The short answer: ChatGPT writes a good cover letter when it has facts before it writes and rules about length and structure. Paste the setup prompt first, answer its questions, then pick the scenario prompt that matches your application and finish with the revision prompt. Total time: about ten minutes per letter.
Step 1: the setup prompt
This turns ChatGPT from an author into an interviewer. Answer each question honestly; "I don't have a number for that" is a fine answer and stops the model from inventing one.
You are helping me write a cover letter for a job in Canada. Before writing, ask me for: the job title, employer and posting; why this employer (one specific, checkable reason); my two strongest pieces of evidence for the posting's top requirements, with real numbers if I have them; and anything the letter must explain (relocation, a gap, work authorization). Ask one question at a time. Do not draft until I say "write it".
Step 2: pick your scenario prompt
Applying to a posting
The default letter for a job you found on Indeed, LinkedIn or Job Bank.
Write the cover letter now. Rules: 3 short paragraphs, 220–300 words, Canadian spelling. Paragraph 1: the role plus my specific reason for this employer in one sentence — never "I am writing to express my interest". Paragraph 2: my two pieces of evidence mapped to the two requirements the posting repeats most. Paragraph 3: a one-line ask for a conversation. Use only facts I gave you.
You were referred
Someone at the company passed your name along.
Rewrite the opening so the first sentence names [referrer's name and role] and what they said about the team or the role (use my exact words: [paste]). Keep the rest of the letter, shorten it to 250 words, and don't overstate how well I know the referrer.
Changing careers
Your last title doesn't match the job you want.
I'm moving from [old field] to [new role]. In paragraph 2, connect two transferable results from my old job to the posting's requirements, naming the skill each one proves. Add one sentence on what I've done to prepare (course, certificate, project) using only what I listed. Don't apologise for the switch.
Newcomer to Canada
Your experience is mainly outside Canada.
Describe my previous employer in one phrase a Canadian recruiter will understand (industry, size, country). Keep my results and numbers unchanged; convert money to CAD with "approx.". If the posting asks about work authorization, add one plain sentence: "[I hold an open work permit valid until YYYY / I am a permanent resident]". Don't mention immigration status otherwise.
Email-body version
The posting says to apply by email, or the portal has a short text box.
Turn this cover letter into an email body of 120–150 words with a subject line in the format "[Job title] application — [My name]". Keep the specific reason for the employer and the strongest piece of evidence; drop everything else.
Step 3: the revision prompt
Run this on every draft. It removes the lines that make a letter read as AI-written and shows you which claims to double-check.
Edit the letter: delete any sentence that would fit any other job application, remove "passionate", "leverage", "dynamic", "results-driven" and "I believe", replace adjectives about me with the evidence behind them, and flag (don't fix) any claim that isn't in the facts I gave you.
For a side-by-side of a weak, better and best prompt with sample output, see the cover letter AI prompt template and how to make an AI cover letter not sound like AI.
Before you send it
- Address it to a person if you can find the name — the address block generator formats the header.
- Check the employer name, job title and every number against your resume.
- Read the first sentence out loud. If it could open any other application, rewrite it — see how to start a cover letter.
- End with a clear ask and a Canadian sign-off; the closing line generator has options.
- Remove personal details you pasted into the chat (phone, address) from any shared or saved conversation.