Cover Letter AI Prompt Template That Doesn't Sound Like AI

A bad cover letter prompt produces a bad cover letter. The same model with a strong prompt produces something a recruiter would actually keep reading.

Why most prompts fail

The default prompt — "write me a cover letter for this job" — gives the AI no context. It guesses what you do, what the company values, and why you'd be a fit. The output reads like the average of every cover letter ever written, because that's exactly what it is.

Bad → better → best prompt

The copy-paste template

You are helping me write a cover letter for the [JOB TITLE] role
at [COMPANY] in [CITY, PROVINCE].

My resume:
"""
[PASTE FULL RESUME HERE]
"""

The job description:
"""
[PASTE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION HERE]
"""

Why I'm applying (one or two sentences):
[YOUR REAL REASON — a product they shipped, a team you respect,
the problem you want to work on, etc.]

Write the cover letter under these constraints:
- 200–250 words, three short paragraphs.
- Open with something specific to this company. Do NOT start
  with "I am writing to express my interest".
- One paragraph mirrors the job description's language and
  references one quantified bullet from my resume.
- Tone: professional, conversational, Canadian English.
- Do not use: leverage, passionate, dynamic, synergy, unlock,
  tapestry, navigate, in today's competitive landscape.
- End with one sentence about next steps. No "looking forward
  to hearing from you".
- Sign as [YOUR NAME].

Mistakes to avoid

• Summarizing your resume in the prompt. Paste it whole. The AI uses the details.
• Skipping the "why I'm applying" line. This is what makes the letter not generic.
• Letting it write 400+ words. Recruiters skim. Cap it.
• Accepting the first draft. Edit for one sentence that only you would have written.
• Reusing the same prompt unchanged. Update the company, JD, and reason every time.

Example output

For a worked example of the prompt above turned into a real letter — and the AI tells to delete from it — see how to write an AI cover letter that doesn't sound like AI.

Related: cover letter format Canada, short cover letter examples, AI job search tools pillar.