The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly growing, and perhaps the most familiar form of AI to everyday people is ChatGPT. It’s an AI language model designed to help with various writing needs, from the most trivial (e.g., “Roast my Instagram feed”) to the more complex, like crafting an effective ChatGPT resume prompt for virtual assistants or debugging code.

ChatGPT can also be a useful partner when it comes to building your career. Gone are the days when you can submit one resume to all your job prospects. Just like with marketing, applicants must learn to tailor their resumes and cover letters to rise above the competition. 

Let’s learn how to maximize this modern tool to help your application get noticed and eventually land that virtual assistant (VA) role you want.

Benefits of using ChatGPT prompts for resume writing

As a remote professional, a resume gives you the best chance at giving a good first impression, potentially enabling you to land a great opportunity. When used well, ChatGPT can be a powerful assistant that can help you do just that. Here are some of the key benefits you can expect when it comes to resume writing with ChatGPT:

• Saves time

Crafting a resume and cover letter from scratch takes time and energy. This is especially challenging when trying to apply for multiple opportunities. You can save time without sacrificing quality by using ChatGPT to write your resumes—with the right prompts, of course.

• Customization

There are plenty of career opportunities for VAs. However, not all clients have the same communication style, expectations, and staffing needs. Customizing your resume boosts your chances of standing out by highlighting qualities and experiences that match an opportunity’s unique requirements.

• Improve clarity

With the right prompts, the app can phrase your work experiences and achievements in a professional way. They make your application more impactful by emphasizing results and key skills while removing redundant language.

• Helps with writer’s block

Writer’s block happens to the best of us. ChatGPT can give you and your brain a little nudge and eventually help you complete your resume. Instead of staring at a screen for hours on end, you can use ChatGPT resume prompt options to help organize your thoughts into actual sentences.

• Boost confidence

You want to make a great first impression, and a strong resume can do that for you. However, the writing process can be overwhelming, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned writer.

Possible uses of ChatGPT resume prompts

• Write resume content

To get the ball rolling, you can use ChatGPT to help you draft your resume or sections of it from scratch. You can provide details about your professional history, and ChatGPT can turn that information into polished, professional bullet points or even a full resume draft. This is especially helpful if you’re unsure how to begin or want a working version you can refine further.

• Proofread and rewrite

A grammatically correct and concise yet information-packed resume makes a great impression on recruiters. Proofreading and editing help make sure you avoid any grammatical faux pas. Doing so allows you to showcase your attention to detail and improves the overall presentation of your credentials.

You can enlist ChatGPT’s help to proofread and polish existing resume content. It can identify and address any grammar issues. Plus, the tool can polish your resume by streamlining content for better readability and flow.

• Customize for specific needs

The right prompts for ChatGPT resume and cover letter can help you go a long way. It can help you incorporate job and industry-specific terms that align your application with what the client is looking for. This tool can help your application stand out by capturing the recruiter’s attention through a professionally written, relevant, and keyword-centric resume and cover letter. The next thing you know, you’re already scheduled for a job interview!

• Analyze job descriptions

ChatGPT can help you create a more attention-grabbing resume even without writing the content itself. You can ask the tool to review and break down a job post. It can identify the crucial skills, qualifications, and keywords that recruiters are looking for. It gives you a clearer picture of what a potential client is looking for and guides you in crafting a resume aligned with the role’s needs.

Need help landing a VA role? Join the 20four7VA talent pool, and we’ll connect you with opportunities that match your skill sets and career goals.

What makes a good ChatGPT resume prompt?

To make the most out of ChatGPT, you need to use prompts that help guide it in the right direction. Here’s a quick list of what makes a good prompt:

• Clear and specific

It’s important to be clear about what you need from the tool. Its output will only be as good as the language you use. Your prompt must be precise. Consider adding background or context and describing your desired output, including format, tone, and length.

• Action words

Start with verbs or action-oriented language. From the get-go, this instructs ChatGPT about the type of response you expect from it. Examples of such action words are:

• Write
• Explain
• Generate
• Review
• Suggest
• Give examples

• Back-and-forth conversation

With ChatGPT, it’s unlikely that you’ll get the response you need in one try. You can provide examples to inform ChatGPT of the output you want, including the writing style you want to achieve.

Rather than a one-time instruction, consider it a collaboration. When ChatGPT’s initial draft isn’t quite right, you can request edits or provide follow-up questions. Doing so allows you to fine-tune your resume until it looks and sounds like a well-written, customized resume aligned with the role you’re targeting.

Ready to kickstart your virtual assistant career? Join the 20four7VA talent community today.

Our top picks: best ChatGPT prompts for resume writing

• Identifying keywords

You can ask ChatGPT to review a job ad and extract important keywords related to skills, experience, and professional qualifications. ChatGPT’s output from this prompt will guide you in positioning yourself as a top candidate for your target role.

Prompt: I am applying for a virtual assistant role. Review the job description and identify essential keywords—especially the key skills, qualifications, and phrases—that I should incorporate into my resume to better align with the position.

• Tailoring

ChatGPT can help tailor your resume to a specific role. You can align your professional credentials and skillsets with what the employer is seeking.

Prompt: Please tailor my resume to match a role I am applying for. Here is a copy of my work experience: [copy and paste your job description]. Here is a copy of the job description: [copy and paste the job ad].

• Highlighting

If you already have a strong resume but need help polishing sections of it to emphasize your achievements and strengths, ChatGPT can help.

Prompt: Based on the job ad and the crucial keywords, improve and rewrite this section of my resume to make it more impactful and keyword-focused: [copy section of the resume].

• Streamlining

ChatGPT can help you get to the point by simplifying long text and improving readability. By streamlining your resume, you can make a stronger impression on recruiters. For example, it can review text-heavy sections of your resume, like work experience, and transform them into easy-to-follow bullet points.

Prompt: Simplify and streamline this section of my resume: [copy and paste text]. Convert the text into clear and concise bullet points that highlight achievements and keywords based on the job I’m applying for: [copy and paste job description].

• Proofreading

Even if you’re an excellent writer, it doesn’t hurt to get help catching grammar errors, inconsistencies, and awkward sentences. A ChatGPT prompt for resume proofreading can help create a professional-looking resume.

Prompt: Review and proofread my resume: [copy and paste resume]. Suggest improvements in grammar, tone, and readability.

• Writing from scratch

ChatGPT can help craft a resume from scratch. It’s important to provide it with the necessary details that reflect your background. The more specific and complete your input, the more tailored and effective the results will be.

Prompt: I’m a graduate of [educational institution] with a degree in [subject] with [x] years of work at [Company A] as a [role]. Your task is to help me craft a resume to land an opportunity for this virtual assistant role. Here’s the job description of the said role: [details of the role]. Based on the provided information, write a single-page resume that highlights relevant skills and accomplishments.

What to avoid

Much like other modern tools, ChatGPT is designed to make life easier for humans. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you, as a user, still bear the responsibility of when and how you use ChatGPT. You must always be at the helm, using the AI tool as a support while ensuring your creativity, judgment, and personal touch still shine through your resume.

• Don’t lose your voice

A common pitfall of generative AI users is that they give complete reins to the tool. Always remember: your resume must represent you. ChatGPT is your resume writing assistant—not the pilot.

Make sure the content reflects your unique experience, voice, goals, and principles. You can do this by providing highly specific prompts. It’s also crucial to give the text a thorough review, making sure it’s professional but still sounds like you.

• Avoid repetitiveness

If you’re familiar with AI-generated content, you’d notice that it can be repetitive. Reiterating points to highlight certain parts of your work background can be helpful, but you don’t want your resume to seem generic or overly templated. Make it a habit to review the content of your resume, ensuring that each sentence or bullet point adds distinct value and is not redundant.

• Always proofread and fact-check

ChatGPT, while advanced, isn’t 100% error-free. It can misunderstand or overlook important details. It’s the user’s responsibility to proofread the content to maintain a consistent tone and formatting. You must also double-check dates, job titles, and names to ensure you submit an accurate resume reflecting your real experiences and credentials.

Start crafting a winning resume with ChatGPT resume prompts

In today’s competitive and fast-paced VA job market, a standout resume can make a world of a difference. ChatGPT can give your virtual assistant career a boost by helping you craft a thoughtful and strategic resume. Armed with the right prompts, you can tailor your resume to specific job posts by identifying keywords and highlighting points in your professional background that align well with a potential client’s needs.

But remember: ChatGPT is only there to support you—not replace your voice and values. To make the most of this tool, you need the right balance. Combine the efficiency of modern technology with your unique experiences and voice to create a resume that attracts attention and gets you a leg up in the VA race.

Ready to create a winning resume? Start experimenting with the above prompts, and bring yourself one step closer to a successful VA career. Join the 20four7VA Facebook page and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more VA Career Tips!