AI Prompt to Write a Tailored Cover Letter
Generate a cover letter that actually references the specific job posting instead of sounding generic.
The Prompt
Write a 250-word cover letter for the job posting below. Reference 2-3 specific requirements from the posting and connect them directly to my background. Avoid generic openers like "I am excited to apply". Start with a specific hook related to the company or role. End with a confident, non-desperate closing line. Job posting: [PASTE JOB DESCRIPTION]. My background: [PASTE YOUR RELEVANT EXPERIENCE/SKILLS]
Example
Job posting: Junior Data Analyst role requiring SQL, Excel, and Tableau experience at a healthcare startup. Background: completed a data analytics bootcamp, built 2 Tableau dashboards for a nonprofit as a volunteer project.
An opening hook referencing the company's healthcare mission, a middle paragraph connecting the volunteer Tableau dashboard project directly to the listed Tableau requirement, and a confident closing line requesting an interview rather than "hope to hear from you."
Tips for Better Results
- Paste the actual job posting, not a summary — specific requirement language helps the AI mirror keywords ATS systems look for.
- If you lack direct experience, ask it to "emphasize transferable skills from [X] instead of direct experience."
- Always personalize the greeting — ask for the hiring manager's name if listed in the posting.
FAQ
Should every cover letter be different?
Yes — reusing one generic letter is the fastest way to get filtered out; this prompt is built specifically to pull unique details from each job posting so every letter is different.
How long should a cover letter be?
Around 200-300 words is the sweet spot; hiring managers typically spend under a minute reading it, so shorter and more specific beats longer and generic.
Pair this prompt with a free SwiftoolAI tool to go from idea to finished result faster.