TJ Walker shows how to use AI to write cover letters that get read. Paste the job description into an AI tool, have it identify the employer's top three priorities, then connect a personal experience to those needs. Refine until it's concise and confident, not generic.
Chapters
Ultimize. Most cover letters sound exactly the same. I'm excited to apply. I believe my skills are a great fit. That's what everyone writes, and that's why most cover letters are ignored. Here's how to use AI to create something that actually stands out. Start with a real job description. Copy and paste it into AI. Then ask, what are the top 3 things this particular employer cares about. AI will identify patterns. Maybe it's communication skills, maybe it's problem solving, maybe it's leadership. Now you're not guessing anymore. Now you take your own experience. Maybe you led a team project in a school or at work. You describe that experience in a few sentences. Then you ask AI to connect your experience to what this employer is looking for. Now you You have a targeted message. Let's make this even more concrete. Imagine you're applying for a customer support role. The job description emphasizes fast response times and empathy. You tell AI, "I handled customer complaints in a retail job and often resolved issues quickly." Then you ask, "Turn this into a compelling paragraph for a cover letter." Now you refine it. Ask it to make it more concise. Ask, make it more confident. Ask, remove any generic language. Now you have something that actually speaks to the employer's needs. Another example, you're applying for a marketing role. The job description emphasizes creativity and data. You tell AI about a project where you increased engagement on social media. Then you ask, Write a paragraph connecting this to the role, then refine it. Now your cover letter is no longer generic. It's specific, it's targeted, and it's relevant. Your exercise now is simple. Find one real job posting, even if you're perfectly happy with your current job. Paste it into an AI. Ask what the employer cares about. Then create one paragraph that directly addresses those needs. Because the more specific you are, the more you stand out. And this is especially helpful even if you're looking to apply for a job within your company, you're looking for a promotion. Big companies have different attitudes, different things they're looking for. So use this skill even as you advance within your own current company or institution.
