By Jason (Hsuan-Cheng) Sun, Data and Analytics Specialist

Job hunting can be a time-consuming and tedious process, especially when it comes to writing cover letters. ChatGPT can save job seekers time and effort – it’s a language model developed by Open AI that can generate text, including cover letters, for job applications. Users can input prompts and receive responses within seconds. While there are some concerns about the accuracy and strength of ChatGPT’s responses, it can be a useful tool for generating documents. It’s quick, easy to use, and free for the basic version, making it a convenient option for job seekers looking to streamline their application process.

It’s important to note that relying solely on ChatGPT may not be the best option. While it can certainly help, it’s not a magical solution that can solve all cover letter-related problems. The quality of the cover letters generated by ChatGPT is not always high or accurate, so it’s important to consider shortcomings.

How to draft a cover letter using ChatGPT

You can ask ChatGPT to draft a cover letter and it will provide you with a step-by-step process for using its services to generate a personalized cover letter. Typically, it will prompt you to provide details about the job description and your experience and may ask you some other questions to gather the information. Once it has enough information, it will generate a draft for you to review. Here are several suggested steps you can use to prompt ChatGPT for a cover letter:

1. Start a conversation: Begin by initiating a conversation with ChatGPT for help writing a cover letter.
2. Provide details: To generate a cover letter that meets your needs, provide ChatGPT with the job title, company name, and job description for the position you’re applying for.
3. Answer questions: ChatGPT will ask you a series of questions to understand your skills, experience, and qualifications. These may include your current job title, responsibilities, education, and relevant achievements.
4. Review and revise: Once ChatGPT has generated a draft cover letter, take the time to review it carefully. Check that it meets your needs, is grammatically correct, and flows well. You can also make revisions or ask for modifications if needed.
5. Finalize your cover letter: When you’re satisfied with the draft, you can finalize your cover letter by copying your cover letter and pasting it to Word, signing off, and adding your contact information. Then, save it and send it to the employer along with your resume.

Recruiter opinions on Chat GPT cover letters

The AI-generated cover letters produced by ChatGPT have received some positive feedback. According to Chris Willsher, a recruitment expert at UK recruiting company Reed, the letters are well-written and can lead to follow-up screening calls.

Although using an AI chatbot to write your cover letter may seem like a convenient option, not all recruiters are ready to adopt the program. They pointed out that AI-generated cover letters lack certain details and personalization, and some recruiters said they can often tell when it appears to be written by an AI tool. Even worse, sometimes the information ChatGPT states is not directly responsive to the given prompt. In one instance, a social media assistant cover letter written by an AI chatbot received criticism for its overly formal and dry tone, which did not reflect the creative and character-driven nature of the job. Additionally, the letter included a list of social media platforms that were not mentioned in the job description, leading the recruiter to question the validity of the applicant’s experience.

Conclusion

ChatGPT is a helpful tool, however, it’s not a replacement for your own creativity and providing a personal touch in your cover letter. Therefore, we need to use it in a thoughtful way.

Benefits: ChatGPT-produced Cover Letters

• Idea and example generation: ChatGPT can be used to generate ideas and examples for your cover letter by testing different prompts and combining the best parts from each one. These can be great templates and sources of inspiration to help you create a unique and compelling cover letter.
• Timesaving: ChatGPT can save you time by generating a sample cover letter in seconds. Instead of spending hours writing your own cover letter from scratch, you can use ChatGPT to create a draft quickly and easily.
• Professionalism: ChatGPT can help you avoid spelling and grammar mistakes, making your cover letter sound more professional. This can increase your chances of getting noticed by employers and potentially lead to more job opportunities.

Drawbacks of using ChatGPT to write a cover letter:

• Less Personality: Using ChatGPT to write your cover letter may result in a generic, impersonal letter that does not reflect your personality or writing style.
• Quality Issue: The quality of the results may vary depending on the information provided in the prompt. Simply copying and pasting the job description and your experience may not always result in a high-quality cover letter. There is no magic formula for creating the perfect cover letter, and it’s important to put in the effort to personalize it and make it unique to you and the job you’re applying for.