Why should you boost your CV with ChatGPT and how to do it

Let’s face it, as a person embarking on the job hunt on tech, you’ve probably come to realise that technical tests are typically the make-or-break moment. Each company, of course, has its own unique approach, but as a job-seeking programmer, the challenge often lies in making it to this stage of the recruitment process. 

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of how to supercharge your CV with ChatGPT, remember this: even an extraordinary CV won’t land you the job if you can’t crack the technical tests. Don’t worry, we have plans to share some handy tips for acing these tests down the line (stay tuned). Right now, our focus is on the first hurdle – crafting a CV that snags you an interview and the subsequent technical test. In essence, your CV is the golden key that unlocks the gate to potential opportunities, but it doesn’t guarantee you permanent residence. 

It goes without saying, but the importance of integrity when crafting your CV cannot be stressed enough. Much like medicine, the field of IT is not one where bluffing your skills will get you far. You wouldn’t claim to know how to perform open heart surgery without the requisite knowledge and skills, would you? The same principle applies to your CV. Each skill you list should be something you can confidently demonstrate and perform. Remember, the truth always has a way of coming to light.

Should you use AI to enhance your CV?

Contemplating whether to use AI to spruce up your CV? It’s a fair question that’s generating buzz these days. The short answer is: Yes, absolutely. But, let’s delve into why. 

Artificial Intelligence – it’s not just for sci-fi movies anymore. Today, AI is becoming a pivotal tool in many professional spheres, including the realm of job hunting. It helps recruiters sift through the vast sea of job applications quickly and effectively. Hence, building an AI-friendly CV isn’t just smart, it’s a necessity. 

Yes, this might not be a novelty for you (but just in case), recruiters are implementing AI tools to filter massive amounts of applicants. Job platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, jobs.ie, and so on, facilitate candidates to apply for jobs. As a result, recruiters could be receiving thousands of applicants weekly for a single position. It’s only logical to think about how to scale that. There’s no humanly possible way to filter through such a heap manually and effectively. The best way to solve it in today’s digital age is through the use of AI.

Here is where chatGPT comes into the picture. Developed by OpenAI, chatGPT is a language model trained on a diverse range of internet text. But “what in the world does that even mean?”, you might ask. In simple terms, it’s a tool that uses machine learning to generate human-like text based on the input it’s given. 

How can chatGPT Benefit Your CV? 

Always bear in mind that your CV is merely the initial stepping stone in the recruitment journey—it’s the key that unlocks the gate. As ambitious programmers, our goal should be to fling open as many of these metaphorical gates as we possibly can. By doing so, we maximise our opportunities to progress through subsequent stages of the selection process, thus inching ever closer to nabbing that dream role.

With that nugget of wisdom in our pocket, let’s dive into the pool of tips that promise to turbocharge your CV as a programmer with ChatGPT.

1. Technical Skills Section: It can help you identify the most relevant and sought-after programming languages, frameworks, and tools to include in your technical skills section. This ensures that your CV showcases your expertise effectively.
2. Achievement Statements: To assist you in crafting powerful and quantifiable achievement statements that highlight your key contributions and successes in past programming projects and roles.
3. Personal Statement/Objective: It can help you create a compelling personal statement or career objective that aligns with your programming aspirations and showcases your passion for coding and problem-solving.
4. Project Descriptions: To assist you in writing detailed and impactful descriptions of the programming projects you have worked on, emphasizing the technologies used, your role, and the outcomes achieved.
5. Keyword Optimization: It can suggest relevant keywords and phrases specific to the programming industry that can optimize your CV for applicant tracking systems (ATS) and increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.
6. Tailoring to Job Descriptions: To help you customize your CV for specific job applications, ensuring that your CV aligns perfectly with the requirements of the programming roles you are applying for.
7. Formatting and Layout: It can provide guidance on the overall formatting and layout of your CV, ensuring it looks professional, easy to read, and visually appealing.
8. Career Summary: To help you create a concise and impactful career summary that highlights your programming journey, experience, and the value you bring to potential employers.
9. LinkedIn Profile Optimization: It can provide tips for optimizing your LinkedIn profile to complement your CV, making sure your online presence showcases your programming expertise effectively.
10. Cover Letter Assistance: To help you craft a personalized cover letter that complements your CV and showcases your passion for programming and the specific role you are applying for.

Feast your eyes on these tips and adopt whatever resonates with your unique circumstances – after all, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution. But, you can count on them to significantly amplify your job hunt process. Some of these tips are a ‘one-and-done’ deal, designed to give your CV an instant glow-up, while others should be employed regularly to customise your CV for each specific role you’re gunning for.

Whilst ChatGPT is a fabulous AI tool that can assist in boosting your CV, it’s merely one of many options available. The process of crafting the perfect prompt can be a tad time-consuming, as it necessitates adding context and specificity, but is free. Still, if you’re open to investing a bit of your hard-earned money into creating a compelling CV, we have compiled a list of other nifty AI tools that could help you in this endeavour: 

• Resumebuild: This handy tool uses AI to help you create professional-looking CVs in minutes.
• Zety: Zety uses artificial intelligence to analyse your CV and provide suggestions for improvement.
• Rezscore: This platform uses AI to grade your CV and provide actionable feedback.
• Jobscan: Jobscan uses AI to compare your CV with job descriptions to ensure you’re hitting key points.
• CV Compiler: This AI tool is tailored specifically for tech professionals, optimising CVs for tech recruiters.

These tools are designed to give your CV an edge. They automate the mundane process of CV editing, allowing you to focus more on showcasing your abilities and less on formatting and keyword optimisation.

We trust that this advice will be beneficial for you. Never hesitate to seek our guidance or delve into our enlightening ‘Insights‘ section, brimming with valuable information that will give you an edge in your job hunt. Moreover, don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates.