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How to tailor resume to job description using ChatGPT

Here’s a step-by-step workflow to use ChatGPT as a resume tailoring assistant without losing your authentic voice or fabricating experience.

Phase 1: Preparation (Do This First)

Gather your materials:

  • Your current resume (plain text format)
  • The job description (copy the full text, not just the summary)
  • 2-3 specific stories/accomplishments from your career that relate to this role (even loosely)

Create a “Master Prompt Context” (save this for reuse):

I am a [Job Title/Function] with [X years] of experience in [Industry/Skill]. I am applying for a [Target Role] at [Target Company/Type]. My resume is written for general applications; I need to optimize it for this specific role. Tone: Professional but conversational. Avoid generic corporate buzzwords. Constraint: Do not invent experiences, metrics, or skills I don't possess.

Phase 2: The Analysis Workflow

Step 1: Decode the Job Description

Prompt to copy/paste:

Analyze this job description and identify: 1. The "Must-Have" hard skills (technical requirements, certifications, languages) 2. The "Must-Have" soft skills/attributes (leadership style, collaboration, communication) 3. Key responsibilities that appear in the first 3 bullet points (these are priorities) 4. Industry keywords and jargon used (for ATS optimization) 5. The implicit pain point this hire is solving (what problem is the company trying to fix?) Job Description: [PASTE JOB DESCRIPTION]

Action: Save this analysis. These are your target keywords.

Step 2: Gap Analysis (Crucial Step)

Prompt:

Here is my current resume: [PASTE RESUME] Based on the job analysis above, identify: 1. Which required keywords/skills do I already possess but didn’t emphasize? 2. Which experiences on my resume map to the top 3 responsibilities, even if I used different terminology? 3. What legitimate gaps exist that I should NOT try to hide, but might address in a cover letter? Format as a table: Job Requirement | My Current Wording | Suggested Stronger Wording

Step 3: Rewrite Specific Bullets (Not the Whole Resume)

Target the top 1/3 of your resume first (the "visual heat zone").

Prompt:

Rewrite these 3 resume bullets to incorporate the keywords [KEYWORD 1], [KEYWORD 2], and [KEYWORD 3] from the job description, while maintaining complete accuracy: Current bullets: 1. [Bullet 1] 2. [Bullet 2] 3. [Bullet 3] Rules: - Start with a strong action verb - Include metrics if present; don't invent new ones - Mirror the job description's language without copying full sentences - Keep to 1-2 lines maximum per bullet

Step 4: Optimize the Professional Summary/Objective

Prompt:

Write a 3-line professional summary for this specific role using my background below. Align with the job description’s emphasis on [MAIN THEME FROM JD: e.g., "scaling teams" or "customer retention"]. My background: [2-3 sentences about your core experience] Target role: [Job Title]

Phase 3: Advanced ATS & Human Optimization

The "Mirror and Elevate" Technique

Don’t just keyword-stuff. Use this prompt to map your experience to their language:

The job description uses the phrase "[THEIR PHRASE]" (e.g., "cross-functional stakeholder management"). In my resume, I describe this as "[YOUR CURRENT PHRASE]" (e.g., "worked with other teams"). Rewrite my bullet to use their terminology while keeping my original metric: "[YOUR BULLET WITH METRIC]"

Skills Section Optimization

Prompt:

Based on the job description’s requirements and my experience below, which skills should I list in my "Core Competencies" section? Limit to 6-9 items. Prioritize those mentioned in the "Requirements" section of the JD. My skills: [List everything you can legitimately claim]

Phase 4: Final Polish

The "Red Flag Check"

Prompt:

Review this tailored resume section for: 1. Overused buzzwords that sound robotic 2. Claims that sound exaggerated given my original experience 3. Repetition of the same action verb Text to review: [PASTE YOUR NEW SUMMARY/BULLETS]

Quantify Impact (If Missing)

Prompt:

I did [TASK] but didn't measure results. Suggest 3 ways to frame this accomplishment using proxy metrics or scope indicators that don't require inventing data. Current text: "Responsible for managing the company blog" Options needed: Focus on frequency, scale, or process improvement

Critical Rules to Follow

Never let ChatGPT:

  • Invent metrics you can’t verify (revenue numbers, percentages, team sizes)
  • Add certifications or technical skills you don’t have
  • Change your job titles (it might "upgrade" them, which is falsification)

Always manually:

  • Verify that the rewritten bullets sound like your voice
  • Check that dates and company names remain accurate
  • Ensure you can speak to every keyword included if asked in an interview

What industry/role are you targeting? I can give you specific keyword strategies or example transformations for your field (e.g., tech vs. healthcare vs. marketing).

Or, do you have a specific job description and resume section you’re struggling with right now? Paste them here (anonymize company names if desired) and I’ll walk you through the exact tailoring prompts to use for that specific situation.

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