We are already living in the AI age, and there are many ways we can put AI tools and platforms to work to help us in day-to-day life.
It’s quickly becoming clear that while AI won’t replace all humans, humans who can use AI will replace those who can’t. One area where there are many ways to give ourselves an advantage is job seeking.
From researching the options available to preparing cover letters and CVs, generative AI – including many free tools like ChatGPT – can help hone our competitive edge and stand out from the crowd.
So, here’s my simple guide to some of the best prompts for helping you with your job search and maximizing your chances of success.
(Please note that these prompts were created and tested using the paid-for ChatGPT Pro service, but you should also be able to use them on the free version as well as other LLM-based genAI chatbots like Gemini or Claude.)
Act As A Career Advisor
Thinking of looking for a new job? Get some help with working out what kind of roles you might be suitable for and where to look for them:
“Please help me find job vacancies that match my career goals. My current job is [insert job title] and I have [insert number] years’ experience. Act as a career advisor and help work out what my next step should be and where I should look for roles. Ask me any questions you need to know the answer to in order to advise me, one at a time. When you have enough information, suggest roles either within my current industry or outside of it, that I might be suitable for, according to my skills, experience and aspirations. Then advise me on job boards and websites, as well as other channels such as recruiters or networking opportunities, where I will find suitable vacancies, and keywords to use while searching.”
Researching A Job Role
A thorough understanding of the skillset and level of experience required is critical for landing a job. Here’s a prompt to help you research this:
“I want to apply for positions as a [insert job title]. Please provide me with up-to-date information on the skills and qualifications usually required for this role, examples of prior experience or work experience that would make me an exceptional candidate during a recruitment process for this role, information on the soft skills, aptitudes and personality traits that employers are likely to recognize as valuable in this role, and suggestions for recognized certifications or training that would improve my chances of success.”
Write A Cover Letter For A Job Application
Craft on-point cover letters with this handy prompt:
“Please help write a professional and convincing cover letter to go with my application for at [insert company]. First, ask for the job ad or job description; if I have one, then ask me questions, one at a time, to understand why I’m applying for the position, what makes me a good candidate for the role, and why I’m interested in working at the company. Then craft a cover letter of around 200 words that is attention-grabbing, customized to the specific role and company, highlights what makes me an ideal candidate for the position, and details what I can bring to the company. Ensure that the tone of the letter is enthusiastic, positive and professional.”
Writing A Perfect Personal Statement For A CV Or Resume
A personal statement helps recruiters get a quick overview of you as an applicant and should be tailored to the specific requirements of the position you’re applying for:
“Please help me generate a personal statement for a CV to support my application for the role of [insert job title] at [insert company]. First, ask me to provide the relevant job ad or job description of the role, if I have one. Then ask me any questions you need to, to understand why I am the perfect candidate for the job, and how my skills, qualifications, experiences and background are suited to the role. Ask the questions one at a time and when you have enough information, craft a statement of up to 150 words that is polished, attention-grabbing, professional and maximizes my chances of being selected to progress in the recruitment process.”
Preparing For An Interview
Use this prompt to carry out a mock job interview for any position:
“I want you to act as a recruiter for [company name], which is [describe the company and what it does]. Ask me questions that I am likely to be asked in an interview for the position of [insert job title]. Ask the questions one at a time, and ask me follow-up questions if you don’t get all the information you need from me. Ensure questions are appropriate for the level of seniority and the experience requirements of the role. When you have asked me all the questions you need in order to assess my suitability for the role, give me feedback on how well I did, and advice on how I could have improved my interview performance.”
The job market continues to evolve rapidly, and leveraging AI tools effectively can give you a significant competitive advantage. Whether you’re actively job hunting or simply exploring your options, these prompts serve as your AI-powered career coach, helping you navigate every step of the process. Remember, the key is to use these prompts as starting points and customize them to your specific situation. By combining AI’s capabilities with your unique experience and insights, you’ll be well-equipped to take your next career step with confidence.