Write a cover letter with AI
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In short: Give the AI the job ad and a few honest notes about your experience, ask for a short first draft, then rewrite it in your own words. The AI helps with structure. The facts, and the final say, are yours.
Who is this for?
Anyone applying for a job who finds the blank page hard: school leavers, people changing careers, or people returning to work after a break.
What do you need?
- The job ad (copied text is fine)
- Three or four things you have done that suit the job, in rough notes
- A free account with an AI assistant such as ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini
How do you do it, step by step?
- Copy the job ad. Paste the full job ad into a document first. Take out any names or contact details you don’t want to share.
- Jot down your real experience. Write a few rough dot points: jobs, volunteering, study, and one moment you’re proud of. Rough is fine. These notes are what make the letter yours.
- Ask for a short first draft. Paste the prompt below into the AI, with the job ad and your notes where the brackets are.
- Ask for changes in plain words. If it sounds stiff, say so: “make it warmer”, “shorter”, or “less formal”. You can ask as many times as you like.
- Make it sound like you. Read it out loud. Change any phrase you would never say. Remove anything that isn’t true.
- Check the details. Check the company name, the job title and the name of the person you’re writing to. Then save it as your own document.
What prompt can you copy?
Copy this, then replace everything in [square brackets] with your own details.
I’m applying for the job below. Please write a short cover letter (under 300 words) in a warm, professional tone, using only the experience in my notes. Don’t invent any skills, results or qualifications. Use Australian spelling. Job ad: [paste the job ad] My notes: [paste your dot points]
Which AI tool suits this job?
- ChatGPT: A good all-rounder for drafting and redrafting.
- Claude: Handy if you want a calmer, more natural tone.
- Gemini: Useful if you already use Google Docs and Gmail.
Optional extra: For a final polish of grammar and wording, some people like QuillBot. See our QuillBot profile, or visit QuillBot ↗ (opens in new tab) (paid link: we may earn a commission).
Not sure? Our tool finder asks four quick questions and suggests a starting point.
What should you double-check?
- The AI may add skills or results you don’t have. Delete them. Never send a claim you can’t back up.
- Employers can often spot a letter that reads like a template. Your own examples matter more than fancy words.
- Don’t paste your full address, date of birth or ID numbers into an AI tool.
Common questions
Is it OK to use AI to write a cover letter?
Usually, yes, as a helper for structure and wording. Some employers have their own rules, so check the job ad. Make sure every fact in the letter is true and that it sounds like you.
Will the employer know I used AI?
They might, if the letter is generic. Adding your own examples and rewriting phrases in your own words is the best way to make it personal.
Can I use the same letter for every job?
It’s better not to. Run the steps again for each job ad so the letter matches what that employer is asking for.
Where can you learn more?
Which other workflows might help?
Checked 15 October 2026. We describe how these tools are designed to be used; we haven’t run formal tests. Features and free plans change, so check the provider’s site. General information only, not legal, medical or financial advice.
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