Cover letters have always been a bit of theater: everyone performs boundless enthusiasm for a role they may have found ten minutes ago on a job board.
Now that AI can generate a cover letter in seconds — often just to be read by an AI screener on the other end — the theater has only gotten more obvious.
Lately, a wave of satirical, honest cover letters has been making the rounds online — the kind nobody would actually submit, but everyone wishes they could.
We’ve gathered some of the best.
We also added an example of how to actually use humour in your cover letter. These days, a witty joke can help you stand out by showing that a human, not just an AI, wrote it.
Good coffee really matters
This applicant chose to focus on what really matters day to day — just clean code, office etiquette, and a decent cup of coffee.
Snacks also matter
This candidate emphasizes they’re responsive and friendly — all we see is green flags.
“Passion for food and shelter”
The applicant below is straightforward: they are interested in the job because it’s available, and they’re also available.
The line that lands: “I look forward to discussing this further with your AI screener.” Mic drop.
“I can TOTALLY Thing”
This one jokes with how interchangeable most cover letter language already is. Swap out every noun and skill for a placeholder: “I read you need a Thing. I can TOTALLY Thing.”
Staying alive
This applicant skips the enthusiasm entirely: they want to be able to eat, have a roof over their head, and drink clean water, which all require money.
“When you can’t beat them, join them”
The most personal of the five cover letters is by someone applying to be an AI Data Linguist. He’s frank: “I’m stuck somewhere between ‘too senior,’ ‘not commercial enough,’ and ‘slower than AI.’”
“Why don’t you want me?”
On Medium, we found a funny cover letter “based on a true story.”
To Whom It May Concern:
It’s me! AGAIN.
You probably remember my name from the many other applications I’ve sent in over the years. For this exact job.
Despite numerous rejection emails saying I’m not the right fit, I continue to see this job posted and reposted on LinkedIn. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it on LinkedIn for the past seven years or so, and I will continue applying just to make a point. I will apply until you beg me to stop. I will apply until you scream, “Alright!! Fine!!” and shove the new hire paperwork in my face.
(…)
Why don’t you want me, Whole Foods? Why?
“Erratic brilliance”
This one is a shortened version of a cover letter created by author Greg Mania for The New Yorker:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my feigned enthusiasm for the ambiguous position of — I think it was something like “Global Strategy Content Execution Associate”?
(…)My résumé reflects a pattern of, let’s call it, erratic brilliance punctuated by long stretches of disillusionment, which I’ve cleverly framed as “consulting.”
(…)
I have, of course, long admired your company — ever since I skimmed the home page seven minutes ago. Your commitment to innovation is clear from the stock photos of a diverse group of people deeply engaged in what appears to be a breakthrough moment involving a laptop and some very enthusiastic pointing.
(…)
Sincerely,
The One Who Got Away
How to actually use humour in your cover letter
Now, let’s talk seriously about humour. In the age of AI, a well-placed joke can actually make your cover letter stand out and prove you did more than run a prompt through ChatGPT.
Humour works in a cover letter when it’s controlled: it should reveal something true about the candidate — their voice, judgment, or creativity.
This real cover letter to beauty company Glossier is a good example of how to do it.
Hello friends at Glossier!!
My mother and I are beloved fans of Glossier. Both of us would ~love~ to work at your company; alas she has had over two decades of startup experience, including “IPO” (her words, not mine), which was funded by the Lauder family, therefore she would be a better fit for a job. She is, as you probably just read, very experienced with high growth startups, but more importantly, awesome, innovative, and smart. I think she would make an excellent addition to your team. (LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tereza)
Now let’s talk about me: I attended a year of school at Leaf Academy in Bratislava, which focuses on Entrepreneurial Leadership, focusing on design thinking. Through this program, I’ve helped to plan multiple events such as Model European Parliament SK, Startup Weekend Bratislava, Sensorium Digital Arts & Culture Festival, and Výťah Space Conference. In addition, I have extensive experience with social media (being Gen Z, of course).
This past year, I’ve discovered my passion for the environment and sustainability—specifically sustainable skincare and clothing brands. It is extremely important to me, as someone who will be alive to experience the effects of climate change, that lifestyle companies that use their power as drivers of how people go about their lives step in and take action towards climate change.
I own every single flavor of Balm Dotcom and am on my third Boy Brow, I never go downtown without stopping by the Glossier store—I always bring my friends. In fact, most of my friends refer to me as something along the lines of “Glossier Queen” which is accurate. I attend school in Europe but will be home from July 1st to August 30th. If you wanted to hire me instead, I think my mom would be okay with that.
Our favorite Glossier products are Boy Brow, Lash Slick, and of course, Generation G in Leo, Jam, and Poppy.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read (or not – that’s okay too) this email. Although this is written in a jokey way, I really think she would be a great addition to the team. I would love nothing more than a “take your kid to work day” at the Glossier office.
If you would (hopefully!!) like to reach out to my mom, her LinkedIn is above.
Sincerely,
Margot Hulme
PS: This is not my mother writing this as a joke; it is me Margot ( https://www.instagram.com/margotkh/?hl=en)
Time to subscribe!
Enjoying our content? Subscribe to the TechTalents Insights newsletter to start getting our best articles and interviews delivered to your inbox every other week.
