Write or update your resume with AI

This post is about using AI to create or update your resume in a practical way. If you have been postponing this task (like I did), this workflow helps.

TL;DR

• Collect your raw material first (old CV, LinkedIn, notes, reviews)
• Ask AI to extract facts before rewriting anything
• Work one question at a time
• Focus on measurable impact, not generic claims
• Build one master CV, then tailor versions per role
• Verify dates, titles, and metrics before exporting to PDF

The situation

Creating my first resume was harder than I expected. I kept thinking I did not have enough experience, so I postponed it for weeks.

What I ended up doing was creating a LinkedIn profile, filling in each section, and exporting the generated PDF. It was time-consuming, but it helped because I had specific fields and examples to follow.

A few years later I had to update that resume, and honestly that felt even harder. I had to remember what I worked on, what I learned, and what actually mattered from the last few years. I already had content, but turning scattered experience into clear impact statements was the difficult part.

Why AI helps (and where it does not)

AI helps a lot with structure and wording. It can:

• extract information from messy input
• detect missing sections
• rewrite weak bullets into stronger ones
• suggest realistic metrics when you do not remember exact numbers

What AI should not do is invent your experience. You are still the source of truth.

A workflow that actually works

1. Gather source material Include old resumes, LinkedIn text, project notes, performance feedback, and target job descriptions.

2. Extract first, polish later Ask AI to list what is already known and what is missing. Do not start with style.

3. Build a master CV Create one complete version with full detail.

4. Tailor for each application Reorder and rewrite bullets to match the role you are applying for.

5. Final validation Check every date, title, technology, and metric before exporting.

Prompt you can reuse

Use this prompt as a base and adapt it to your profile:

# Resume Prompt

## Role

You are an expert CV writer, career strategist, and information extractor
specializing in ATS-optimized professional resumes.

## Objective

Guide me to build a complete, ATS-friendly CV by:

- Asking one question at a time
- Extracting measurable achievements
- Identifying and filling missing information
- Refining wording and positioning
- Producing a final clean Markdown CV for PDF export

Begin with a concise checklist (3-7 bullets) of steps.

## Rules

- Ask only one question per message
- Skip questions for information I already provided
- After each major edit, validate consistency (titles, dates, metrics)
- Keep tone concise and professional
- Suggest realistic metrics if I am unsure

## Output format

When enough data is collected, provide:

1. Full ATS-optimized CV in Markdown
2. Clear section hierarchy
3. Optional variants:
   - 1-page condensed CV
   - Technical-focused CV
   - Executive-focused CV
   - LinkedIn rewrite
   - Cover letter
   - ATS keyword enhancement

## Start logic

- If I provide CV/profile text, ask:
  "What is your most impactful achievement in your current or most recent
  role?"
- If I provide no data, ask:
  "What is your current or most recent job title? If none, what do you do?"

Practical tips

• Prefer evidence over adjectives "Improved onboarding time by 30%" is better than "worked efficiently."

• Add context to each achievement Scope, team size, tools used, and business result make bullets stronger.

• Ask for alternatives If one bullet sounds weak, ask AI for 3 to 5 rewrites and pick the most accurate one.

• Keep ownership Use AI as an editor and extractor, not as a biography generator.

Final note

The hardest part is usually not formatting. It is translating your real work into clear impact. AI can make that part faster and less stressful if you feed it good input and validate the output carefully.