Did you know there are ways that Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT can help make your job search more efficient, effective, and easier to manage? While there is a lot that goes into a successful job search, some aspects can be streamlined with the strategic use of these free tools.
What Are Large Language Models (LLMs)?
LLMs—such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot—are artificial intelligence programs that can help with a variety of tasks. Think of them like an advanced auto-complete feature, similar to the ones you’ve already used on your phone or in search engines. Instead of suggesting the next word or phrase, they generate more complex responses based on the prompts and context you provide.
The key to getting the most out of an LLM is simple: be specific. Imagine having an assistant with access to a vast amount of knowledge but without a clear idea of what you need. To get the best results, you’ll need to provide context and clarity in your prompts.
The Best Resumes
Before you can effectively direct an LLM to help you with your resume, it’s good to know what makes a good resume, and the best resumes are the ones that are customized- not only for the type of job you’re applying for, but to the actual job posting itself.
For example:
Kelly has experience in both customer service and marketing, and she has a degree in marketing. While she’s primarily looking for marketing roles, she’s open to customer service positions that fit well with her background.
She has two versions of her resume: one version mainly highlights her experiences, skills, and achievements in marketing, while the other primarily emphasizes her customer service experience. This is a good idea because even though there may be some overlap, the hiring manager for each type of role will be looking for different things.
But should Kelly use that marketing resume just as it is to apply to every marketing role?
She could, but the best resumes are the ones that are highly tuned to the exact job posting. Even within the marketing field, to stick with our example, roles can vary in focus. Customizing your resume takes more time, but it’s worth it if it means standing out to a hiring manager.
Customizing Each Resume Will Help You Stand Out in a Sea of More Generalized Resumes.
How to use an LLM to tailor your resume
Let’s stick with our example jobseeker, Kelly, who just found a posting for a social media manager position at a company she knows and respects. It’s a big company, and the job posting is filled with a lot of corporate jargon that can be difficult to interpret. After reading through it a few times, Kelly copies the text and opens an LLM.
Her prompt: I’m going to paste a job posting I’m interested in to the chat. Please summarize it in simple terms and point out the top five skills I should make sure to emphasize on my resume.
After getting a better idea of exactly what the hiring manager is looking for, Kelly is ready to tweak her existing marketing resume for this particular role.
Note: These tools work best when you ask them to work step-by-step through the resume, rather than the whole document at once.
Kelly starts by tailoring her Professional Summary. This section sets the tone for the rest of the resume, so it’s important to highlight her most relevant skills and experiences right away.
Kelly's Original Summary
Energetic marketing graduate with hands-on experience in digital campaigns and customer engagement. Combines creative thinking with a customer-first mindset to build brand loyalty and drive results. Clear communicator with a passion for connecting people and ideas.
Her prompt: I am going to paste the content of my resume and a job posting into the chat. Please help me tailor my Summary to this specific job posting, and be sure to highlight the social media aspects of my experience. Make sure it stays within three to five lines.
Because the role Kelly is applying for emphasizes social media, specifically Instagram, her summary should reflect that.
Kelly's Revised Summary with the help of LLM
Energetic marketing graduate with experience growing brand presence and engagement on Instagram. Skilled in content creation, visual storytelling, and campaign strategy. Combines a customer-first mindset with creative thinking to build loyal audiences and drive results.
After making a few tweaks and adding a line about her language and design skills, Kelly is ready to move on to the work experience part of the resume.
Her prompt: Please redraft the bullet points about my Starbucks experience to speak more directly to the skills this marketing role is asking for.
Kelly's original bullet point:
- Provided exceptional customer service by preparing beverages, taking orders, and maintaining a clean, welcoming environment.
Kelly's revised bullet point:
- Developed strong customer engagement skills by creating personalized interactions, enhancing customer loyalty, and fostering a positive brand experience.
The examples above describe basically the same work experience, but the emphasis in the revised version is now focusing on the aspects of this experience that are more relevant to a social media manager position.
Conclusion
LLMs can be a powerful tool to make your job search easier and more effective, and the best way to get better at using them is to experiment and get hands-on.
Here are a few other ways LLMs can help with your job search:
- Cover letter draft, revision, and customizing
- As with the resume, paste the job posting and your own work experience and education so the LLM has the full context.
- Brainstorm potential career paths based on your interests and experience.
- Prompt the LLM to act as a career advisor. Give it examples of what you most enjoyed in your previous work and ask for examples of other types of jobs that would be a good fit.
- Interview practice.
- Prompt the LLM to act as a hiring manager who is interviewing you for a job and ask for feedback on your answers. LLM will provide typical job interview questions and suggest how to improve your answers to better prepare you for the actual interview.
Have questions, or would you like to speak one-on-one with someone about your job search? The library offers Resume & Career Help at various locations and times throughout Brooklyn. Check here for a complete list: https://bit.ly/BPLDropInResume
You can also contact us at: resumehelp@bklynlibrary.org
Good luck on your job search!
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
Yes. When I was unemployed…
Yes. When I was unemployed for four months, I motivated myself to apply to at least a few jobs every week if not more. I sent over 45 applications, sometimes with additional materials—I still have the spreadsheet to prove it: which jobs I heard back from, had to follow up with, had an interview, etc. Without ChatGPT to give me a leg up and a starting point from which to customize every single cover letter to each particular job: to outline the basic letter, to revise it, to rewrite it, to harmonize the grammatical structure, to check for typos and mistakes again and again... I never would have been able to keep the clarity and focus during what is otherwise a soul-crushing, overwhelming time of rejection and anxiety. I probably would have given up if I had forced myself to manually draft and correct each of those cover letters and resumes. It still was a lot of work and took a lot of thought. however, after all that, I landed in a wonderful job that I am very happy with!
Thu, Jun 26 2025 5:38 pm
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