Mastering Resume Prompts: Your Ultimate Guide to AI-Powered Job Applications
September 30th, 2024 by Valeriia Kuka
Today’s job market is highly competitive and sending your resume can feel like you’re just shouting into the void. And companies are now using automated systems to scan resumes before they even reach a human. Then, how do you stand out without spending hours on tweaking your resume?
We will show you how AI can be a helpful assistant instead of relying on generic templates or outdated AI hacks. AI can save you tons of time without sounding like a robot.
By the end of this article, you'll know how to use AI to:
For each of these tasks, you can create a personalized prompt based on the templates we provided in the interactive forms in this article. Just fill in your information and click "Generate" to receive your prompt.
1) Writing Your Resume
Resume Outline
Starting with a blank page is always difficult, but ChatGPT can help by creating a basic structure for your CV. It can suggest key sections like contact information, a summary, work experience, education, skills, and certifications, providing a template you can easily fill with your personal details. More on that in the next section.
Here are some prompts to guide you in creating a well-structured resume:
- Can you provide a template for a professional resume?
- Help me create a resume for a [job title] position, focusing on [specific skills or experiences].
- What is the best format for a resume for someone with [specific experience level or industry]?
Generate a prompt tailored to your information based on our interactive form and paste it into your preferred chatbot/LLM:
Format Your Resume
A clean, professional layout is essential for making a strong first impression. ChatGPT can offer formatting suggestions, such as ideal font choices, consistent spacing, and section headings. It can even guide you on whether a traditional or modern resume format is best for your industry.
- What is the best CV format for a CV of a [job title]?
- Suggest formatting for a CV of a [job title]?
Generate a prompt tailored to your information based on our interactive form and paste it into your preferred chatbot/LLM:
Fill In Your Resume Content
Once you've nailed down your resume structure, it’s time to fill it with engaging content. Struggling to recall your achievements or pinpoint which skills and results to highlight? Let ChatGPT help!
Ask it to generate a sample resume tailored to your job position, or to list key skills and performance metrics you should include based on your experience and projects. This way, you'll get a clearer idea of what to showcase to make your resume stand out.
Try these prompts to craft powerful descriptions and highlight your skills:
- How can I describe my experience as a [job title] to make it stand out?
- List key skills that are relevant for a [specific job title] and how to present them on my resume.
- What is the best way to showcase achievements in my resume?
Generate a prompt tailored to your information based on our interactive form and paste it into your preferred chatbot/LLM:
Refine Bullet Points
Bullet points are the standard format for resumes. They need to be strong, concise, and action-oriented to effectively reflect your experience and provide specific information.
Key tips for bullet points:
- Be concise: HR professionals don’t have time to read through long text blocks. Make your resume scannable, highlighting the most important information quickly.
- Use specific numbers: Instead of “Managed a team,” say “Led a team of 10, increasing project efficiency by 20%.”
- Use actionable language: Employ strong action verbs to show what you achieved at previous jobs.
ChatGPT can help transform basic descriptions into bullet points and better structure your thoughts.
Generate a prompt tailored to your information based on our interactive form and paste it into your preferred chatbot/LLM:
Resume Feedback
Once you’ve drafted your resume, ask ChatGPT for feedback. You can request improvements at any stage of the process. This iterative approach can help you refine your resume until it’s polished.
- Here’s my first draft of the resume, improve its structure
- How can I improve my resume? List potential improvements
Generate a prompt tailored to your information based on our interactive form and paste it into your preferred chatbot/LLM:
2) Improving Your Resume During Job Search
Tailor Your CV for Job Applications
A one-size-fits-all resume won’t help you stand out. It’s crucial to tailor your resume for each job you apply to.
You can give ChatGPT your original resume and a job description and ask it to rephrase and reshape your experiences to match the language, skills, and accomplishments emphasized in the job posting.
It will help you resonate with hiring managers and increase your chances of moving forward in your job search. Use these prompts to customize your resume:
- How can I tailor my resume for this job? [job description]
- Align my resume with the language and skills highlighted in this job description: [job description]
- What keywords should I include in my resume for a [specific position]?
Generate a prompt tailored to your information based on our interactive form and paste it into your preferred chatbot/LLM:
Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a human reviewer even sees them. These systems look for specific keywords, phrases, and formats pulled directly from the job description. If your resume doesn’t match, it may be filtered out.
Ask ChatGPT to optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating the right keywords while maintaining readability for both machines and humans.
- Identify key terms and phrases in the job description.
- Incorporate these keywords throughout your resume, especially in sections like skills, experience, and job titles.
- Avoid overly creative formatting that might confuse the ATS.
Generate a prompt tailored to your information based on our interactive form and paste it into your preferred chatbot/LLM:
Write Cover Letter
A strong cover letter complements your resume. Career advisors suggest personalizing your cover letter based on the information you know about the company and even about your potential hiring manager.
You need to research the job post, company’s website and LinkedIn to find important information. Instead of doing it yourself, you can prompt ChatGPT to extract all the important information.
- Draft an outline/template for a cover letter for a company from [sector] with [number of employees]
- Help me write a cover letter for my resume targeting the [specific job title] position at [company]. Here’s the company’s description: [company’s description]
- Help me write a cover letter for my resume targeting the [specific job title] position addressing this hiring manager. Here’s their LinkedIn profile information: [hiring manager’s profile description]
Generate a prompt tailored to your information based on our interactive form and paste it into your preferred chatbot/LLM:
3) General Tips
General Advice and Best Practices
ChatGPT can provide general advice to improve your resume:
- What are common mistakes to avoid when writing a resume?
- What are the current trends in resume writing that I should consider?
Generate a prompt tailored to your information based on our interactive form and paste it into your preferred chatbot/LLM:
Conclusion
AI, and ChatGPT specifically, can be a powerful tool for your job search! We hope that those personalized templates will help you to streamline your job application process and create standout resumes and cover letters.
Remember, while AI is a valuable assistant, the key to a successful resume is your unique voice and knowledge paired with automated intelligence. Use these prompts as a starting point, and don't be afraid to iterate and refine your resume based on the feedback you receive.
Happy job hunting!
You can cite this work as follows:
@article{resumeprompts2024Kuka,
Title = {Mastering ChatGPT Resume Prompts},
Author = {Valeriia Kuka},
Year = {2024},
url={https://learnprompting.org/blog/2024/9/23/resume_prompts}
}