How to Use ChatGPT To Write a Sales Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide
As a recruiter who has looked at thousands of resumes over the years, I know writing a top-notch one is no easy task. It takes a lot of work to…
As a recruiter who has looked at thousands of resumes over the years, I know writing a top-notch one is no easy task. It takes a lot of work to get it just right. And, as a recruiter who specializes in sales, I know resume writing is also NOT a task salespeople particularly enjoy doing.
Leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT is a great way to make optimizing your sales resume a little bit easier. However, its effectiveness is contingent on the information you provide and your prompting skills. The more details and guidance you offer, the more accurate and tailored your output will be. Our sales recruiters have curated the following list of 5 tips to help you get the most out of ChatGPT and other AI tools when writing and updating your resume:
1. Set the Stage for ChatGPT to work its magic
Introduce yourself by sharing details about your job type, career objectives, credentials, and any unique aspects of your application. Add any information you think is relevant about your sales career, experience, and desired role.
For example, express your professional identity: “I am an experienced sales professional with a decade of experience, specializing in B2B sales. I am seeking a management role with a large corporation in the IT industry.”
2. Provide as much context as possible about your sales career
Enhance ChatGPT’s understanding of you and your resume writing objectives by offering as much context as possible about your background, skills, and aspirations.
Compile relevant data about your education, work history, skills, and achievements. Present ChatGPT with a list of crucial details, or upload an existing version of your resume and cover letter for reference.
Don’t forget to highlight soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Clearly express how these skills have contributed to your success in previous roles.
You can also customize your resume for different applications by incorporating the specific job description. Alternatively, articulate the key aspects of the role you’re applying for.
3. Ask ChatGPT questions
Engage ChatGPT in a dialogue. Seek clarification or inquire if additional information is required to enhance accuracy and relevance. Be clear and concise in your instructions to ChatGPT. Clearly articulate the specific details you want to emphasize and avoid ambiguity to ensure accurate and relevant responses.
You can also experiment with pre-existing ChatGPT prompts tailored for resume writing. Evaluate different prompts to achieve your desired results.
Provide context within your prompts. Instead of just listing information, explain the significance or impact of certain experiences, skills, or achievements. This helps ChatGPT understand the context better. Include sales industry-specific terms or jargon in your prompts. This helps ChatGPT tailor its responses to the language commonly used in sales.
And, don’t forget to leverage the ability to ask follow-up questions. If a response is not exactly what you’re looking for, ask clarifying questions to guide ChatGPT toward a more accurate and tailored answer.
4. Shape, format and style your resume based on outputs
After receiving the initial content, focus on formatting. Specify your preferences for style, layout, and overall appearance. ChatGPT can assist in generating content aligned with your criteria.
Recognize that ChatGPT may not be flawless. Proofread the generated draft for grammatical errors and typos. Seek suggestions from ChatGPT to refine language and enhance the persuasiveness of your resume.
If you are not completely satisfied with the results, prompt ChatGPT for suggestions on refining specific sections. Multiple iterations may be necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
5. Get feedback from other trusted sales professionals or sales recruiters
Share your draft with friends, mentors, or sales colleagues for constructive feedback. While ChatGPT aids in content creation, external review ensures your resume accurately represents your qualifications and aligns with your career goals.
Remember that while ChatGPT is a powerful tool, it’s most effective when used in conjunction with your expertise and judgment. Actively steer the conversation, refine the generated content, and tailor it to your unique professional narrative.
More Job Search Advice From Our Sales Recruiters
10 Things Sales Industry Headhunters Hate to See on Resumes
Brandon Biafore
With a background successfully leading sales teams (overseeing training & development, driving sales & revenue, and ensuring delivery of exceptional customer service while executing cost control), Brandon is a sales recruiter with a solid understanding of what it takes to succeed in sales leadership role, as well as the challenges faced by hiring managers in finding top sales talent.
