LaTeX Templates for CV and Cover Letter Generation in AI-Job-Search

The AI-Job-Search framework utilizes the ModernCV package in banking style for curriculum vitae generation and a custom cover.cls class for cover letters, both compiled via XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX through the automated build pipeline.

The MadsLorentzen/ai-job-search repository employs a dual-template LaTeX architecture to produce professional job application documents. This open-source system ships with stock LaTeX templates configured for immediate use, generating ATS-friendly PDFs through automated compilation workflows. Understanding these LaTeX templates reveals how the framework balances typographic quality with seamless content generation.

CV Template: ModernCV Banking Style

The framework generates CVs using the ModernCV package, an external CTAN class actively maintained by the LaTeX community. In cv/main_example.tex (lines 9–14), the document preamble configures the banking style with a blue color scheme optimized for professional finance and technology sectors.

Key configuration parameters include:

• Document class: \documentclass[11pt,a4paper,sans]{moderncv}
• Style directive: \moderncvstyle{banking} for a clean, horizontal layout
• Color profile: \moderncvcolor{blue} for consistent branding
• Geometry: \usepackage[scale=0.85]{geometry} for balanced margins

\documentclass[11pt,a4paper,sans]{moderncv}
\moderncvstyle{banking}
\moderncvcolor{blue}
\usepackage[scale=0.85]{geometry}
% …personal data and sections…
\begin{document}
\makecvtitle
% …content…
\end{document}

The repository pins the ModernCV version via the Docker image defined in SETUP.md (lines 71 and 116), ensuring reproducible builds across environments.

Cover Letter Template: Custom cover.cls

For cover letters, the framework eschews external packages in favor of a minimal custom class defined in cover_letters/cover.cls (line 2). This lightweight implementation provides precise control over page geometry and typography while maintaining compilation speed.

The cover.cls template utilizes the Lato font family (bundled under cover_letters/OpenFonts/) and exposes a simple macro surface via \coverletter{…} for body content injection. The cover_letters/cover_example.tex file (line 12) demonstrates the standard implementation:

\documentclass[]{cover}
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont{Lato}
\begin{document}
\coverletter{
  \section*{Dear Hiring Manager,}
  % body of the letter …
}
\end{document}

This custom class produces a strict one-page PDF, contrasting with the two-page CV output, ensuring cover letters remain concise and scannable.

Build Pipeline and Compilation

The tools/verify_pdf.py script orchestrates the compilation process, invoking XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX engines to process these templates. These engines are required for advanced font handling via fontspec and modern OpenType font support.

The build workflow executes a single-pass LaTeX compilation for both document types, generating PDFs that are subsequently attached to job applications through the /apply command. This architecture eliminates the need for users to manage LaTeX compilation manually while ensuring consistent output formatting.

Template Customization Architecture

According to templates/README.md, the framework "works out of the box with its stock templates (moderncv for CVs, cover.cls for cover letters)." However, the system supports complete template substitution through the /add-template command documented in .claude/commands/add-template.md.

Users may override defaults with:

• Custom LaTeX templates adhering to the same interface contracts
• Alternative typesetting systems such as Typst
• Modified style definitions while retaining the automated content injection pipeline

Summary

• The CV template relies on the external ModernCV CTAN package configured with banking style and blue color scheme in cv/main_example.tex.
• The cover letter utilizes a minimal custom cover.cls located in cover_letters/, implementing the Lato font family and \coverletter macro interface.
• The tools/verify_pdf.py utility manages compilation using XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX engines for modern font support.
• Stock templates can be replaced via the /add-template command, supporting both LaTeX and Typst alternative implementations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use custom LaTeX templates instead of the stock ones?

Yes. The /add-template command documented in .claude/commands/add-template.md allows users to register custom LaTeX or Typst templates while maintaining the framework's automated content generation pipeline. The system replaces the default moderncv and cover.cls references with user-provided alternatives.

Which LaTeX engine handles the PDF compilation?

The framework uses XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX as implemented in tools/verify_pdf.py. These engines are specifically required to support the fontspec package used by cover.cls for loading the Lato font family and handling modern OpenType font features.

Where are the fonts stored for the cover letter template?

The Lato and Raleway font families are bundled within the cover_letters/OpenFonts/ directory. The custom cover.cls loads these via fontspec to ensure consistent typography without requiring system-wide font installation, making the template portable across different operating systems.

Is the ModernCV banking style compatible with ATS software?

Yes. The banking style in ModernCV produces a clean, horizontal-layout PDF that parses reliably by Applicant Tracking Systems. Unlike heavily designed CV templates that use complex tables or graphics, the banking style maintains a linear document structure while preserving professional aesthetics.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}