If you haven’t retreated into the woods to find your inner self away from the Internet, then you probably have heard of the Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer or ChatGPT for short. In simple terms, ChatGPT is a chatbot on steroids powered by OpenAi, an artificial intelligence lab based in the U.S. The release of its latest version, has ChatGPT going viral on every possible industry and social media channel. It uses a large language model and it responds to user prompts from where it’s able to generate impressive writing samples as a result of using supervised and reinforcement machine learning models. There are thousands of samples of different uses for this tool, from writing full college papers, grant proposals or even explaining concepts. So, it sparked my interest to explore what would it do if it was prompted to write cover letters and resumés. Let’s explore how ChatGPT could make your job hunt easier and help you land a job interview faster.
Resumé Writing Sample
Say you want to work as an Instructional Designer but aren’t sure what general skills are involved. Here’s the prompt I used:
Write a resume for an instructional designer with 5 years of experience
Resumé Sample Output
Summary: Experienced instructional designer with a passion for creating engaging and effective learning experiences. With 5 years of experience in designing and developing various types of learning materials, I have a proven track record of creating high-quality instructional content that meets the needs of diverse audiences. Skilled in project management, collaboration, and using technology to enhance learning experiences.
Education:
- Master of Education in Instructional Design, XYZ University, 2016-2018
- Bachelor of Arts in English, ABC University, 2012-2016
Professional Experience:
Instructional Designer, Acme Corporation, 2018-present
- Develop and design instructional materials for various online and in-person training programs, including e-learning modules, videos, job aids, and assessments.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts, trainers, and stakeholders to ensure that training programs align with business goals and learner needs.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, adhering to project timelines and budgets.
- Use authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate to create interactive and engaging e-learning modules.
- Conduct needs assessments and evaluate the effectiveness of training programs using Kirkpatrick’s four levels of evaluation.
Instructional Designer, XYZ Company, 2016-2018
- Designed and developed instructional materials for various e-learning courses, including software simulations, soft skills training, and compliance training.
- Collaborated with subject matter experts, trainers, and stakeholders to gather content and ensure instructional integrity.
- Worked with graphic designers and multimedia specialists to develop visually appealing and interactive e-learning modules.
- Conducted user acceptance testing to ensure that e-learning modules were functional and met instructional goals.
Skills:
- Instructional design and development
- Project management
- Needs assessment
- E-learning development
- Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate
- Learning management systems (LMS)
- User experience (UX) design
- Collaboration and communication
Certifications:
- Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP), Association for Talent Development (ATD), 2019
- Articulate Storyline 360 Certified, Articulate Global Inc., 2020
Resumé Output Review
Okay, the output is quite compelling. I coach folks on how to get interviews and this resumé sample has lots of golden nuggets. It’s not perfect, but it does give you a great format and theme to follow. The point of the resumé is to catch the Application Tracking System’s (ATS) attention or the attention of human eyes i.e. recruiter, hiring manager. The summary is strong except for the use of first person statements, it’s preferable for it to be neutral just like the previous employment bullets. Notice that “Education” was placed before “Professional Experience” and that’s more akin for career-changing or novice candidates. Notice the detail on the action verbs as the present job verbs are in present tense and all previous in past tense. The “Skills” section should be moved right below the “Summary” but I have to say, it’s a pretty good job. Of course, always remember to customize this to match your reality.
What About a Cover Letter?
Cover letters are a must just in case the hiring manager is curious about your motivation to work at the company. In this case, my prompt specifically aimed to an Instructional Designer job at Apple:
Write a cover letter for instructional designer job with Apple
Cover Letter Output
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the Instructional Designer position at Apple. As an experienced instructional designer with a passion for innovative technology, I believe that I can contribute significantly to the development of world-class learning experiences at Apple.
With over 5 years of experience designing and developing instructional content for a diverse range of audiences, I have honed my ability to create engaging and effective learning experiences that drive business results. In my current role as an instructional designer at XYZ Company, I have led the development of e-learning courses, webinars, and training programs that have been highly successful in achieving our business goals.
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including subject matter experts, project managers, and developers. I have a keen eye for detail, excellent project management skills, and the ability to balance competing priorities to meet project timelines and deliverables.
At Apple, I am excited about the opportunity to work with a team of talented professionals who are dedicated to creating innovative products that transform the way we live and work. I believe that my skills and experience align well with the needs of Apple, and I am eager to contribute to the development of exceptional learning experiences that help drive the success of the company.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Cover Letter Output Review
Once again, ChatGPT delivered strongly on the cover letter too. Notice the enthusiasm used in the first two sentences with words like “excited”, “passion”, “innovative” and “world-class”. The length is just ideal, not too long, not too short and every paragraph avoids using “I” statements except for the opening one. This is an almost perfect sample in my opinion as former hiring manager. It could use some refining and less first person sentences but it’s a solid example of a good cover letter.
Wrap Up
In summary, ChatGPT can help candidates save time and improve the strategic formatting of your resumé. It can also write a strong cover letter sample. The key takeaway here is that candidates should use it as a writing aid and not as a replacement tool. Your voice as a human being and job seeker should come through your resumé and cover letter.
