Powerful Prompts for Career Exploration and Job Applications

1.  Career Exploration Prompts

These prompts are designed to help students identify potential career paths, understand industry roles, and explore their interests using AI tools like ChatGPT and CareerBot.

General Career Path Exploration

• “Generate 10 specific career paths for a student interested in [list of interests, e.g., creative writing, social media, environmental science] who values [e.g., work-life balance, creativity, meaningful work].”
  • “What are some emerging career options for someone with skills in [skill 1], [skill 2], and an interest in [area of interest]?”

Personalized Career Suggestions Based on Interests

• “I’m an undergraduate studying [major] with interests in [interest 1], [interest 2], and [interest 3]. Suggest 5 unique careers that align with these interests and explain how they fit.”
  • “For a student passionate about [e.g., human rights, technology, education], list potential jobs that allow them to make a positive impact and explain the roles.”

Industry-Specific Career Insights

• “List 5 job titles in [industry, e.g., healthcare, tech, education] that would fit someone with strengths in [skill 1], [skill 2].”
  • “Describe the primary skills and requirements needed for a career in [career/industry]. What entry-level roles should a student consider?”

2.  Job Market Research Prompts

These prompts help students understand salaries, work environments, and career expectations in specific fields or locations.

Salary and Work Environment Information

• “What is the typical salary range for [job title, e.g., Fashion Historian] in [location, e.g., Chicago]?”
  • “Describe the work environment for a [job title] at entry level. Are these roles often remote or in-office?”

Industry Likes and Dislikes

• “What are 10 common challenges faced by people working as [job title, e.g., visual artists] in [location, e.g., New York City]?”
  • “List the top 3 reasons people tend to love and the top 3 reasons people tend to dislike careers in [industry, e.g., finance, social work, media].”

Top Employers and Key Competitors

• “Who are the top employers for [job title, e.g., UX Designer] in [location]? Who are their biggest competitors?”

3.  Informational Interview and Networking Prompts

Use these prompts to help students prepare for informational interviews and networking opportunities, guiding them to make meaningful connections with professionals in their field of interest.

Informational Interview Preparation

• “Generate 10 questions to ask an alumna working as a [job title] in [industry/location] to understand her career path. The student has a background in [background/skills].”
  • “What 3 points should a student mention when reaching out to an alum on LinkedIn who works in [industry] with experience in [specific skill or role]?”

Learning About Real-Life Experiences

• “What are some good questions to ask someone about their experience working in [field, e.g., public policy, visual design]? The student is interested in learning about work-life balance and company culture.”
  • “How can a student find out if a role in [specific field or title] would be a good cultural fit? Suggest a few questions they could ask professionals during networking conversations.”

4.  Job Application and Resume Analysis Prompts

These prompts focus on helping students tailor their resumes and applications, analyze job descriptions, and identify skill gaps for the roles they’re interested in.

Resume and Job Fit Analysis

• “Analyze this job description for a [job title, e.g., Marketing Analyst] and suggest key skills or experiences that would make a candidate competitive.”
  • “Compare this student’s LinkedIn profile to the following job description. What areas should they highlight, and what skills might they need to develop?”

Identifying Skill Gaps for Specific Roles

• “What skills should a candidate with a background in [background] develop to be competitive for roles as a [job title]?”
  • “For a student interested in [job title, e.g., data scientist], list any skill gaps they might need to fill based on typical job descriptions for entry-level positions.”

5.  Career Development and Skill-Building Prompts

Encourage students to consider personal growth and long-term career development with these prompts.

Building a Skill Plan

• “What are 5 key skills for advancing in a career as a [job title]? What free or affordable resources could help a student develop these skills?”
  • “Suggest a learning path for a student aiming to build a career in [industry/role, e.g., data analysis, social media marketing].”

Long-Term Career Development

• “For a recent graduate interested in [field], what are the top 3 positions to aim for after a few years of experience in [entry-level role]?”
  • “Suggest ways a student could combine their interests in [interest 1] and [interest 2] to build a unique career path.”

Quick Tips for Crafting Prompts

• Be Specific: Tailor each prompt with the student’s unique skills, interests, and career goals.
  • Encourage Exploration: Use open-ended prompts to help students consider a variety of options.
  • Follow Up on Insights: Remind students that ChatGPT’s suggestions should be a starting point; validate with LinkedIn or informational interviews.

This handout provides a variety of prompts that career consultants can use to guide students in exploring careers, preparing applications, and networking effectively.

Content Adapted from NACE (September 2024)