How to write a CV with ChatGPT (Prompts & Tips)

Known for its ability to respond to highly specific prompts, ChatGPT is everyone’s go-to assistant for a wide variety of writing tasks — including drafting and checking job applications.

Still, if you’re a job seeker, you may have reservations about making your CV with ChatGPT. After all, how do you create a job application that’s accurate, professionally formatted, and reads naturally?

In this article, I’ll show you how to write a ChatGPT CV that stands out to employers and meets industry standards. You’ll find easy-to-use prompts you can copy and personalise for your CV.

To ensure the content is accurate and reliable, I tested the process using my professional information and a real job that I would apply for.

1. Write a detailed first prompt

Your initial prompt is essential to creating a standout ChatGPT CV that you can use. It should ask ChatGPT to generate a first draft of your application and include a full and detailed summary of your professional background.

Your prompt should include the following details:

• Your previous job titles, employers, and dates of employment
• Your degrees and certifications
• The specific skills you want highlighted

Here’s the prompt I used to generate a solid first draft of my CV:

Help me write a CV for a content strategist job. I am a Digital Content Writer at CV Genius, where I have worked since Sep 2022. Before this, I was a content editor at MyTaiwanTour from September 2021 to September 2022. Before that, [list previous jobs]. I have a Master’s Degree in Communications Studies from National Chengchi University (2020–2022) and [list earlier qualifications]. I speak English, Spanish (C1), and Mandarin Chinese (B1). My other skills include keyword research (Ahrefs, Google Search Console), CV and cover letter writing, content strategy, and [additional skills].

 

As you can see, I included all the essential information I would need to highlight on my CV, including my previous jobs, degrees, and the key CV skills that I want to highlight for the employer.

How to prompt ChatGPT if you have no previous work experience

If you’re writing a CV for your first job, your prompt should be a broad summary of your recent achievements and pursuits.

Help me write a first draft of my CV. This is a CV for my first job, and it should use an appropriate format. I am a first year Spanish Studies student at the University of Warwick, and I am applying for a glass collector role at Zinc Rugby. At Warwick, I am an active member of the Student Rugby Union club, where I regularly volunteer as an events coordinator, helping to facilitate games. Before coming to Warwick University, I was pursuing A Levels at Nottingham Sixth Form College (Spanish: A, French: A, Business Studies: B). From 2023–2024 I worked as a part-time barista after school, so I have customer service, organisational, and teamwork skills. Highlight these on my CV. Include a hobbies and interests section. My hobbies are Improv (member of a local amateur dramatics group), language learning (Spanish, French, and self-teaching Italian), and cross-country running.

In this example, the applicant describes their experience, starting with the most recent and relevant information. Because they’re applying for a glass collector role, they’ve focused on CV achievements that highlight their organisational skills, teamwork skills, and outgoing personality.

If you need help determining what kind of information is most relevant to your target position, paste the job description into ChatGPT with the following prompt:

Here is a job description. Read it and parse the main skills and qualifications that the employer is looking for. [Paste job description].

 

2. Tailor your draft for the opportunity

Your first draft ChatGPT CV will be correctly formatted but generic, meaning it won’t automatically emphasise the specific skills and achievements needed for the role you’re applying for.

Tailoring ensures your CV aligns with the job description and highlights your most relevant qualifications.

Start by feeding the job description into ChatGPT and asking it to identify key skills and requirements. Then, request suggestions for adjusting your CV to better match these.

Take a look at this job description for a [Content Strategist] role at [Semrush]. Then review my CV. Suggest specific skills, achievements, or projects I should highlight to tailor my CV for this role. Make recommendations based on my experience. [Paste job description].

 

ChatGPT should produce a list of content suggestions based on the job requirements and details laid out in your first draft:

You can then respond with specific examples you want included in your CV to address these interest points:

3. Edit manually for accuracy

After generating your CV with ChatGPT, it’s crucial to edit it manually to ensure accuracy and quality. Two common issues to watch out for are hallucinations and weak writing.

Hallucinations occur when ChatGPT confidently fabricates information. For example, it might list a certification you’ve never earned or invent a university you didn’t attend. This happens because ChatGPT predicts what sounds plausible based on patterns in its training data, not real-world facts.

Weak writing is another challenge. ChatGPT often uses generic phrasing, such as ‘Responsible for managing multiple tasks’ or ‘A proven team player’ because it aims for broadly applicable language.

While safe, this cautious style can make your CV feel bland or unpolished.

When editing, check for:

• Fabricated details: Verify all listed certifications, achievements, and job responsibilities. For instance, ensure it hasn’t added ‘Certified Scrum Master’ if you’ve never completed the certification.
• Generic language: Replace clichés like ‘hard-working professional’ with stronger CV buzzwords that describe your skills or achievements.
• Weak links: Strengthen vague accomplishments, such as ‘Improved team efficiency’ by specifying results, e.g., ‘Streamlined workflows to boost team productivity by 20%.’

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4. Put your CV in a template

While ChatGPT can help you craft compelling CV content, it can’t design a visually appealing layout. That’s where a professionally designed CV template comes in.

Pasting your text into a template instantly elevates your CV by making it easier to read and more visually engaging. When choosing a template, consider the type of CV you’re creating and the information you want to highlight:

• Single-column templates are ideal for two-page CVs, providing a clean, consistent look across multiple pages.
• Multi-column templates work well for concise, one-page CVs, making the most of limited space while keeping the design organised.

Here’s what the first page of my CV looked like once I pasted it into a one of our free blank CV templates.

5. Get feedback on your document

Getting a second opinion on your CV is crucial — especially when it’s been generated using AI. While ChatGPT can create a strong foundation, its output may include errors, unclear phrasing, or details that don’t quite make sense.

A fresh set of eyes can help catch these issues and ensure your CV is clear, accurate, and impactful.

Ask friends or family members to review your CV. They can point out sections that are hard to follow, flag any confusing details, and suggest improvements to make your CV more polished.

Alternatively, you can also ask ChatGPT to provide feedback. By prompting ChatGPT to take on the perspective of an employer for your target role, you can gain tailored insights on areas where your CV could be improved. Here’s a templated prompt you can use:

Imagine you are an employer hiring for a Content Strategist role. Here’s the job description:

 

[Paste job description].

 

Now, review my CV. Please highlight any unclear sections and point out anything that might not align well with the role.

 

[Paste CV text].

 

Another great approach for getting feedback is to upload your CV to our online CV maker. This tool, one of the UK’s best CV assistants, analyses your document for errors and overall quality and provides actionable suggestions to fine-tune your CV and optimise it for passing applicant tracking systems (ATS). This extra input ensures your CV performs well in recruiter screening processes.

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Frequently asked questions

Here are four common questions job seekers often have about making a ChatGPT CV.

1. Is it okay to use ChatGPT to write your CV?

Yes, it’s completely okay to use ChatGPT to write your CV. It can be a lifesaver if you’re not confident writing about your skills and experiences.

Although most employers (80%) are indeed wary of AI in job applications, most concerns are about generic CVs or inaccurate information about the job applicant. When your CV isn’t really about you, it comes across as impersonal, dishonest, and a waste of the employer’s time.

That’s why accuracy is key. A CV created with ChatGPT should be specific to your unique skills and experiences. Later in this article, we’ll show you how to ensure your CV makes the right impression.

2. Can you make a ChatGPT CV for free?

Yes, you can make a ChatGPT CV for free. The free version of the software includes all the features required to generate and edit your job application.

However, free ChatGPT caps the number of messages you can send daily. To get the most out of the software as a builder, use ChatGPT to generate your first draft and then provide a list of improvement suggestions. Draft the improvements yourself in a separate window and paste them into it to have ChatGPT make all the changes in one output. If your prompts cap out before you’ve finished creating your CV, use a builder to check your draft for accuracy and quality.

3. Can you optimise your existing CV with ChatGPT?

Yes, ChatGPT is a powerful tool for enhancing your current CV. It can help you rephrase accomplishments, highlight relevant skills, and structure your CV for better readability. Optimising your CV ensures it aligns with your target role and stands out to recruiters.

Start by identifying the areas you want to improve, such as tailoring achievements to a specific job description or making the language more dynamic. ChatGPT can take your existing content and suggest better phrasing or highlight gaps.

Here’s an example prompt you can use:

Here’s my current CV [paste CV text]. I’m applying for a Marketing Manager role. Based on the following job description [paste job description], suggest ways to optimise my CV. Please help me refine my achievements to better align with the role’s requirements and improve the overall language to make it more engaging.

4. Can ChatGPT create CV templates?

ChatGPT can easily create plain text CV templates. However, if you want a fully formatted CV template with professional CV font choices or design elements, your best bet is to download a free CV template and fill it in with your information.