Using AI CV prompts

If you decide to use AI tools to help with your CV and applications you must add in your own research and authentic voice or run the risk of presenting a mediocre application that will not be shortlisted.

Prompts

The quality of the output depends on the quality of your prompt. For the best results, structure your prompts using the RTF model (developed by Durham University):

  • Role – Who should the AI act as?
  • Task – What exactly do you want it to do?
  • Format – How should the output be delivered?

Step 1: Using the CV template

(CV template download)
Role: You are an experienced university careers adviser helping a student improve the format of their CV.
Task: Using the attached CV template, take the information from my current CV or notes and move it into the most appropriate sections of the template. Keep the information accurate and do not invent details. Improve the wording so it is clear, concise and suitable for employers.
Format: Populate the CV template with clear, action-focused, STAR-based bullet points. Highlight any sections where I need to add more information or stronger evidence.

Step 2: Surface my skills

Role: You are a university careers adviser helping a student recognise the skills they have developed from work, volunteering, study or extracurricular activities.
Task: Identify the likely skills developed from the following experience: “I worked as a barista at Costa Coffee, taking customer orders and making beverages in a fast-paced environment.”
Format: Provide a table with two columns: skills gained, and how I could describe this on my CV using the STAR technique.

Step 3a: Understand what the employer is looking for

Role: You are an experienced careers adviser helping a student tailor their CV for X role.
Task: Using the job description, person specification, advert, and information from the employer’s website, identify exactly what this employer is looking for in candidates for this role.
Format: Provide:

  • The key technical skills required
  • The transferable skills required
  • The behaviours or personal qualities the employer values
  • The experience the employer is asking for
  • The qualifications or knowledge required
  • Any themes, values or priorities mentioned by the employer
  • A list of important keywords and phrases that should appear in my CV

For each point, explain:

  • Where this appears in the job information
  • Whether it appears to be essential or desirable
  • How I can evidence this criteria effectively on my CV

Step 3b: Help me tailor my CV to the role

Role: You are a careers adviser helping a student tailor their CV for a specific role.
Task: Using my CV and the job description, identify where I meet the employer’s criteria. Explain how I can improve or expand the information in my CV to provide stronger, evidence-based examples that demonstrate my competence, achievements, and suitability for the role. Do not invent experience or exaggerate achievements.
Format: Create a table with the following columns:

  1. Employer requirement
  2. Evidence currently shown in my CV
  3. Gaps or weak evidence
  4. How I could strengthen this example
  5. Suggested improved CV wording

Also highlight:

  • The strongest parts of my application
  • The criteria I address less effectively
  • Three overall recommendations to improve the CV before applying.

Proofread

Do not take what AI says at face value. When you read the AI suggestions, consider:

  • It doesn’t know you and you may be missing key points about your own experiences that could enhance your answers.
  • It's information may not be accurate. Free tools (older versions of ChatGPT for example) use limited or older data sets to generate its outputs. AI can also fabricate facts (known as hallucinations).
  • We recommend that your get further advice on your CV from one of our advisers or a critical friend.