Introduction

The use of AI-generated cover letters has skyrocketed in recent years thanks to tools like ChatGPT, CoverLetterCopilot.ai, Rezi, and Kickresume. As more job seekers lean on these platforms to streamline their applications, a key question emerges:

What do recruiters really think about AI-generated cover letters? Are they impressed, indifferent, or turned off?

To find out, we reviewed recent recruiter surveys, analyzed hiring trends, and gathered insights from talent acquisition professionals across tech, marketing, finance, and more. Here’s what we learned.

The Shift in Recruiter Expectations

Gone are the days when cover letters were expected to be fully handwritten or painstakingly crafted from scratch. In 2025, recruiters care less about how your letter was written—and more about whether it delivers on relevance, clarity, and intent.

“We don’t mind if it’s written by AI—just don’t make it sound like it was.”

— Senior Recruiter, SaaS Startup

Key Findings From Recruiter Feedback

We compiled insights from over 100 recruiters via interviews, surveys, and published hiring reports. Here’s what stood out:

Statement % Who Agreed

AI cover letters are acceptable if personalized 87%

Generic AI-generated letters hurt an applicant’s chances 68%

A well-edited AI letter is often better than a poorly written human one 72%

Most applicants don’t personalize AI-generated letters 60%

Personalization matters more than how the letter was written 90%

Conclusion: AI is not the problem. Lack of customization is.

What Recruiters Like About AI-Generated Letters

✅ Clarity & Structure

AI tools often produce well-formatted, grammatically clean letters that are easy to scan.

✅ Keyword Optimization

When used correctly, AI cover letters include relevant skills and terms from the job description—boosting ATS performance.

✅ Time-Saving

Recruiters appreciate applications that get to the point quickly. AI often helps candidates avoid long-winded, unfocused writing.

What Turns Recruiters Off

❌ Lack of Specificity

Generic letters that could apply to any company are a red flag.

❌ Obvious AI Phrasing

Overly formal or robotic language (e.g., “I am writing to express my keen interest”) can signal laziness or inexperience.

❌ No Human Touch

Letters that don’t reference the company, its mission, or recent projects often feel cold and disconnected.

Real Quotes From Recruiters

“AI is just a tool. If someone uses it to save time but still adds their voice, it’s a win.”

— Talent Lead, Fintech Company

“I reject letters when they feel like a copy-paste job from a template—AI or not.”

— Hiring Manager, Digital Agency

“I don’t care who writes it. I care whether it shows the candidate understands our business.”

— HR Director, B2B SaaS Firm

How to Make AI-Generated Cover Letters Recruiter-Approved

If you’re using an AI cover letter generator in 2025, here’s how to ensure it works for you, not against you:

1. Add Company-Specific Insights
2. Mention a recent product launch, press release, or initiative. Show that you’ve done your research.
3. Include Unique Achievements
4. Customize the letter with your real metrics and project highlights that match the job description.
5. Use Your Voice
6. Even if AI writes the first draft, revise it to sound like you. Add warmth, excitement, or personality where appropriate.
7. Keep it Short and Focused
8. Recruiters prefer 250–350 words max. Get to the point, fast.
9. Proofread and Polish
10. Use editing tools or read aloud to catch awkward phrasing, repetitions, or spelling errors.

Recommended Tools Recruiters Don’t Mind

While recruiters aren’t tracking which tool you used, they tend to favor outputs from:

CoverLetterCopilot.ai – Personalized drafts with resume matching

Rezi – ATS-optimized content generation

Kickresume – Visually appealing with customizable templates

ChatGPT – Flexible but requires strong prompting and editing

Final Thoughts

Recruiters in 2025 aren’t rejecting AI-generated cover letters outright—but they are rejecting poor ones.

AI is a powerful starting point, not a complete solution. If you use it as a writing partner and bring your own strategy, accomplishments, and voice to the final letter, recruiters are likely to appreciate the result.

The best cover letters—AI or not—answer the core recruiter question:

“Why are you a strong fit for this specific role at this specific company?”