  

Please remember these instructions. Use a professional tone. Avoid overly complex language. Do not embellish my personal accomplishments. Do not divert from the job title I have provided. Avoid jargon throughout the cover letter." 

Once you get the first draft of your cover letter, you can make minor edits to it. You can also ask it for placeholders where you will add details about your past company and achievements. After removing your personal information, you can also copy-paste sections of your resumè and feed them as the second prompt. This will help improve the cover letter further.  

Financial analyst position  

Here is another example of an AI cover letter prompt for the job title of a financial analyst:  

"I want you to act as a cover letter writer. I would like you to write a cover letter for me for the role of financial analyst. I want you to follow the classic three-paragraph format. In the first paragraph, start by mentioning my interest in the position of financial analyst at [Company Name]. Use an enthusiastic and professional tone here. Also, add that I learned about the company due to its innovative financial products in the market. Use the next paragraph to highlight my skills and work experience as a data scientist with over three years of experience. My primary skills include statistical analysis, data visualisation, and financial modelling and forecasting. In the last paragraph, reiterate my interest in the position. Summarise the key skills I possess and mention how I would be an excellent fit for the company. Convey to the employer that I look forward to hearing from them soon. Add details about my availability.  

Please remember these instructions. Use a professional and friendly tone. Avoid overly complex language. Do not embellish my accomplishments. Do not divert from the job title I have provided. Avoid jargon throughout the cover letter."  

Other AI tools you may use for cover letter writing  

Many AI tools offer valuable help. They can create a polished and professional cover letter. This can help you make a strong impression on the hiring manager. It is best to explore each tool's features, benefits, and pricing options to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences. 

Here are five tools to consider: 

Gemini 

Gemini, formerly known as Bard, is just like ChatGPT and is designed for a broad range of tasks. You can make use of Gemini in the following manner:  

Use cases and value propositions 
⁠You can use Gemini to generate the first draft of your cover letter. Then, you can ask it to refine the text based on additional input such as resumè information, stats, and other details.  

Pros 
⁠The tool offers a user-friendly interface for easy navigation. It provides multiple drafts based on your prompt. You can toggle between the output and choose the one you like. 

Cons 
⁠The customisation options in Gemini are limited when compared to human-written cover letters. It may not capture your personality very well.  

Pricing 
⁠The tool offers two versions namely Gemini and Gemini Advanced, for individual usage. Gemini is the free version, while Gemini Advanced is a paid version. This version is available at a monthly price. But you can always try out this version for free for two months. Gemini is also available as an add-on, as part of Google Workspace, for business use.  

ResumA.I. 

ResumA.I. leverages AI technology to generate optimised resumès and cover letters. It provides real-time feedback on content quality, formatting, and keyword optimisation. 

Use cases and value propositions 
⁠ResumAI aims to help users create tailored cover letters that resonate with hiring managers and ATS. It offers insights into industry-specific keywords and trends to increase resumè and cover letter visibility. 

Pros 
⁠It offers automated feedback and suggestions for improving cover letter content. Its integration with ATS ensures compatibility and maximises application success. 

Cons 
⁠ResumAI may need manual adjustments to align with individual preferences and job requirements. It has limited customisation options for highly specialised industries or roles. 

Pricing 
⁠ResumAI offers free and pro plans. The pro plan comes with premium features and offers unlimited functionality at a monthly subscription fee.  

Jasper AI 

Jasper AI offers AI-powered writing assistance for creating cover letters, resumès, and other professional documents. It provides suggestions for improving content clarity, coherence, and relevance. 

Use cases and value proposition 
⁠Jasper AI enhances the quality of cover letters through AI-driven content generation. It offers real-time collaboration features for team-based cover letter writing and editing. 

Pros 
⁠It has advanced language processing capabilities for generating personalised content. It offers collaboration features for team-based editing and feedback. It also integrates with popular document editing tools for workflow management.

Cons 
⁠Jasper AI may struggle to understand highly technical or specialised language. It also has limited support for non-English languages and regional variations. 

Pricing 
⁠Jasper AI offers 3 subscription-based pricing plans namely Business, Pro and Creator. But you can always start with the 7-day free trial that Pro and Creator plans offer, to get the hang of the tool. 

Writesonic 

Writesonic utilises AI to generate persuasive and engaging content. It can generate cover letters, marketing copy, and social media posts. It offers customisable templates and content prompts to suit various writing needs. 

Use cases and value propositions 
⁠Writesonic helps you create cover letters that highlight your skills, experiences, and qualifications. It offers a range of writing styles and tones to cater to different industries and audiences. 

Pros 
⁠Versatile AI-powered content generation for various writing purposes. It offers access to a library of pre-written content templates and prompts for easy customisation. Additionally, it can integrate with popular productivity tools for workflow integration. 

Cons 
⁠It has limited customisation options for highly specialised or niche industries. You may need to manually review and edit the documents to ensure accuracy and coherence. 

Pricing 
⁠Writesonic offers subscription-based pricing plans with different tiers based on features and usage levels. 

Resumè.io 

Resumè.io provides AI-driven resumè and cover letter templates for job seekers. It offers customisation options for formatting, styling, and content to suit your preferences. 

Use cases and value propositions 
⁠Resumè.io aims to simplify cover letter writing with user-friendly templates and intuitive editing tools. It offers insights and tips on generating effective cover letters that resonate with recruiters and hiring managers. 

Pros 
⁠It offers a wide selection of professional cover letter templates for various industries and job roles. The editing interface, with a drag-and-drop function for customising content, is easy to use. It can also integrate with different social media platforms for profile synchronisation. 

Cons 
⁠There are limited customisation options compared to fully custom-written cover letters. Also, the tool may not capture your individuality very well.  

Pricing 
⁠Resumè.io offers subscription-based pricing plans. There are different tiers based on specific locations and personal needs. You can start with their 7-day free plan.  

Tips for optimising AI-generated cover letters 

You can optimise your AI-generated cover letters. Change the phrasing to better match your tone and style. This will make it more authentic and natural. It will also help you resonate with potential employers.  

Here are two essential tips to always apply:  

Add a personal touch 

Adding a personal touch can make the difference between a generic and an effective cover letter. Here is how you can add a personal touch to your cover letters: 

Include personal anecdotes or achievements 
⁠Share personal stories or achievements demonstrating your qualifications and suitability for the job. Highlight unique experiences or skills that set you apart from other people. 

Emphasise authenticity 
⁠Avoid generic language or clichés by giving your cover letter passion and enthusiasm. Use language that reflects your personality and highlights your interest in the position. 

Provide examples of personalised elements 
⁠Add details of the company or role that align with your career goals and aspirations. Customise the opening paragraph to mention how you discovered the job opportunity. Explain why it fits your career objectives. 

Edit and refine your cover letter 

Generating a cover letter is not enough. It is essential to edit and refine it to differentiate it from a generic cover letter.  

Here is how you can do it: 

Use a collaborative approach 
⁠Edit the AI-generated content to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Ask for feedback from peers, mentors, or industry professionals to refine and improve your cover letter. 

Refine for specific job applications 
⁠Tailor your cover letter to each application. Highlight relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Add specific numbers or stats that highlight your role's impact at previous workplaces.  

Reflect on your voice and aspirations 
⁠Review the AI-generated content to ensure it reflects your unique voice, values, and career aspirations. Adjust the cover letter to fit your personal branding and professional goals. 

Conclusion 

Using AI tools to write a cover letter can help you save time and make you more efficient during the job application process. You can use any of the above tools to write your first draft.  

Remember that though these tools can produce human-like text, they need a lot of refining. You will need to review the text thoroughly. Add personal details and make edits for more clarity and authenticity wherever necessary. Also, check for verbosity, generic words, and awkward phrasing in the text.  

Use smart prompts and provide more details to the AI tools to create more personalised and tailored cover letters. It is best not to entirely rely on AI cover letter generators. Use them to get to a good starting point. Then, build on the first draft and shape it to your liking. Hiring managers are always on the lookout for unique cover letters and a great one can just make you the ideal candidate. 

FAQs 

1. Can I use ChatGPT for a cover letter? 
   ⁠Yes, you can use ChatGPT to generate content for a cover letter. ChatGPT can provide suggestions, help structure your thoughts, and refine language. But reviewing and customising the generated content is essential. It ensures your cover letter aligns with your qualifications and the job's requirements. 
   ⁠
2. Can companies detect AI cover letters? 
   ⁠Companies may not detect an AI-generated cover letter, but you will need to make sure your cover letter represents you well. You will need to review and refine certain aspects, such as wording, style, tone, and vocabulary. Even with specific prompts, some areas seem out of place, or they sound very generic. You will need to identify these areas and work on them.  
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3. What is the best AI cover letter writer? 
   ⁠There are several AI tools available for generating customised cover letters, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some popular options include ChatGPT, Gemini, ResumA.I., Jasper AI, and Writesonic. The best AI cover letter writer for you depends on your preferences, budget, and specific needs. You should explore different tools and choose the one that aligns best with your requirements.