Write a CV from scratch

beginner⏱ Rough guide only: 2–3 hours

Last reviewed by Amara Lewis

Can AI write my CV for free?

Yes. Paste rough notes about your jobs, achievements, education and skills into ChatGPT or Claude (both free) and ask for a one- to two-page CV with a short profile and achievement-focused bullet points. Tell it not to invent anything and to ask questions about gaps. Then check every date and fact yourself.

Copy-and-paste prompt

Swap the bits in [square brackets] for your own details.

Help me write a CV from scratch. I'm applying for [type of job] in [country]. Here are my rough notes: [jobs with dates, duties, achievements, education, skills, volunteering]. Turn them into a one- to two-page CV with a short profile, achievement-focused bullet points (with numbers where I gave them), and a skills section. Don't invent anything – ask me questions if something is missing. Use [CV/résumé] conventions for [country].

How to do it

  1. Open ChatGPT or Claude and start a new chat.
  2. Copy the prompt below and replace everything in [square brackets] with your details.
  3. Answer any questions it asks about your experience.
  4. Paste the result into a simple template, then check every date and fact.

What a good answer looks like

Illustrative example written by the AI My Day team to show the kind of answer you can expect. It is not a captured tool output, and real results vary.

PROFILE Reliable retail supervisor with 6 years' experience leading teams of up to 8 and improving stock accuracy. EXPERIENCE Shift Supervisor, [Shop name] – 2021–present • Led a team of 8 across early and late shifts • Cut stock-count errors by reorganising the stockroom (you mentioned 'about a third' – confirm the figure) • Trained 5 new starters…

Recommended tools

Both turn rough notes into clear, achievement-focused bullet points and can format a tidy layout.

Top tips

  • Never let it invent qualifications or numbers.
  • Leave out your full address and date of birth unless asked.

Frequently asked questions

Can employers tell a CV was written by AI?

Generic, buzzword-heavy CVs stand out. Add specific achievements and edit the wording so it sounds like you.

CV or résumé?

Same idea; conventions differ by country. Tell the AI where you're applying.

Which AI is best for this?

Not sure which tool suits you? Take the 60-second quiz.

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