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There was a blog article posted on HN about this just last week. It's because generative AI writes generic "say-nothing" letters. They're impersonal, don't say

There was a blog article posted on HN about this just last week. It's because generative AI writes generic "say-nothing" letters. They're impersonal, don't say anything substantive about the candidate's skill, and read like the uncanny valley version of written text. As the OP said, they're just a waste of time.

Jensson 3y ago
All of those things apply to regular cover letters. Cover letters, public apologies etc looked AI generated before AI generation was a thing.
- ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
  Maybe the cover letters you've encountered have nothing to say? try: "I was reading up on your company, and came across a podcast interview with your CEO/your CTO/the hiring manager. She was talking about the company culture/goals/story/challenges and said something I really identified with: X. This spoke to me because my own track-record/philosophy/goals include X. For example..." At least, I try to use it to show I've done some pre-work to ensure a good fit. Of course, if a person is applying to hundreds of positions, they likely haven't done that pre-work, so that person would have nothing to say.
  - Ekaros 3y ago
    If company expects this level of commitment and research from candidate. Why not offer exactly same level to them. Just set an appointment automatically and then you can tell how the company is greatest thing that have ever existed and ask candidate to tell why they love to join it so much...
    - ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
      I would indeed expect them to ensure a good fit in response to my doing so. And my doing research actually saves them time doing so, because I included similar information about me. For someone who didn't, why would the company offer it in response? If someone isn't that interested in that specific job, and would take just any job, they shouldn't do it, but someone who wants that specific job more, will That's one risk they take by adopting the scattershot, "impersonally apply to so many jobs simultaneously that you need AI to automate it" approach. Another one is getting a job somewhere that ends up being a bad fit I'll also note that cultural fit can be important for job satisfaction and/or effectiveness, even though you mock the concept as 'the candidate telling how the company is greatest thing that have ever existed and why they love to join it so much...'.
      - FireBeyond 3y ago
        > I would indeed expect them to ensure a good fit in response to my doing so. And my doing research actually saves them time doing so, because I included similar information about me. For someone who didn't, why would the company offer it in response? Hah. I have done exactly this. Personalized story, breaking down my interest and background (not just rehashing my resume), putting something coherent together. And, bluntly? I'm an excellent writer. While I may not be cranking out Booker or Hugo award winners, I know how to craft something. Ninety per cent of the time? Crickets. It's profoundly demoralizing.

Jensson 3y ago

All of those things apply to regular cover letters. Cover letters, public apologies etc looked AI generated before AI generation was a thing.

ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
Maybe the cover letters you've encountered have nothing to say? try: "I was reading up on your company, and came across a podcast interview with your CEO/your CTO/the hiring manager. She was talking about the company culture/goals/story/challenges and said something I really identified with: X. This spoke to me because my own track-record/philosophy/goals include X. For example..." At least, I try to use it to show I've done some pre-work to ensure a good fit. Of course, if a person is applying to hundreds of positions, they likely haven't done that pre-work, so that person would have nothing to say.
- Ekaros 3y ago
  If company expects this level of commitment and research from candidate. Why not offer exactly same level to them. Just set an appointment automatically and then you can tell how the company is greatest thing that have ever existed and ask candidate to tell why they love to join it so much...
  - ImPostingOnHN 3y ago
    I would indeed expect them to ensure a good fit in response to my doing so. And my doing research actually saves them time doing so, because I included similar information about me. For someone who didn't, why would the company offer it in response? If someone isn't that interested in that specific job, and would take just any job, they shouldn't do it, but someone who wants that specific job more, will That's one risk they take by adopting the scattershot, "impersonally apply to so many jobs simultaneously that you need AI to automate it" approach. Another one is getting a job somewhere that ends up being a bad fit I'll also note that cultural fit can be important for job satisfaction and/or effectiveness, even though you mock the concept as 'the candidate telling how the company is greatest thing that have ever existed and why they love to join it so much...'.
    - FireBeyond 3y ago
      > I would indeed expect them to ensure a good fit in response to my doing so. And my doing research actually saves them time doing so, because I included similar information about me. For someone who didn't, why would the company offer it in response? Hah. I have done exactly this. Personalized story, breaking down my interest and background (not just rehashing my resume), putting something coherent together. And, bluntly? I'm an excellent writer. While I may not be cranking out Booker or Hugo award winners, I know how to craft something. Ninety per cent of the time? Crickets. It's profoundly demoralizing.