How to Use ChatGPT and the best prompts to tailor your CV?

Hello everyone,

Another week, another fascinating topic was suggested by you guys. It’s been a while since ChatGPT was introduced to the public, and many of us now use it daily. For some, it’s been a game-changer, while others are still a bit hesitant about embracing it.

As recruiters, we’re aware that people use ChatGPT to tailor their CVs or even write cover letters. We don’t have anything against it, but it does take away some of the magic of diving deep into a CV to figure out whether the candidate wrote it themselves or had a bit of help.

But then again, haven’t we all asked friends or colleagues to review our CVs and offer suggestions? Or even used someone else’s knowledge to help with an online test? So, it's probably a stretch to say that ChatGPT has destroyed the concept of recruitment. After all, many people have sought "help" in the past too.

ChatGPT is undeniably a powerful tool, but I’ve noticed that some people still struggle to articulate their needs properly. In fact, this has become such a "big" challenge that it has even led to the rise of "prompt specialists" in the job market.

Now, while I don’t consider myself a prompt expert, I do believe that the following prompts can help you tailor your CV better—or even assist you ahead of an interview! Let’s dive into how ChatGPT can really work for you.

ATS Score:

Some of you might know that CVs often go through ATS (Applicant Tracking System) software, which helps screen CVs against job descriptions. It’s designed to prioritise the most relevant CVs (based on keywords and structure, not actual experience—that’s what interviews are for). The ATS usually assigns a score, which we use to filter out the most "suitable" CVs.

You can use this knowledge to your advantage by asking ChatGPT to score your CV based on ATS criteria. Try this prompt:

"Can you score my CV based on the ATS criteria from 0-100? I’ll attach both the CV and job description below:

CV...

JD...

What score would you give me, and how can I improve it?"

You’d be surprised at how helpful this can be! Attach your CV as either a file or plain text, and let ChatGPT handle the rest. It can give you a good indication of how well your CV would stand up against the competition.

Relevant Keywords:

Ever read a job description and felt a bit lost about what’s actually important for the role? We’ve all been there, especially with long JDs packed with bullet points and role descriptions.

Even seasoned recruiters sometimes find it tricky to figure out exactly what the client is looking for. Thankfully, ChatGPT can guide us. Here’s a useful prompt:

"Based on the job description, what are the relevant keywords mentioned in the JD? Can you highlight how often they appear and advise which ones I should include in my CV?"

This should help you understand which parts of the JD are critical for the role, and where you might need to adjust your CV to align better.

Transferable Skills:

Thinking about changing your career path or industry? Or maybe you’re aiming for a promotion elsewhere and want to showcase your transferable skills but aren’t sure how.

I’ve seen many candidates who, midway through their careers, are looking for a promotion or a switch to a new industry. But given the competitive job market, it can be tough to convince employers that you’re the right fit, especially if there are gaps between your experience and the “ideal” candidate profile.

Don’t let this discourage you! There are many ways to highlight transferable skills from your current role to your new one. You probably know someone in your network who’s done it successfully, right? So why not you? Here’s a prompt to help you:

"Based on my experience in [specific field or role], how should I highlight my transferable skills for this job?"

This will guide you on how to present yourself as a relevant candidate, ensuring that your application isn’t just random. It’s all about showing that your move is well-considered and intentional. And if you need more help, ChatGPT can even draft a personal statement for you:

"Based on my experience in [specific field or role], write a personal statement highlighting why I’d be a great fit for the [JD]."

Quantifying Achievements:

People are often hesitant to quantify their achievements, but it’s essential. Power words like “ambitious” or “hardworking” sound hollow unless backed by evidence.

There’s a big difference between saying “I’m a dedicated, hardworking consultant who delivers ahead of schedule” and “I led and contributed to the delivery of a project, reducing expected delivery time by 20%.” See the impact numbers make?

It can be tricky to find the right metrics, but there’s always a number you can add to your achievements. If you’re unsure, ChatGPT can help with this prompt:

"How can I quantify my achievements as a [specific job title] to make my CV more compelling?"

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Summary:

There are many ways to use ChatGPT to strengthen your relevance and impress potential employers. The key is to ask the right prompts and to understand the job description in detail.

It’s a bit like solving a maths problem—you can’t find the solution if you don’t fully understand the question.

The same goes for applying to jobs. It’s a time-consuming process, but thanks to AI and machine learning, these tasks can be cut down significantly!

Good luck, and keep pushing forward!