#PracticalAI: A Step-by-Step Guide to CV Drafting with Free AI

A strong CV can significantly improve your chances of landing a job. But with the help of free AI tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly, you can streamline this process and make your CV stand out. LawCoach is here to help you harness the power of AI and take your job applications to the next level.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use these tools effectively.

Step 1: Gather and Input Information into ChatGPT

To start, collect all relevant information for your CV:

• Personal Information: Full name, contact details, and LinkedIn profile.

• Work Experience: Job titles, companies, locations, dates of employment, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements.

• Education: Schools attended, degrees obtained, awards, and graduation dates.

• Skills: Technical skills, soft skills, and any relevant certifications.

• Additional Information: Volunteer work, internships, awards, extracurricular activities, languages spoken, and driver's licence if relevant to the job ad.
  

Next, gather additional information that may be useful:

• Job Advertisement: If you have it, this helps tailor your CV to the job’s requirements.

• Company Information: Found on the company’s website, this can help align your CV with the company's values and culture. Include this information when:

  • The company emphasises a particular set of values or a unique culture.

  • The job description specifies certain skills or experiences.

  • You want to highlight how your background aligns with the company’s mission and goals.

Step 2: Ask ChatGPT to Draft the CV

Request ChatGPT to draft your CV using the information you’ve gathered.

• The information you’ve gathered consists of your personal information, work experience, education, skills, and specified additional information, plus the job advertisement and company information.

• If you live in a country that uses British English (like South Africa), ensure you instruct ChatGPT to use British English as the default is American English.
  

Step 3: Verify and Edit the Draft

Review the CV draft carefully. Sometimes AI might incorrectly attribute experience or skills you do not have to match the job description. Check each section for accuracy.

Tips for Addressing Incorrect Information:

• Directly correct any inaccuracies and ask ChatGPT to review the changes.

• Provide feedback on the changes made and request confirmation.
  

LawCoach Note: This part of the process is essential for refining results. But, while it's important, sometimes it’s quicker to make the relevant changes yourself instead of asking ChatGPT to do so.

Step 4: Proofread with Grammarly

Run the final CV draft through Grammarly to catch any grammar and spelling errors. Set Grammarly to British English if necessary.

Grammarly offers a free online grammar checker, which can be accessed here.

Step 5: Format the CV in Google Docs

Use Google Docs to format your CV. Select a professional template and populate it with your information.

Google Docs is a freely available online word processor, comparable to Microsoft Word, which requires a paid subscription. Google Docs also has a range of templates that are free and easy to use.

Tips for using Google Docs:

• Choose a simple, professional template.

• Ensure consistent formatting: use the same font style and size throughout.

• Keep the CV to one or two pages, focusing on the most relevant information. If you aren’t sure what the most relevant information is, try asking ChatGPT to help you identify it.

Additional Tips for a Standout CV

• Tailor Your CV for Each Application: Customise your CV for each job application to highlight the most relevant experiences and skills.

• Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to quantify your achievements where you can (for example, “Increased sales by 20%” or "reduced expenses by 15%").

• Professional Email Address: Use a professional email address (for example, use safee@lawcoach instead of fluffyfairy@fun.com.)
  

Ready to Land Your Dream Job?

Creating a compelling CV can be challenging, especially in a competitive job market. By

following these steps and leveraging free AI tools, you can create a CV that stands out to

potential employers.

Try these tips yourself and share this article with your friends and on social media. You never know who needs a little bit of help!