💼 How to Use AI to Write Better CVs and Cover Letters

Applying for jobs can feel like a full-time job — tailoring your CV for every role, trying to sound professional without sounding robotic, and rewriting your cover letter for the tenth time.

That’s where AI can help. Used properly, tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grammarly can make your CV sharper, faster, and more confident — without losing your personal touch.

Here’s how to do it right (and avoid the cookie-cutter nonsense most people submit).

1. Use AI to Structure Your CV From Scratch

If you’re starting from a blank page, tell an AI something like:

“Write a CV outline for a civil engineering graduate with one year of rail experience. Focus on teamwork, safety, and project delivery.”

You’ll instantly get a structured layout with clear headings and phrasing ideas.

Then, just replace the placeholders with your real details.

💡 BrokeButBuilt Tip: AI’s great for layout ideas — but your achievements and metrics should always be your own.

2. Tailor Your CV to Each Job Description

Copy and paste the job advert into your AI tool and say:

“Compare my CV below to this job description and tell me what skills I’m missing or should highlight.”

It’ll pick out keywords the employer cares about (like “stakeholder management” or “risk assessment”) and show where to work them into your CV naturally.

3. Use AI to Tighten Up Your Wording

AI is brilliant at polishing sentences — especially if you struggle to sound formal or concise.

Try:

“Rewrite the following CV bullet points to sound more professional and achievement-focused.”

Example before:

Helped with site inspections and reports.

Example after:

Supported weekly site inspections and produced detailed progress reports for senior engineers.

4. Craft Smarter Cover Letters

Most people make their cover letter a summary of their CV. Instead, use AI to make it sound personalised and purposeful.

Prompt idea:

“Write a short, confident cover letter for a graduate engineer applying to AtkinsRéalis, showing enthusiasm for rail projects and teamwork.”

Then trim and edit it to sound like you. Keep it to around 3 short paragraphs.

5. Proofread and Format With AI Tools

Tools like Grammarly, LanguageTool, or ChatGPT’s Proofread mode can catch spelling slips, inconsistent formatting, and awkward phrasing.

A clean, readable CV always makes a better first impression.

6. Never Copy and Paste Without Editing

AI should be your assistant, not your ghostwriter. Recruiters can spot generic AI wording instantly — so always review and tweak to match your tone and real experience.

💡 Final BrokeButBuilt Tip

Use AI for what it’s best at: saving time, structuring ideas, and catching mistakes — not pretending you’ve done things you haven’t. Combine your real achievements with smart AI polish, and you’ll stand out for the right reasons.

✅ Read 10 ways AI can help you budget better here!

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