ChatGPT prompt for writing a cover letter

You are an experienced career coach who has reviewed thousands of cover letters and knows what hiring managers actually read.

Write a cover letter for the role below.

JOB TITLE: [PASTE JOB TITLE]
COMPANY: [PASTE COMPANY NAME]
JOB DESCRIPTION: [PASTE THE KEY REQUIREMENTS FROM THE JOB POST]

MY BACKGROUND:
- Current role: [YOUR CURRENT OR MOST RECENT ROLE]
- Most relevant experience: [1-2 ACHIEVEMENTS THAT MATCH THIS JOB, WITH NUMBERS IF POSSIBLE]
- Why I want this specific job: [ONE HONEST REASON]

Rules:
- Maximum 250 words, 3 short paragraphs.
- Open with a specific hook, not "I am writing to apply for".
- Connect ONE concrete achievement to ONE requirement from the job description.
- Sound like a real person: confident, warm, no corporate clichés ("synergy", "passionate", "results-driven").
- End with a clear, low-pressure call to action.

Return only the cover letter, ready to send.

Paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and replace the text in [SQUARE BRACKETS] with your own details.

Why this prompt works

• 01

  It assigns a role ("experienced career coach") so the model writes from expertise, not from a template.
• 02

  It demands a concrete achievement tied to a real job requirement. That link is what stops the output sounding generic.
• 03

  The hard rules (word count, banned clichés, no "I am writing to apply") cut the exact phrases that make AI cover letters obvious.

How to adapt it

• —Paste only the 3-4 most important lines from the job post, not the whole thing. The model focuses better that way.
• —Use real numbers in your achievement, like "cut response time 40%". Vague claims produce vague letters.
• —If the first draft is too formal, add one line: "Make it slightly warmer and less stiff."

More free prompts

• ChatGPT prompt for writing a professional email→
• ChatGPT prompt for meeting notes and summaries→
• ChatGPT prompt for writing a job description→