6 Ways to Use ChatGPT to Review Your Resume (with Prompts)

How to Prepare ChatGPT for a Resume Review 

Before diving into the review process, you should set ChatGPT up for success. Preparing the AI properly ensures you'll get the most relevant and helpful feedback on your resume.

Here are some key tips to get started:

• Clarify your intentions. Tell ChatGPT exactly what kind of feedback you need to guide its review.
• Personalize the context. Share details about your industry, target role, career level, skills, and achievements, to get tailored advice.
• Provide specific instructions. Ask ChatGPT to focus on aspects like formatting, content, or language use.
• Set the tone. Request feedback in a style that suits you, whether it's constructive criticism or encouragement.
• Break it down. Consider reviewing your resume section by section for more detailed insights.

6 Ways to Review Your Resume with ChatGPT 

Before, reviewing your resume meant hours of self-doubt or having to pay for costly professional services. 

However, with ChatGPT, you have a tireless assistant ready to polish your resume to perfection. 

You can use it and elevate your resume from good to exceptional in no time. 

Let's explore how this AI tool can transform your job application game!

#1. Proofreading and Grammar Check

Having typos or grammar errors is a sure way to get your resume rejected. ChatGPT excels at catching those pesky typos and grammatical errors that can slip past human eyes. 

For a thorough check, simply paste your resume text and ask it to proofread for errors. It'll spot misplaced commas, and subject-verb disagreements, and even suggest better word choices. 

But don't stop there – ask ChatGPT to explain its corrections. This way, you're not just fixing your resume – you're improving your writing skills, too. The following prompts could help you here: 

So, here’s an example:

And here’s the ChatGPT output:

Just keep in mind that while ChatGPT is usually accurate, it's not infallible. Use its suggestions as a starting point, and always give your resume a final human once-over to catch any AI quirks or misinterpretations.

#2. Enhancing Language and Clarity

If you have a resume bullet point that seems plain or generic, ChatGPT can help make it more engaging. 

For example, you can feed the chatbot your resume content and ask for more impactful ways to describe your achievements. It can transform bland statements into compelling narratives that showcase your skills.

Additionally, you can ask it to suggest action verbs or industry-specific language to make your experience pop.

ChatGPT can also help simplify complex jargon, ensuring your resume is clear and accessible to experts and non-experts alike. If you want the suggestions to be even more tailored, give ChatGPT some context about your target role or industry.

Here are some prompts you can use here:

Let’s take a look at the output in practice:

#3. Keyword Optimization for ATS

This might come as a surprise, but hiring managers often use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), software that scans resumes for relevant keywords. Resumes that don’t contain those keywords get automatically tossed into the “rejected” pile, saving hiring managers time and effort.

To ensure your resume will pass the ATS test, it's crucial to tailor it to each job ad.

ChatGPT can be your secret weapon here. 

First, paste the job description and your resume into the chatbot, and then ask ChatGPT to identify any key skills and qualifications you might be missing. The AI can also suggest ways to naturally weave these keywords into your existing content. 

But be careful – don't just stuff your resume with keywords. Ask ChatGPT to help you integrate them smoothly, maintaining a natural flow. This approach helps your resume pass ATS scans and impress human readers. 

You might use the following prompts:

Now, let’s look at what one of these prompts would look like in practice for an interior designer:

The job ad can be pretty long! Here’s the rest of it:

We also pasted the candidate’s resume after this but you can check it out in our corresponding article.

Instead, let’s directly skip to what ChatGPT suggests:

Just remember – the goal is to represent your real skills while aligning with the job requirements, so don’t lie or exaggerate your skills.

#4. Reviewing Resume Tone and Professionalism

ChatGPT can help ensure the tone of your resume strikes the right balance between confidence and professionalism. 

You can, for example, ask it to review the language you’ve used for the appropriate level of formality and to flag any phrases that might come across as too casual or overly boastful. The chatbot can also suggest tweaks to maintain a consistent, professional tone that recruiters want from your resume. 

For instance, it might recommend changing "I crushed my sales targets" to "Consistently exceeded sales targets by 20%." 

Don't forget to give ChatGPT context about your industry – what's considered professional can vary between fields. 

Here are some prompts you can use:

Let’s look at what one of these prompts can look like in action:

#5. Prioritizing Sections and Enhancing Content Flow

Getting your resume's structure right is key to making a strong first impression. Ask ChatGPT to analyze your resume's flow and suggest improvements in how you've positioned information. 

Are certain sections more important than others for the specific job you're applying to? Then, they should be at the top of the resume. 

ChatGPT can help you decide which sections are essential and which achievements to highlight first based on the job you're targeting. It can also spot redundancies or suggest where to expand on your experiences for better impact. 

Use these prompts to achieve this:

Now, let’s put one of these prompts into action:

The job ad can be pretty long, so here’s the rest of it:

That’s more than enough information for ChatGPT to work its magic! Just make sure to paste your resume right after the job ad. In this case, we used an editor’s resume for our prompt.

Here’s what ChatGPT’s output was:

This AI-guided restructuring can make sure the most critical sections of your resume and your most impressive qualifications catch the hiring manager’s eye quickly.

#6. Identifying Gaps and Areas for Improvement

ChatGPT can be your objective career advisor, helping spot potential weaknesses in your resume. 

Ask it to identify any skills or experiences that seem underrepresented based on your target role or suggest areas where you could benefit from additional training or certifications. 

ChatGPT can also help you brainstorm ways to address employment gaps or career changes. For example, if you're shifting from a sales role to a project management position, it could recommend highlighting your organizational and communication abilities, which are transferable skills for the new field. 

Similarly, if you're a recent graduate entering the job market, ChatGPT can guide you on how to effectively list your volunteer work, demonstrating relevant experience and commitment.  

Consider using these prompts:

Let’s check out how ChatGPT works with one of these prompts:

The job ad is for a video editor and content producer. Here’s the rest of the description:

And here are the rest of the skills and qualifications listed:

Followed by the candidate’s resume.

And here’s what ChatGPT had to say in response:

You need to present a well-rounded resume and you can use ChatGPT's insights to turn any potential weaknesses into opportunities to show your adaptability and commitment to professional growth.

Remember to Use a Professional Resume Template

While ChatGPT can help you create attention-grabbing content, pairing it with a professional template will take your resume to the next level. 

That's where Novo's resume builder comes in. 

Our wide range of templates, designed in collaboration with industry experts, are tailored to match your specific field and career level. 

Novo's user-friendly platform allows you to seamlessly incorporate your AI-assisted content into our sleek, modern designs. This saves you time and helps your resume stand out in a sea of applications. 

Should You Review Your Resume With ChatGPT?

Deciding whether to use ChatGPT to review your resume is a personal choice that depends on your specific needs and how comfortable you are using AI tools. While ChatGPT offers many benefits, it's important not to entirely replace human insight with the tool, as helpful as it is.

ChatGPT can be a valuable addition to your resume review process but it shouldn't be your only resource. The AI can provide a fresh perspective and catch things the human eye might miss, but it may not fully grasp the nuances of your career path or the latest industry trends.

So, it's best used alongside your judgment and, if possible, in combination with feedback from industry professionals or trusted colleagues.

10 Tips for Using ChatGPT for Reviewing Your Resume

Using ChatGPT to review your resume can be a game-changer, but like any tool, it's most effective when used correctly.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your AI-assisted resume review:

1. Be specific in your requests. The more detailed your instructions, the more helpful ChatGPT's feedback will be.
2. Double-check all suggestions. While ChatGPT is smart, it can make mistakes, so always double-check its advice.
3. Use it as a brainstorming partner. Ask ChatGPT for multiple ways to phrase your achievements or skills.
4. Maintain your voice. Don't let ChatGPT's suggestions overshadow your unique voice and style.
5. Provide context. Tell ChatGPT about your industry and target role for more relevant feedback.
6. Ask for explanations. If you don't understand a suggestion, ask ChatGPT to clarify its reasoning.
7. Use the same chat. Using the same chat allows the AI to understand the context better and provide more tailored advice, ensuring consistency and accuracy across your resume revisions.
8. Use it alongside human feedback. Combine ChatGPT's insights with advice from mentors or peers.
9. Stay honest. Use ChatGPT to enhance your actual experiences, not to fabricate or exaggerate them.
10. Reiterate. Use ChatGPT multiple times as you refine your resume, asking for feedback on your changes.

FAQs on Ways to Use ChatGPT to Review Your Resume

Curious about using ChatGPT for your resume but still have some questions on the topic? 

Check out our answers to the most frequently asked questions on the topic:

Key Takeaways

You’ve made it to the end of our guide!

With these strategies in hand, you're now well-prepared to create a resume that will catch the hiring manager’s attention. 

Before you start applying for jobs, let's quickly recap the most important tips we've covered:

• Use ChatGPT to catch typos and grammar errors, and improve word choices. Ask for explanations to enhance your writing skills.
• Transform bland bullet points into compelling achievements with the help of ChatGPT. Incorporate power verbs and simplify jargon for better clarity.
• Tailor your resume to specific job ads by integrating relevant keywords naturally, ensuring your resume passes ATS scans and impresses human readers.
• Maintain the right balance between confidence and professionalism by asking ChatGPT to review your resume’s tone. Customize it to fit industry standards.
• Improve the structure and flow of your resume by prioritizing key sections and achievements, making a strong first impression.
• Identify underrepresented skills or experiences and address employment gaps. ChatGPT can help you brainstorm ways to showcase transferable skills or volunteer work.
• Ensure your resume maintains a uniform tone and style throughout. Use ChatGPT to tailor your resume efficiently for different job applications.
• While ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it's important not to rely on it entirely. Always combine its insights with your judgment and, if possible, get feedback from industry professionals or trusted colleagues.