Mastering cover letters in the AI era

(Image: Marc Schultz via Canva AI)

First thing’s first: Cover letters still matter.

Yes, you may have read reports to the contrary, but the fact remains that, as a jobseeker, it’s critical to shine a light on everything that makes you a one-of-a-kind candidate. A cover letter is your chance to show who you are and exactly how your qualifications match up with the needs of the job.

And even better: Today’s online AI tools make it easier than ever to craft a cover letter that gets the attention of hiring managers.

Format for easy reading

First, you want to make sure your cover letter is easy to read and understandable. Recruiter and Work for Good contributor Sandra McKay advises jobseekers to use the “T-format” to take the reader's eyes straight from each of their requirements to your relevant experience – making it easy for them to assess and say “yes.”

Even if you don’t use the T-format itself, it makes a good model for any cover letter. It consists of three parts:

1. A short opening paragraph. Specify the job you are applying for and provide a strong reason to continue reading.
2. List the job requirements and your matching qualifications. In the T-format, this section consists of two side-by-side lists. On the left, list three or four key requirements from the job description. On the right, list the specific experiences that match those requirements. As McKay notes, “remember to be brief but accurate.” As is best practice in resume-writing, be sure to cite particular accomplishments, using numbers (like dollars saved or raised) wherever possible.
3. A positive closing paragraph. In a short, upbeat paragraph, express your interest and enthusiasm, then reiterate your fit, emphasizing your ability to contribute.

Sign off warmly but professionally, and include your signature as well as your LinkedIn profile URL and personal phone number.

Another point McKay highlights: using “plenty of white space” to make the content stand out. “With lots of white space, they are very much like reading newspaper headlines; the eyes quickly grasp what is being presented, leading to fast assessments,” she writes. (Learn more about the T-format here.)

The AI cover letter assist

Online chatbots can save you time and effort when composing cover letters. If you aren’t familiar with chatbots, they are incredibly intuitive to use. Simply prompt it, in plain language, to “write a cover letter for a job application based on the following job description and resume.” Copy-and-paste the job listing and your resume below your prompt, hit “send,” and you’ll have a draft within seconds. Some points to keep in mind:

• Tell the chatbot the kind of cover letter you are looking for. You can give a chatbot any number of stylistic instructions, and it will do its best to follow them (emphasis on “do its best” – see the final tip below). For instance, you could ask it to keep your cover letter brief (you can even specify a word count), to use strong action verbs, and to strike a certain tone (like “friendly, enthusiastic, and professional”).
• Consider going paragraph by paragraph. Because chatbots are not necessarily familiar with specific cover letter formats (like the T-format), you may want to go paragraph by paragraph rather than asking for a cover letter all at once. For instance, you could provide the source material (job description and resume), then ask for an introductory paragraph. Once you have that, ask for a list of four key qualifications from the job description and a complementary list of four experiences from your resume that match those qualifications. Next, ask for the closing paragraph.
• Always review and revise! This may be the most important point. No chatbot is perfect: They have been known for missing details and, occasionally, for inventing them. Be sure to review the draft it produces carefully, especially where it’s using information from the job description and your resume. It’s also possible that stylistic instructions will be overlooked, so you may need to edit for voice or brevity. (You can also feed the letter back to the chatbot, asking for a specific kind of revision – shorter, more professional, etc. Just don’t neglect to review it again once it’s done!)

Make the most of your voice

In the purpose-driven industry, where passion and impact matter as much as professional skills, your cover letter is more than just a formality – it's an opportunity to tell your story, highlight your commitment to meaningful change, and give a hard-working hiring manager the chance to make an easy “yes.”

By leveraging AI tools and following strategic formatting like the T-format, you can create a compelling narrative that doesn’t just speak to your qualifications, but your ability to make a clear, compelling case for work, values, and a mission you believe in – a vital skill for any nonprofit professional.

Marc Schultz is communications editor at Work for Good.