Generate a cover letter that doesn't sound like a robot

Grab this prompt and drop it into ChatGPT, Claude, or whatever AI tool you like. Fill in the brackets with your details.

Write me a cover letter for this job. Here's what you need:

**The job posting:**
[Paste the full job description]

**My resume (use a tailored version if you have one):**
[Paste your resume. If you already tailored it for this job, use that version.]

**My work history document (if you have one):**
[Paste your work history document here for richer details and metrics. Skip this if you don't have one.]

**Why I actually want this job (be honest, even if it's short):**
[Example: "I've used their product before and think it's great" or "The role combines the two things I'm best at" or "The company is growing fast and I want to be part of that"]

Rules for writing this:

1. Don't start with "I am writing to express my interest in..." or any variation of that. Start with something specific to this company or role.

2. Keep it between 250-350 words. Hiring managers skim these.

3. Pick 2-3 things from my resume that directly connect to what they need. Use specific, measurable achievements, not vague claims. Explain the connection, don't just repeat bullet points.

4. If there's something in the job posting I don't have on my resume, don't try to hide it. Either skip it or briefly acknowledge how I'd approach the gap.

5. End with a clear, confident closing. No "I would be thrilled for the opportunity to discuss" type stuff.

6. Match the tone of the job posting. If they're formal, be professional. If they're casual ("we're a scrappy team"), loosen up.

7. Don't fabricate or exaggerate anything. If my resume says "managed a team of 5", don't turn that into "led a large cross-functional organization."

Sound like a real person wrote this, not a template engine.

Tips for better results

• The “why I want this job” section is the most important input. Even one real sentence gives the AI something to work with. Without it, you get generic output.
• If you already tailored your resume for this job, paste that version instead of your generic one. The cover letter will be more consistent.
• Having a work history document gives the AI better stories and numbers to pull from. Worth building one if you’re applying to multiple jobs.
• If the result feels flat, paste it back and say: “Make it less formal and more conversational.”
• Read the final version out loud. If it sounds like something you’d never say, edit it or regenerate.