As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to make its way into various industries, job seekers are curious about the capabilities of AI when it comes to resume writing. One of the most talked-about AI tools is ChatGPT. According to a survey of 1,000 job seekers, 46% are using ChatGPT to write their cover letters and resumes. Of those, 78% say they got an interview and 59% claim they were hired.
However, the question remains: should ChatGPT write your resume? To answer this question, we ran a series of experiments to test ChatGPT's resume writing skills.
What is ChatGPT?
ChatGPT is an AI-based tool that uses natural language processing (NLP) to craft text that seems relatively lifelike. The bot is "trained" through the use of data sets that teach the AI how to recognize patterns and generate text that is understandable and reasonable.
The Results of Our Experiments
For our first round of testing, we provided ChatGPT with basic prompts like "write a resume for X." We received resumes for an entry-level software programmer, an entry-level financial analyst, and a deckhand on a pirate ship. While these resumes are acceptable, they lack details. They only provide a summary of the job seeker's duties and do not describe how the candidate used their skills and abilities or what positive results they achieved.
Moreover, these resumes included unnecessary information like "references available upon request." Our next experiment involved ChatGPT-4, which produced a very long resume full of hallucinations. While it contained some details, it still included irrelevant information like a full address, "references available upon request," and an objective.
We also requested a pirate deckhand resume, which was shorter but still contained some of the same issues. It did, however, provide explanations of how the deckhand used their skills to benefit the crew.
Should You Use ChatGPT?
The results of our experiments indicate that ChatGPT may not be the best choice when it comes to writing a resume. While the tool can generate acceptable resumes, these resumes are often lacking the details that employers are looking for. Moreover, they can include irrelevant information that takes up valuable space on a short document.
If you're looking to write a resume, it's best to take the time to present your skills and experiences to employers with maximum impact. Consider enrolling in professional resume writing courses to learn how to create an eye-catching resume that highlights your skills and abilities in the best possible light.
