Learn to use online tools to tailor, refine and perfect your resume

Learn to use online tools to tailor, refine and perfect your resume

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for resume writing can help you craft clearer, more compelling and better-tailored applications for jobs and graduate school.

UW-La Crosse Career Development Coordinator Carolyn Moe recommends using AI resume tools as a supplement - not a substitute - for your own creativity and experience.

"It's kind of like sitting down with a virtual coach," Moe says. "AI shouldn't replace your voice or your experiences, but it can help you brainstorm ideas and elaborate on your skills."

Moe notes that if a student wants to ensure their AI-generated resume feels authentic, UWL Academic Advising and Career Services can help review drafts, offer feedback and provide field-specific insights AI might overlook.

"Keep Career Services in mind as a resource for feedback, guidance and support," she says. "AI can help you explore your skills deeply - and that preparation leads to better questions when meeting with advisors."

AI resume writing: Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Start with your own draft

Before you use any AI resume builder, create a draft on your own. This ensures your document reflects your authentic voice and personal experiences. Use wording from the job or program description to align your qualifications with what's being sought. Creating your own foundation first avoids a common mistake - generating a resume with AI that feels generic or impersonal.

Step 2: Brainstorm with AI

Use AI for resume writing as a brainstorming partner. Ask specific, focused questions like:

Keep refining your prompts until the results fit your goals. "Working with AI isn't about writing one perfect prompt," says Moe. "It's about continuing to ask questions until you get the best fit for you."

Step 3: Use AI to polish and tailor your resume

Once your draft is ready, copy and paste both your resume and the job description into an AI chat or resume builder (such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot or Big Resume) and ask it to revise and tailor your content. To maintain accuracy, tell AI not to invent or add experience that isn't already listed. Recruiters often use automated screening tools, so aligning your language with the posting helps ensure your resume stands out. Moe advises: "Use the same keywords the job description uses - and then back them up with specific examples from your experience."

Step 4: Customize the AI output

Review everything carefully. Personalize the text to reflect your true experience, tone and achievements. AI can sometimes "hallucinate" - adding details you didn't include - so double-check for accuracy.

Step 5: Proofread with human eyes

Employers and graduate programs will ask questions based on what's in your resume. You should feel confident explaining every bullet point. Ask a career advisor, peer or mentor to review your final draft.

Step 6: Go beyond resume writing to prepare

AI can support more than just writing a resume. It can help you:

• Research industries or programs you're applying to
• Generate mock interview questions tailored to a graduate program resume. UWL students can also use tools like Big Interview for mock interviews.
• Review job descriptions and identify key skills

Writing a resume for graduate school

Carolyn Moe and Emily Whitney, academic director for UWL's Master's in Healthcare Administration, share advice specific to a resume for graduate studies.

1. Highlight relevant experience

Include work experience, research and academic projects, lab work, teaching assistantships or capstone projects. Whitney notes that for healthcare programs, certifications and relevant healthcare specific coursework are particularly valuable.

2. Emphasize transferable skills

Skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are highly valued and translate across fields, advises Moe. For example, a barista explaining drink options uses communication skills that could apply to explaining a care plan in a healthcare setting. "Understanding how your past experiences transfer to your future goals is essential," says Moe.

Whitney adds that additional transferable skills like experience working across different departments or teams; leadership; supervision; project management; and problem-solving with measurable outcomes stand out even if not directly connected to the healthcare field. She also sees value in communicating community involvement or volunteer leadership experience.

3. Match the program's focus

Tailor your document to the program you are applying to. For example, for research-focused degrees, stress publications and presentations, explains Moe. For health professions, industry experience in any capacity is important - clinical, administrative, support roles or even patient-facing positions, says Whitney.

4. Be clear and consistent

Formatting matters. Use consistent fonts, spacing and verb tenses. Use action verbs and use first-person, present tense for current positions and past tense for previous jobs/experiences, adds Whitney. Keep bullet points achievement-oriented, answering the "5 Ws and How": Who, What, When, Where, Why and How.

5. Use AI to tighten wording - not invent content

Ask AI to simplify, clarify or shorten text, but never to fabricate. The substance of the resume must come from personal experiences, advises Moe.

Creating your perfect resume

Using AI resume writing tools can make the process faster and more effective - if you remain in control. Think of AI as a collaborator that helps you create a resume that's polished, tailored and authentic. Whether you're applying for your first job or building a graduate program resume, the perfect resume blends technology with your human insight and experience.