How to Use AI to Write a Resume | Steps & Examples
AI is changing the job market, especially when it comes to recruiting. The rise of generative AI has revolutionized how job application content is created and reviewed, especially when it comes to resumes.
Nowadays, many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are AI-powered screening programs that review and rank applications to assist human recruiters. This means that when you submit a job application, it is often AI that is first reading your resume.
The purpose of a resume is to show why you’re a great match for a specific job opening. Knowing how to use AI to write a resume can help you communicate that in a way that’s clear to an ATS.
One AI tool you can use to make a resume is QuillBot’s AI Chat, which is free to try.
How to use AI to write a resume
AI can help you write an impactful resume, but only if you guide it effectively. Here’s how to use AI to write a resume, step by step, following best practices for the best results.
1. Collect and organize your information
Before you open any AI tool, collect and organize all your resume information. You may already have a resume to work with. If not, make a resume outline. Consider:
- Contact information
- Main qualifications
- Work experience
- Education history
- Projects or volunteer work
- Skills
When deciding on skills for your resume, include both hard skills (e.g., Python, SEO, forklifts) and soft skills (e.g., negotiation, adaptability, attention to detail). If you’re transitioning between jobs/industries or entering the workforce from school, be sure to highlight any transferable skills that can help you stand out (e.g., organization, teamwork).
2. Craft your prompt
Once your resume details are organized, it’s time to craft your prompt, or the set of instructions you give to AI. A well-crafted prompt helps AI generate results that more accurately align with your goal.
When working with a chatbot (e.g., QuillBot AI Chat, ChatGPT), prompts are generally phrased in a conversational style. Think of it as telling AI exactly what you want it to help you do.
When you use AI to write a resume, your prompt should:
- Be specific: Instead of saying “Write my resume,” try “Write a resume summary for a sales manager with 10 years of experience in B2B SaaS, focusing on leadership.”
- Include your goals: Tell AI about the job you’re applying for and what aspects of your experience should be emphasized. Paste the job listing and your resume info in the AI chat.
- Think about the output you need: Do you need a new resume, an updated one, or one that refocuses your experience for a new industry?
- Generate your resume in sections: This generally yields better results, as AI can concentrate on the relevant details and tailor the tone, structure, and content accordingly. It’s also easier to iterate if you don’t like the first output it gives you.
- Use keywords from the job description: This makes your resume more likely to pass the criteria of an ATS, which scans for specific terms related to the role.
- Include action verbs: Ask AI to use strong, varied action verbs that will make an impact.
Emphasize leadership, team collaboration, and quantifiable results. Include keywords like SEO, PPC, lead generation, and ROI from the job listing. The tone should be confident and results-driven, around 3–4 sentences.”
3. Paste the relevant job listing and your resume info
For best results, your resume should align closely with the job you’re applying for. Paste the job listing directly into the AI chat. This helps AI identify important keywords and requirements to keep in mind as it writes your resume, improving both relevance and ATS compatibility.
- “Here is the job description. Analyze it and incorporate relevant details.”
- “I’ll paste the job listing now. Don’t start writing yet; wait for further instructions.”
- “Here is the job listing. Analyze it and keep its keywords and details in mind going forward.”
Then share your background information. Paste your work history, education, skills, and any other relevant details you collected in Step 1 into the chat. Be as detailed as possible.
Do this section by section, as mentioned above. For example, before asking AI to write the work experience section of your resume, paste in the information you’ve put together about your previous relevant jobs.
4. Review and edit AI’s output
When you use AI to write a resume, always review and edit its work. This step ensures that your resume is accurate, well-written, and aligned with your voice and goals. When reviewing, you should:
- Proofread: AI doesn’t usually make spelling or grammar mistakes, but that doesn’t mean it can’t. Review everything carefully, and check the text with another tool, like QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker.
- Fact-check the content: The information in your resume should be factually correct and reflective of your real experience. AI can “hallucinate,” or invent information. Check that it hasn’t included false details or greatly exaggerated some aspect of your experience.
- Check tone and style: Resumes typically use objective, concise language, with dynamic verbs and results-oriented language. Check that AI has achieved this. Also, look out for any words (e.g., “resonate,” “elevate”) or structures (e.g., em dashes) that AI tends to overuse.
Making these edits helps you humanize AI content so that when your resume lands on the desk of a human recruiter, it’s not obvious that you used AI to write it. You can also use a tool like QuillBot’s free AI Humanizer to help you with this step.
Then, you can synthesize the resumes each tool writes, selecting the best elements from each.
5. Format your resume
Most AI chatbots don’t offer advanced document formatting capabilities. While some can manage basic layout elements, the results are often messy or inconsistent, especially when it comes to spacing, alignment, or font choices.
Instead, format your resume externally, using a design tool (e.g., Canva) or a word processing tool (e.g., Google Docs). Resume format should be clean, consistent, and professional. Avoid graphics, images, and very small margins, which can interfere with ATS screening.
AI prompts for resumes
Below are some helpful AI prompts for resumes, each with a short explanation and example.
Generate an AI resume outline
Starting from scratch can be overwhelming. Asking AI to create an outline gives you a base that you can build up section by section.
Rewrite an old resume
If you already have a resume, AI can help you update it, aligning it with your current goals and experience and tailoring it to the specific job application you’re applying to now.
Suggest ATS keywords
ATS look for keywords from the job listing. AI can scan job descriptions and suggest which terms to include.
Suggest dynamic, results-first language
Strong verbs and language that focus on results instead of responsibilities create a more dynamic and professional tone. AI can recommend better phrasing based on your tasks.
Brainstorm relevant skills
If you’re not sure what skills to list, AI can help you identify them based on your experience, industry, and the job you’re applying for.
Proofread and fix mistakes
AI can catch grammar or clarity issues in your resume that you might miss.
Get constructive feedback
Asking a friend, family member, or colleague to review your resume is the best way to get constructive feedback, but you can also ask AI.
Write a cover letter based on your resume
Once you finish with your resume, AI can generate a targeted cover letter to accompany it so that you can give the hiring manager a sense of your personality and highlight why you want to work for the company. Remember that a cover letter and resume should complement each other, not repeat the same information.
Cover letter length should generally be one page or less, and cover letter format is very similar to standard business letter format.
Frequently asked questions about how to use AI to write a resume
- What are some ChatGPT resume prompts?
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Some ChatGPT resume prompts are:
- Write a resume objective for a marketing specialist with 5 years of experience in digital campaigns and SEO.
- Generate a resume for a recent college graduate with no work experience but with internships and volunteer work.
- Suggest some strong action verbs for a resume.
Knowing how to use AI to write a resume can increase your chances of landing an interview. If you want to try a ChatGPT alternative, try QuillBot’s AI Chat.
- How do I use ChatGPT for a resume?
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To use ChatGPT for a resume, you should:
- Provide context and the job description
- Copy and paste your resume information
- Craft a detailed prompt
- Generate sections separately for better quality
- Review and edit AI’s output
- Format the resume in a word processor or design tool
Knowing how to use AI to write a resume can increase your chances of passing the first round of the selection process. For a ChatGPT alternative, try QuillBot AI Chat.
- Should I opt out of AI resume screening?
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Whether or not you should opt out of AI resume screening is your decision. However, many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes with AI.
Opting out of these screenings may reduce your chances of passing the first round of the selection process.
Knowing how to use AI to write a resume can increase your chances of getting an interview. Try QuillBot’s AI Chat for free on your resume today.
