I started with the quote from “2001: A Space Odyssey” because I know there’s a lot of hand-wringing about whether AI is going to replace us all, but don’t worry, we’re not turning things over to HAL just yet. In fact, where we are now, AI can be a really useful tool, especially for those things we most dread.
But to start, what the heck even IS ChatGPT? Put simply, it’s an artificial intelligence writing tool developed by OpenAI, and it’s free to use. It can be an enormous help if you struggle with writing things like cover letters, because it mimics human writing well, and is good at conveying information essential in application materials.
To use it (or just to play around), start by going to chat.OpenAi.com and registering for an account. It sometimes gets a little tangled up if you have a VPN or other aggressive security software, so just be aware of that.
Once you’re registered, you’ll see a little bar at the bottom of the screen that lets you type in text. That’s where you get to write your info! Tell it what you’re looking for in simple terms:
The system does have some limitations—which is part of why it’s not going to be refusing to open the pod bay doors for us anytime soon. For instance, when I entered the prompt, “I am applying for a job as a career counselor at the University of Denver and I want you to help me write my cover letter. I want to highlight my experience working with diverse students and my ability to speak to large and small audiences. Can you help me write a compelling cover letter that demonstrates that I am a great candidate for the job?” it mostly just flashed a blank and apparently confused cursor at me. (This may also have been an issue with my internet at the time I entered the prompt, or it may be the case that my VPN got a bit zealous at that moment, so don’t give up if you get the AI equivalent of a blank stare. Go throw in a load of laundry, close a few tabs, and try again.)
But in a normal situation, it would ask me for additional information, like my name, contact info, professional experience, relevant skills, and so forth. Once you’ve entered that, you’ll want to enter the job description (just paste it in after your bio) and something like “I want to make this ATS-friendly so please use keywords from the job description. Here is the job description.” Then enter your resume (again, you can just paste it in) with a note that you’re adding that next: “I’m including my resume for reference. I want to highlight my skills in communication and public speaking, and to demonstrate my ability to explain technical information to non-technical audiences.” Hit enter, and then the magic happens!
The system will build you a cover letter, but be aware that you absolutely still need to proofread it. The system is a computer, after all, and it may misrepresent your experience or skills, or it may sound overly formal or stiff. Consider the ChatGPT version a first draft, and be sure to add your voice to the final document. Would you never start a cover letter with “Dear Hiring Manager”? Change it! Want to throw in a little joke? Do it! The letter is yours, but the AI will help you write it more quickly and easily.
