Generative AI models like Chat GPT, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot can be useful tools for career development. This page provides helpful prompts you can use with AI tools for your job/internship search.
Remember that AI is a great start, but any documents & career planning should be reviewed by a Career Coach before being used for applications. Also, remember that AI creates a far inferior product to one you could develop through considerable effort and dedication.
Exploring Careers
Connecting Major/Interests to Careers
Prompt: I am interested in [interests] majoring in [major] what are some potential career options for me?
Learning About a Career or Job
Prompt: What tasks and responsibilities are completed as a [job title]?
Resume Prompts
Developing a Resume Template
Prompt: I am a [Year] (EX: Sophomore) at CUNY Brooklyn College, studying [Major]EX: Computer Science], seeking internships. Can you provide a sample resume that does not falsify any experiences, only includes my name at the top of the resume, and meets these specifications: [copy + paste resume checklist text from Career Document Guide]
Modifying Existing Resume
- Prompt 1: I will provide my resume text first, then in the second message I will provide a resume checklist that needs to be used to edit my resume. Here is my resume: [paste resume text or upload file]
- Prompt 2: Here is the checklist: [copy + paste resume checklist text from Career Document Guide]
Catering Resume to Job Description
- Prompt 1: I will provide my resume text [or upload file] first, then in the second message I will provide a job description that needs to be used to cater my resume by adding keywords. Here is my resume: [paste your full resume text or upload file]
- Prompt 2: Here is the job description [copy + paste job description text]
Cover Letter Prompts
Developing a Cover Letter Template
- Prompt 1: I am a [Year] EX: Sophomore] at CUNY Brooklyn College, studying [Major]EX: Computer Science], seeking internships. Create a one-page cover letter template based on my resume and a cover letter checklist, which I will send in separate messages. Here is the resume: [copy + paste resume text or upload file]
- Prompt 2: Here is the checklist: [paste cover letter checklist text from Career Document Guide]
Improving Existing Cover Letter
- Prompt 1: I will provide my cover letter text first, then in the second message I will provide a resume checklist that needs to be used to edit my provided cover letter text. Here is my resume: [paste your cover letter text]
- Prompt 2: Here is the checklist: [paste cover letter checklist text from Career Document Guide]
Also, check out: Ben Broch’s Cover Letter Copilot: which creates cover letters based on job description & resume.
Informational Interviewing Prompts
Prompt: I am interested in [interests] majoring in [major] what are some topics I can discuss with industry professionals. I’m not sure where to even start.
Job + Internship Search Prompts
Finding Job/Internship Search Platforms
Prompt: I am a [Year] [EX: Sophomore] at CUNY Brooklyn College, studying [Major] [EX: Computer Science]. Can you find me 10 (*or remove number*) internship & job application platforms that I can use?
Finding Potential Job/Internships Titles
Prompt: I am going to first provide my resume text, then I’d like you to provide me with a list of 20 internship/job titles I should target based on my experiences. Here is the resume text: [paste your resume text or upload file]
Finding Professional Associations
Prompt: I am a [Year] [EX: Sophomore] at CUNY Brooklyn College, studying [Major] [EX: Computer Science]. I am going to first provide my resume text, then I’d like you to provide me with a list of 20 professional association organizations I should target based on my experiences. Here is the resume text: [paste your resume text or upload file]
Finding Companies to Apply to
Prompt: I’m looking for entry-level positions as a [career title]. Share companies in [location/region/city/country] that hire for this role?
Interview Preparation Prompts
Interview Questions
Prompt: I am going to first provide my resume text, then a job description. After receiving both, please create sample interview questions I may be asked. Here is the resume text: [paste your resume text or upload file] and here is the job description [paste the job description or upload file]
Prompt: I am interviewing for a position as a [career title]. Give me a list of the most common questions asked in an interview for this position.
Elevator Pitch
Prompt: I am going to first provide my resume text, then create an elevator pitch I can be used for employers in [industry]
Additional Resources:
- Use ChatGPT’s voice chat feature in the phone app to interview in real-time. You can also ask for advice on how to respond to challenging questions
- Check out: Adzuna: a comprehensive interview preparation tool & question generator through AI
LinkedIn Optimization Prompts
Drafting LinkedIn About Section
Prompt: I will provide my resume text (or my entire LinkedIn profile). Create a sample LinkedIn about section, of at most 100 words. Here is the resume text: [paste your resume or upload file or LinkedIn profile text]
Highlighting In-Demand Certifications
- Prompt 1: I will first provide my resume text, then next send a job description. After I send both entries, then create a list of certifications on LinkedIn Learning that I should pursue to make myself a more competitive applicant. Here is my resume: [paste your resume text or upload file]
- Prompt 2: Here is the job description from [insert company name]: [paste job description]
Magner Career Center Workshop About Using AI in the Job Search
