If you're using a GPT to generate a cover letter that regurgitates a job description, you are signaling to a hiring manager that you don’t have a good grasp of the role (because everyone is doing it).

AI tools analyze every keyword. Recruiters can sniff out flavorless filler from a mile away.

Suggestion tip to shine through: Instead of churning out a stale cover letter, link to a recent project you've worked on. Ask a recruiter to spend a couple of minutes to critique and comment.

Hiring managers can try this, too. In the job description, down at the bottom, link to a project or a piece of content (whatever makes sense) and ask an applicant to review and provide feedback. This will tell you more than a cover letter could if they might be a good fit. I have tried this. Every time I post a job I’m inundated with applicants. I started trying this approach and I’ve found it to be a handy filter.

The disengaged bulk blasters will immediately remove themselves from consideration, while the truly interested applicants get to strut their stuff and prove their relevance.

If you’re an applicant, this is your chance to demonstrate your critical thinking ability and industry knowledge and allows you to showcase your expertise and push you higher in keyword rankings.

So far, this approach has elevated the hiring experience.

As a manager, you’re more likely to get high-quality applicants.

As a job seeker, you get to highlight your specialized skillset and differentiate yourself.

Now we can finally ditch those underwhelming Mad Libs cover letters.

What do you think? Are you going to give this approach a try?