50 AI prompts to help you take control of your career, even if you’re not job hunting.
Let’s be honest, most people are using ChatGPT all wrong.
They’re asking it to “write my CV” or “score my application” and getting back fluff, clichés, or nonsense. No wonder it feels like a waste of time.
But when you use AI properly with the right inputs, the right context, and the right questions it’s powerful. It can give you clarity. Speed. Confidence. Structure.
These 50 prompts were built for people like you:
- You might be thinking about a change, but not sure what.
- You might want a raise or promotion but hate the politics.
- You might be quietly job searching, or just done feeling stuck.
Wherever you’re at, these prompts will help you think clearer, act faster, and move more confidently.
This is not just a tool for job hunting. It’s a tool for taking your career seriously.
How to Use It
Each prompt includes:
- The use case (what problem it solves)
- What to provide (so you don’t get generic answers)
- A copy-and-paste prompt to use in ChatGPT or your AI tool of choice
- A follow-up to refine or go deeper, if you want to push the quality of your results
Use it like a toolkit. Don’t try to do everything. Start with what’s most useful right now.
Section 1: CV & Career Positioning
Prompt 01 – Rewriting Weak CV Bullets That Undersell You
Use case: You’re struggling to turn “boring” job tasks into CV bullets that sound strong, measurable, and impact-focused.
What to provide:
• The current CV bullet (1 sentence)
• The job title you’re applying for
• What success in that role looks like
Prompt:
“Rewrite this CV bullet so it sounds impact-driven, not task-based. Make it appropriate for someone applying to [insert job title]. Here’s the original: ‘[Paste your current CV bullet]’ Focus the rewrite around outcomes that matter to this role. Avoid fluff. Keep it under 2 lines.”
Follow-up:
“Give me two alternate rewrites—one more detailed, one punchier.”
Prompt 02 – Creating a STAR Story That Doesn’t Sound Like a Script
Use case: You need to prep for a behavioural interview question, but your examples feel flat, forgettable, or robotic.
What to provide:
• A real experience you want to talk about
• What the challenge was
• The actions you took
• What the result was
Prompt:
“Turn this real experience into a STAR-format interview answer:
• Situation: [briefly describe]
• Task: [describe your objective]
• Action: [what you actually did]
• Result: [what happened + impact]
Rewrite it as a natural, confident 5-sentence answer. No corporate speak. Make it sound like I’m talking to a human.”
Follow-up:
“Now rewrite it slightly shorter, with more emphasis on measurable results.”
Prompt 03 – Crafting a CV Profile That Reflects Your Actual Career Path
Use case: You’re writing a personal profile and don’t want it to sound like every other generic “experienced professional seeking opportunities.”
What to provide:
• 2–3 key roles you’ve had
• Industries you’ve worked in
• Strengths you’re known for
• A sense of what you’re looking for next
Prompt:
“Based on this experience, write a confident CV personal profile that avoids clichés. It should highlight:
• The industries I’ve worked in: [insert]
• My past roles: [insert]
• My known strengths: [insert]
• What I’m moving toward: [insert]
Write it in under 4 lines. UK tone. Clear, credible, but human.”
Follow-up:
“Give me two alternate versions—one slightly more direct, one with a warmer tone.”
Prompt 04 – Negotiating a Pay Rise After Being Undervalued
Use case: You’ve taken on more responsibility at work, and now it’s time to ask for a raise—but you’re worried about tone, timing, and how to phrase it.
What to provide:
• What your current responsibilities are
• What’s changed since your last pay review
• Why you think you deserve a raise (specific wins)
Prompt:
“Write me a professional email to request a salary review. Include:
• The extra responsibility I’ve taken on: [insert]
• Key achievements since my last raise: [insert]
• A calm but confident tone
• No hard numbers yet—just a request to open the conversation.”
Follow-up:
“Rewrite it for Slack instead of email—shorter, more conversational, but still professional.”
Prompt 05 – Making a Career Pivot Without Sounding Lost
Use case: You’re changing industries or roles and need to position your experience as relevant—without looking like you’re unsure of your direction.
What to provide:
• Your current job/industry
• The job/industry you’re targeting
• 3–5 transferable skills or experiences
• What makes you want the change
Prompt:
“I’m pivoting from [current industry] to [target industry]. Based on the following transferable skills and motivations:
• Skills: [insert 3–5]
• Why I want this change: [insert reason]
Write a short summary I can use in a cover letter or personal statement. It should sound confident, future-focused, and explain why this makes sense—without over-defending it.”
Follow-up:
“Now rewrite it for LinkedIn. More conversational, less formal.”
Section 2: Interview Prep That Actually Works
Prompt 06 – Turning “I do everything” into a clear professional identity
Use case: You’re a generalist, a hybrid role holder, or you’ve worn a lot of hats—and now you need to describe what you actually do in a way that’s useful for recruiters, interviews, or LinkedIn.
What to provide:
• Your job title
• The types of tasks/projects you do
• The outcome you deliver
• The audience/teams you work with
Prompt:
“Summarise this role into a 2–3 sentence CV blurb that clearly explains what I do and why it matters.
• Job title: [insert]
• Main responsibilities: [insert]
• Types of outcomes delivered: [insert]
• Who I work with: [insert] Make it sound like something a recruiter or hiring manager could immediately understand.”
Prompt 07 – Following up on a job application without sounding desperate
Use case: You applied for a role, haven’t heard back, and want to follow up in a way that sounds interested—not annoying.
What to provide:
• The job title and company
• When you applied
• Why you’re interested
• Anything you want to remind them of (e.g. connection, referral, previous contact)
Prompt:
“Write me a polite and concise email to follow up on this job application:
• Role: [insert]
• Company: [insert]
• Applied on: [insert date]
• Why I’m genuinely interested: [insert 1–2 lines] Include a line that opens the door for re-engagement without applying pressure.”
Prompt 08 – Starting a salary conversation internally
Use case: You’ve been in your role a while, and you want to explore a raise—but you’re not sure how to open the conversation professionally.
What to provide:
• Your current role + time in position
• Achievements or increased scope since your last review
• Your preferred channel (email, Slack, in person)
Prompt:
“Write me a professional message I can send to request a salary conversation.
• I’ve been in my role for [X time]
• Since then, I’ve done: [insert key wins or responsibilities]
• I’d like to initiate a discussion about compensation Make it appropriate for [email/Slack/in-person cue] and avoid sounding entitled or vague.”
Prompt 09 – Fixing a generic “Tell me about yourself” answer
Use case: You’ve got an answer to the most common interview opener, but it’s too rambling, too rehearsed, or too empty.
What to provide:
• Your current role
• A one-line summary of your background
• What makes you different from other candidates
• Why you’re interested in the role
Prompt:
“Rewrite this ‘Tell me about yourself’ answer to be tight, structured, and conversational. Include:
• My background: [insert]
• My strengths or differentiators: [insert]
• What I’m excited about next: [insert] Make it sound confident, but not robotic.”
Prompt 10 – Turning your annual review into a strong self-pitch
Use case: Your performance review is coming up and you want to prepare a punchy summary that showcases your impact.
What to provide:
• 3–5 achievements
• Any specific results or feedback
• What you’re aiming for next (e.g. growth, promotion)
Prompt:
“Turn these achievements and outcomes into a 2-minute verbal summary I can use in my performance review or 1:1.
• Wins: [insert]
• Metrics or impact: [insert]
• What I’m aiming for: [insert] Make it sound prepared, but not like I memorised a script.”
Section 3: Strategic Clarity & Career Moves
Prompt 11 – Handling the “Why are you leaving your current role?” question
Use case: You need to explain a job change (or desire for one) without sounding bitter, bored, or flaky.
What to provide:
• Your current job/industry
• What’s motivating the change
• What you’re moving toward
Prompt:
“Help me answer ‘Why are you looking to leave?’ in a job interview.
• Current role: [insert]
• Motivation for change: [insert]
• What I’m aiming for next: [insert] Make it sound thoughtful, forward-looking, and balanced—no complaining.”
Prompt 12 – Explaining a career gap with confidence
Use case: You’ve taken time off (for caregiving, burnout, redundancy, etc.) and want to explain it professionally.
What to provide:
• Length and dates of the gap
• Reason (briefly)
• What you’ve been doing since
• What you’re ready for now
Prompt:
“Write a short explanation I can use in my CV or an interview to explain this gap:
• Duration: [insert]
• Reason: [insert]
• How I’ve used the time: [insert]
• What I’m now ready to do: [insert] Keep it honest, unemotional, and forward-focused.”
Prompt 13 – Crafting an elevator pitch for networking or events
Use case: You need to introduce yourself professionally in under 30 seconds—without freezing or rambling.
What to provide:
• Your job title/role
• What you actually do
• What problems you solve
• Who you help
Prompt:
“Write me a 30-second intro I can use at a networking event, panel, or in conversation.
• Role: [insert]
• Value I deliver: [insert]
• Who I help / work with: [insert] Tone: natural, not too slick. Sound like a real person.”
Prompt 14 – Rewriting task-based CV bullets into results
Use case: Your CV is a long list of responsibilities—and you want to turn them into proof of value.
What to provide:
• Your raw CV bullet (task-based)
• What the result or impact was (if known)
• Your job title and target industry
Prompt:
“Rewrite this CV bullet so it focuses on outcomes and value.
• Original: [insert]
• Result/impact: [insert]
• Target role/industry: [insert] Keep it under 2 lines and avoid vague verbs.”
Prompt 15 – Identifying hidden strengths for a career change
Use case: You’re not sure what transferable strengths you have—and want to clarify what makes you valuable in another field.
What to provide:
• Your last 2 job titles
• 3–5 tasks or projects you were good at
• What others have praised you for
• The type of role or industry you want to move into
Prompt:
“Based on this background, tell me what transferable strengths I can highlight in a career change:
• Roles: [insert]
• What I did well: [insert]
• What people said I was good at: [insert]
• Target role/industry: [insert] Summarise the strengths I should lead with and why they matter in the new space.”
Section 4: Interview Prep & Confidence Builders
Prompt 16 – Practising interviews without getting generic questions
Use case: You want to practise answering realistic interview questions tailored to your role—not random, overly general ones.
What to provide:
• The job title you’re applying for
• The industry or type of company
• Optional: the level (entry, mid, senior)
Prompt:
“Act as a professional interviewer hiring for a [job title] in [industry]. Ask me 5 behavioural or situational questions that reflect the challenges and priorities of this kind of role. After each question, wait for my answer. Then critique my response for clarity, relevance, tone, and conciseness. Don’t be overly polite—give useful feedback.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now ask me 3 more challenging questions specific to senior stakeholder communication and business impact.”
Prompt 17 – Turning a good story into a great STAR answer
Use case: You’ve got a decent example to share in interviews, but it feels a little flat or long-winded.
What to provide:
• A rough draft of the STAR story (or bullet points)
• What skill or trait it’s meant to demonstrate
• The target role/industry
Prompt:
“Here’s my STAR story. Rewrite it into a compelling, confident 5-sentence answer suitable for a [role/industry] interview.
• Story: [paste]
• It’s meant to show: [insert skill or trait] Keep it conversational, avoid buzzwords, and write it like something I’d actually say out loud.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Make it slightly more concise while adding one metric or outcome to make it stronger.”
Prompt 18 – Fixing a weak “strengths and weaknesses” response
Use case: Your answers to this question feel either too generic, too scripted, or too much like “fake weaknesses.”
What to provide:
• How you currently describe your top strength
• How you currently describe your main weakness
• What kind of job you’re applying for
Prompt:
“Help me rewrite my ‘strengths and weaknesses’ interview answers so they sound self-aware and credible—without being boring or cliché.
• Strength: [insert]
• Weakness: [insert] I’m applying for a [role]. Make sure it aligns with what someone in that role is expected to bring, and shows I’ve reflected on how I work.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now give me an alternative version of each that I could use in more senior-level interviews.”
Prompt 19 – Rehearsing the “walk me through your CV” question
Use case: You want a confident, structured way to tell your career story quickly and clearly without rambling.
What to provide:
• Your last 3 roles
• Key transitions or promotions
• What you’re aiming for next
Prompt:
“Summarise my career path as a 60–90 second verbal response to ‘Walk me through your CV.’
• Roles: [insert list]
• Notable transitions or promotions: [insert]
• I’m aiming for: [insert next role/industry] Make it sound confident, chronological, and focused on why I’m a good fit now—not just a list of jobs.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now rewrite it slightly more casually for use in informal conversations or networking.”
Prompt 20 – Identifying why your interviews don’t convert
Use case: You keep getting to final rounds or past the first interview but never land the offer—and you don’t know why.
What to provide:
• The roles you’ve been interviewing for
• A brief description of how your interviews typically go
• Any feedback (or lack of) you’ve received
Prompt:
“Act as a career coach. Based on the following summary of my interview performance, tell me what might be going wrong and what to work on.
• Roles I’ve interviewed for: [insert]
• What usually happens in interviews: [insert summary]
• Feedback I’ve received: [insert] Be honest, strategic, and assume I want to improve—not just feel better.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Suggest 3 targeted strategies to test in my next round of interviews.”
Section 5: Salary, Negotiation & Offers
Prompt 21 – Practising salary expectations without flinching
Use case: You dread the “What are your salary expectations?” question and want to sound confident and calm—not panicked or vague.
What to provide:
• Your desired salary range
• The role and location
• Whether this is for email, in-person, or phone
Prompt:
“Write 3 ways I can confidently answer the salary expectations question for a [job title] role in [location]. My ideal range is [insert]. Give one version for a written answer, one for in-person, and one that uses a deflection if I don’t want to give a number yet.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now give me one extra version for when I do want to anchor high, but still seem open to negotiation.”
Prompt 22 – Pushing back on a low offer professionally
Use case: You received an offer, but it’s too low—and you want to counter without sounding greedy or defensive.
What to provide:
• The job title and company
• The offer details
• Why you feel the offer is below market
• What you’d ideally like instead
Prompt:
“Write me a respectful, assertive email to push back on a job offer that’s below expectations.
• Role: [insert]
• Company: [insert]
• Original offer: [insert]
• My preferred package: [insert] Keep it warm and collaborative. I want to stay in the running but signal that I expect more.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Give me a shorter version I could say on a phone call that keeps the tone positive but firm.”
Prompt 23 – Negotiating benefits beyond base salary
Use case: The salary is okay—but you want to negotiate flexibility, working hours, or development budget.
What to provide:
• The parts of the offer you’re happy with
• The areas you’d like improved (e.g. remote days, learning budget)
• Tone (polite, confident, exploratory)
Prompt:
“Write me a negotiation email that focuses on adjusting the offer benefits rather than base salary.
• Things I like: [insert]
• Things I’d like improved: [insert]
• My tone: [insert—e.g. confident but collaborative] Frame it as a professional, reasonable request—not a demand.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now write me a script to say the same thing in a live conversation.”
Prompt 24 – Avoiding the “current salary” trap gracefully
Use case: You’re asked about your current salary during the hiring process and want to protect your future negotiation position.
What to provide:
• Your actual current salary (optional)
• The salary range you’re targeting
• Whether you’re replying by email, phone, or form
Prompt:
“Write me a professional response to ‘What’s your current salary?’
• If asked by email: [Yes/No]
• If asked in a form: [Yes/No]
• If asked on a call: [Yes/No] I want to stay polite and open, but not reveal my current pay if I don’t have to.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Write one extra version for internal recruiters, and one for agencies.”
Prompt 25 – Following up when the offer disappears into silence
Use case: You’ve been verbally offered a role, but it’s been a week and the formal offer hasn’t come through. You want to check in without sounding nervous or impatient.
What to provide:
• Date of verbal offer
• Person you spoke with
• The job title
• Whether you want to add urgency (e.g. other interviews)
Prompt:
“Write a short, professional email to follow up on a verbal offer that hasn’t been followed up in writing after [insert days].
• Spoke with: [insert]
• Job: [insert] Optional: Mention that I’m in other conversations but still very interested. Keep the tone warm and calm.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now rewrite it for a message I can send via LinkedIn or Slack if they’ve ghosted me on email.”
Section 6: Exit Plans & Resignation
Prompt 26 – Resigning professionally when you’re ready to move on
Use case: You’ve made the decision to resign and want to send a clear, respectful email that leaves things on a good note.
What to provide:
• Your current role and team
• Your notice period (contractual or agreed)
• Optional: a sentence of appreciation or acknowledgement
Prompt:
“Write me a professional resignation email for my role as [insert title], with [insert notice period]. Keep it clear and polite. I want to include one sentence of appreciation, but I don’t want to overdo it or sound fake. Tone: respectful, mature, and confident.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now rewrite it as a message I could send over Slack, if I want to set up a formal chat before sending the official email.”
Prompt 27 – Setting boundaries during your notice period
Use case: You’ve resigned and people are piling on last-minute work—you need to politely push back.
What to provide:
• What’s been asked of you
• How much time you realistically have
• Your tone (firm, polite, collaborative)
Prompt:
“Write me a short message I can send during my notice period to set expectations on what I can realistically deliver.
• Requests made: [insert]
• Time left: [insert]
• Tone: [insert] Make it polite and clear—I want to be helpful but not taken advantage of.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now write a line I can use in meetings when someone tries to assign me something unrealistic.”
Prompt 28 – Explaining your departure without bitterness
Use case: Colleagues or interviewers ask “Why are you leaving?” and you want to be honest without throwing shade.
What to provide:
• Your real reason for leaving
• The tone you want to strike (neutral, positive, forward-looking)
Prompt:
“Help me answer the question ‘Why are you leaving?’ in a way that’s honest but doesn’t badmouth anyone.
• Reason: [insert]
• Tone: [insert] I want to keep the focus on what I’m moving toward—not what I’m escaping from.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now rewrite it for an interview scenario—slightly more polished and strategic.”
Prompt 29 – Turning down a counteroffer without burning bridges
Use case: Your employer offers you a raise to stay, but you’ve already made up your mind to leave.
What to provide:
• What the counteroffer included
• Your reason for still leaving
• Whether you want to keep in touch
Prompt:
“Write me a short, professional message to turn down a counteroffer.
• What was offered: [insert]
• Why I’m still leaving: [insert] Keep it gracious and polite—I want to stay on good terms.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now rewrite it as something I could say verbally in a 1:1 with my manager.”
Prompt 30 – Resigning from a toxic job without starting a fire
Use case: The workplace is bad, but you don’t want your resignation email to come across as emotional, angry, or accusatory.
What to provide:
• How long you’ve been there
• Whether you want to say anything about the experience (or not)
• Your notice period
Prompt:
“Write me a professional resignation email that keeps it brief and civil—no drama. I’ve been there [X time], and I don’t want to pretend it was great, but I also don’t want to write anything I’ll regret.
• Notice period: [insert] Give me a calm, respectful tone.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now give me a one-liner I can use when people ask ‘So… what happened?’ that shuts it down without being rude.”
Section 7: Networking, Brand & Visibility
Prompt 31 – Posting on LinkedIn without sounding like a motivational speaker
Use case: You want to share your thoughts or wins on LinkedIn but hate the idea of sounding performative or braggy.
What to provide:
• A recent project, reflection, or win
• Why you want to share it (insight, value, visibility?)
• Your writing tone (casual, reflective, sharp)
Prompt:
“Write me a short LinkedIn post based on this experience or reflection: [insert]. I want to share it in a way that feels real—not cheesy or self-congratulatory. Tone: [insert tone] Include one sentence that invites conversation or adds value to others.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now give me a shorter version I could test as a comment or reply post instead.”
Prompt 32 – Messaging someone you admire without sounding weird
Use case: You want to reach out to someone you respect on LinkedIn but don’t want to fanboy/fangirl or beg for help.
What to provide:
• Who the person is and why you admire them
• The reason you’re reaching out
• Any common context (industry, topic, referral)
Prompt:
“Write me a DM I can send to [insert person] on LinkedIn. I want to compliment their work and open the door to a quick conversation or
connection. Avoid sounding needy, formal, or like I’m pitching anything. Include just 2–3 sentences max.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now rewrite it for someone I don’t admire but want to learn from.”
Prompt 33 – Reconnecting with someone you accidentally ghosted
Use case: You dropped a conversation or forgot to follow up months ago. Now you want to reconnect without it being awkward.
What to provide:
• Who the person is and how you originally connected
• Whether you actually owe them a response
• Your reason for reengaging
Prompt:
“Write me a short message I can send to someone I lost touch with months ago.
• We spoke about: [insert]
• I dropped the ball: [yes/no]
• I want to reconnect to: [insert] Tone: light, self-aware, no grovelling.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now write a 2-line version I could send on LinkedIn or email as a PS or reply to an old thread.”
Prompt 34 – Thanking someone without sounding robotic or generic
Use case: Someone referred you, gave you advice, or helped you in your search—and you want to thank them properly.
What to provide:
• What they did for you
• What impact it had
• Whether you got the role/outcome or not
Prompt:
“Write me a short thank-you message I can send to [name] who [insert support].
• Their advice/referral helped me [insert result or insight]. Keep it specific and warm, not templated.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now write a version I can send even if I didn’t get the job but still appreciated their support.”
Prompt 35 – Building a personal brand when you’re not a ‘thought leader’
Use case: You want to be discoverable and respected in your space—but you’re not a manager, influencer, or big voice (yet).
What to provide:
• Your role, industry, and what you want to be known for
• Whether you prefer writing, speaking, or commenting
• Time you can realistically invest
Prompt:
“Give me 3 realistic ways to build a personal brand on LinkedIn without needing to post daily or sound like a guru.
• I’m a [insert role] in [insert industry].
• I want to be known for: [insert]
• I can commit to: [e.g. 1 post/week, comments only, no videos] Make it achievable and not cringe.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now give me one simple first action I can take this week to start building credibility quietly.”
Section 8: Career Design & Long-Term Strategy
Prompt 36 – Figuring out what’s actually wrong with your job
Use case: You’re restless, frustrated, or disengaged—but you’re not sure if the problem is the job, the environment, or something else.
What to provide:
• Your job title and a quick role summary
• What’s bothering you
• What’s not bothering you
• Whether you’re considering leaving
Prompt:
“Ask me 10 questions a career coach would ask to diagnose what’s not working in my current role.
• My role: [insert]
• What’s bothering me: [insert]
• What’s not the issue: [insert] I want insight, not platitudes. Help me figure out whether the job, the company, or my expectations are the problem.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Based on my answers, suggest one small test I could run to check whether I should stay or move on.”
Prompt 37 – Defining what you want next (without just picking a job title)
Use case: You’re ready for something new—but you don’t want to just jump to “what role should I apply for?”
What to provide:
• Work you’ve enjoyed in the past
• Work you want to avoid
• Your values and motivators
• Any roles or industries you’re curious about
Prompt:
“Help me define my ideal next step at work based on these preferences.
• Things I’ve enjoyed doing: [insert]
• Things I don’t want again: [insert]
• What motivates me: [insert]
• Industries I’m curious about: [insert] I want a one-paragraph description of what kind of work I should aim for—not just a list of job titles.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now suggest 3 real roles that match this description, even if they’re outside my current industry.”
Prompt 38 – Creating a no-pressure 90-day career progress plan
Use case: You’re not ready to apply or quit yet—but you don’t want to drift for another 6 months, either.
What to provide:
• One thing you’d like to figure out
• One skill or area you want to grow in
• Your bandwidth (e.g. evenings only, 2 hours/week)
Prompt:
“Create a 90-day career progress plan for someone who wants to build momentum but isn’t actively job hunting.
• My focus: [insert]
• What I want to grow: [insert]
• My time per week: [insert] Make it simple, low-pressure, and forward-moving.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now give me a Notion-style layout or checklist I can use to track it.”
Prompt 39 – Building a weekly “career habit” to avoid drifting
Use case: You want to get out of reactive career mode and start building your next step—without it becoming a full-time job.
What to provide:
• Your goal (e.g. promotion, explore new roles, visibility)
• Your working style (structured? spontaneous?)
• Your availability (realistically)
Prompt:
“Design a 30-minute weekly ritual that keeps me moving toward my next career step, even if I’m not looking to change jobs right now.
• Goal: [insert]
• Style: [insert]
• Time available: [insert] Include things like review, networking, learning, or tracking achievements—but keep it low maintenance.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now suggest how I can turn this into a recurring weekly calendar task with prompts.”
Prompt 40 – Using AI to self-coach with structure
Use case: You want to reflect on your career or choices, but journaling just ends up vague or aimless.
What to provide:
• Your role or industry
• What you’ve been struggling with
• What you’re trying to decide or gain clarity on
Prompt:
“Act as a career coach and give me a 5-part weekly journaling framework to help me work through this issue: [insert].
• Role: [insert]
• My situation: [insert] Each part should have a prompt and a purpose. No fluff—I want structured insight and useful reflection.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now turn it into a weekly check-in format I can use over 30 days.”
Section 9: Messaging, Writing & Real-World Scripts
Prompt 41 – Replying to recruiters when you’re not quite ready to move
Use case: A recruiter reaches out, but you’re not actively looking—yet you want to stay on their radar without wasting their time.
What to provide:
• The role or message they sent
• Your real interest level
• Whether you’d consider a move soon
Prompt:
“Write me a short LinkedIn reply to a recruiter who messaged me about a role that’s interesting, but I’m not looking right now.
• The role: [insert]
• My interest level: [e.g. not now but maybe soon]
• Tone: polite, slightly warm Keep it professional but open the door for future conversations.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now rewrite it as an email reply if they contacted me via job board or email instead.”
Prompt 42 – Saying no to a job offer without closing the door
Use case: You’ve decided to decline an offer—but want to stay on good terms with the company or recruiter.
What to provide:
• The role and company
• Your reason for declining (general or specific)
• Whether you’d like to stay in touch
Prompt:
“Write me a short, professional email to decline a job offer from [company] for a [role].
• I appreciated: [insert something specific]
• Reason (optional): [insert] I want to keep the tone warm and show appreciation—even if I’m not accepting.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now give me a version I could send to a recruiter instead of the hiring manager.”
Prompt 43 – Asking someone for a reference without making it weird
Use case: You want to ask a former colleague or manager for a reference—but haven’t spoken in a while and want to make it feel natural.
What to provide:
• Who the person is and how you know them
• What you’re applying for
• What kind of reference (written, call, informal)
Prompt:
“Write me a message I can send to [insert name], who I worked with at [company].
• We haven’t spoken since: [insert]
• I’m applying for: [insert role/industry]
• Reference type: [e.g. a quick call, a paragraph] I want to sound respectful and friendly—no pressure.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now make it shorter for a quick email or DM, keeping the tone light.”
Prompt 44 – Pushing back on vague performance feedback professionally
Use case: You’re getting unclear or unhelpful feedback like “Just be more confident” or “Step up”—and you want more direction.
What to provide:
• The actual feedback you received
• What you’re hoping to clarify
• Whether it’s via 1:1, email, or review doc
Prompt:
“Write me a follow-up message to clarify vague feedback I got in a review or 1:1.
• Feedback was: [insert]
• I want to understand: [insert goal] Tone: curious, constructive—not defensive. Make it feel like I’m asking for clarity, not challenging them.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now write a line I can use in the moment during a 1:1 if someone gives me vague advice live.”
Prompt 45 – Following up after a great interview that went… silent
Use case: You had an interview, it went well, then… nothing. You want to follow up without sounding desperate.
What to provide:
• The role and company
• Who you spoke with
• Date of the interview
• Whether you want to gently nudge or add urgency
Prompt:
“Write a polite, professional follow-up email after an interview for [role] at [company].
• Interviewed with: [insert name]
• Date: [insert]
• It went well and I’m still very interested I want to follow up without sounding impatient or pushy. Include a line that leaves the door open.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now write a version I could send via LinkedIn message if they’re not responding to email.”
Section 10: Templates That Actually Work (And Don’t Sound Like Templates)
Prompt 46 – Writing an ‘About Me’ that doesn’t sound made-up
Use case: You need a short bio for LinkedIn, a portfolio, or an intro slide—but don’t want it to sound like you copied it from someone else’s website.
What to provide:
• Your job title and experience level
• The industries you’ve worked in
• What you’re good at / known for
• Where you’re going or what excites you
Prompt:
“Write me a short 3–4 line ‘About Me’ I can use in a bio, portfolio, or intro doc.
• Role: [insert]
• Industries: [insert]
• Known for: [insert strengths]
• Where I’m headed: [insert] Make it confident but real—not corporate or cringe.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now rewrite it for a speaking engagement or community profile.”
Prompt 47 – Writing a cover letter that isn’t a waste of time
Use case: You’re applying for a job and know you should write a cover letter—but you don’t want to write a boring, templated wall of text.
What to provide:
• The job description
• A paragraph about why you want the role
• A short list of how you match the role
• Anything personal or specific to the company
Prompt:
“Using this info, write me a short, punchy cover letter for a job at [company] for a [role].
• Why I want it: [insert]
• How I match: [insert key bullets]
• What I like about them: [insert] Keep it under 200 words. Sound human, confident, and specific.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now give me a closing line that avoids ‘Thank you for your time and consideration.’”
Prompt 48 – Creating a CV ‘Achievements’ section that actually impresses
Use case: You’ve got the basics down, but want a tight section on your CV that highlights impact, not activity.
What to provide:
• 3–5 standout wins or metrics
• The type of roles you’re applying for
• Whether you want bullet points or a paragraph format
Prompt:
“Write an ‘Achievements’ section I can add to my CV.
• Wins: [insert]
• Applying for: [insert type of role]
• Format: [bullets or paragraph] Make it sharp, concise, and value-packed. No fluff, no filler.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now give me one alternative version that sounds more strategic or leadership-focused.”
Prompt 49 – Summarising what you do in one compelling sentence
Use case: You need a one-liner to explain your work in a crisp, clear way—without it sounding vague or over-the-top.
What to provide:
• Your job title
• What you actually do day to day
• What value you bring
• Who you help or work with
Prompt:
“Write me a 1-sentence summary of what I do that sounds clear and impressive—not buzzwordy.
• Role: [insert]
• What I do: [insert]
• Who I help: [insert]
• The result: [insert] It should feel like something I can say in a bio, intro, or panel.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now give me a 2-line version I could put in my LinkedIn headline.”
Prompt 50 – Using AI to explore your next move when you feel completely stuck
Use case: You’re in a bit of a career fog—you’re not happy, not exactly sure why, and you need a nudge toward what’s next.
What to provide:
• Your current role and frustrations
• What energises or drains you at work
• Whether you want to stay in the same industry
Prompt:
“Act as a career clarity coach. Based on the following context, suggest 3 career directions I could explore.
• My role: [insert]
• What drains me: [insert]
• What energises me: [insert]
• Same industry? [yes/no] Give me one option that’s ambitious, one that’s realistic, and one that’s outside the box.”
Follow-up prompt:
“Now write a 1-line ‘why this fits you’ explanation for each of the three.”
What Comes Next
These 50 prompts are here for the moments you’ll never find in a career advice blog:
- When you’re stuck rewriting the same CV line for the 12th time
- When you’ve got a promotion meeting tomorrow and no clue how to ask for more
- When you want to quit, but don’t know what you’d be running toward
- When your job’s not terrible, but something feels off
That’s what this list was built for.
So use it. Save it. Copy-paste into ChatGPT and tweak as you go.
And when you’re ready for more:
If you want proper feedback on your CV from AI that’s actually been trained by a recruiter with 20 years’ experience - try the AI CV Reviewer. You’ll get instant, structured feedback. No fluff. No fake scores. Just clear direction.
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No pressure. But when you’re ready, I’ve built the next steps.