Will artificial intelligence kill the cover letter, make it stronger or lead to an even worse replacement?

For most job applicants, cover letters are a chore. A box to check on a list. Questions about what to write and doubt about whether your letter will be read make the task feel performative. If a cover letter isn't required to apply, you probably skip it.

On the other hand, some hiring managers believe that a cover letter is a valuable measure of a candidate's writing ability and shows a higher level of interest.

The value disconnect between candidates and hiring managers regarding cover letters has existed for years. Today, new technology threatens a true disruption.

If you’ve heard about ChatGPT, or better yet used it, you know a bit about how it could disrupt writing.

For the uninitiated, here is a quick primer:

More than a million users have already asked their questions to ChatGPT, the new open-access artificial intelligence since November 30. Some have asked it questions about tests and assignments, submitted by future engineers, or questions about complex issues, and got answers in just a few seconds.

ChatGPT has answers to almost everything.

You can ask ChatGPT to write a film script, the plan of a thesis, or computer code. In short, it is a completely "generalist” robot.

ChatGPT will make writing cover letters less burdensome for candidates, but at the same time it upends the value of “original” writing that some hiring managers find so valuable.

?? So, what do advancements in AI mean for the future of cover letters? Three options come to mind.

?? It pushes them further into obsolescence.

?? They become ubiquitous.

?? AI kills the cover letter, leading to an even worse replacement.

???? Option one: obsolescence (my favorite)

As much as I think cover letters are almost always a waste of time, there are instances where they make sense. For candidates who need to explain why their resume doesn’t show their fit for the job, a good cover letter is essential. For hiring managers, if you need candidates to answer specific questions, a required cover letter serves a legitimate purpose.

But in almost every other situation, a resume is good enough.

With attention spans shorter than ever, LinkedIn profiles in use by millions, and the ease of reaching candidates by email, phone or video, the cover letter is an anachronism.

Nevertheless, some hiring managers continue to insist on requiring them. The most commonly given reasons are:

• A cover letter demonstrates writing ability.
• A cover letter shows that you put "extra effort" into applying.

With ChatGPT, you can generate a mediocre cover letter in less than one minute and a good cover letter in less than five minutes.

Now, you've always been able to hire someone to write a cover letter for you. In fact, that is one reason why I am skeptical of their value as a writing assessment tool. However, hiring a writer for every job application gets expensive fast.

With AI, it’s likely that you will be able to generate content for a very minimal investment (right now, ChatGPT is free).

Basically, the two most common reasons for requiring a cover letter are now moot. Cover letters should be caput. Right?

???? Option two: cover letters become ubiquitous

As much as I want to banish the required cover letter forever, I know that’s wishful thinking.

Let’s explore the inverse of my first point. If the time, cost and ability barriers are removed from creating a cover letter – won’t everyone just submit one when applying?

You can just crank one out in less than five minutes on ChatGPT, upload it along with your resume and call it good. Easy-peasy.

The downside? If most candidates start voluntarily submitting cover letters, I could see that trend actually causing them to be required to apply for almost every job.

This would be a step backward. Something that creates almost no value for anyone.

Yet, I can see it happening - or worse.

?????? Option three: AI kills the cover letter, leading to an even worse replacement

I hate making candidates run through endless application hoops. However, many hiring managers feel differently. Tests, video recordings, in-person screenings, etc. are all things that do happen often today.

And all of that is taking place without considering how AI might be helping candidates with their applications.

“Cheating” is going to be one of the big ethical issues we must work through with AI. This is something educators are starting to consider. This is from an article in Axios interviewing a college professor:

ChatGPT responds in seconds with a response that looks like it was written by a human — moreover, a human with a good sense of grammar and an understanding of how essays should be structured.

Administrations are going to have to develop standards for dealing with these kinds of cases ... FAST

Expect a flood, people, not a trickle. ... I expect I'm going to institute a policy stating that if I believe material submitted by a student was produced by A.I., I will throw it out and give the student an impromptu oral exam on the same material.

If you are a hiring manager or recruiter who receives a cover letter that appears to be written by AI what do you do? Throw it out? Respect the resourcefulness?

If nothing submitted by any candidate can truly be validated through an online application, the only option is to have more in-person screening evaluation methods.

Spending more time on applications is not a development any of us want.

???? The future

I asked ChatGPT if AI will kill the cover letter. Here is how that went.

Q: Will AI eliminate the need for cover letters when applying for jobs?

A: It is possible that the use of AI in the hiring process could reduce the need for cover letters in some cases. However, it is important to note that cover letters serve a specific purpose in the job application process and can be an important tool for job seekers to differentiate themselves from other candidates and convey their qualifications and interest in the position.

Additionally, cover letters can be a good way for job seekers to demonstrate their written communication skills and attention to detail, which are important skills in many jobs.

Therefore, it is unlikely that AI will completely eliminate the need for cover letters in the job application process.

-

Ugh. When even ChatGPT underestimates its own ability to replace the cover letter, I think we might be stuck with the cover letter for a few decades longer.

Well, until AI just eliminates the need for human job applicants at all.

Just kidding. I hope.

?? More reading

• The illusion of impact: Why some people still can’t quit the cover letter
• Is using ChatGPT to write LinkedIn posts ethical?

#chatgpt #writing #ai #coverletter