Initial release: AI-powered job application framework

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

.claude/skills/job-application-assistant/03-writing-style.md

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+# Writing Style Guide
+
+## Critical Rules
+
+1. **NO em-dashes (--).**  Use commas, periods, or restructure the sentence instead.
+2. **NO cliches or filler phrases.** Cut: "I am passionate about", "I believe I would be a great fit", "leverage my skills", "hit the ground running", "drive results", "synergies".
+3. **NO generic buzzwords** without concrete backing. Every claim must be supported by a specific example or fact.
+4. **NO apologetic or overly humble language.** Not "I think I could contribute" but "I bring X, demonstrated by Y."
+5. **NO unverified company claims.** Every company-specific statement in a cover letter (partnerships, product names, technology descriptions, expansions) must be independently verified via WebFetch or WebSearch before inclusion. Do not trust reviewer agent research at face value. If a claim cannot be verified, rephrase it in general terms or omit it.
+6. **Reframe emphasis, not substance.** Some framing of experience toward the target role is expected. But apply the **interview backtrack test**: could the candidate comfortably explain this bullet in an interview without backtracking? If they'd have to say "well, what I actually meant was..." then it's too far. Specifically:
+   - **OK:** Reordering experience to lead with what's most relevant; using natural synonyms for the target domain; emphasizing one aspect of a broad role.
+   - **Flag it:** Combining academic + industry experience into a single claim that implies it was all industry; describing work using the posting's specific terminology when the actual work was adjacent but not the same.
+   - **Never:** Claiming experience the candidate doesn't have; implying they worked in a domain they haven't.
+   When a bullet falls in the "flag it" zone, present it to the user after drafting with: "This bullet is a stretch because X. Keep, soften, or drop?" If the evaluation experience match score is below 50, warn before proceeding to drafting that extensive reframing would be needed.
+
+## Tone
+- **Warm but direct.** Friendly and approachable, but confident without arrogance.
+- **Conversational professional.** Not stiff corporate-speak, not casual chat. Think: how a confident person talks in a good job interview.
+- **First person, active voice.** "I built" not "a system was developed by the candidate."
+- **Demonstrate, don't state.** Instead of "I am a team player", write a specific example of teamwork and its outcome.
+
+## Application Headline (Best Practice)
+
+The subject line / headline of the application should be engaging and specific, not generic.
+
+**Bad:** "Application for Sales Engineer Position" / "Ansogning til stilling som ingeniør"
+**Good:** "[Your specialty] specializing in [relevant keyword from posting]"
+
+Formula: **[Title/education] + [relevant keyword from the job posting]**
+
+## Scannable Structure (Best Practice)
+
+Employers scan applications quickly. Structure for easy reading:
+- Use descriptive subheadings that reflect content (not just "Introduction" / "Body")
+- Include industry-specific keywords in headings where natural
+- Write concisely - eliminate filler language
+- One page maximum (hard rule)
+
+## Forward-Looking Framing (Best Practice)
+
+The cover letter is **not a CV repetition**. It should be forward-looking:
+- Focus on **tasks you can solve for the employer**, not just what you've done before
+- Describe your approach: methods, tools, knowledge you'll bring
+- Explain what positive outcomes the employer can expect from hiring you
+- Use 1-2 brief past examples only to back up forward-looking claims
+
+## Cover Letter Structure
+
+### Opening Paragraph
+- State the role and why you're writing (1 sentence)
+- Immediately connect your background to the role (1-2 sentences)
+- Make it specific to this company/role, not a template opener
+
+### Body Paragraphs - Task-Solving Focus
+- Lead with the most relevant experience for this specific role
+- Frame content around **which of their tasks you can solve and how**
+- Describe your approach: methods, tools, and knowledge you'll bring
+- Use bullet lists for concrete skills/achievements when appropriate (3-5 bullets)
+- Each bullet should be specific and outcome-oriented
+- Include at least one example that shows initiative
+- Include 1-2 brief examples of past success, but keep the focus forward-looking
+
+### Motivation / Why This Company (place early)
+- The **first section** after the opening should explain why you're applying to *this specific company*
+- Use language and themes from the job posting and company website
+- Focus on how you'll contribute to their goals, not what you gain from employment
+- If you spoke with someone at the company, reference the conversation naturally
+
+### Company-Specific Paragraph
+- Show you've researched the company (mention specific projects, values, or market position)
+- Explain why this company specifically, not just "a company like yours"
+- Connect domain knowledge to their business context
+
+### Closing
+- Brief, confident, forward-looking
+- "I look forward to hearing from you" or "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss..."
+- No begging or over-enthusiasm
+
+## Bullet Point Style
+- Start with action verb or bold category label
+- Be specific: numbers, tools, outcomes
+- Vary the structure (not every bullet starts the same way)
+
+## Language for Different Role Types
+
+### Technical/ML roles
+- Lead with programming languages, ML frameworks, specific model architectures
+- Mention datasets, data volumes, pipeline complexity
+- Include independent projects
+
+### Domain-specific roles
+- Lead with domain expertise and specific methods
+- Frame technical skills as tools that enhance domain analysis
+
+### Consulting/Advisory roles
+- Lead with stakeholder communication, project coordination, client interaction
+- Emphasize ability to bridge technical and business perspectives
+
+### Leadership/Senior roles
+- Lead with project management, mentoring, course development
+- Frame advanced degrees as evidence of independent project delivery
+
+## Multi-language Applications
+- Default to the language of the job posting
+- Cover letters in the posting's language should feel natural, not translated
+- Slightly warmer, more personal tone may be acceptable in some languages