How to Use ChatGPT to Write and Improve Your Resume

A good resume is like a good online dating profile: rarer than any of us would like. Synthesizing all your best skills and most attractive features as an employee into a short, well-written document is challenging for even the most practiced job applicants. That’s where the free AI tool, ChatGPT can offer some assistance.

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Keeping reading for our tips on creating a ChatGPT resume, including prompts to give the platform and issues to watch out for!

The Advanced AI Chatbot Taking the Internet by Storm

ChatGPT has recently gained widespread popularity for its versatility in creating everything from TikTok content to entertaining groups. However, ChatGPT is much more than just another chatbot. Created by OpenAI, ChatGPT utilizes advanced technology combining information training with RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback). This unique blend makes ChatGPT both knowledgeable and conversational.

For those who haven't used it yet, ChatGPT is a platform where you can ask questions or give writing prompts and receive an AI-generated response. The possibilities of what you can do with it are endless, including asking it to write your resume. But, simply asking "write my resume for me" won't suffice. To get a well-written ChatGPT resume, you'll need to provide well-crafted prompts and have a clear plan of action. Keep reading for our tips on creating a ChatGPT resume, including prompts to give the platform and issues to watch out for!

ChatGPT Prompts to Use to Improve Your Resume

To get the best results when using ChatGPT to improve your resume, it's important to have a clear plan of action. Priming ChatGPT with well-crafted prompts and taking the time to consider any specific parameters beforehand will save you headaches and ensure that you get the most helpful response. So before you start typing away, consider the tips and suggestions provided to get the most out of your ChatGPT experience.

Pre-Prompt Tips

Be certain of what exactly you’re asking for: Does this resume need to have a certain tone to it? Is there a word count limit you have in mind? Any specific parameters need to be clear from the start or you’re likely to be disappointed.
Have a skills summary ready: While very knowledgeable, ChatGPT is not omniscient (yet) so you will also need to feed it some information alongside your prompt. We’d recommend a skills and education summary with all the important facts about you that need to be covered in the resume.
Include all the necessary information: To get the best results from ChatGPT for your resume, make sure to provide all the necessary information such as the job description, your current resume, and any specific details or accomplishments you want to highlight. The more specific and detailed you are, the better ChatGPT can create a tailored resume that stands out to potential employers.
If you’re unsure, ask: The cool trick about ChatGPT is that it’s conversational and built to manage ongoing updates and queries regarding requests. If you’re unsure what information to provide it for your resume, you can just ask.

Reference this example: “I am a recent software engineering graduate that wants to work in tech in New York. I want you to write my resume. What information about me do you need to do this?”

You’ll see with that question that it’s a bit stilted and direct. Chat GPT may mimic human conversation, but you can be as basic (or flowery) as you want to be with your language. It’s the specificity that makes the biggest difference in getting results.

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Provide clear and specific information such as job description, resume, and accomplishments to get the best results from ChatGPT for your resume!

Prompting a ChatGPT Resume

Now that you have a clear plan and the necessary information to provide, it's time to start engaging with ChatGPT and asking the right questions. Remember, this is a conversation, so feel free to ask for adjustments and clarifications as you go. To help you get started, here are some useful prompt templates for creating your ChatGPT resume.

Try These Resume Prompts:

Draft a [tone eg. friendly, formal] resume for a job as a [position] at [company] using this summary of my skills below as a reference. Please also use the resume I’ve included as a guide for format and length.
Please tailor my current resume (see below) to [position] at [company]. Please include keywords from the job description and company values (linked) when mentioning my skills and achievements.
Please summarize my professional history below into succinct bullet points.
Update the [eg. skills section, experience] on my resume to make it sound more [eg. impressive, exciting].
Here is a list of my skills, experience, and achievements. How would you rewrite them for [position] at [company]?

When crafting your prompts, be sure to include:

The job you’re applying for and possibly a link to it as well if it’s available.
Any length or formatting requirements you have. The same applies to the tone of the resume.
Relevant information about your skills and any particular areas that you want to be highlighted in the resume.

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By providing ChatGPT with well-crafted prompts and all the necessary information, you can receive a well-written resume that will give you an edge in the job application process.

Advantages of Using ChatGPT for Your Resume

If you're still on the fence about using ChatGPT for your resume, don't worry – it's completely understandable to have reservations. However, there are several advantages to using ChatGPT that make it a valuable tool for anyone looking to create or improve their resume.

It Gives You Somewhere to Start

Perhaps writing isn’t your thing or the idea of turning your life’s work into a two-page resume is overwhelming you into inaction. Either way, a Chat GPT resume gives you a place to start. The chatbot is unlikely to give you a product that won’t need editing but it will spur the process on so that you at least have something to work with.

Quick Edits

We’ve all hit that spot with a resume where we know what we want something to sound or look like but are unsure (or too strapped for time) to shape it into that. That’s where ChatGPT can offer a major advantage. You can ask for certain areas to be revisited or changed with questions like: “Please can you summarize this section into three bullet points” or “Can you add more detail into the section included below regarding my experience.” Edits like this are far quicker to perform with ChatGPT than they would be on your own.

Tailor Your Resume

Using the same resume for every job application is not advisable as it needs to be tailored to suit the requirements of the position, company tone, and formatting prerequisites. This can be a time-consuming process, but with ChatGPT, you can request your current resume to be updated with those parameters. You can even ask for specific jargon or keywords to be included or tailored to an ATS (Application Tracking System). The targeted approach will increase your chances of getting an interview.

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The Limits of AI and a Chat GPT Resume

ChatGPT can streamline the resume writing process, but there are some limitations to its usefulness. Before asking ChatGPT to write your resume, it's important to do some research and planning to determine what your resume should include and how it should look. Seeking advice from people working in your desired field or company can also be immensely valuable in helping your resume stand out.

While ChatGPT can assist with the bulk of the writing, adding a personal touch to your resume is crucial for making it memorable. This can be achieved through the tone of the writing or the way you structure your document. It's important to keep in mind that ChatGPT is an assistant, not a final product. Treat your ChatGPT-generated resume as a draft and take the time to polish it, ensuring that it presents you in the best possible light for the job you're applying for.

What are some other limitations to consider?

ChatGPT can only work with the information you provide, so if you don't provide enough relevant information, the resulting resume may not accurately represent your skills and experience.
The language and tone of the generated resume may not align with your personal style or the specific culture and values of the company you're applying to.
ChatGPT is limited in its ability to provide context or nuance to your experiences, which may be important in certain industries or positions.
Formatting and design may not be accounted for, so it's important to ensure your resume is visually appealing and easy to read.
ChatGPT is an assistant, not a final product. It's important to take the time to polish and personalize your resume to make it stand out to potential employers.

Streamlining Your Job Search with Simplify

Whether you’re crafting a resume from scratch, or improving an existing one, ChatGPT is a valuable tool to have in your arsenal. It can help you improve specific sections of your resume, ensure it better references the company values and job description you’re applying for, and help with overall structuring. For anyone feeling stuck, give our prompt templates a go and see what ChatGPT has to say!

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