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16 min · writing

Cover letter + mock interview loop (with evidence checks)

Goal: Ship a short evidence-based letter, then rehearse answers the model is not allowed to embellish.

Best for: Applicants who freeze on “Tell me about yourself” or paste AI letters that sound like everyone else.

Letters and mocks from your bullets only—never invented stories.

Why beginners skip this

Pretty letters without proof fail in the room. Map JD lines to evidence you can say aloud and rehearse follow-ups. Mid-week cost shows up as rework, not as a missing bookmark.

Step 1 — Letter from evidence only

A cover letter is not a biography. Three short paragraphs: why them (facts you researched), why you (resume proof), clear ask. Ban passion fluff.

Goal: Draft a 3-paragraph cover letter from evidence only.
Role: [title] at [company]
Why them (my research): [2 facts]
Why me (resume only): [3 proof points]
Format: ≤250 words; subject line if email; no “I am passionate…”
Boundaries: Do not invent awards, metrics, referrals, or shared history.
After drafting: list every claim → Evidence location | OK to send?
Example

Filled prompt

Role: Junior data analyst at a regional grocery chain
Why them: They published a 2026 case study on reducing food waste with weekly store dashboards; their careers page lists SQL + stakeholder updates.
Why me: Built weekly Looker views for campus café inventory; sent Friday notes to ops lead; documented two A/B price tests in sheets.
Boundaries: No invented “cut waste 18%” unless that number is in my files.

What good output looks like

  • Why-them facts are checkable
  • Why-me maps to resume bullets
  • Claim list ends with OK/needs metric—not silent inventions
  • Pass/fail dated (Asia/Shanghai) sits next to the artifact

Step 2 — STAR story without hero mode

STAR = Situation, Task, Action, Result. The model helps structure; you supply numbers. If Result is missing, keep [METRIC] and dig in your files later.

Turn these notes into STAR. Label each part.
Notes: ---
[paste]
---
Result may only use numbers I wrote or [METRIC].
Then ask me one follow-up that an interviewer might ask to pressure-test the Result.

Step 3 — Mock interview loop

Do this step with a real artifact open—not from memory.

You are a careful interviewer for [role].
Rules: Ask ONE question at a time. Wait for my answer.
After each answer, score Clarity / Evidence / Length (1–5).
Point out any claim that was not in my resume packet.
Suggest one tighter opening sentence—without inventing new achievements.
Start with: “Tell me about a time you influenced a decision without authority.”
Example

Filled prompt

STAR aloud: pushed back on unrealistic launch date.
≤2 min. Ban resume-missing metrics. Record yourself once.
Context: real workstream this week (Asia/Shanghai). Name actual files/people.
Constraints: no invented metrics/owners/prices; label Unknowns; stop before send/delete/pay.
Done check: I can mark pass/fail in one minute on the output.

What good output looks like

  • One question at a time
  • Evidence score reacts to unverifiable claims
  • Opening-line suggestion stays faithful

Save this card

Card: Map JD lines to proof you own; record the mock before you trust the wording. Keep this beside the tool; read before you start.

Wear-test: show your Save card to a teammate for thirty seconds—if they cannot restate the refuse line, tighten the card tonight and date it (Asia/Shanghai).

1. What I shipped: ___ 2. What I refused: ___ 3. What I will never-do again: ___ (date: Asia/Shanghai)

  • [ ] Tools/writes paused
  • [ ] Refuse-line dated
  • [ ] Artifact path saved
  • [ ] Next link chosen (or stop)

Before you start

Open the JD and your evidence bullets side by side for “Ship a short evidence-based letter, then.” Cross out any metric you cannot say aloud in 10 seconds. Guide: career-cover-letter-and-mock-interview. If you only have a blank practice box, stop and fetch the real job first.

  • Goal in one line: ___
  • Allowed tools: ___
  • Forbidden: ___
  • Human approve needed for: ___

How to use this week

This week for career: map one claim to evidence you can say aloud for “Ship a short evidence-based letter, then rehearse answers th.” Record one answer. Cut one unsourced number Guide: career-cover-letter-and-mock-interview.

Close the week by quoting aloud the refuse line you actually used once. If you cannot, rerun Practice now and date the pass/fail (Asia/Shanghai).

Red flags + refusal when it invents

Unverifiable superlatives; mock that only reads the script—map JD to proof you can say aloud.

Pitfalls

PitfallBetter
Sending the first AI letter unchangedRun the claim→evidence list; cut slop
Practicing only with the model’s “ideal answer”You speak first; model coaches second
Memorizing a script you cannot explainKeep bullets; speak in your own words
Example

Filled prompt

Job: Ship a short evidence-based letter, then rehearse 
Prior fail: [what missed the check]
Repair: keep the same Done; add one constraint + one concrete example from my notes.
Boundaries: draft only; label Unknowns [?]; no silent send.
Return: fixed output + the one-minute pass/fail I will mark.

What good output looks like

  • Names the prior fail without inventing a new job
  • Adds one constraint tied to “Ship a short evidence-based letter, then rehearse ”
  • Still draft-only / Unknowns labeled
  • Pass/fail: you mark green on the same checklist (career-cover-letter-and-mock-interview #4)

Field note: record one mock answer on your phone, play it back, and strike any claim you cannot source in ten seconds. Keep the refuse line visible while you draft.

Practice now

Live card: one career artifact edit with proof, no invention (Asia/Shanghai).

Today: paste one JD + your evidence bullets. Ask for a cover letter mapping three requirements to three bullets you provided—no new metrics. Then answer one STAR question aloud in under two minutes.

Cover + mock card (copy): 1. Role / company: ___ · three JD requirements I will map: A ___ B ___ C ___ 2. Evidence bullets I pasted (no invented metrics): 1) ___ 2) ___ 3) ___ 3. STAR answer timed: Situation ___ · Task ___ · Action ___ · Result ___ · seconds: ___ 4. Refuse-line if the model invents a metric: ___ (date: Asia/Shanghai)

Pass/fail: every claim in the letter traces to a bullet you pasted; STAR under 120 seconds.

  • [ ] Artifact path written
  • [ ] Refuse example would say "yes"
  • [ ] Dated Asia/Shanghai

One sentence takeaway

Map JD lines to proof you own; record the mock before you trust the wording. This week: one letter paragraph + three follow-ups you can answer aloud.

  • You can point to a dated refuse-line
  • You have one artifact path from tonight
  • You can teach the red flag in one sentence

Next

Resume · Path · Verify · Reject AI slop · Stakeholder update

Pair with today: open the first Next link (career-resume-without-inventing) only after you dated a refuse-line for this guide (Asia/Shanghai).

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