Everyone’s buzzing about artificial intelligence (AI) these days, especially ChatGPT. But what is ChatGPT, and how can it help you with your resume?
Here’s everything you need to know about creating an impressive ChatGPT resume along with the best practices for making the most of this powerful tool.
What is ChatGPT and how does it work?
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence computer program developed by OpenAI, a company at the center of AI research.
For users, ChatGPT acts as a kind of virtual assistant. You simply type a message or a question into ChatGPT, and it replies with an answer or more information, just like in a chat.
The messages and questions you type into ChatGPT are called “prompts.”
But ChatGPT does more than just answer questions using natural language. It can do all kinds of things, including writing documents like resumes, cover letters, and emails.
Why should you use ChatGPT to write your resume?
There are three reasons why it can be a good idea to use ChatGPT to write your resume:
1) SAVES TIME. Crafting a resume can be a time-consuming process, especially when you are trying to tailor it to a specific job description. ChatGPT can help streamline this process, saving you valuable time.
2) OFFERS A NEW PERSPECTIVE. ChatGPT can help you think of your skills and experiences in new ways that highlight your unique career progression.
3) CUSTOMIZABLE. Using prompts, you can ask ChatGPT to emphasize specific accomplishments, spotlight in-demand skills, or target a particular industry. The possibilities are endless.
How to use ChatGPT to write a resume
Prompts help prime ChatGPT to produce usable content. By including examples, instructions, and lots of details, ChatGPT can generate more relevant responses. When it comes to writing a standout resume, the right prompts can make all the difference. Let’s dive into some of the best ChatGPT prompts specifically designed for resume writing.
Once you have your ChatGPT-generated resume sections, plug them into Jobscan’s free resume builder. It will create a properly formatted resume you can download as a PDF for free so it’s ready for your application.
1. Ask ChatGPT what it needs
If you’re writing a brand new resume, you need to tell ChatGPT about yourself to get the ball rolling. This will be your first prompt.
Write a sentence or two describing who you are professionally and what your career goals are. Then ask ChatGPT to tell you what information it needs to start writing your resume.
- “I am a recent graduate with a degree in computer science looking to start my career in software development. What information do you need to start creating my resume?”
- “I have been working in the marketing sector for the past 5 years and am now looking to transition into a digital marketing role. What information do you need to start creating my resume?”
- “I am a sales executive planning to step up to a managerial role. What information do you need to start creating my resume?”
Once you do this, ChatGPT will provide you with a list of things it needs. While this list will vary based on your situation, there are some common elements that are typically required.
These include your contact information, skills, work history, educational background, any certifications or
2. Use ChatGPT to write a resume headline
Hiring managers only spend seconds scanning your resume. That’s why having a resume headline is important.
A resume headline is a one-line statement that sits right under your contact information. It should include your target job title while summarizing your key strengths. Here’s a prompt you can use:
Create a resume headline for me. I have [number of years] years of experience in [your field/industry], specializing in [key skills or areas of expertise]. I’m seeking a role as a [specific job title you’re targeting].
3. Use ChatGPT to write a resume summary
A resume summary provides a slightly more detailed overview of your skills, experience, and achievements. It appears under your headline.
Together, your headline and professional summary help make a strong first impression and encourage the hiring manager to read further.
Create a resume summary for me. I have [number of years] years of experience in [your field/industry]. My key skills include [list key skills or areas of expertise]. I have achieved [mention notable achievements or milestones]. I’m looking for opportunities in [specific job or industry you’re targeting] where I can [mention your goals or what you hope to accomplish in the new role].
4. Use ChatGPT to write a work experience section
Your work experience section is the most important part of your resume. This is where you list your past jobs. You should list your jobs in reverse-chronological order, from your current job to the least recent.
In this section, it’s crucial to highlight your measurable achievements. Measurable achievements are specific accomplishments in your career that can be described using numbers and metrics. For example, “increased online sales by 30%.”
Your resume shouldn’t just tell potential employers what you did, but how well you did it.
Help me write the work experience section for my resume. Create a bullet point for each accomplishment. Here are my job details: [job title], [company], [dates], [key responsibilities], [measurable achievements].
5. Use ChatGPT to write resume accomplishments
Measurable achievements on your resume show the hiring manager tangible proof of your positive contributions. ChatGPT can help you write impactful bullet points with quantifiable accomplishments.
- Find an open opportunity on Jobs, LinkedIn, Indeed, or other job boards and copy the job description’s responsibilities and requirements.
- Paste into ChatGPT and enter the prompt, “Write resume accomplishments with measurements based on these responsibilities.”
- Copy the output generated by ChatGPT into the resume builder under your work experience or resume summary.
ChatGPT doesn’t really know your accomplishments, so edit the generated accomplishments to keep your resume authentic and honest.
To create bullet points that present your resume achievements clearly from the content of your resume, use Jobscan’s AI-powered resume bullet points generator.
How to tailor your resume with ChatGPT
Congratulations! You’ve used ChatGPT to create your resume. But you’re not done yet. Now it’s time to tailor your resume for each job you apply for.
Why? Because most companies today use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to help them hire people. This computer software collects and organizes the resumes it receives into a database.
Hiring managers find job candidates by typing keywords into the ATS database search bar. These keywords are skills or job titles that are relevant to the role they want to fill. If your resume doesn’t contain these keywords, hiring managers won’t see it.
Just like websites need to be optimized for Google, your resume needs to be optimized for the ATS.
You can find the keywords to add to your resume in the job description. That’s why you should always paste the job description into ChatGPT as part of your resume prompt for tailoring your resume.
Help me tailor my resume for a specific job application. I will provide the job description and my resume. Please adjust my resume to highlight the most relevant experiences and skills that align with the job requirements. Also, suggest any changes or additions that would make my resume more appealing for this position.
For easy resume editing and optimization, try Power Edit. This Jobscan tool lets you upload your resume
ChatGPT resume do’s and don’ts
- Be specific with your prompts: The more specific your prompts, the more tailored and relevant the output will be.
- Personalize the output: Customize the content to reflect your voice and unique experiences.
- Verify and edit the information: Check for grammar errors and inaccuracies.
- Highlight measurable achievements: Use prompts that lead to results-oriented statements, showcasing your impact in previous roles.
- Keep it concise: Tell ChatGPT to produce succinct, impactful content, avoiding overly verbose or generic statements.
- Don’t rely solely on ChatGPT: Always customize the suggestions to ensure they accurately reflect your experience.
- Don’t ignore formatting: ChatGPT might not handle formatting perfectly.
- Don’t use generic phrases: Avoid using phrases that don’t add value, such as “hard worker” or “team player.”
- Don’t ignore the job description: Make sure your resume addresses the key requirements and qualifications mentioned in the job posting.
- Don’t neglect soft skills: Include skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities, which are highly valued by employers.
How to use ChatGPT to update your resume
ChatGPT can help refresh your resume. If you haven’t updated it in a while or it’s feeling stale, ChatGPT can help breathe new life into the document, making it easier to optimize later. You can use ChatGPT to refresh your resume in a few ways:
- Rewrite your work experience with impactful language: ChatGPT can generate powerful statements with action verbs and measurable accomplishments to boost the strength of your resume. This can be especailly helpful if you’re not a natural writer and struggle to put your experience and achievements into words.
- Provide more ideas for skills: When your resume isn’t up to date, your skills section may be lacking. ChatGPT can help suggest new skills based on your resume, industry, and roles you’re applying for.
- Proofread and edit your resume: ChatGPT can help correct any awkward wording, confusing sentences, and spelling errors. One thing ChatGPT can’t edit for is accuracy. It’s up to you to make sure your resume is honest, unexaggerated, and clear.
If you already have an existing resume but want to fine-tune or update it, this prompt can create a resume that reflects your continued growth and readiness for new opportunities:
Help me update my current resume. I currently have [number of years] years of experience in [your field/industry] with a focus on [key skills or areas of expertise]. Since my last update, I have achieved [new accomplishments or milestones] and developed skills in [new skills or areas of expertise]. Please revise my resume to highlight these recent achievements and ensure it is tailored for [specific job title or industry you’re targeting].
How to use ChatGPT for a career change resume
If you want to change careers, this prompt will tailor your resume so it emphasizes your transferable skills and knowledge. Remember to also paste in both your resume and the description of the new job you’re targeting:
Help me create a career change resume. I have [number of years] years of experience in [your current field/industry] and am looking to transition to [new field/industry]. My key skills include [list of transferable skills], and I have achieved [notable accomplishments] in my current role. Please tailor my resume to highlight my transferable skills and relevant experience for a position as a [specific job title you’re targeting in the new field/industry].
Should you use ChatGPT to write your resume?
ChatGPT doesn’t know you as well as you know yourself.
ChatGPT often uses generic language and your resume might sound bland and boring.
ChatGPT often misunderstands prompts and is inaccurate.
ChatGPT doesn’t provide resume templates and lacks formatting options.
ChatGPT doesn’t always tailor resumes accurately, which is key for today’s job search.
ChatGPT might prevent you from getting jobs if hiring managers believe you used it.
Using a machine learning tool like ChatGPT to write your resume can be helpful for drafting and getting ideas, but it should always be supplemented with your own input for personalization and accuracy.
If you don’t personalize your ChatGPT resume, it will seem bland and boring. Hiring managers and recruiters will suspect that your resume is AI-generated, which will cause them to reject it.
We recommend using Jobscan’s Power Edit instead of ChatGPT. Unlike ChatGPT, Jobscan’s tool has been specifically designed to create professional resumes that are both ATS-friendly and tailored to the job you’re applying to.
To help you create a brand new resume, try Jobscan’s free resume builder. Unlike other resume builders that are advertised as free but then charge a fee to download your resume, our builder is 100% free with no hidden costs.
You can easily take your ChatGPT resume and enter the output section by section, upload a separate document, or import your LinkedIn profile.
Then you can save your newly-built ATS resume as your new base resume or go right to Jobs to see all the open roles that fit your skills and experience. Go right into Power Edit from a job opportunity card to optimize your resume and track your application as it moves through the interview and offer phases.
How to use ChatGPT to write a cover letter
Do you hate writing cover letters? ChatGPT can do it for you! Just provide ChatGPT with a prompt that includes your background information, the job you’re applying for, and key points you wish to address.
Write a cover letter for me. I have [number of years] years of experience in [your field/industry], with a strong background in [key skills or areas of expertise]. I am applying for the [specific job title you’re targeting] position at [company name]. Highlight my accomplishments in [relevant achievements or projects], and explain how my skills can benefit [company name].
Unfortunately, ChatGPT cover letters tend to be generic and robotic. If you want to use an AI tool to create professional cover letters, try Jobscan’s cover letter generator.
Jobscan’s tool uses your personal resume and a real job listing to create a 100% original cover letter that is ATS-friendly and tailored to the job you’re applying for. Try it for free below:
Read more: Should You Use ChatGPT to Generate Your Cover Letter?
FAQs
A ChatGPT resume is a resume created using the ChatGPT AI language model. It allows users to input their relevant information and receive a generated resume in return. While it can be a helpful tool for inspiration, it’s important to review and edit the generated content to ensure accuracy and quality.
Yes, you can use ChatGPT to write a resume, but it’s important to ensure the content accurately represents your skills and experiences. You won’t land your dream job unless you edit and personalize what ChatGPT provides you with.
If you want ChatGPT to tailor your resume to a specific job, provide it with the job description and ask it to align your resume with the skills and requirements outlined in the description.
Employers’ perspectives on using ChatGPT to assist with your resume may vary; some may appreciate that you’re embracing new technology, while others might wonder if you lack the skills needed to do the job.
ChatGPT resume prompts are questions or statements that tell ChatGPT how to create a personalized resume for you.
Yes, many companies check resumes for AI-generated content. They use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan for specific keywords and flag generic language while hiring managers look for inconsistencies and overly polished phrases. It’s essential to review and customize your AI-assisted resume to ensure it accurately reflects your experience and skills.
