Artificial intelligence has quickly become part of the way many of us work. Whether it’s helping draft an email, organize ideas, or polish a presentation, AI can save time and improve the quality of our writing so it’s no surprise that more job seekers are also turning to AI to help prepare their application materials.
At Morris & Berger, we don’t discourage the use of AI. Like any tool, it can be incredibly helpful when used thoughtfully. What we’ve noticed, however, is that as AI-generated applications become more common, many cover letters are beginning to sound remarkably similar. They are polished, but often interchangeable. After reviewing hundreds of applications over the years, we’ve found that many candidates rely on the same language, describe similar strengths, and follow nearly identical formulas. When every cover letter sounds polished, it does not help candidates stand out.
That’s because a cover letter shouldn’t simply repeat your resume. Instead, it should provide context. It should help us understand why you’re interested in this organization, what motivates your work, and how your experiences have prepared you for the particular opportunity. A compelling cover letter explains why this role matters to you. It connects your experience to the organization’s mission and demonstrates that you’ve taken the time to understand its priorities, challenges, and goals. Those are deeply personal insights that AI cannot create on its own.
The candidates who stand out are the ones who are specific. Instead of simply stating they are passionate about nonprofit work, they explain what inspired that passion. Rather than claiming to be a collaborative leader, they share an example of how they brought people together to solve a difficult challenge or navigate organizational change. Those details reveal how someone thinks, what they value, and how they lead—qualities that are difficult to capture through generic language alone.
Where candidates can run into trouble is relying on AI to create the substance of their application. We’ve seen cover letters addressed to the wrong organization, inaccurate descriptions of a candidate’s background, and accomplishments that don’t reflect their actual experience. More commonly, we’ve seen letters become so generic that they could be submitted to almost any employer with only the organization name changed. Every application should be carefully reviewed to ensure it is accurate, authentic, tailored to the opportunity, and truly representative of your experience.
Ultimately, a cover letter is more than a writing sample. It is your opportunity to introduce yourself before the interview begins. It allows a search committee to understand what motivates you, why you’re interested in the organization, and how your experiences have prepared you for the role.
AI can help you communicate those ideas more clearly. It just can’t tell your story for you. That’s still the one thing only you can do.