Should You Use ChatGPT to Write Your Resume?

AI software like ChatGPT has undeniably made its mark in many areas of work and higher education. Its continuous advancements have led professionals and students to use it to draft emails, articles, social posts, essays, and papers—albeit with varying degrees of success. Naturally, you might be wondering whether ChatGPT is capable of writing your resume. The short answer is yes, ChatGPT can indeed draft a resume. However, just because something can be done doesn’t necessarily mean it should be done.

While it's true that ChatGPT is easily accessible (a simple email registration gets you started), very budget-friendly (the paid version is $20/month), incredibly fast (it generates content in seconds), and adept at beating ATS systems, there are some undeniable cons to using the AI software to write your resume, such as these four below.

1. Lack of Human Expertise and Perspective

When instructing ChatGPT to compose your resume, it scours the web for guidance. It looks for what you’re asking for, often offering up content from “sample” resumes that may seem similar to yours but are very different. This process may lead to outdated information being included in your resume. On the other hand, if you work with a professional (human) resume writer, you benefit from someone who is well-informed and stays abreast of the latest best practices in resume writing. This expertise includes strategies to navigate tracking systems, a deep understanding of requirements specific to various industries, key terms essential for success, and more.

2. Lack of Personalization and Customization

One fundamental aspect of crafting a resume is tailoring it to showcase your strengths and align with the specific requirements of the job. While ChatGPT can generate this quickly, it doesn’t capture a candidate’s individuality effectively. Regardless of the prompts, the information that comes back is not dynamic, nor does it offer any authenticity. It is very generic. Hiring managers have become increasingly skilled at detecting language typical of AI-generated resumes—some hiring managers can spot AI-generated resumes immediately.

3. Challenges with Formatting and Design

ChatGPT can rapidly produce written content, but there's more to a resume than words on a page. An appealing layout is key for effective communication, alongside maintaining a well-structured format. Nicely crafted formats can help keep the readers focused on areas you want to be highlighted. ChatGPT may struggle with determining the way to organize information and lacks awareness of design principles when it comes to composing resumes.

4. Complex Prompts Are Required for Accurate Details

The effectiveness of ChatGPT relies heavily on the prompts it receives. It may even fabricate details to compensate for missing information. This could lead to misinformation about your work history, skills, accomplishments, and more if vague prompts are used. Consequently, spending time crafting precise prompts for an accurate resume may counteract the efficiency of AI language tools in generating content.

The Bottom Line

The capabilities of AI tools like ChatGPT are undeniably impressive. However, it’s crucial to view them as tools rather than substitutes. Just as you wouldn't use a spoon to drive a nail into a wall but use a hammer instead, ChatGPT can be valuable but not ideal for crafting resumes. If you choose to DIY your resume, as opposed to getting professional help, you might want to use AI to create an outline, but then use your own experiences to fill in the blanks.

While there are some perceived benefits like affordability, efficiency, and convenience, relying on ChatGPT to create your resume could potentially jeopardize your chances of landing your dream job. If you need help, opting for a professional resume writing service offers the advantage of expertise and insights, personalized attention to highlight your unique talents, and a polished and impactful layout—all without any guesswork or stress involved.

Erin Kennedy, MCD, NCOPE, CMRW, CERW, CEMC, CRW, CPRW, is a Certified Master & Executive Resume Writer and the President of Professional Resume Services, Inc. (PRS), home to some of the best resume writers on the planet. PRS was voted “Forbes Top 100 Career Websites” and “Top Followed on LinkedIn” two years in a row from Jobscan. She is also a LinkedIn “Top Voice” and publishes posts on the platform regularly. She has been quoted in Forbes.com, Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, Mashable, and more.