Career Prompts for Generative AI Tools

Notes about this prompt:

• This prompt could be helpful when you are starting to learn about different career paths, jobs, and majors that might interest you. 
• Tip: Before you work with this prompt, we recommend meeting with a career advisor to discuss your career and major interests and personal values. 

• Note: While your major may relate to your future career, know that generally majors do not directly lead to a specific career. Chat with a career advisor to learn more about how you can explore various career paths regardless of your chosen major. 

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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? 

Continue the conversation: 

• What job titles fall under these career paths? 
• Generally, what majors could I look at based on my career interests of [insert interests].  
  • Note: Copilot’s data is not specific to UW-Madison majors. To learn more about our specific majors, visit The Guide or chat with an academic advisor
• What other jobs are similar to [insert job title] in [insert specific industry]?

Notes about this prompt:

• This prompt could be helpful when you are starting to identify organizations (employers) you may be interested in working for.
• Note: if you are interested in working at a smaller organization, Copilot may not have extensive enough data to provide specific recommendations. 
• Tip: We recommend connecting with a career advisor to discuss employer options beyond what Copilot may recommend. Your career advisor will have an understanding of which employers the career center has existing relationships with and/or if any alumni are working at the organization. 

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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?

Continue the conversation:

• 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]. 

Notes about this prompt:

• This prompt could be helpful 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. 
• Note: Prompts like this are not meant to point out what you are missing or lacking, but rather to help you develop a plan for growth and professional development. 
• Note: If you use this prompt or something similar, please know that you do not need to match 100% of the requirements to apply for a job/work in the industry of interest. 
•  Note: DO NOT paste personal information from your resume. The major content (bullet points) should suffice. 

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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?

Continue the conversation:

• 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?
• 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]?

Notes about this prompt:

• It is never too early to start planning for your post-graduation career! 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: Chat with a career advisor to learn more about strategies for developing a career plan!

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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. 

Continue the conversation:

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

Notes about this prompt:

• 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: Chat with a career advisor to learn more about strategies for finding individuals to network with!

• Note: Do not enter individual names into Copilot. 

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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.

Continue the conversation:

• How many characters can a LinkedIn message be?
• Can you please rewrite this message [paste message] to be 300 characters or less.

Notes about this prompt:

• 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. 
• Note: Make sure you get your resume reviewed by your career center before you paste your resume bullet points into this prompt. 
• Note: DO NOT paste personal information from your resume. The major content (bullet points) should suffice. 
• Tip: Practice your elevator pitch with your career advisor before attending a career fair or event. They can give you specific tips based on their knowledge of the event and the organizations you may be delivering the pitch to. 

Initial prompt to enter:

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

Continue the conversation:

• 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. 

Notes about this prompt:

• LinkedIn is the world’s largest online network and can be a great place to make connections with professionals in your field of interest, find jobs/internships, and grow professionally! Make your LinkedIn profile stand out to potential employers and professional contacts with up-to-date information and tailor it to the jobs/internships and industries you may be interested in pursuing. 

Initial prompt to enter:

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

Continue the conversation:

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

Notes about this prompt:

• Use this prompt when you’re ready to search for jobs and internships!
• Tip: We recommend searching for jobs and internships in Handshake. It’s a free job-search tool that is different from other platforms because it was created specifically to connect employers to college students. All the jobs you see on Handshake are posted for students and employers are actively recruiting from UW-Madison. 

• Tip: We recommend using keywords and filters to narrow down the best job/internship opportunities for you! 

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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? 

Continue the conversation:

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

Notes about this prompt:

• 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 theprompt below to determine how you can leverage keywords in a job posting in your resume and/or cover letter!
• Note: Avoid entering the organization (employer) name into Copilot. 

Initial prompt to enter:

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

Continue the conversation:

• Copilot, 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. 

Notes about this prompt:

• 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: Meet with a career advisor to learn how to structure and create a resume before engaging with this prompt!

Initial prompt to enter:

• [Insert resume, deleting any personal identifying information first] How should I strengthen the bullet points in my resume?

Continue the conversation:

• Identify any vague or abstract ideas in the bullets on 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?

Notes about this prompt:

• 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: Start with a cover letter draft; do not ask Copilot to create one for you. This will help ensure you are using your own voice in your cover letter. Don’t know where to start with a cover letter? Meet with a career advisor!

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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.

Continue the conversation:

• How can I revise my cover letter to better address the themes, skills, and qualifications this position is looking for?

Notes about this prompt:

• Use this prompt to generate and prepare for potential job or internship interview questions.
• Tip: Once you have generated some potential interview questions on your own and using AI, meet with a career advisor to do a mock interview so you can get feedback on your responses!

• Tip: Use Big Interview to practice interviewing skills. Their AI features provide feedback on use of filler words, tone, eye contact, vocabulary, and rate of speech.

Initial prompts to enter:

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

Continue the conversation:

• 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?

Notes on this prompt:

• 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: Start with a draft of a thank you note; do not ask Copilot to create one for you. This will help ensure you are using your own voice and experience. Don’t know where to start with a thank you note? Meet with a career advisor!

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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]. 

Notes about this prompt:

• Use this prompt to follow up with an employer if you have not heard back about the status of your interview. 
• Tip: Before you leave an interview, ask the interviewer their hiring timeline so you understand when you might hear back about their decision. 
• Tip: We recommend waiting at least two weeks until reaching out, but please consult with a career advisor to determine if your timing is appropriate given the hiring timeline and employer. 
• Tip: Start with a draft message; do not ask Copilot to create one for you. This will help ensure you are using your own voice and experience. Don’t know where to start? Meet with a career advisor!

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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.]

Notes about this prompt:

• Use this prompt to gather information for evaluating job offers. 
• Note: Do not paste your job offer into Copilot.  

Initial prompts to enter:

• What should I consider when evaluating a job offer? 
• What should I look out for when I receive an offer letter from an employer? 

Notes about this prompt:

• Use this prompt when you decide to accept a job or internship offer. 
• Note: Do not accept a job solely on the advice of Copilot. Be sure to discuss the offer with a career advisor and others who you trust. 

Initial prompts to enter:

• 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. 

• Write an email to accept the job offer and emphasize my excitement for this position. 
• Tip: Edit and personalize the suggested messaging before sending!

Notes about this prompt:

• Use this prompt when you’ve evaluated a job offer and decided to turn it down. 
• Tip: Start with a draft message; do not ask Copilot to create one for you. This will help ensure you are using your own voice and experience. Don’t know where to start? Meet with a career advisor!

Initial prompts to enter:

• I have decided to turn down a job/internship offer. Create a script for me to use as a guide when declining the job offer with the hiring manager. 
• 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.].

Notes about this prompt:

• 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. 
• Tip: Start with a draft message; do not ask Copilot to create one for you. This will help ensure you are using your own voice and experience. Don’t know where to start? Meet with a career advisor!

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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.].

Continue the conversation:

• Suggest language to include in my email message showing I am still interested in the organization and would like to be considered for future roles. 

Notes about this prompt:

• Know your worth before negotiating your salary! Copilot can help you research salary ranges for your role/industry. It is common to negotiate salary when offered a job! 
• Note: Copilot may not have comprehensive data salaries for all roles/industries. Always do additional research and chat with a career advisor to get the best picture. 

Initial prompt to enter:

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

Continue the conversation:

• Are there things other than the salary number that I can negotiate? 

Notes about this prompt:

• Copilot can help you prepare for a salary negotiation discussion.
• Tip: Use suggestions from Copilot to practice with a career advisor before having a real negotiation discussion with the hiring manager. 

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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]. 

Notes about this prompt:

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

Initial prompt to enter:

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

Continue the conversation:

• 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]?
• Tip: Write down questions based on these considerations and discuss with a career advisor. 

Notes about this prompt:

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

Initial prompts to enter:

• I am interested in a career as [insert career/job title]. What (if any) certifications does this job/career path require? 

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

Continue the conversation:

• 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?

Initial prompt to enter:

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

• Note: Copilot may not have comprehensive data on all programs available in your field. Always do additional research to locate a broader range of options.

Continue the conversation:

• 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? 

Notes about this prompt:

• 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.

Initial prompt to enter:

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

Continue the conversation: 

• 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?

Notes about this prompt:

• 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: Start with a personal statement; do not ask Copilot to create one for you. This will help ensure you are using your own voice in your personal statement. Don’t know where to start with a personal statement? Meet with a career advisor!

• Tip: Make an appointment with the Writing Center to get thorough feedback and advice on your personal statement!

Initial prompt to enter:

• 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.].

Notes about this prompt:

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

Initial prompt to enter:

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

Continue the conversation:

• 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?