Best AI for writing a CV
What is the best AI for writing a CV or résumé?
ChatGPT is the best free AI for writing a CV: it turns rough notes into achievement-focused bullet points and tailors them to a job advert in seconds. Claude is excellent for polishing the wording so it sounds less generic, and Microsoft Copilot is useful if you build your CV in Word.
Our shortlist
| # | Tool | Best for | Free plan? | Paid from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ChatGPT | Best overall | Yes | US$8/month (Go, may include ads) |
| 2 | Claude | Best for natural wording | Yes | US$20/month (Pro), or US$17/month billed annually |
| 3 | Microsoft Copilot | Best for Word users | Yes | US$9.99/month (Microsoft 365 Personal, includes Office apps, 1 TB storage and monthly AI credits) |
1. ChatGPT – best overall
Free plan; fast at structuring a CV, tailoring it to a job advert and drafting a cover letter.
Free plan: Free plan: everyday text chats with fair-use limits, plus limited uploads, image creation, voice and deep research. Full ChatGPT profile →
2. Claude – best for natural wording
Free plan; good at removing buzzwords and keeping your voice.
Free plan: Free plan on web, desktop and mobile, with web search, memory and file creation; usage limits reset every five hours. Full Claude profile →
3. Microsoft Copilot – best for word users
Free with a Microsoft account; Microsoft 365 Personal (US$9.99/month in the US) adds Copilot inside Word, with monthly AI credits.
Free plan: Copilot chat is free with a Microsoft account; Copilot inside Word, Excel and Outlook needs a Microsoft 365 plan. Full Microsoft Copilot profile →
Try it now: step-by-step guides
Each guide has a copy-and-paste prompt you can use with any of the tools above.
Write a CV from scratch
Rough guide only: 2–3 hours
💼 Work & careerRefresh your CV for a specific job
Rough guide only: 2–3 hours
💼 Work & careerWrite a cover letter
Rough guide only: 30 minutes
💼 Work & careerPractise for a job interview
Rough guide only: 2 hours
💼 Work & careerPlan your job search
Rough guide only: a few hours a week
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Things to watch out for
- Never let AI invent qualifications or figures.
- Remove personal contact details before pasting.
- Don't paste passwords, bank details or other people's private information into any AI tool.
How we chose
These are editorial picks by Amara Lewis, based on what each tool's free and paid plans include, how easy it is for a beginner, and how well it suits this task. We have not run formal benchmark tests for this page, and no company paid to be listed. Read how we review.
Frequently asked questions
Can recruiters tell if a CV was written by AI?
Generic wording stands out. Add specific achievements and edit it into your own words.
Should I paste my whole CV into AI?
Remove your address, phone number and date of birth first.
Is a free AI good enough for a CV?
Yes – the free plans of ChatGPT and Claude are plenty for a CV.
Not sure where to start?
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