Sweet friend, you don't have to polish your resume alone anymore.
Free AI tools like ChatGPT can act like a helpful second pair of eyes. They can spot missing keywords, tighten your wording, and help your resume match the job you want. Below are the exact prompts I'd use, step by step. Just copy, paste, and fill in the [brackets].
Before You Start: 3 Safety Rules
- Protect your privacy. Before you upload or paste your resume, remove your phone number, home address, and email. You can add them back later.
- Only keep what's true. AI sometimes adds skills, tools, or results you don't actually have. If it isn't true, delete it. You'll need to talk about every line in an interview.
- You're the final editor. AI gives suggestions, not answers. Read everything out loud and make sure it still sounds like you.
How to Use These Prompts
- Go to chatgpt.com and sign in with a free account.
- Click the paperclip or + button to upload your resume (Word or PDF).
No upload button, or hit the free limit? Copy the text of your resume and paste it into the chat instead. It works just as well. - Copy a prompt below, fill in the [brackets], and send it.
- Go in order. Each step builds on the last.
These prompts also work in other free AI tools, like Claude, Gemini, or Microsoft Copilot.
Step 1: Start With a Resume
You need a starting point. If you already have a resume, great: upload it and move to Step 2.
Don't have one yet, or yours is years out of date? Starting with an ATS-friendly template makes every step below easier, because the layout and role keywords are already done for you. Nanna's templates are written for specific remote roles at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. Browse the templates here, fill in your details, then come back and use these prompts to make it truly yours.
Step 2: Get an Honest Review
I'm applying for remote [JOB TITLE] roles. Review my attached resume like an experienced recruiter. Tell me: (1) what's working, (2) what's unclear or weak, (3) anything missing that recruiters for this role expect to see, and (4) any formatting that could cause problems with an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Be honest and specific. Don't rewrite it yet.
Step 3: Find the Right Keywords for Your Job Title
List the 15 most important keywords and skills recruiters search for when hiring a remote [JOB TITLE]. Group them into: job titles, hard skills, software or tools, and certifications. Then compare the list to my resume and show me which keywords I already have and which ones are missing.
Have a specific job posting? Even better. Use this one instead:
Here is a job posting I want to apply for: [PASTE THE JOB POSTING]. Pull out the most important keywords, skills, and requirements. Then compare them to my resume and list what's missing or worded differently.
Reminder: only add a missing keyword if you truly have that skill or experience.
Step 4: Strengthen Your Summary
Rewrite my professional summary for a remote [JOB TITLE] role. Keep it to 3 or 4 sentences. Include my years of experience, my strongest skills, and 3 to 5 of the keywords we found. Use only information that's already in my resume. Don't invent anything.
Step 5: Turn Duties Into Results
Rewrite the bullet points under my [JOB TITLE AT COMPANY] position so they show results, not just duties. Start each one with a strong action verb. Where a number would help (like how many, how fast, or how accurate), put [brackets] so I can fill in my real numbers. Don't make up any numbers.
Step 6: Check Your Skills Section
Organize my skills section for a remote [JOB TITLE] role. Group the skills into 3 or 4 categories, put the most relevant ones first, and remove anything outdated or too generic (like "hard worker"). Only use skills that already appear in my resume or that I've confirmed I have.
Step 7: Make Sure an ATS Can Read It
Check my resume for anything that could confuse an Applicant Tracking System: tables, columns, text boxes, graphics, icons, unusual headings, or contact information in the header or footer. List each issue and how to fix it.
Step 8: The Final Polish
Proofread my updated resume. Find spelling and grammar mistakes, inconsistent dates or formatting, repeated words, and anything that sounds awkward. List each fix so I can review it before changing anything.
Bonus: Get Ready for the Interview
Based on my resume and the [JOB TITLE] role, what are 8 interview questions I'm likely to be asked? For each one, give me a short tip on how to answer using examples from my own experience.
Nanna's Final Word
AI is a wonderful helper, sweet friend, but you are the expert on your own story. Use these prompts to sharpen your resume, stay honest about what you've done, and let your real strengths shine.
If you'd rather not start from a blank page, Nanna's ATS-friendly templates give you a clean layout and role keywords to build on. Then come back to these prompts and make it your own.
Want to understand why keywords matter so much? Read What Is an ATS? and How Recruiters Search for You.
AI tools can make mistakes. Always review suggestions carefully. A great resume helps you get noticed, but nothing can guarantee an interview or a job offer.
Remote Jobs, Brighter Days!
Nanna
