Land that role: AI prompts to polish your resume

With the broader job market only getting more competitive, standing out with a well-crafted resume could be your ticket to a long and successful career. Thanks to modern marvels, using a tool like artificial intelligence (AI) can help streamline the entire process, all while making it easier to highlight your strengths and match your resume to the job’s requirements. Here’s what you need to know about using AI for resume writing.

Benefits of using AI for your resume

AI tools have revolutionised so many different parts of our day-to-day lives, and resume writing is no exception. Here are some big benefits:

• Speed: AI can quickly generate content, thereby saving you time and effort. It can be incredibly useful in creating a concise and impactful summary that highlights your key strengths.
• Personalised content: It can customise your resume based on job descriptions. This is especially important if you’re applying for jobs in a competitive industry, where custom applications often stand out from the crowd.
• Fewer mistakes: AI can help identify and fix errors in your resume – this will make you look more professional. A polished resume free of typos and formatting issues is more likely to make a positive impression on recruiters.

Start with a resume template

Before diving straight into an AI prompt, first choose a professional resume template. This will help your resume be as well-structured, visually appealing and easy to scan as possible. Make sure your chosen template has clear headings, bullet points, consistent formatting and other elements that make it stand out.

Using a template can help you focus on the content itself without having to worry about the layout – a big time-saver when you are trying to land that dream job. Many websites and online platforms have free and premium templates to suit specific industries.

5 AI prompts to elevate your resume

Prompt 1: Professional summary

Generate a professional summary for a [job title] with [X] years of experience in [industry].

“This helps create a concise and impactful summary that captures your key strengths," Career Coach, Recruiter, and CV Specialist at A.D Connects, Amie Duignan says. A strong summary sets the tone for your resume and gives recruiters a snapshot of your professional background.

Prompt 2: Skills section

List the top skills required for a [specific role] and incorporate them into a skills section.

“Ensures your resume is tailored to the job you're applying for, increasing relevance,” Amie says. It can also improve your chances of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which are becoming more widespread. Highlighting key skills shows recruiters that you understand the job’s requirements and have the necessary competencies.

Prompt 3: Work experience

Write bullet points for the work experience section for a [job title] at [company] focusing on achievements and quantifiable results.

“This prompt focuses on results and achievements, making your contributions clear and impressive,” Amie says. It also shows your work experience is about actual accomplishments rather than just duties. In other words, this is concrete evidence of your capabilities.

Prompt 4: Education and certifications

Summarise the educational background and certifications for a [job title].

This will help present your academic qualifications and certifications and make sure they align with the job requirements. Include all relevant education and certifications to add credibility to your application and show your commitment to professional development.

Prompt 5: The no-prompt human touch

“As much as I love AI & ChatGPT, the only hesitation is you must make sure that the content is tailored to the role,” Amie says. “The great resumes are ones with a personal touch that make sense, and sometimes when you pop it through a machine (aka AI), it can come back not 100% aligned or on target.

“I would recommend giving your resume a go yourself before looking at using AI. You know your experience the best. You know your skill set. A machine doesn’t know you.”

Tips from a HR specialist

Below, Amie shares her four biggest tips to improve your CV and make it stand out from other applicants:

1. Tailor your resume for each job: Elevate your resume by highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences. Use keywords from the job posting to increase your chances of passing through ATS. “The resumes that stand out to me are the ones that have taken the time to tailor their content,” Amie says. “It is like reading a document, and in my head I am thinking, ‘Yes, yes, yes – they are ticking all the boxes I need for this role’.”
2. Focus on achievements, not just duties: “Instead of listing job duties, focus on your achievements and the impact you made in previous roles,” Amie says. “Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments where possible.” For example, rather than saying ‘Responsible for managing a sales team,’ you could say ‘Led a team of 10 to achieve a 20% increase in sales.’
3. Keep it concise and relevant: Aim for a resume that is one to two pages long – maximum. “Focus on the most recent and relevant experience,” Amie says. “Remove any outdated or irrelevant information that doesn't add value to your application.”
4. Highlight your soft skills: In addition to technical skills, highlight your soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving and how you manage wellbeing at work.

Overcoming common resume roadblocks

Creating a standout resume can be tough, especially when switching industries or changing roles. Here are some common challenges and how to overcome them:

• Career gaps: Address any gaps in your career by highlighting what you did and how you upskilled yourself, whether that involved freelance work, volunteering, extra training and more.
• Limited experience: If you have limited work experience, focus on any transferable skills and achievements from other areas, such as internships or volunteer work.
• Job-hopping: If you have a history of jumping from job to job fairly frequently, put the main focus on your accomplishments and the skills you’ve gained from each role. You might even try grouping together similar roles to form a more cohesive narrative.

Using AI to write your resume can give you a big advantage in the job market. Just remember to tailor your resume for each separate application. Also focus on your achievements and keep it concise.

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