How to write a resume with AI in Word — free templates and Copilot tips

A resume is a document that captures skills, experience, and achievements to show employers exactly why a candidate suits the role. With most recruiters now using applicant tracking system (ATS) software, a keyword-rich, well-formatted resume clears ATS filters, reaches hiring managers, and helps secure interviews.

Create a targeted, ATS-ready resume with Copilot in Microsoft Word, or start with a pre-formatted template from the AI resume builder.

Explore seven ways AI supports every stage, from drafting an outline to producing a polished resume in Microsoft Word.

How to write a resume with AI

Create a new resume using the AI resume builder in Word. Follow these steps to produce a structured draft using career history, existing documents, or LinkedIn content.

1. Open a new Word document to use Copilot to begin drafting a resume outline.

2. Attach existing resumes, CVs, or job application letters from OneDrive, or paste relevant LinkedIn profile content into the document.

3. Review the resume draft by asking Copilot to refine tone, format, or style as needed.

4. Insert the generated content into the Word document by copying and pasting it or selecting Add to doc.

5. Save, export, and share a finished resume as a PDF.

How to write a resume with templates and AI

Start with a resume template in Word, then use Copilot to help draft and populate key sections with relevant experience and skills.

1. Open Word for the web to explore resume templates.

2. Select a template to create a new resume with pre‑formatted sections like a summary, work experience, and skills.

3. Chat with Copilot in Word to replace template example text with personalized and job-specific copy.

4. Review the Copilot draft, and edit details like job titles, dates, and achievements to ensure accuracy.

5. Repeat this process for each section to build a complete resume with AI.

6. Save and export a resume as a PDF.

Seven ways AI can help write a resume

Writing a resume involves more than listing experiences. Each of the seven resume sections below covers a different way Copilot in Word can strengthen every part of the process. Explore practical tips and example prompts to get the best results from the AI resume builder.

1. Create an AI-generated resume outline

Generate a resume outline with Copilot based on the target job title and description. Copilot returns suggested headings and descriptions to build from, ready to update with personal career details. Use the outline as a starting point, then refine with credentials and tone of voice to make it unique.

Use this prompt to structure a complete resume before adding career details and personal experience.

Create a clear resume outline for a [job title] role. Include sections for a professional summary, work experience, key skills, and education.Click to copy this Copilot prompt

2. Summarize career history and work experience from LinkedIn

Gather the key information to include in a resume, covering work experience, educational history, career qualifications, soft skills, and any volunteering interests relevant to the role. Save time by using Copilot to summarize information from an existing resume, a LinkedIn profile, or past job and project documents into a professional career summary.

To maximize a resume for a specific role, ask Copilot to suggest keywords and phrasing based the job description. Review and edit work experience, training, and skills to reflect those requirements. Strengthen every entry with specific and verifiable information, a storytelling framework, and measurable results.

Use this prompt to save time compiling work history into a role-specific experience section from an existing LinkedIn profile.

Use this LinkedIn profile content [URL], and summarize my career history into a professional resume experience section tailored to a [job title] role.Click to copy this Copilot prompt

3. Personalize a CV or resume template with Copilot

Customize a professional-looking resume template with Copilot to create a resume or CV more efficiently. Browse resume templates across popular job titles and career paths, available in a range of styles, color palettes, fonts, and layouts. From simple resume formats to more structured designs, there is a template to suit every career path and experience level. Choose the right resume format to best showcase skills, training, and experience, whether chronological, functional, or combination.

Select a template, highlight the example text, then use Copilot to generate tailored copy. Copilot keeps the existing layout intact while updating the content with personal career details. Attach a previously used resume file so Copilot can find and include relevant information directly. Chronological, functional, and combination formats are all available, each suited to different career stages and goals.

Use this prompt to refresh template content with role-specific language without changing the existing layout or formatting.

Rewrite the work experience section of this resume template for a [job title] role, reflecting [X] years of experience in [industry].Click to copy this Copilot prompt

4. Generate ATS-friendly resume keywords

Choosing the right format for a resume and adding ATS-compliant keywords are two of the most effective ways to get pass Applicant Tracking Systems. 88% of employers find they lose highly qualified candidates if their resumes don’t include ATS-friendly keywords. Try to include these suggested keywords within the resume summary section, skills section, and any relevant achievements or work experience sections.

Copilot can suggest ATS-relevant keywords based on a job description or role. Explore ATS-friendly resume templates in Word for an ATS-optimized layout.

Use this prompt to identify the most relevant keywords to include across the resume summary, skills, and experience sections.

Review this job description and suggest the top ATS keywords to include in a resume for this role: [paste job description].Click to copy this Copilot prompt

5. Add impactful verbs and phrases in skills section

Write an engaging and appealing resume with standout career-related verbs or phrases suggested by Copilot. Adding impactful verbs and phrases helps a resume sound more professional, with experiences and accomplishments framed in a stronger, more engaging way. Ask Copilot to suggest verbs and phrases for a specific job application, and it may return something like this.

• Leadership and management: spearheaded, orchestrated, pioneered, transformed, championed

• Innovation and problem solving: engineered, innovated, developed, devised, optimized

• Teamwork and collaboration: collaborated, partnered, aligned, coordinated, supported

• Growth and development: cultivated, expanded, advanced, strengthened, scaled

• Customer and client relations: nurtured, built, strengthened, retained, delivered

Copilot can review the skills section and suggest rewrites to better align with the job description. Copilot can also enhance the education and job qualifications section by writing about educational achievements professionally.

Use this prompt to replace generic language with stronger, role-specific alternatives that make the resume more competitive.

Suggest impactful action verbs and phrases for the skills section of a resume for a [job title] role in [industry].Click to copy this Copilot prompt

6. Rewrite professional summaries or career objectives

Use the professional summary to tell a career story in two or three compelling sentences, tailored to the target job or career path. Copilot drafts a focused professional summary that highlights key strengths, accomplishments, and career aspirations, creating a clear introduction to the resume.

When writing a professional summary, avoid generalizations or buzzwords and use profession-specific phrases instead. Use keywords from the job description to show alignment to the role's requirements. For applicants with no experience or those making a career change, a career objective works well, using transferable skills to demonstrate suitability for the role.

Use this prompt to craft a focused two-to-three sentence opening that aligns with the target role and highlights key strengths clearly.

Rewrite the professional summary section of this resume for a [job title] role. Limit it to two or three sentences and emphasize [key strengths].Click to copy this Copilot prompt

7. Convert a resume into a cover letter

Copilot in Word can help draft a cover letter based on the skills and experience outlined in a resume. Using the details and accomplishments within a resume as a foundation, Copilot generates a cover letter template aligned with the specific job requirements. The AI cover letter generator presents skills and experience in a way that complements the resume and strengthens the overall application.

Use this prompt to produce a complete cover letter draft based on existing resume content, ready to personalize and submit.

Using this resume, draft a cover letter for a [job title] role at [company type]. Keep the tone professional and concise.Click to copy this Copilot prompt

How to choose the right resume format

Resume format determines how experience, skills, and achievements appear on the page. Three formats are widely used, each suited to a different career stage and job application goal.

• Reverse chronological: lists work experience from the most recent role backwards. Best for candidates with a consistent work history in the same field and clear career progression.

• Functional: organizes content by skills and strengths rather than work timeline. A strong fit for career changers, consultants, or candidates with employment gaps.

• Combination: blends a skills summary with a reverse-chronological work history. Best for candidates with varied experience or those moving into a related role.

For a detailed breakdown of each format and help choosing the right one, explore how to format a resume in Word.

How to write an ATS-friendly resume with AI

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) filter resumes based on keywords, formatting, and structure before they reach a recruiter. A well-structured, keyword-rich resume increases the chance of passing that initial screening. Copilot in Word helps optimize resumes for ATS requirements based on each specific job description.

• Use job description keywords: include the exact terms from the job advertisement in the resume summary, skills, and experience sections. Ask Copilot to identify the most relevant keywords from any job description.

• Keep formatting simple: single-column layouts, standard fonts, and consistent spacing are easier for ATS to read than complex or multi-column designs.

• Avoid tables and graphics: images, icons, charts, and tables can prevent ATS from reading resume content correctly. Keep the layout clean and text-based.

• Use standard section headings: titles like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills" help ATS categorize resume content accurately. Avoid creative heading alternatives.

Four resume examples generated with AI

One of the most effective ways Copilot improves resumes is by transforming task-based descriptions into achievement-led statements. Copilot adds quantification, clarity, and measurable impact to experience sections. Here are four examples of how Copilot sharpens resume entries.

Before: "Responsible for managing social media campaigns"

After: "Managed social media campaigns that grew audience engagement by 35% over six months"

Before: "Worked with the sales team to generate leads"

After: "Partnered with the sales team to generate over 120 qualified leads per quarter, contributing to a 20% revenue increase"

Before: "Helped with customer service queries"

After: "Resolved over 50 customer service queries weekly, maintaining a 98% satisfaction rating"

Before: "Assisted with project management tasks"

After: "Coordinated timelines and deliverables across three cross-functional teams, delivering all projects on time and within budget"

How to edit an existing resume with Copilot in Word

1. Open Word for the web, then select an existing resume from OneDrive. If a resume is saved as a PDF, convert it into an editable Word document before making updates.

2. Click on Copilot in Word to open. From here, highlight specific resume sections, such as work experience, summary, or skills list to review and improve.

3. Ask Copilot to refine bullet points by emphasizing achievements or responsibilities that relate to the job you’re applying for.

4. To ensure resumes communicate experience effectively, ask Copilot to simplify complex sentences or adjust tone to suit different roles or industries.

5. If a resume lists tasks instead of outcomes, Copilot can help strengthen descriptions by focusing on results or contributions. Copilot can also help tailor a personal or professional summary to reflect the skills listed in the job description.

6. Review revised resumes to ensure all details accurately reflect experience. Save or export a resume as a PDF for submission.

Helpful tips when using Copilot to write resumes

• Ask Copilot to adjust, edit, or add information: Copilot produces responses in seconds and can refine content, add details, or adjust sections at any stage. Ask Copilot to generate another response at any point to keep improving the resume.

• Add specific examples: to generate accurate and relevant Copilot suggestions, enter examples of career path or job title related achievements and responsibilities. This gives Copilot context about experience and skills to generate accurate suggestions.

• Refine and edit the resume outline: Copilot creates a resume or CV draft based on the career details provided. Personalize the content to suit individual style and tone, and aim for clear, concise language throughout.

• Avoid common AI resume mistakes: check every section of AI-generated content carefully and edit anything that does not accurately reflect skills, experience, or career goals.

• Check accuracy and proofread before sending: always review resumes for factual accuracy, consistent formatting, and any errors before submitting. Use document editor in Word for a final check.

A polished resume keeps experience visible, skills relevant, and job applications competitive. Build a targeted, ATS-ready resume using the AI resume builder and Copilot in Microsoft Word.

For more job application tips, explore best resume fonts and sizes and how to write a cover letter.