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How to Write a Cover Letter with GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot, the AI-powered coding assistant from GitHub, isn't limited to writing code. With its text generation capabilities, it can help you write a compelling and personalized cover letter. By leveraging the chat integrated into Visual Studio Code, you can structure your letter, adapt the tone to the target position, and get relevant suggestions in minutes. This tutorial guides you step by step to turn GitHub Copilot into a real writing coach, from analyzing the job description to the final proofreading of your application.

Prerequisites

  • 1.Visual Studio Code installed on your computer
  • 2.An active GitHub Copilot subscription (Individual, Business, or Enterprise)
  • 3.The GitHub Copilot Chat extension installed in VS Code
  • 4.The job description and your resume at hand

Steps

1

Analyze the job description with Copilot

Open the Copilot Chat panel in VS Code (Ctrl+Shift+I). Paste the text of the job description and ask Copilot to extract key skills, important keywords, and the recruiter's main expectations. This analysis will serve as a basis to precisely target your letter.

Analyze this job description and extract: 1) the 5 key required skills, 2) the keywords to reuse in my letter, 3) the company values mentioned. Here is the description: [PASTE_THE_DESCRIPTION_HERE]

Tip: Create a .md file in VS Code to keep the analysis and work on it directly — Copilot will then have the context of the open file.
2

Generate a customized structure

Ask Copilot to create a cover letter outline tailored to the position. Provide a summary of your background and the strengths identified in the previous step. Copilot will propose a paragraph structure with arguments to develop in each section.

Create a detailed outline for a cover letter for the [JOB_TITLE] position. My profile: [summarize your experience in 3-4 sentences]. The letter should follow the format: hook, position-profile fit, added value, motivation for the company, conclusion with call to action.

Tip: Mention the industry and company size so Copilot adapts the level of formality.
3

Write the first full draft

From the validated outline, ask Copilot to write the complete letter. Specify the desired tone (professional, dynamic, formal) and target length. Don't hesitate to include quantified achievements from your background so Copilot integrates them naturally into the text.

Write a complete cover letter in French (300-400 words) for the [JOB_TITLE] position at [COMPANY]. Professional but authentic tone. Integrate these achievements: [list 2-3 concrete accomplishments]. Use the keywords identified in the job description analysis.

Tip: Request several versions with different hooks to compare and choose the most impactful one.
4

Refine the tone and personalize the content

Review the draft and identify passages that are too generic or don't sound like you. Use Copilot to reformulate specific paragraphs, strengthen certain arguments, or add personalization elements related to the company (recent projects, culture, news).

Rewrite this paragraph to make it more impactful and less generic. Add a reference to the company's [PROJECT_NAME] project that particularly interests me: [paste the paragraph to improve]

Tip: Select a passage in the editor and use the shortcut Ctrl+I to open Copilot inline editing directly on the selected text.
5

Proofread, correct, and finalize

Ask Copilot for a full review to detect spelling mistakes, repetitions, awkward phrases, and check overall coherence. Also have it evaluate the alignment between your letter and the job description to ensure all key points are covered.

Review this cover letter and: 1) correct spelling and grammar errors, 2) identify word repetitions, 3) check that the key skills from the job description are mentioned, 4) suggest wording improvements. Here is the letter: [paste the final letter]

Tip: Ask Copilot to rate your letter out of 10 with specific criteria (relevance, clarity, impact) for objective feedback before sending.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ✗Copy-pasting Copilot's output without personalizing it — the recruiter will spot a generic text that doesn't reflect your personality
  • ✗Not providing enough context about your background, resulting in a vague and interchangeable letter
  • ✗Forgetting to verify factual information generated by Copilot (dates, company names, invented numbers)
  • ✗Using too robotic a tone by keeping the AI's standard phrasing instead of adapting it to your style
  • ✗Neglecting final formatting: Copilot generates raw text, remember to transfer it to a formatted document before sending

FAQ

Can GitHub Copilot really write a quality cover letter?
Copilot produces excellent drafts thanks to its understanding of language. However, you should always personalize and verify the result. Consider it as an assistant that speeds up writing, not a replacement for your personal thinking.
Are my personal data safe when I use Copilot Chat?
GitHub Copilot Business and Enterprise do not retain your prompts to train models. For the Individual plan, consult GitHub's privacy policy. Avoid sharing sensitive information like your social security number or bank details.
Should I use Copilot Chat or inline suggestions to write my letter?
Prefer Copilot Chat for initial generation and structuring, as it allows detailed conversational exchanges. Then use inline suggestions (Ctrl+I) to refine specific passages directly in your working file.

Related tutorials

How to write a CV with GitHub CopilotHow to write a cover letter with ChatGPTHow to prepare a job interview with GitHub Copilot

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