How to write a cover letter with AI

By the end of this, you will have a tailored cover letter for a specific job, written in your own voice and built around what the employer is actually asking for rather than sent out as a one-size-fits-all document.

What you will need

• Any AI chat tool: Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini all work well.
• The job advert you are applying for.
• A few details about your experience: your CV, or a rough list of roles and things you are proud of.
• About 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 1: Give the AI the job and your background

Start by telling the AI about the role and about you. A cover letter works best when it connects the two, so the more you give it up front, the more the letter will sound like you and fit the job.

I'm writing a cover letter and would like your help. Here's the job I'm applying
for:

[paste the job advert]

And here's a bit about me:

- Roles and experience: [a few lines, however rough]
- Things I'm proud of: [projects, results, moments that went well]
- Why this role appeals to me: [a sentence or two]

Please don't write the letter yet. First, ask me any questions that would help
you write it well.

What to expect: the AI will ask a few questions, often about why you want the role or a result you can point to. Answering them is where a lot of the value is.

If it does not work: if it starts writing the letter straight away, reply with “Please hold off and ask me your questions first.”

Step 2: Match your experience to the advert

A strong cover letter answers the advert point by point. Ask the AI to line your background up against what the employer is asking for before it writes anything.

Which of my experiences best match what this advert is asking for? Quote the
exact phrases from the advert and match each to something I've told you. Tell me
if there's anything they want that I haven't mentioned yet.

What to expect: a clear list showing which of your strengths to lead with, and any gaps worth addressing. Fill in anything you forgot before moving on.

If it does not work: if the matches feel vague, reply with “Be specific: use the employer’s own words, and only match them to things I’ve actually told you.”

Step 3: Draft the letter

Now ask for a full draft. Working from the matches you agreed keeps it focused on this role, and asking for gaps to be flagged keeps it honest.

Draft my cover letter for this role. Keep it to three or four short paragraphs:
why I'm writing, why I'm a good fit with a couple of concrete examples, and a
warm close. Write in plain, confident English that sounds like a real person.
Base everything only on what I've told you. If you need a detail I haven't given,
leave a clearly marked gap like [NEED: example] rather than inventing anything.

What to expect: a tidy draft with any missing facts flagged instead of made up. Read every line and fill the gaps yourself.

If it does not work: if it reads as stiff or generic, reply with “This feels templated. Rewrite it in a warmer, more natural voice using only the specific details I’ve given.”

Step 4: Adjust the tone and length

The right tone depends on the employer. A relaxed start-up and a formal institution call for different letters, and it is worth trying a couple of versions to see what fits.

Give me two versions of this letter: one slightly more formal and one warmer and
more conversational. Keep both to one page. Don't add any new claims about me,
change only the tone and wording.

What to expect: two takes on the same letter, so you can pick the one that suits the employer and the way you come across.

Wrapping up

You now have a tailored cover letter, written in your voice and aimed at a specific role. Read it end to end before you send it, because AI can occasionally state something with confidence that is not quite right, so check every claim, name, and date against the truth. From here you can ask the AI to write a matching CV, or to help you prepare for the interview.

A tip before you send: read the letter out loud. If a sentence feels awkward in your mouth, it will read awkwardly too, so change it to something you would genuinely say.