Copy-paste these prompts into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini
ChatGPT can be a genuinely powerful job search tool — but only if you know how to talk to it. Most people type something like "write me a cover letter" and get a generic, forgettable result. The difference between a useless AI output and one that gets you interviews is all in the prompt. Here are five prompts I've refined for real job seekers, with examples of what to replace in brackets.
Prompt 1: Tailor Your CV to Any Job Description
ATS systems filter out up to 75% of CVs before a human ever sees them. The fix is simple: match your language to the job description. This prompt does it automatically.
Prompt 2: Write a Personalised Cover Letter in 60 Seconds
Generic cover letters get ignored. Recruiters read dozens per day and can spot a template instantly. This prompt generates something that sounds like you — not like a robot.
Prompt 3: Extract the Hidden Keywords From Any Job Post
Prompt 4: Write a Follow-Up Email That Gets a Response
Prompt 5: Identify Gaps Between Your CV and the Job
This is the most underrated prompt of all. Use it before you apply to understand what you're walking into — and what to address upfront.
Always give AI as much context as possible: your seniority level, the industry, the company size, and the tone you want. The more specific you are, the less generic the output. Treat it like briefing a smart intern, not pressing a magic button.
One More Thing: Track What You Send
The best prompts in the world won't help if you're applying to 30 jobs and losing track of which version of your CV went where, when to follow up, or whether you even got a response. Use a job tracker alongside AI — it's the system that turns scattered effort into a real strategy.
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