Pros & cons for using ChatGPT to write your CV

Writing the perfect CV is a challenge. But they are the best way to showcase yourself to potential employers. Luckily, we are living in the age of AI (artificial intelligence) tech with innovative tools like ChatGPT readily available. Not only can they help you create you’re CV from scratch but also improve your existing one!

Whether you are already familiar with its capabilities or are now just tuning in, here’s a few of pros and cons to using ChatGPT to help write your CV.

Pros of Using AI to Write Your CV

1. ChatGPT is the ultimate time saver.

Imagine sitting down with a blank word document and having no idea where to start. ChatGPT can save you hours of head-scratching by providing a first draft for your CV tailored to your specific skills and experience.

Tip: A detailed prompt to kickstart the process will help you create a more powerful result –remember don’t disclose any personal information.

Prompt example: Write a CV for a [enter job title] role at [enter company name]. Include my past [x] years of work experience at my previous companies including [enter previous positions & companies]. Include 5 bullet points per role that include my biggest achievements including [enter your key achievements].

2. ChatGPT is also free to use.

The basic ChatGPT version is currently free to all users and has everything a job seeker needs to write a CV. Hiring a professional resume writer may soon be a thing of the past with tools like this on hand.

Tip: Don’t forget our recruiters can provide free expert CV advice!

3. ChatGPT will help tailor your CV to specific jobs.

ChatGPT can help you analyse job descriptions and tailor your CV to match the specific requirements. This customisation can significantly improve your chances of getting noticed by recruiters looking for candidates with the exact skills and experiences they need.

Tip: Add the job description in a prompt to help ChatGPT incorporate the important key words employers are looking for.

Prompt example: Write a CV for my past [x] years of work experience at my previous companies including [enter previous positions & companies]. Include 5 bullet points per role that include metrics and the most important keywords from the job description below for a [enter job title] role at [enter company name]. [Copy/paste the job description.]

4. ChatGPT will help keep your CV fresh.

If you’ve been in the same role for a while without updating your resume, ChatGPT will help with that! You can adapt and refine your old CV as you gain new skills and experiences, keeping it up-to-date and ready for your next career move.

Tip: Review and update your resume every 6-12 months to reflect any new skills or major projects you’ve worked on.

Cons of Using ChatGPT to Write Your CV

1. ChatGPT lacks the personal touch.

It will never really know you as well as you do (no matter how many prompts you provide). And although it can write a pretty good CV, it may not be a true representation of you as an individual making it challenging to build that initial rapport and connection with a potential employer.

Tip: Use ChatGPT as inspiration and a starting point for your CV – always review it thoroughly for accuracy and infuse own flavour.

2. Over-reliance on ChatGPT technology.

By only relying on ChatGPT you will miss out on developing your own essential CV writing skills. And if you rock up to your new role and don’t sound anything like you do on paper, it may not look good! Use ChatGPT as a tool to help you build on your own skills not replace them.

Tip: Try your hand at writing your CV first and then seek ChatGPT feedback. Practice makes perfect!

3. ChatGPT can be detected.

Recruiters read a lot of CVs and when they all start to sound the same, or “too good to be true” they might get a little suspicious. Situations like this has led to programs like ZeroGPT popping up to help detect content written by ChatGPT.

Tip: Ask a friend or family member to read over your CV to see if they think it sounds authentically like you.

4. ChatGPT is inflexible

AI tools are only as good as the data they’re trained on. If it doesn’t understand specific industries or job roles, it might not provide the best advice or templates. This lack of flexibility and knowledge can be a drawback especially in niche fields.

Tip: Always exercise judgment and customise ChatGPT-generated content as needed, especially in specialised sectors.

A few tips to using ChatGPT to help write your CV:

• Make it authentic: Add your personal touch, ensure it reflects your uniqueness and make sure it sounds like you.
• Protect your privacy: Never input personal information into ChatGPT and similar platforms, it becomes public information and could be fed to someone else.
• Verify everything: Always double check any information ChatGPT provides.
• Combine skills: Practice your own skills to write your own CV first and then ask ChatGPT for feedback. #dreamteam

Ultimately, ChatGPT is an extremely valuable tool for jobseeker. Just keep in mind that while it can be a helpful assistant, your unique experiences, skills, and personality are what will truly set you apart in the competitive world of CV writing.

For real human-to-human advice, reach out to one of our recruiters. They are your friendly industry experts that will give you personalised CV and career advice wherever you are on your job journey!