Use ChatGPT to Make Your Resume Stand Out
You’ve Got the Talent. Your Resume Doesn’t Show It. Let’s Fix That.
If your resume isn’t landing interviews, it’s not working.
Most paid resume tools are just wrappers around the same AI tech. With the right prompts, ChatGPT can do the job smarter and faster.
Welcome to the first in a four-part series packed with strategies that move far beyond basic edits. This week, we’re diving into ATS and keyword optimization.
What is ATS & Why Keywords Matter
In today’s hiring process, your resume often goes through a robot before a human. That robot is the ATS (Applicant Tracking System), and if you don’t use the right keywords in your resume, you could be rejected automatically, no matter how qualified you are.
Why Keywords Matter More Than You Think
ATS systems are trained to scan for exact matches to the job description. That means your resume needs to reflect the same language used in the job posting — from tools and skills to certifications and methodologies.
In tech roles, these keywords might be: Python, SQL, Agile, AWS, DevOps.
In business roles, they might include: CRM, KPI tracking, financial modeling.
Miss the right terms, and your resume might never reach a recruiter — no matter how strong your experience is.
How GPT Can Help:
GPT can analyze job postings and tell you:
Which keywords and skills are critical
Which ones are missing from your resume
Where you could naturally include them
💡 Try This Prompt:
“Analyze the following job description for software engineer and identify the key skills and requirements. What are the most important technical skills required for this job, and which ones would give me an advantage? Then analyze my resume and let me know which of those key skills might be missing from my resume and where I could incorporate it.”
ChatGPT will help ensure you’re speaking the same language as the employer. This approach helps ensure your resume is targeted for each application, just like an ATS scanner would advise.
A Word of Caution: Be Honest
Yes, keywords matter — but relevance and honesty matter more.
If the job calls for Tableau and you’ve never used it, don’t fake it. Instead, consider:
Mentioning similar tools you have used
Expressing interest or a willingness to learn in your cover letter
Coming Up Next: Building Stronger Bullet Points
That’s it for this week! Next time, we’ll break down how to craft bullet points that highlight your impact.
Email me back to let us know what you think or what you’d like to see next!
I've been told by recruiters and career advisors that a bullet point can be more than one line of it needs to be. So making it one line isn't your goal. It's the effectiveness of your bullet point.