When it comes to applying for jobs, the words you choose for your CV and cover letter matter more than you might think. Recruiters spend mere seconds scanning each application, and increasingly, your documents are read first by applicant tracking systems (ATS)- not humans. These systems are designed to spot relevant keywords, qualifications, and experience. That means writing in vague, generic terms- the kind filled with overused buzzwords- can actually work against you.
Let’s be honest: most of us have, at some point, described ourselves as “hardworking,” “passionate,” or a “team player” on a CV. While there’s nothing wrong with being any of those things, the problem is that these words have become meaningless without context or proof. They appear in thousands of applications and fail to differentiate one candidate from another.
So, how do you stand out in a sea of sameness? The answer is to stop guessing and start aligning your language with the actual needs of the job. Instead of leaning on fluff, you can use a simple, data-driven approach to make sure your CV and cover letter speak directly to the employer- using their own language.
The Problem with Buzzwords
Buzzwords are tempting because they sound good. But they’re often too generic to carry real meaning. Describing yourself as “results-oriented” doesn’t actually tell a hiring manager what kind of results you’ve delivered. Saying you’re a “go-getter” raises more questions than it answers. Without – context or evidence, these words amount to fillernot content.
Worse, they can distract from what really matters: showing that you understand the job and are capable of doing it. Instead of relying on buzzwords, a better strategy is to mirror the specific language found in job descriptions- the actual terms hiring managers and recruiters care about.
A Smarter Approach: Let the Job Description Guide You
Every job description is packed with useful information. Employers are essentially handing you a cheat sheet of the skills, experiences, and attributes they’re looking for. The more closely your CV and cover letter reflect that language- genuinely, not artificially- the more likely you are to make it past both the ATS and the recruiter.
But instead of analyzing every job description manually, you can use tools like ChatGPT to help extract the most common themes across multiple listings. This turns guesswork into strategy.
How to Use ChatGPT to Identify the Right Keywords
Here’s a step-by-step approach you can follow to make your CV more targeted and effective:
- Collect 5–10 job descriptions for roles similar to the one you’re applying for. These don’t have to be identical, but they should be in the same field, function, or industry.
- Copy and paste those job descriptions into ChatGPT, and ask it to analyze them. A simple prompt might be:
“Here are 10 job descriptions for [job title]. Can you analyze them and extract the most common hard skills, soft skills, certifications, tools, and keywords used?” - Review the output ChatGPT will highlight the most frequent skills, phrases, and expectations- often broken down into categories like:
- Hard skills (e.g. SQL, Figma, Excel, budgeting)
- Soft skills (e.g. problem-solving, leadership, communication)
- Common phrases (e.g. “stakeholder engagement,” “process improvement,” “agile methodology”)
- Incorporate these terms into your CV and cover letter, authentically. Don’t just dump keywords into a list. Instead, use them in context, showing how you’ve actually used those skills or met those expectations in past roles.
For example, instead of writing:
- “Strong communication skills”
You could write:
- “Led weekly cross-functional meetings between marketing and product teams, ensuring clear communication and on-time project delivery.”
This subtle shift shows, rather than tells, and uses the same language recruiters are scanning for.
How to Stay Authentic
A word of caution: don’t force keywords into your CV if they don’t represent your actual skills or experience. Recruiters can sense when you’re bluffing, and misrepresenting yourself can backfire in interviews. If a recurring skill or tool keeps showing up in job descriptions and you don’t have it yet, consider it a learning opportunity- not something to fake.
Applying the Same Approach to Cover Letters
This method works just as well for cover letters. A strong cover letter opens with a clear, specific hook, and then aligns your experience with what the employer is asking for- again, using their language.
Rather than vaguely stating why you’re interested in the company, show that you understand what the role requires and why you’re uniquely suited to deliver value. If the job ad mentions “driving operational efficiency,” mention a time you streamlined a workflow or improved a process- and quantify the results where possible.
Final Thoughts
Buzzwords are easy, but empty. If you want your CV and cover letter to land interviews, focus instead on alignment- not embellishment. The language you use should reflect the real needs of the job, not what you think sounds impressive. With tools like ChatGPT, it’s easier than ever to reverse-engineer job descriptions and use their wording to your advantage- thoughtfully and truthfully.
So next time you sit down to update your CV, skip the “motivated self-starter” routine. Gather a few job ads, copy them into ChatGPT, and start identifying the skills and language that really matter.
