91���˰涶��

However, as we moved on to the second cover letter, something became apparent. It sounded almost identical to the first one – not because it wasn’t fluid, articulate, and well-written, but rather because it was nearly verbatim the same as the 1st. The same issue arose with the third cover letter, and again with the fourth. Imagine being an HR professional and receiving nearly a dozen cover letters that were virtually identical! This scenario likely played out for many recruiters in early 2023, at the start of the ChatGPT hype.

The importance of accurate prompts

A key aspect of this exercise was the time limit, which meant that savvier students couldn’t add more personalised details or edit their cover letters beyond using a basic prompt like, “Hi ChatGPT, I am applying for the role of Business Analyst at Visionary Consulting; can you write me a cover letter?” This exercise highlights a broader lesson: many people focus solely on their use of GPT without considering that others are also using ChatGPT simultaneously.

In the second round, we extended the time limit, giving participants up to 10 minutes to write their cover letters. The goal we set for them was clear: use ChatGPT as much as possible but avoid any dead giveaways that it was used. Beyond giving students more time, we also provided a digital copy of the job advertisement so they could copy and paste relevant aspects from the advertisement document directly into ChatGPT. Some students finished within 5 minutes, while others took the full 10 minutes, using prompts to add more details and personal experiences to their cover letters.

Right (and wrong) ways to personalise cover letters

We then asked participants to read their cover letters aloud, starting with those who had finished earlier. The letters were noticeably improved compared to the first round, but occasionally, a phrase would slip in that betrayed the use of ChatGPT.

For instance, one student’s letter included the phrase, “My goal is to revolutionise the fintech industry.” Beyond being a lofty ambition, the phrase is out of place for an entry-level internship position. When we asked the class what might have given away the use of ChatGPT, no one pointed to this phrase because it blended seamlessly into the letter’s context. I then asked the students to imagine an interviewer asking about their personal career goals. If they didn’t genuinely respond with the aspiration to “revolutionise the fintech industry”, this inconsistency could raise red flags and potentially cost them the job.

Other students took the time to add more personal details and instructed ChatGPT to adjust the tone of their letters, making them sound less generic and more aligned with their individual voices. These cover letters were noticeably stronger.

Results and example cover letter prompts

Following are some of the prompts that students used to generate cover letters, building from basic (level 0) through to a more specific prompt (level 3) – and how they can be customised for your own prompts:

Level 0: Hi ChatGPT, I am about to graduate from university, and am applying for jobs. I would like help making a job cover letter for [insert role title] at [insert organisation name].

Level 1: Hi ChatGPT, I am about to graduate from university and am applying for jobs. I would like help making a job cover letter for [insert role title] at [insert organisation name]. Here are the key criteria and how I meet them:

[Insert numbered list of key criteria with 2-4 bullet points on how you address the key criteria]

Level 2: Add information on the company before noting how you meet the key criteria. Hi ChatGPT, I am about to graduate from university and am applying for jobs. I would like help making a job cover letter for [insert role title] at [insert organisation name]. Let me tell you about the company.

[Insert information on the company and role]

Here are the key criteria and how I meet them:

[Insert numbered list of key criteria with 2-4 bullet points on how you address the key criteria]

Level 3: Add instructions to personalise how the cover letter is written. When constructing the cover letter, make it interesting, and try to show how I can really assist their interest with my background. Make it sound individualised based on my personality. Key aspects of my personality include:

[list features that make you you!]

The best way to generate cover letters

As outlined above, the most significant improvement came from students who took a more methodical approach, crafting their cover letters paragraph by paragraph.

By working systematically and iteratively with ChatGPT, they were able to adapt the outputs to reflect their own language use and proficiency. Ultimately, this approach creates a stronger, more authentic, and more personalised cover letter than those produced by students who relied on a single set of instructions and asked ChatGPT to generate the entire letter in one go, which often resulted in cover letters with lofty, buried goals like “revolutionising the fintech industry”.

Leveraging ChatGPT for crafting cover letters is much like using a high-quality camera: while the tool can capture stunning images, it’s the photographer’s eye that composes the masterpiece.

So, the next time you use ChatGPT for a cover letter, remember that while ChatGPT can draft the lines, it’s up to you to provide the genuine substance that truly sets you apart.