AI Career Tips

This prompt is helpful for when you are trying to learn about different career paths, jobs, and majors that might interest you.

Tip: Use Handshake to search for jobs and internships. This free platform connects employers directly with college students, and many organizations actively recruit from Western Kentucky University.

My values are [insert values], some of my top skills are [insert skills], and I have interests in [insert interests]. What careers align with my values? What careers align with my skills? What careers align with my interests? 

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

What job titles fall under these career paths? 

Generally, what majors could I look at based on my career interests of [insert interests]

What other jobs are similar to [insert job title] in [insert specific industry]?

This prompt is helpful for when you are starting to identify organizations or employers you may be interested in working for.

Tip: Connect with a career coach to explore effective strategies for identifying organizations in your area.

I want to live in [insert location] and I am interested in a career in [insert industry]. My values are [insert values]. What are some organizations I could consider applying to?

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

What is [organization or industry name’s] typical entry-level salary for a [insert job title]?

What is the average cost of living in [insert location]?

Provide me with search resources to gather information on these industries/employers that have a mission of [insert mission]. 

Part of identifying organizations that you’re interested in working for is determining whether their culture aligns with the type of environment you’d like to work in. Use these prompts to explore the workplace culture of various organizations.

Tip: Meeting with a career coach may allow you to find organizations that AI may not have information on.

These are some organizations I’m considering applying to: [insert organizations]. Can you evaluate whether they align with my priorities for a work environment which are [insert priorities]?

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

What are some strategies I can use to learn more about the culture of [insert organization name]?

What other factors should I consider in an organization’s culture that I didn’t mention in my original prompt so I can make sure I am evaluating whether it is a good fit for me?

This prompt is helpful for when you are determining which skills you already have and which skills you need to develop to work toward a career in a specific industry.

I am interested in a career in [insert industry]. Some roles that I am interested in include [insert job titles/roles]. What are some of the most important skills for this industry/these roles?

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

Here is my resume [paste resume]. What skills do I have that align with roles in this industry, and what skills should I focus on developing more? Please do not rewrite my resume for me.

What are some ways I could go about developing [insert skills] to best prepare myself for a career in [insert industry] as a student in [insert major]?

Which LinkedIn Learning courses might be helpful for me given these growth areas [insert growth areas/skills]?

What experiences are common for entry-level positions in [insert industry/job title]?

Use this prompt to get an idea of steps you can take at any stage of your educational journey to guide you in your career development.

Tip: Connect with a career coach to better develop your career plan.

I am a [insert school year] student in college and interested in a career in [insert industry, if known]. So far, I have taken the following steps toward my career development: [insert steps taken]. Outline a plan for my remaining time as a student for my career development. 

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompt:

Tell me more about strategies for [insert one of the steps outlined in the response].

Career conversations are an important part of exploring industries and jobs that interest you. Expanding your network through these conversations can also help you leverage your position in a job search and get connected with even more job opportunities. Use this prompt as the first outreach to a potential professional contact to set up a career conversation. 

Tip: Connect with a career coach to explore effective strategies for identifying and building your network.

Write a short connection message to a prospective professional contact [insert additional description of the person if desired] requesting a career conversation to learn more about their career journey and current role.

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompt:

Can you provide me with a short summary of [insert person] and potential insightful questions to ask?

Elevator pitches are usually used at career fairs or other networking events/encounters to introduce yourself and begin a conversation with an employer or professional contact. Elevator pitches are clear, brief (usually 30 seconds or less) message or “commercial” about you and why you might be interested in chatting more with this individual.

Tip: Have your resume reviewed by the Career Studio before adding your bullet points to this prompt.
Tip: Practice your elevator pitch with your career coach before attending a career fair or event. They can offer tailored feedback based on their knowledge of the event and the organizations you’ll be speaking with.

Provide me with a sample elevator pitch for a career fair based on my resume [insert resume bullet points]. 

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

Make this elevator pitch more specific to this industry [insert specific industry].

Include this research I did about the organization [insert information] into my elevator pitch. 

Rewrite the initial prompt to talk more about how my skills and experiences would benefit the industry or organization. 

LinkedIn offers a powerful way to build professional relationships, explore job and internship opportunities, and develop your career. A well-maintained, targeted profile helps you make a strong impression and attract the right opportunities.

Given my professional interests [insert interests], what keywords/skills should I use in my LinkedIn profile to stand out to potential employers.

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompt:

Write a brief LinkedIn summary using those keywords and my resume [paste resume bullet points or LinkedIn profile content].

Use this prompt when you’re ready to search for jobs and internships.

Tip: Use Handshake to search for jobs and internships. This free platform connects employers directly with college students, and many organizations actively recruit from Western Kentucky University.

I would like to use Handshake to find [internship/job] roles to apply for. Given my interests [insert interests such as desired industry, type of organization, remote/on-site work] what keywords do you recommend I enter into Handshake for the optimal results?

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompt:

Which additional filters could I use in Handshake to optimize my job search results?

If you match the language used in a job/internship posting with the application materials you submit, your application will stand out to employers. Moreover, if an employer is using an applicant tracking system in their review process, it is especially important that you mirror the language used in a posting. Use the prompt below to determine how you can leverage keywords in a job posting in your resume and/or cover letter.

I am applying for this position [paste job description]. What keywords should I make sure I use in my application materials? 

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompt:

I utilized the keywords you suggested in my [cover letter/resume]: [paste text]. Please evaluate this text for keyword match like an applicant tracking system would. 

Use this prompt to improve upon the bullet points in your resume so they are impactful, demonstrate your skills clearly and effectively, and are relevant to the position you are applying to.

Tip: Have your resume reviewed by the Career Studio before adding your bullet points to this prompt.

[Insert resume, deleting any personal identifying information first] How should I strengthen the bullet points in my resume? Please do not rewrite my resume.

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

Identify any vague or abstract ideas in the bullets on my resume. Do not rewrite my resume.

[Paste job description for a position you are applying to] Which of the experiences on my resume are strongest or most relevant for this job position?

Use this prompt to get feedback on a cover letter draft, evaluate the strength of your cover letter, and ensure your cover letter speaks to the key qualifications of a job description.

Tip: If you don't have a cover letter, come to the Career Studio for help with making one.

I am applying for the following position: [paste position description]. Here is my cover letter draft: [paste cover letter draft]. Give me some writer’s feedback. Evaluate the message/theme of this cover letter. Do not rewrite my cover letter.

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompt:

How can I revise my cover letter to better address the themes, skills, and qualifications this position is looking for? Please do not rewrite my cover letter.

Use this prompt to generate and prepare for potential job or internship interview questions.

Tip: Connect with a career coach after using this prompt to test your answers in a mock interview.

I’m applying for a role in [insert field] as a [insert job title]. What are some potential interview questions I could be asked?
Or
From the job description [paste job description], what interview questions could I be asked?

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

Compare my resume with the given job description and identify any keywords from the job description missing on my resume. 

Based on the keywords that are missing, what are some potential interview questions that I could be asked?

Send a thank you note (email or mail) to each interviewer within 24 hours of your interview. Use this prompt as a guide in the process.

Tip: Meet with a career coach for assistance in writing a follow up letter draft.

Here is a draft of a thank you note to my interviewer for [insert role]: [paste email draft]. Give me some writer’s feedback. Evaluate for [insert feedback criteria such as message, clarity, grammar, spelling, etc]. 

Use this prompt to follow up with an employer if you have not heard back about the status of your interview. 

Tip: Meet with a career coach for assistance in writing a follow up letter draft and to determine if the timing is appropriate for sending one.

It has been [insert amount of time] since my interview. Here is a draft I wrote to my interviewer to check in on the employer’s hiring timeline: [insert draft]. Give me some writer’s feedback. Evaluate for [insert feedback criteria such as message, clarity, grammar, spelling, etc.]

Use this prompt to gather information for evaluating job offers. 

What should I look out for when I receive an offer letter from an employer? 

Use this prompt when you decide to accept a job or internship offer. 

I have decided to accept a job/internship offer. Create a script for me to use as a guide when discussing my acceptance and excitement for the role with the hiring manager. 

Use this prompt when you’ve evaluated a job offer and decided to turn it down. 

Here’s an email I drafted to to kindly decline the job offer and thank the employer for their time: [insert draft]. Give me some writer’s feedback. Evaluate for [insert feedback criteria such as message, clarity, grammar, spelling, etc.].

Use this prompt to communicate with the employer when you did not get a job or internship offer and would like to be considered for future roles with the organization.

I did not get the job/internship. Here’s an email draft to thank the organization for the opportunity to interview and for considering me as an applicant: [paste draft]. Give me some writer’s feedback. Evaluate for [insert feedback criteria such as message, clarity, grammar, spelling, etc.].

Know your worth before negotiating your salary. Generative AI tools can help you research salary ranges for your role/industry. It is common to negotiate salary when offered a job.

Tip: Meet with a career coach to get the best picture of what an appropriate salary will be for your position and experience.

Based on job title [insert job title] and [insert years] years of experience, what are salary ranges for [insert industry name] industry? 

Generative AI tools can help you prepare for a salary negotiation discussion.
Tip: Meet with a career coach after using this prompt to test your negotiating skills in a mock interview.

Create a script to serve as a guide for negotiating my salary for this job title [insert job title]. I would like to include [insert things that you would like to make sure to emphasize from your research, outline, and what makes you stand out]. 

Use this prompt to start thinking about what to consider if you are interested in applying to graduate school.

What factors should I consider when thinking about pursuing graduate school? 

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

I am considering graduate programs in [insert field of study]. What special considerations are there for graduate school in this field?

What sources of funding exist for a [Master’s/PhD] program to help finance my education?

What kinds of job opportunities exist for graduates of a [Master’s/PhD] program in [insert field]?

Use this prompt to help you determine what kinds of degrees and/or certifications you will need for a specific career path.

I am interested in a career as [insert career/job title]. What (if any) certifications does this job/career path require?
Or
I am interested in a career as [insert career/job title]. What (if any) graduate education is required for this job/career path?

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompt:

If I do not pursue a specific certification or graduate degree but still want to work in [insert industry], what kinds of jobs can I consider?

Use this prompt when researching graduate degree programs.

I am interested in a [Master’s/PhD] in [insert field/subject]. Create a list of programs I might consider. 

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

Narrow down the list to programs with these criteria: [list criteria such as location, modality, cost, etc.]. 

What are the pros and cons of each of these programs? 

Identifying an advisor who is willing to take you on as an advisee is an important part of applying to PhD programs. Use the prompt below to help you think about how to do this.

I am applying to PhD programs in [insert field]. Provide guidance on how I can find an advisor during the application process.

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

When I meet with potential advisors, what should I make sure to discuss with them?

How can I make myself stand out to potential advisors in the application process?

Your personal statements will be an important part of your graduate school applications. Use this prompt to get feedback on your writing and make further revisions.

Tip: Connect with a career coach for assistance in writing a personal statement before utilizing this prompt.

I am applying to [insert program name] and the writing prompt for my application is: [insert prompt] with a word limit of [enter word limit, if any]. I wrote this draft [insert draft]. Give me some writer’s feedback. Evaluate for [insert feedback criteria such as message/theme, grammar, spelling, etc.].

Even if you’re not intending to take on graduate school or continuing education (right now or yet), you can still use generative AI to help you grow and develop as a professional!

I am entering a job/internship in [insert industry] industry. Suggest a professional development plan for my next [insert time] years in this industry.

You could expand on the answer to this question with the following prompts:

I am interested in becoming a manager at my organization in the [insert industry] one day. Suggest skills that I should develop to prepare for a leadership role.

What [courses, articles, etc.] would you suggest I engage with to prepare for taking on a management role?