Volunteering at my local library, I've sat across from a lot of people trying to land a new job in order to get back on their feet. The story is almost always the same: they've been firing off the same generic resume into the void for weeks, and all they're getting back is crickets.

Here's what I've learned: the silence isn't usually about them. It's about the resume - and more specifically, about the gap between what their resume says and what the job description is asking for.

There are two things that matter most when writing a resume in 2026:

1. Custom-tailor it to the specific job description. A resume aimed at "any job that'll have me" lands like a paper airplane in a hurricane. A resume that mirrors the language, skills, and priorities of one specific posting actually has a chance of being read by a human.
2. Use an ATS-optimized format. Most applications are filtered by an Applicant Tracking System before a person ever sees them. If your formatting is too fancy - tables, columns, graphics, headers - the ATS may quietly mangle your resume into nonsense and reject you for "missing qualifications" you actually have. Indeed has a great writeup on this: ATS Resume Template.

Below is the exact process I walk through with patrons at the library. It works whether you're using Claude or ChatGPT, and it takes about 15 minutes per resume.

The Process

Step 1: Paste the prompt below into an AI tool such as Claude or ChatGPT.

Step 2: Upload your existing resume. This can be a PDF, Word document, or even a photo of a handwritten or printed resume.

Step 3: Paste the job description you wish to apply for.

Step 4: Open the resulting Word document (in MS Word or Google Docs).

Step 5: Review the content for accuracy. Make sure it's comprehensive, your contact information is correct, and it makes no false claims about your experience or abilities.

Step 6: Make any necessary modifications. If you're unsure how to word something, just describe the issue and ask the AI tool to make the change for you.

The Prompt

Copy this and paste it into your AI chatbot of choice as the very first message:

Markdown
# Your task

I'm going to upload my resume as an attachment in the following message. After I upload my resume, ask me to paste the job description. After you have both inputs (resume and job description), please revise my resume to be ATS-optimized, based on the following ATS guidelines.

Also, please custom-tailor my resume to be an excellent fit for the job description below. Put relevant keywords in my resume from the job description. Do not make false claims about my skills nor experience. Stick to what's in my resume, and ask me follow-up questions if there's a qualification you're not sure I have. Your output should be a DOCX file.

# ATS guidelines

1. Use an ATS resume template

ATS-friendly resume templates feature minimalist designs that work with ATS systems. These layouts ensure the resume scanner catches every detail—skills,certifications, and more—without missing critical keywords due to odd formatting. Look for pre-formatted options in tools like Google Docs or Microsoft Word.

2. Label resume sections clearly

Use standard section headings like “Professional Summary,” “Work Experience,” and “Skills.” ATS relies on these labels to pinpoint your qualifications, such as years of experience or hard skills, so keep them straightforward.

3. Avoid headers, tables, and graphics

ATS struggles with text boxes, columns, headers, or images. Skip these to ensure the system reads your full resume content. Stick to simple formatting for a clean .docx orPDFfile type—check the job posting for accepted formats.

4. Choose ATS-friendly fonts

Opt for standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10–12point size. These are legible to both ATS software and humans, ensuring your resume stays scannable and professional.

5. Apply keyword optimization

Study the job description for role-specific terms like “customer service” or “calendar management.” Naturally weave these resume keywords into your professional summary, skills section, and work experience. Include acronyms (e.g. “MBA”) alongside full terms (e.g. “Master of Business Administration”) for maximum reach—without stuffing.

6. Pick the right file format

A .docx file is often safest for ATS compatibility, though some systems accept PDFs. Review the job application instructions to confirm. A resume builder can help you save in the correct file type.

Why this works

The magic isn't in the AI - it's in giving the AI the right two inputs (your real experience, and the specific job you're targeting) and the right constraints (ATS rules, no fabrications). Without the job description, the AI has nothing to tailor toward. Without the ATS guidelines, you'll get something that looks pretty in a browser and gets eaten alive by a screener.

A word of caution: AI will sometimes get enthusiastic and embellish. That's why Step 5 is non-negotiable. Read every bullet. If it claims you led a team, or used a tool, or hit a metric you didn't actually hit - delete it or rewrite it. A resume that gets you in the door for a job you can't do is worse than no resume at all.

One more thing

The resume is the easy part. The harder part - the part I keep relearning at the library - is reminding the person across from me that they have something worth putting on the page in the first place. Remember to believe in yourself!