AI Resources
AI Prompt Cheat Sheet for Job Applications
Copy-paste ready prompts for ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools. Get better results for CV writing, cover letters, and interview prep.
What is ATS?
ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is software used by employers to automatically filter, rank, and manage job applications. Most companies use ATS to scan CVs for keywords, skills, and qualifications before a human recruiter ever sees them. Optimising your CV for ATS helps ensure your application passes through these initial filters and reaches the hiring manager.
CV & Resume Prompts
Improve CV Bullet Points
Transform your job responsibilities into compelling, achievement-focused bullet points that highlight your impact and value.
Rewrite these job responsibilities as achievement-focused bullet points using action verbs. Include metrics where possible:\n\n[Paste your responsibilities here]
Example with placeholders filled in:
Rewrite these job responsibilities as achievement-focused bullet points using action verbs. Include metrics where possible:\n\nManaged social media accounts\nHandled customer inquiries\nOrganised team meetings\nCreated marketing materials
Tip: Always provide specific examples and numbers for best results.
Optimise for ATS
ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is software used by employers to filter and rank CVs. This prompt helps you identify keywords from job descriptions to improve your CV's chances of passing through ATS filters.
Analyse this job description and suggest keywords I should include in my CV:\n\nJob Description: [Paste job description]\n\nMy CV: [Paste relevant section]
Example with placeholders filled in:
Analyse this job description and suggest keywords I should include in my CV:\n\nJob Description: We are seeking a Marketing Manager with 5+ years of experience in digital marketing, SEO, content creation, and social media management. Must have experience with Google Analytics and email marketing campaigns.\n\nMy CV: Marketing professional with experience in creating content and managing social media accounts.
Tip: Match keywords naturally—don't keyword stuff.
Summarise Work Experience
Create concise, impactful summaries for each role that quickly communicate your value and achievements.
Create a concise 2-3 sentence professional summary for this role:\n\nJob Title: [Your title]\nCompany: [Company name]\nDuration: [Start - End]\nKey Responsibilities: [List 3-5 main responsibilities]\nAchievements: [List 2-3 key achievements]
Example with placeholders filled in:
Create a concise 2-3 sentence professional summary for this role:\n\nJob Title: Marketing Manager\nCompany: Tech Solutions Ltd\nDuration: January 2020 - Present\nKey Responsibilities: Managed social media campaigns, created content strategy, analysed marketing metrics, coordinated with design team, managed budget\nAchievements: Increased social media engagement by 150%, launched successful product campaign that generated £500K in revenue, reduced marketing costs by 20%
Tip: Focus on impact and results, not just duties.
Translate Skills to Keywords
Convert your skills into industry-standard terminology that recruiters and ATS systems recognise.
Suggest industry-standard keywords and phrases for these skills:\n\n[Your skills list]\n\nTarget role: [Job title you're applying for]
Example with placeholders filled in:
Suggest industry-standard keywords and phrases for these skills:\n\n- Making websites\n- Using Excel\n- Writing blog posts\n- Managing social media\n\nTarget role: Digital Marketing Manager
Tip: Use terms recruiters actually search for.
Cover Letter Prompts
Draft Cover Letter Opening
Create an engaging opening that immediately captures the reader's attention and demonstrates your genuine interest in the role.
Write a compelling opening paragraph for a cover letter that:\n- Shows genuine interest in [Company Name]\n- Highlights my relevant experience in [Your field]\n- Mentions [Specific company achievement or value]\n\nMy background: [Brief summary]
Example with placeholders filled in:
Write a compelling opening paragraph for a cover letter that:\n- Shows genuine interest in GreenTech Solutions\n- Highlights my relevant experience in sustainable technology\n- Mentions your recent award for innovation in renewable energy\n\nMy background: Marketing professional with 5 years of experience in tech companies, passionate about sustainability and environmental solutions.
Tip: Personalise by researching the company first.
Connect Experience to Role
Bridge the gap between your past experience and the job requirements, showing how your skills directly apply.
Help me connect my experience to this job requirement:\n\nJob Requirement: [Paste requirement]\n\nMy Experience: [Describe relevant experience]\n\nWrite 2-3 sentences showing the connection.
Example with placeholders filled in:
Help me connect my experience to this job requirement:\n\nJob Requirement: Experience managing cross-functional teams and delivering projects on time and within budget\n\nMy Experience: I managed a team of 5 designers and developers to launch a new website feature. We completed it 2 weeks ahead of schedule and 15% under budget by implementing agile methodologies.\n\nWrite 2-3 sentences showing the connection.
Tip: Be specific with examples, not generic.
Address Employment Gaps
Turn potential red flags into positive talking points by framing gaps as periods of growth and development.
Help me address this employment gap positively in a cover letter:\n\nGap Period: [Dates]\nWhat I Did: [Volunteering, courses, projects, etc.]\n\nWrite a brief, positive explanation.
Example with placeholders filled in:
Help me address this employment gap positively in a cover letter:\n\nGap Period: March 2022 - September 2022\nWhat I Did: Completed a digital marketing certification course, volunteered as a social media manager for a local charity, and worked on freelance projects for small businesses\n\nWrite a brief, positive explanation.
Tip: Focus on growth and learning, not excuses.
Interview Preparation Prompts
Generate Practice Questions
Prepare for interviews by practicing answers to common questions specific to your target role and industry.
Generate 10 common interview questions for a [Job Title] role at [Company Type]. Include both behavioural and technical questions.
Example with placeholders filled in:
Generate 10 common interview questions for a Software Developer role at a tech startup. Include both behavioural and technical questions.
Tip: Practice out loud, not just in your head.
Structure STAR Answers
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure compelling answers to behavioural interview questions.
Help me structure a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) answer for this question:\n\nQuestion: [Interview question]\n\nMy Experience: [Brief description of relevant situation]
Example with placeholders filled in:
Help me structure a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) answer for this question:\n\nQuestion: Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult team member.\n\nMy Experience: I had a team member who was consistently missing deadlines and not communicating. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to understand their challenges, discovered they were overwhelmed with workload, and worked with them to prioritise tasks and set up weekly check-ins. This improved their performance and team morale.
Tip: Always quantify results when possible.
Prepare Questions to Ask
Demonstrate your interest and engagement by preparing thoughtful questions that show you've researched the role and company.
Suggest 5 thoughtful questions I should ask the interviewer for a [Job Title] position. Focus on:\n- Team dynamics\n- Growth opportunities\n- Company culture\n- Role expectations
Example with placeholders filled in:
Suggest 5 thoughtful questions I should ask the interviewer for a Product Manager position. Focus on:\n- Team dynamics\n- Growth opportunities\n- Company culture\n- Role expectations
Tip: Show genuine interest, not just what you want.
Practice Salary Negotiation
Prepare confident, professional responses for salary discussions that reflect your value and market research.
Help me prepare for salary negotiation. My research shows the range is [Range]. My experience level is [Level]. Write a professional response if they offer [Amount].
Example with placeholders filled in:
Help me prepare for salary negotiation. My research shows the range is £45,000 - £60,000. My experience level is mid-level with 4 years of experience. Write a professional response if they offer £48,000.
Tip: Always negotiate—most employers expect it.
Job Search Strategy Prompts
Analyse Job Description
Break down job postings to understand requirements, identify red flags, and determine how to tailor your application effectively.
Analyse this job description and tell me:\n1. Key skills required\n2. Must-have vs nice-to-have qualifications\n3. Red flags or concerns\n4. How to tailor my application\n\nJob Description: [Paste full description]
Example with placeholders filled in:
Analyse this job description and tell me:\n1. Key skills required\n2. Must-have vs nice-to-have qualifications\n3. Red flags or concerns\n4. How to tailor my application\n\nJob Description: We are looking for a Marketing Manager with 5+ years of experience in digital marketing. Must have experience with SEO, content creation, and social media. Experience with paid advertising and email marketing preferred. Bachelor's degree required. Must be available to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Tip: Save time by filtering out bad fits early.
Research Company Culture
Gather insights about company values, culture, and recent developments to personalise your application and interview responses.
Based on this company's website and recent news, summarise:\n- Company values and culture\n- Recent achievements or challenges\n- Growth trajectory\n- What they value in employees\n\nCompany: [Name]\nWebsite: [URL]
Example with placeholders filled in:
Based on this company's website and recent news, summarise:\n- Company values and culture\n- Recent achievements or challenges\n- Growth trajectory\n- What they value in employees\n\nCompany: InnovateTech Solutions\nWebsite: https://www.innovatetech.com
Tip: Use this to personalise your application.
Network Outreach Message
Craft professional, authentic messages for networking that clearly communicate your purpose and respect the recipient's time.
Write a professional LinkedIn message to [Name] at [Company] asking for:\n- Brief informational interview\n- Advice on breaking into [Industry/Role]\n- Keep it under 150 words and authentic
Example with placeholders filled in:
Write a professional LinkedIn message to Sarah Johnson at TechStart Inc asking for:\n- Brief informational interview\n- Advice on breaking into product management\n- Keep it under 150 words and authentic
Tip: Be specific about what you want, not vague.
Turn AI Drafts Into Polished CVs
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