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Everyone is talking about using ChatGPT and AI to make their job search easier, but how do you do it?
Well, it has finally happened. With ChatGPT and AI language models, we can finally put our feet up and rest while robots find our next job opportunity.
Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but using ChatGPT and AI language models can make your job search much easier. From assessing your skills and choosing a career path to writing a compelling cover letter, ChatGPT is the dream tool that can make the entire job search process much easier.
Table of Contents
- What Is ChatGPT?
- How to Use ChatGPT
- How Can I Use ChatGPT in My Job Search?
- The Dos and Don’ts of Using ChatGPT in Your Job Search
- How to Use ChatGPT to Provide Career Guidance
- Use ChatGPT to Create or Update Your Resume
- Use ChatGPT to Generate Expert Job Search Tips
- Use ChatGPT to Prepare for an Interview
- Use ChatGPT to Conduct Research
- Use ChatGPT to Update Your LinkedIn Profile
- Use ChatGPT to Write a Cover Letter
- Use Chat GPT to Provide Personalized Job Recommendations
What Is ChatGPT?
If you’ve arrived here because you don't know what ChatGPT is, you have come to the right place. We went directly to the expert to answer the question, “What is ChatGPT?”
ChatGPT is a smart computer program developed by OpenAI that can understand and respond to human language. It has been trained on text pulled from the internet. ChatGPT uses this text to learn patterns and information from that data. It uses a special kind of technology called deep learning to understand the meaning of sentences and generate appropriate responses.
Think of ChatGPT as a knowledgeable friend who can answer your questions, converse with you, and help you with different tasks. You can ask it anything you want, and it will try its best to provide helpful and relevant answers. It can also generate text in multiple languages.
ChatGPT's responses are based on what it has learned. So, while it can be quite clever, it doesn't have personal experiences to draw from. Results can be imperfect.
How to Use ChatGPT
Setting up a ChatGPT account is a breeze. Just follow these three simple steps:
- Step 1: Visit the OpenAI website. Go to the OpenAI website (openai.com) using your preferred web browser. Look for the "Sign Up" or "Create Account" button, usually located at the top right corner of the page, and click on it.
- Step 2: Provide your details. Fill out the necessary information to create your account. This typically includes your name, email address, and password. Make sure to choose a strong and secure password to protect your account.
- Step 3: Verify and start using ChatGPT. Once you've provided your details, OpenAI may require you to verify your email address. Check your email inbox for a verification message from OpenAI and follow the instructions provided. Once your email is verified, you should be all set to start using ChatGPT!
Remember to familiarize yourself with any terms of service or usage policies OpenAI may have. And that's it! You're now ready to enjoy the benefits of ChatGPT and explore its various applications. You're almost ready to go!
How Can I Use ChatGPT in My Job Search?
Now that we understand what ChatGPT and AI Language Models are, let’s find out what they can do!
The average job search process can take three to six months. The job search process can include everything from networking and updating your resume to interviewing and negotiating job offers. It’s a ton of work, and it’s stressful. So, it makes sense to utilize a tool that can help shorten your search for your next opportunity.
What Are ChatGPT Prompts?
ChatGPT prompts are requests or instructions given to the ChatGPT language model to generate a specific response or perform a particular task.
There are five common types of prompts you can use to research and gather information from ChatGPT:
- Question Prompt: You ask a question, and ChatGPT generates a response based on its training data and understanding of the topic. For example, you might ask, "What is the best career for someone who loves data and numbers?"
- Instruction Prompt: You give ChatGPT specific instructions on what you want it to do or how to respond. For instance, you might say, "Create a template of a networking email to inquire about employment opportunities."
- Completion Prompt: You provide ChatGPT with a partial sentence or text, and it completes it based on the context. For example, you could start with "Once upon a time, I found a job in..."
- Dialogue Prompt: You engage in a conversation with ChatGPT by exchanging alternating messages. You provide a message, and ChatGPT responds, creating a dialogue. This is useful for simulating a conversation.
- Task-Specific Prompt: You provide specific details or context related to a task or problem you want ChatGPT to help with. For example, you can ask ChatGPT to make a list of helpful things to do before an interview.
In this article, we will cover various job search items that can be streamlined by using an AI language model like ChatGPT.
Before we dive into all the ways AI can help superpower your job search, let’s discuss what you shouldn’t do when using AI in your job search.
The Dos and Don’ts of Using ChatGPT in Your Job Search
At the time of publishing, ChatGPT is a relatively new and exciting tool many people are learning to use. We’re also learning to use AI tools ethically and honestly—without using copy and paste all day.
There are things ChatGPT cannot do, and there are also things that you probably shouldn’t allow AI to do for you. As AI usage becomes more commonplace, so too will the cautionary tales of how using these automated tools can backfire in a big way.
DO Use AI tools to help outline, plan, and research.
DON’T Use AI tools to do your entire job.
DON’T Use AI tools to do your entire job.
DO Infuse your voice and personal experience whenever possible.
DON’T Allow sophisticated AI to tell your career story, especially in your resume or cover letter.
DON’T Allow sophisticated AI to tell your career story, especially in your resume or cover letter.
DO Use ChatGPT and AI tools to find opportunities to learn new skills.
DON’T Neglect to learn by using a tool to do all the heavy lifting for you.
DON’T Neglect to learn by using a tool to do all the heavy lifting for you.
How to Use ChatGPT to Provide Career Guidance
I bet you never thought your best career mentor could take the form of artificial intelligence, but here we are.
ChatGPT can help you explore different career paths based on your skills, interests, and career goals. It can suggest industries or job roles that align with your aspirations.
Instead of asking ChatGPT existential questions like, “What am I doing with my life?” try asking questions about your existing skills, your previous job positions, and what your goals are for the future.
ChatGPT Career Guidance Prompts
- What is a good job for an organized person with great listening skills?
- What is a good career path for someone with a degree in [DEGREE]?
- What is a good job that is similar to a [JOB TITLE]?
- Assist me in identifying skills I should learn to become a [JOB TITLE].
- What early career job positions provide the best work-life balance?
- What careers are good for someone with a [WORK EXPERIENCE] background looking for a six-figure salary?
Use ChatGPT to Create or Update Your Resume
In our experience, nobody is too thrilled to tackle the task of updating their own resume. What should you include in your resume? What should you leave out of your resume? Should you include keywords? If so, which ones?
ChatGPT can assist in reviewing and optimizing your resume/CV. It can provide suggestions on formatting, wording, and emphasize key skills and experiences to make your application stand out.
Don’t have a resume yet? Do you need a completely revamped resume to pursue a job in a new industry? ChatGPT can create the structure of a new resume for you to work from.
While we wouldn’t advise you to generate a resume entirely with AI, it’s a great starting point. Why not take the easy route and let ChatGPT do the whole thing?
Imagine this scenario. You’re in the middle of a job interview, and the interviewer asks about a certain software proficiency listed on your AI-produced resume. You do not possess working knowledge of this software, but it gets worse. You’ve never even heard of the software in the first place.
We advise using ChatGPT to help you through the challenging parts of writing a resume. Allow it to generate skills, qualifications, and even a resume headline. However, make sure you add your voice, experience, and expertise to your resume.
For more on Using ChatGPT to create or update your resume, check out this article, How to Use ChatGPT to Write or Update Your Resume.
ChatGPT Resume Prompts
- Create a resume for this job position (“Shift + Enter” to create a new line and paste the job description).
- Create a list of skills for a Social Media Marketer.
- Explain typical job responsibilities for a Social Media Associate.
- Create a list of impressive KPIs for a successful Sales Associate in [Industry].
- Create a resume headline or resume summary based on my LinkedIn profile + [“Shift + Enter” to create a new line and paste LinkedIn profile copy].
Use ChatGPT to Generate Expert Job Search Tips
Every job search has its own set of potential hacks, so why not use GhatGPT to identify them all?
ChatGPT can offer advice on effective job search strategies, including where to look for job openings, how to tailor your applications, and how to network with professionals in your field.
Use ChatGPT to find best practices, tips, and tricks to make your job search easier. Using AI, ChatGPT might scrape the web to find someone else who applied for your exact position at your exact company. Using that information, ChatGPT could provide customized advice for a huge advantage.
ChatGPT Job Search Tips Prompts
- Help me create a comprehensive and organized job search plan, including setting goals, tracking applications, and following up on opportunities.
- Make a list of Career Contessa’s best job search advice.
- Create a list of the most common interview questions for [JOB POSITION].
- Generate names of job sites with the best jobs in [INDUSTRY].
- Tell me about the best companies to work for as a [JOB POSITION].
- Provide tips and strategies for maintaining motivation and resilience throughout the job search process.
Use ChatGPT to Prepare for an Interview
Some of our most popular content at Career Contessa is related to interview questions and how to answer them best. Beyond the questions, there is the etiquette around the interview, tips on remaining calm, and even tips on interviewing practices particular companies use.
ChatGPT can simulate interview scenarios and help you practice common interview questions. It can provide feedback on your answers, offer tips on improving your responses, and share general advice on interview etiquette.
ChatGPT Interview Prompts
- List the most common interview questions in [INDUSTRY].
- List the most common interview question for [JOB ROLE].
- What interview questions does [COMPANY] use?
- Best tips to prepare for an interview.
- What’s the best way to answer [INTERVIEW QUESTION]?
- Make a list of helpful things to do to prepare for an important interview.
- Create a motivational playlist to play before an interview.
- Make a list of impressive questions to ask an interviewer as a job candidate.
Use ChatGPT to Conduct Research
Researching a company beforehand is one of our favorite pieces of advice, and so many candidates neglect to do it!
If you’ve ever been stumped by the interview question, “Why [ORGANIZATION]?” then you’ll love using ChatGPT to quickly and efficiently research everything about the organization.
ChatGPT can gather information about specific companies you're interested in. It can provide details about their mission, culture, values, recent news, and even employee reviews to help you make informed decisions during your job search.
ChatGPT Company Research Prompts
- Tell me about the leadership team at [COMPANY].
- Create a summary of [FUTURE BOSS] career.
- Create a list of news items about [COMPANY].
- Explain [COMPANY]’s mission statement to me.
- Tell me a brief history of [COMPANY] and their biggest achievements.
- What are five things I should know about [CEO] of [COMPANY]?
Here's what happened when we asked ChatGPT about the CEO of Career Contessa, Lauren McGoodwin.
Based on your desired job roles, ChatGPT can recommend specific skills or certifications that would enhance your qualifications and increase your chances of getting hired.
Use ChatGPT to Know Your Industry
Use ChatGPT to create a cheat sheet about everything going on in your industry. Use this information to inform your resume, cover letter, and especially your talking points in the resume.
Build your knowledge of your industry, including its strengths and weaknesses, future goals, and power players. You can also use ChatGPT to research salary ranges, market rates, and the overall market. These are especially helpful prompts for someone transitioning into a new industry.
ChatGPT can provide up-to-date information about trends, salary ranges, and job market conditions within specific industries. It can help you understand the demand for certain skills or identify emerging fields.
ChatGPT Industry Prompts
- What is the typical salary for [JOB POSITION] in [INDUSTRY]?
- Name some of the most notable developments in [INDUSTRY] in the last three to five years.
- Create a list of the most notable influencers or figures in [INDUSTRY].
- Name five things to know about [INDUSTRY] in [CURRENT YEAR].
Use ChatGPT to Network
Using AI to shoulder the tasks of professional networking? That is music to this introvert's ears!
ChatGPT can offer advice on building a professional online and offline network. It can provide tips for reaching out to potential mentors, attending industry events, and utilizing social media platforms effectively. ChatGPT can also create networking email templates to help reach out to new and existing contacts.
ChatGPT Networking Prompts
- Write me a cold email request to [CONTACT] requesting an informational interview. “Shift + Enter” to separate the lines and paste a link to the person’s LinkedIn profile.
- Suggest any online platforms or forums where I can engage with professionals in [INDUSTRY] and expand my network.
- Write a professional summary using my work experience and include my total years of experience, the keyword “X”, and keep it shorter than 150 words. “Shift + Enter” to create a new line and copy the text from your resume.
- List effective strategies for networking and building connections when transitioning to a new industry or career.
- Please edit my networking email to be more concise and professional. “Shift + Enter” to create a new line and copy the text from your original networking email.
- Suggest strategies to expand my professional network and connect with professionals in my desired industry or company.
Use ChatGPT to Update Your LinkedIn Profile
A well-crafted LinkedIn profile serves as a powerful tool to showcase your professional brand and attract opportunities that align with your career goals. So, why not get some help to make it the best it can be?
Your LinkedIn profile serves as your 24/7 virtual handshake with the professional world, where first impressions can make all the difference. But what if you're unsure how to effectively present yourself on this platform?
ChatGPT can be your secret weapon in shaping a compelling LinkedIn presence. Use ChatGPT to craft an attention-grabbing introduction that showcases your expertise and passions.
ChatGPT can also help refine your job descriptions, focus on quantifiable results and impactful contributions, highlight your relevant core competencies and areas of expertise, and so much more. Let's jump into some useful prompts to use to craft a LinkedIn profile that shoes your unique value.
ChatGPT LinkedIn Profile Prompts
- Help me craft a compelling LinkedIn headline that captures my professional expertise and unique value proposition.
- Assist me in writing a captivating summary that showcases my career journey, skills, and aspirations.
- Generate ideas for quantifiable achievements in [JOB POSITION] and results to enhance my work experience section.
- Suggest keywords and industry-specific terms in [INDUSTRY] to optimize my LinkedIn profile for relevant searches.
- Assist me in identifying and joining relevant [INDUSTRY] groups and communities to expand my professional network.
- Provide insights on [INDUSTRY] trends or keywords to incorporate into my LinkedIn profile to demonstrate my knowledge and expertise.
Use ChatGPT to Write a Cover Letter
Just like helping with your resume, ChatGPT can make the arduous task of writing a cover letter much easier. You can use ChatGPT to generate a cover letter based on your resume, your LinkedIn profile, or even your online portfolio. Use ChatGPT to test tone, voice, and even cover letter length.
ChatGPT can help you craft compelling cover letters tailored to specific job applications. It can suggest content, highlight relevant experiences, and ensure your cover letter meets the job requirements.
ChatGPT Job Search Tips Prompts
- Create an enthusiastic cover letter based on this resume. “Shift + Enter” to separate the lines and paste your resume.
- Create a cover letter for a [JOB POSITION] at [COMPANY].
- Create a cover letter that emphasizes soft skills like empathy and communication.
- Create a cover letter that starts with a joke about marketing.
- Create a cover letter emphasizing the skills and experience listed in this job description. “Shift + Enter” to separate the lines and paste the job description or job description URL.
- Create a cover letter emphasizing my values, work-life balance, and constant learning.
- Create a short cover letter for an entry-level position in a new field.
- Create a cover letter that addresses [COMPANY]’s mission statement and values.
Remember to use your AI-generated cover letter as a starting point or a template. Insert your voice and experience to ensure you can speak to everything your cover letter mentions, especially if you’re asked about it in an interview setting.
Use Chat GPT to Provide Personalized Job Recommendations
If you’re struggling in your job search, especially when looking for your first “real” job, use ChatGPT to unlock potential steps. Just like you might use ChatGPT to act as a digital mentor, you can also use ChatGPT to explore career opportunities and potential that you hadn’t thought to explore.
By understanding your preferences, qualifications, and career goals, ChatGPT can suggest job openings that match your criteria. It can help you discover relevant opportunities you might have missed otherwise.
ChatGPT Job Recommendation Prompts
- Generate a list of high-income jobs for entry-level employees.
- Jobs for someone with [SKILLS].
- Career paths for someone with [GOALS].
- Career opportunities besides attorney for someone with a law degree.
- Detail steps to change my career from [JOB POSITION] to [NEW JOB POSITION].
Remember, while ChatGPT can be a valuable resource for job search support, it's always important to cross-reference its advice with other sources and consult with professionals in the field when making critical career decisions.
For more on using ChatGPT in your job search and in your career, tune into a free replay of our webinar, How to Use ChatGPT in Your Job Search.
