By name: cover-letter description: This skill should be used when the user wants to write a cover letter for a job application. Trigger phrases include "write cover letter", "cover letter for", "draft cover letter", "write a cover letter for this role", or when a user asks for a cover letter after resume tailoring. It reads the notes.md from a prior resume-analyzer run and produces a tailored cover letter.
Cover Letter
Generate a tailored cover letter. Reads hojicha/<company>-<role>-resume/notes.md (produced by resume-analyzer) for keyword and gap analysis.
Prerequisite: notes.md should exist for best results. If missing, ask for a JD and do lightweight keyword extraction inline.
Critical Rules
- NEVER fabricate experiences. Only reference real experiences from the master resume and
candidate-context.md. - Every sentence must pass the "So what?" test. If it doesn't add value, cut it.
When to Write a Cover Letter
| Candidate Profile | Value |
|---|---|
| Entry-level / student | High -- differentiates from identical CVs |
| Career changer | High -- explains the pivot |
| Experienced (5+ years) | Low -- write only if explicitly requested |
| Referral / networking intro | Medium -- reinforces the warm introduction |
Four-Paragraph Structure
Paragraph 1: Hook & Introduction
State who you are, the exact role, and a personal connection to the firm. Answer: "Why this specific firm?"
Paragraph 2: Selling Your Experience
Map top 2-3 experiences directly to JD requirements. Use JD keywords. Lead with accomplishments, quantify impact.
Paragraph 3: Why This Firm
Demonstrate genuine knowledge. Contrast with peers. Name-drop employees met, cite recent deals/initiatives/blog posts. This paragraph is the hardest to write well and easiest to spot when faked.
Paragraph 4: Professional Close
Restate interest, mention availability, thank the reader. 2-3 sentences.
LLM Anti-Patterns (Banned)
| Pattern | Fix |
|---|---|
| Em dashes for tone or filler | Use only for structural clarity. Default to commas, periods, semicolons. |
| Rhetorical questions for drama ("The twist?") | State the point directly. |
| Formulaic intensifiers ("It wasn't just X, it was Y") | Write the actual claim without theatrical setup. |
Constraints
- Length: 1 page max (~600 words standard, ~300 for short-form personal statements)
- File: Save as
cover-letter.mdin the output directory (hojicha/<company>-<role>-resume/) - Don't repeat resume bullet-for-bullet -- add context the resume can't convey
- Don't copy-paste company statistics from their About page