How (And How Not) to Use ChatGPT to Write Resumes and Cover Letters
Writing a resume or cover letter can often feel more difficult than the job search itself. You're trying to boil down years of experience and impress someone who’s skimming your document for less than 10 seconds (if you’re lucky).
So it’s no surprise that more job seekers are turning to ChatGPT to make the process easier.
But using ChatGPT the RIGHT way is so much more than just copying and pasting a job description into the chat box. When used correctly, this tool can help you create compelling job materials faster. But when used incorrectly, it can give you generic language that will make you
sound like everyone else… and not in a good way.
Let’s break down how (and how not) to use ChatGPT in your job search, especially when it comes to resumes and cover letters.
❌ How Not to Use ChatGPT ❌
1. Typing “Write me a resume for a marketing manager” and hoping for the best.
You might as well just throw your whole job search into the void because that’s where you will be with a resume that starts with this prompt. You can expect to see a lot of general phrases like “strong communicator” and “team player,” which say nothing about your actual skills and impact.
2. Blindly accepting the voice of artificial intelligence as your own.
Your resume and cover letter need to sound like you. When you rely too heavily on AI-generated content without tweaking it, people are going to be able to tell. Not only will you sound stiff and inauthentic, you’re not giving them any insight into what makes you an interesting human!
3. Copying everything without fact-checking.
ChatGPT is pretty smart, but it’s not perfect. If you ask it to write about your role, it might pull in made-up accomplishments or responsibilities based on job descriptions it has scraped from the internet. Always double-check to make sure the content reflects your actual experience.
✅ How to Use ChatGPT the Right Way ✅
1. Start by listing some of your biggest wins.
Before you even open ChatGPT, I want you to write down five specific accomplishments from your past roles. This might be metrics, outcomes, or challenges you overcame. These are the raw materials ChatGPT can use to help create those impactful resume bullet points.
Prompt to try: "Turn this list into results-driven resume bullet points for a project manager role.”
2. Use it as an editing tool, not a writing tool.
If you already have a resume but you’re just not sure if it’s strong enough, ask ChatGPT to rewrite it in a more concise, confident, or industry-specific tone. You still get to stay in control of the message, but you’re utilizing artificial intelligence to deliver it more effectively.
Prompt to try: "Review the bullet points below and suggest edits to make them more concise, impactful, and aligned with a marketing manager role."
3. Use ChatGPT to tailor your cover letter to the job description.
Generic cover letters don’t work; they should be tailored specifically for the role you are applying for. I know this is daunting, but you can use ChatGPT for this! Provide the job description, then share a few personal details to generate a cover letter that matches the tone of the company.
Prompt to try: "What key skills should I highlight in a cover letter for this role?"
Want 50+ Plug-and-Play Prompts to Make This Easier?
If you’re tired of staring at a blank page or second-guessing your wording, I’ve got you. I created a free PDF with 50+ ChatGPT prompts to help you write stronger resumes, cover letters, and even prep for interviews! Just fill out the form below to get your free PDF:
Download My Free ChatGPT Guide
This free guide includes 50 prompts for ChatGPT for resumes, cover letters, interview prep, and more. ChatGPT isn’t killing your resume. Lazy prompts are.