Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers powerful tools to enhance your career planning process. From trying to decide on a major to searching for a full-time job, AI can help you. With a strong prompt, AI can generate personalized suggestions that fit your unique personality.
As you are using AI for career development, be sure and check back regularly for updated advice to assist you in using AI responsibly and effectively. Reach out to your Career Advisor via email or book an appointment for any guidance you may need.
Best Practices + Suggested Uses
A strong resume, cover letter, LinkedIn summary, or interview answer should sound like a clearer version of you, not like something anyone could have submitted. One rule of thumb is to use a 70/30 split. Let AI handle the 30% that feels like “heavy lifting” – brainstorming, outlining, or identifying keywords – while you provide the 70% that represents your actual voice.
· The Reality: Recruiters can spot generic, AI-generated prose from a mile away. It lacks the specific uniqueness that comes from your actual lived experiences.
· Make it Human: Use AI to draft the “bones” of things like resumes and cover letters, then manually weave in the details only you know.
Privacy is paramount when using AI tools. Because AI “learns” from the data you feed it, whatever you give it will become part of its permanent memory.
· The Golden Rule: Never enter sensitive information like your home address, phone number, GPA, or specific financial details in a prompt.
· The Pro Move: When in doubt, keep your prompts general and focus on the information needed to get useful guidance.
AI is designed to be predictive, not factual. It can be wrong, outdated, or overly confident, which means it can occasionally “hallucinate” – or confidently state things that are false or misleading.
· Verification Checklist: Always fact-check company information, job details, salary data, industry trends, and technical language using employer websites, official job postings, and Career Center resources.
· Maintain Your Authenticity: AI can often “make up” skills, experiences, and results that aren’t truly yours. Strong applications are build on clear, honest communication of your real experiences, not on perfectly worded but inaccurate content.
A vague prompt usually gives you a vague answer. To get results that actually sound like you, you need to provide context. Give context about your goal, audience, major, experience level, or the job description. That way, you’re forcing it to work with your reality, rather than making things up.
· The “Bad” Prompt: “Write a resume bullet for a marketing internship.”
· The Professional Prompt: “I’m a junior majoring in Business. I managed the social media for a campus organization and increased our follower count by 20% in one semester. Rewrite this into two high-impact bullets that focus on data-driven results.”
AI can help you prepare, but it can’t truly replace the value of talking with a Career Advisor, faculty member, mentor, recruiter, or trusted professional contact.
· Seek Feedback: The most effective approach is to use AI to build momentum, then bring what you created into a conversation where someone can help you refine it, challenge it, and make it stronger.
Summarize: Summarize readings, lecture notes, or long PDFs
Organize: Convert scattered notes into clean study guides
Practice: Generate flashcards or practice problems
Brainstorm: Brainstorm ideas for essays or projects
Refine: Improve grammar, tone, and transitions of your original writings
Plan: Schedule planning and study routines
Create: Brainstorm business ideas or presentation content
Resume Development: Brainstorm impactful bullet points, highlight key achievements, and tailor your resume for specific roles. Ask for feedback on formatting, tone, and keyword optimization.
Cover Letters: Draft, structure, and refine cover letters to highlight your fit for a position. Ask it to guide you in creating strong introductions, connecting your experiences to the role, and expressing genuine interest in the organization.
Mock Interviews: Utilize AI as a practice partner to help you strengthen your responses and prepare for different types of interview questions. Ask it to simulate realistic interview scenarios, provide feedback on your answers, and help you build confidence for the real thing.
Career Exploration & Skills Planning: Learn about potential career paths, emerging roles, and industries that align with your interests, skills, and values. Ask it to suggest related fields you might not have considered and provide insights into job outlooks and required qualifications.
Networking & Job Search: Draft professional messages, identify meaningful connections, and support the job or internship search by helping you find opportunities and tailor your applications. Ask it to assist you with researching employers and preparing for networking conversations.
Professional Communication & Branding: Improve LinkedIn headline, summary, and skills section. Create short elevator pitches for networking events. Ask it to draft networking messages for outreach efforts.
Prompt Library
- I enjoy [list 3–5 interests]. What college majors align with these interests, and what careers could they lead to?
- I don’t know what I want to major in. Ask me questions to help me figure out my interests, strengths, and possible majors.
- My personality type is [insert type or traits—e.g., outgoing, analytical, creative]. What majors and careers would fit me best?
- Compare these majors: [Major 1], [Major 2], and [Major 3]. Include typical classes, skills needed, career options, and pros/cons.
- What jobs can I get with a degree in [major]? Include both common and less obvious career paths.
- My strengths are [list strengths]. What majors would allow me to use these skills, and why?
- I’m currently majoring in [major] but I don’t enjoy it. Based on what I liked/disliked about it [explain], what other majors should I consider?
- I want a career that [describe lifestyle—e.g., flexible schedule, high salary, helping people, not sitting at a desk]. What majors could lead to that?
- What is a typical day like for someone who studied [major] and now works as a [career]? Include work environment and tasks.
- If I’m considering a major in [major], what should I be doing during college (classes, internships, skills) to set myself up for success?
- “I am a [degree major] student at a university. I love to [insert passions]. I’m really good at [insert skills]. What are 10 specific career paths that match my skills and interests?”
- “Describe the day-to-day responsibilities of a [specific job title] and what qualifications are usually required.”
- “What are the pros and cons of pursuing a career in [field/industry]?”
- “What are the emerging fields or industries that offer promising career opportunities?”
- “What skills and qualifications are in high demand across various industries?”
- “Compare and contrast the career paths in [field A] and [field B].”
- “What steps can I take to transition from my current career to a new career in [desired field]?”
- “What are the potential growth opportunities for someone starting a career in [specific field]?”
- “Can you provide insights into future job market trends and how they might affect certain careers?”
- “What are some alternative careers for someone with a background in [your current profession]?”
- “Describe the skill set required for a successful career in [specific field] and how I can develop those skills.”
- “What are some lesser known but rewarding careers that people often overlook?”
- “How can I leverage my education and experience to pivot into a new career direction?”
- “What are the typical work environments for a [job title, and how do they vary?”
- “Based on my interests in [insert your interests], what career fields would align with my strengths and values?”
- “Explain what a day in the life of a [career title] looks like, including key skills and challenges.”
- “What are the typical education requirements and certifications needed to become a [career]?”
- “If I want to work in a career that helps people but still pays well, what are my best options?”
- “I am interested in going into a career like [industry/role] or [industry/role]. Can you ask me five questions about my personality and interests, then use that information to suggest a possible career path? Can you also suggest some college majors that match my personality?”
- “How do I start a salary conversation with a recruiter before receiving a job offer?”
- “Give me a polite way to ask about salary expectations during a job interview.”
- “How can I ask about compensation without sounding unprofessional or pushy?”
- “What’s an appropriate time to bring up salary during the hiring process?”
- “How do I determine my professional value when negotiating my first job offer in [industry]?”
- “What are the key technical and soft skills that increase salary potential in [career field]?”
- “How can I compare my skills and experience to current market expectations?”
- “What factors do employers consider most when determining compensation for entry-level roles?”
- “What is the average salary range for a [job title] with a bachelor’s degree in [field]?”
- “How does salary vary for [job title] across different states or regions?”
- “What are reputable sources for researching salary data in [industry]?”
- “What is a realistic starting salary range for recent graduates in [career field]?”
- “What are the best strategies for negotiating a higher starting salary as a recent graduate?”
- “How do I negotiate salary when I have multiple job offers?”
- “What should I consider before accepting or rejecting a job offer?”
- “How do I stay professional and confident during a salary negotiation?”
- “How do I delay discussing salary until I receive a formal job offer?”
- “Give me a professional response for when an interviewer asks for my salary expectations before I know the job details.”
- “How do I prepare a polite counteroffer if the initial salary is lower than expected?”
- “What are examples of respectful phrasing to request additional benefits if salary isn’t negotiable?”
- “I’m updating my resume for a job as <job title>. Please review the job description and suggest skills to include. Here’s the job description: <paste job description>”
- “I’d like to focus on the skill of <choose one skill from previous results>. Show me examples of 3-5 bullet points that are no longer than one sentence highlight this skill. I’ll use them as a model when creating my own bullet points tailored to my experience.”
- “I’m applying to the job of <job title>. Please review my resume with the job description and provide suggestions of four ways to improve it.”
- “Here’s my resume: <paste your resume>”
- “Here’s the job description: <paste job description>”
- “I’m working on improving my resume to search for internships in <field/industry of interest>. What advice to you have for creating an effective resume for this field?”
- “I am applying to entry level <job title> positions and would like help identifying skills and experiences to include in my cover letter. Based on the following job description, what are the top 3-5 skills I should incorporate into my letter? <paste job description>”
- “I need to craft a portion of my cover letter that highlights my public speaking experience and I’m not sure how to do it. I’ve led a student organization and needed to speak in front of a group of 30, presented complicated concepts in classroom presentations, and am able to connect with my audience. Draft an example cover letter paragraph based on this information. Mirror my tone and writing style I’ve used in the rest of my cover letter. Here’s my cover letter so far: <paste your cover letter>”
- “I am applying to a job opening of <job title>. Could you review my cover letter with the job description and provide suggestions for improving?”
- “Here’s my cover letter: <paste your cover letter>”
- “Here’s the job description: <paste job description>”
- “I am a ___________major with a concentration in ______________ with a passion for _____________. I’m interested in ____________, ____________ and ________________. What are 10 roles in this industry that would fit my skills, interests and passion?”
- “What are companies/organizations that I might be interested in working for if I am a <concentration> major, want to live in <location>, and am interested in <field/industry of interest>?”
- “What are more companies based in <location> or that have a presence in that location which are similar to <company of interest>?”
- “Are there companies that do relevant work but are a part of the <different field/industry> industry?”
- “What is the best way to do company research for jobs in <field/industry of interest>? Rank them in order starting with the most important.”
- “What are the top <field/industry of interest> companies in Colorado and why?”
- “Important to me: Salary, growth and development, work-life balance. Which of these companies are worth pursuing?”
- “I’m feeling overwhelmed with my job search. Can you provide guidance on developing an effective job search strategy?”
- “I’m beginning to search for an entry level position as <job title>. Can you share 5 companies in <location> that hire for this role and have <list the benefits/qualities you are looking for>?”
- “As I’m job searching for <types of roles> roles, what are some professional organizations you’d recommend?”
- “I’m pursuing a major in entrepreneurship and innovation, and I’m curious about how to convey my entrepreneurial spirit during interviews. Can you provide advice on discussing my experience in launching a small business venture and how to articulate the skills gained through this process? Additionally, what are some common challenges entrepreneurs face in interviews, and how can I address them effectively?”
- “As a supply chain management major with a focus on sustainability, I’m preparing for interviews in companies that prioritize environmentally conscious practices. Could you offer insights into how I can highlight my understanding of sustainable supply chain practices and discuss relevant industry trends? Additionally, what are some examples of successful sustainability initiatives in the supply chain that I could reference during interviews?”
- “As a finance major with an interest in investment banking, I’m preparing for interviews in this competitive field. Provide insights on some trends and key skills that top investment banks seek in candidates? Additionally, what are some effective strategies for showcasing my quantitative skills and financial acumen during interviews?”
- “I’m a college senior studying Management & Innovation and I’m interviewing for a Management Training Program in the banking industry for after graduation. Act as a hiring manager who will interview me for this entry level role and provide a list of 10 possible interview questions. Include at least 3 behavioral based interview questions.”
- “What are some strong questions I could ask of a person working in <role and/or industry> in order to learn about what they spend their time doing in any given week and how they got into that line of work?”
- “What are follow-up questions I can ask if they say, “my workweek/day varies so much there isn’t really a typical week/day,” but I still want to learn some specifics about what they spend their time doing?”
- “How can I approach an informational interview of a professional in a way that will help me to build a strong connection with them, such that they might be a resource for me in my career?”
- “What are some things I can do to stay in touch after the interview? For example, what are some excuses I can use to reach back out and stay on their radar, but in a constructive way (not just a “Hi, remember me! I still exist!” way)?”
- “How can I leverage LinkedIn in my job search?”
- “I’m a sophomore in college studying financial planning. Write me an example of a LinkedIn “About” section based on my resume included below. Use first-person. Here’s my resume: <paste your resume>”
- “I’m pursuing entry-level jobs of <job title>, what are 10 skills I should add to my LinkedIn profile that are in-demand for this field? Include 5 broad/soft skills, and 5 specific/hard skills?”
- “I am interested in becoming a <job title>. What skills are most important for that career?”
- “Which of those are missing my LinkedIn profile: <paste profile content>”
