🏆 5 Ways ChatGPT can Become your Personal Career Coach

Welcome to Career Catalyst, your weekly dose of practical strategies and tips for career advancement – minus the overwhelm. 

Not everyone has the financial means to hire a career coach. That’s where AI has the potential to bridge this gap.

A career coach acts as your personal compass to unleash your potential, steer you through your career challenges, and bolster your self-confidence.

So not having one puts you at a disadvantage.

Or, at least it used to...

Now, advanced language models are stepping up to fill that role.

While it may not completely replace a dedicated human expert, it certainly holds its own! 

It’s all about how you feed and prompt it.

Here are 5 of the top ways ChatGPT can become your personal career coach, along with example prompts. Hope they help!

1) Become the Ultimate Job Applicant*

1️⃣ Understand the job description

To gain insights into the qualities of a successful candidate, ask for the top skills needed and the reasons behind their importance.

Prompt:

• "You’re a recruiting manager. Share the top 5 skills essential for the following job, along with explanations for their importance. Here is the job description [paste the job description]."

Use this to enhance your understanding of the expectations and requirements.

2️⃣ Sharpen your Resume

Have ChatGPT create you an application that stands out from the crowd and grab the attention of potential employers. 

Prompt: 

• “I will paste my CV for the job title [input job title]. The job requirements are [input job description]. Rephrase the experiences to showcase technical skills, amend the layout and organise information in a way that is easy to read and visually appealing. Include keywords that are relevant to the job.” 

This information can help you tailor your CV for the job you’re applying for. 

3️⃣ Write a Catchier Cover Letter

Wildly increased your chances of making it through to an interview with a tailored cover letter that showcases your best qualities and how they relate to the role.

Prompt: 

• “Based on my resume and the job description, write a compelling cover letter that helps highlight the key skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position. Focus on achievements and qualifications, experience working in the tech industry and leadership potential.” 

Use this information to tailor your own cover letter for the job you’re applying for. Check for accuracy, rewrite in your own tone and add your personal touches. 

4️⃣ Prepare you for Interviews

Anticipate the interview questions you may be asked, and see examples of thoughtful and well-crafted responses based on your own experience.

Prompt: 

• “Share 10 questions that are likely to be asked in an interview based on the job description, and categorise them into behavioural, situational and competency-based questions. Please share sample answers with the structure to prepare for the interview.” 

Experiment with the prompts by rephrasing them and use this as inspiration to craft and practice your responses. 

And voila – You’ve just increased your chances of getting the job you want! 

5️⃣  Write a Post-Interview Thank You Email

Prompt:

• “I had an interview this morning and it went well. I really want the job. Please write a professional thank you email to the interviewer for [job title]. The interview took place on [date] at [time]. Express gratitude, highlight that I was impressed with the team and company culture and that I am confident I will thrive in the role. Reiterate relevant experience or qualifications, restate my interest and ask about next steps. Also reference that we have a shared love of dogs.”

*Treat the generated content as a reference only. Verify its accuracy and rephrase it in your unique style. Think of the outputs as suggestions from a coach with whom you're exchanging ideas.

2) Get Personalised Solutions to Specific Problems

Ask specific question about your specific problems, and get specific tips and strategies that relate to your situation.* 

It’s not about what you ask, but HOW you ask it. 

Dealing with Negativity Prompt:

• "As an account manager facing constant negativity & gossip at work, I'm struggling with motivation. Recommend three science-based strategies to maintain focus and avoid the negativity, along with one direct action I can take immediately."

Dealing with a Challenging Team Member:

• "As a project leader working with a team member who consistently misses deadlines and resists feedback, I'm concerned about the project's success. Provide three evidence-based communication techniques to address this issue and one immediate step I can take to facilitate a constructive conversation."

Dealing with Conflict as a Leader:

• "As a department head dealing with recurring conflicts between two highly-skilled employees that are affecting team morale and productivity, I need an effective resolution. Suggest three conflict resolution approaches backed by research, and one immediate action I can implement to initiate a positive change in their dynamic."

*For privacy reasons, make sure you don't reveal any sensitive details, including names or specific company information.

3) Strengthen your ideas before Presenting Them

To pressure-test your ideas and help you present with greater influence, instruct ChatGPT to take on different roles and challenge your thinking.* 

Prompts:

• “Assume the positions of CEO, the compliance team and a customer. Assess the following idea for potential shortcomings. What concerns or questions might be asked?” 
• “Assume the perspective of an unsatisfied customer. What issues might they potentially raise with this proposal? How could you effectively respond to and resolve their concerns?"
• "Adopt the roles of a marketing specialist, a competitor, and a potential investor. Examine the given concept for possible areas of improvement. What doubts or inquiries might arise from these perspectives?”

You’ve just strengthened your presentation, improved your perspective agility & boosted your influence. 

*Please remember that the information you provide will be used to enhance the language model, so ensure that you’re not disclosing any confidential or IP protected information.*

4) Boost your Skills

Seek personalised advice to help you you improve your skills, reach your goals and get more done in less time, based on your individual goals and preferences.

Instead of generic questions like "How do I improve my time management skills?", "How do I get better at public speaking?" or "How do I improve my writing skills?", be more specific.

Time Management Prompt:

• "As a project manager working in the manufacturing industry and juggling multiple deadlines, I'm struggling to prioritise tasks. Can you recommend three time management strategies that are specific to my role?"

Public Speaking Prompt:

• "As a sales representative giving frequent presentations to high value prospective clients, I'm struggling with nerves and confidence. Provide me with three actionable tips to help me manage anxiety and improve my public speaking skills.”

Writing Skills Prompt:

• "As a marketing specialist writing frequent email campaigns to build engagement about a sustainable fashion brand, I'm struggling to capture my audience's attention. Can you give me three writing tips that are specific to email marketing, some suggested headlines that relate to the brand, and one example of a successful email campaign that I can model mine after?"

5) Get Help with Decision-Making & Prioritising

Seek ChatGPT's input when faced with a difficult decision. Present pros and cons of each option and ask for an objective analysis, additional factors to consider, or potential consequences to help you make a well-informed choice.* 

Decision-making Prompt:

• "I have two job offers: one from an established company with a higher salary and job security but a longer commute, and another from a start-up with a lower salary, but potential for growth and a more dynamic work environment. Can you provide an objective analysis, additional factors to consider, or potential consequences to help me make an informed decision? Put it in a table.”
• Prioritising Prompt: 

"I need to prioritize between two major projects at work: one involves launching a new product line with high potential market impact but requires significant time and resources, while the other focuses on optimising existing processes, promising immediate cost savings and efficiency improvements but with lower long-term growth prospects. Can you provide an objective analysis, additional factors to consider, or potential consequences to help me make an informed decision? Present the information in a table format."

*Keep in mind the importance of verifying information and assessing its accuracy. For prioritisation decisions, consider obtaining a second opinion to make informed choices backed by diverse viewpoints.

⚠️ Concerns with AI

AI models, especially those focused on language, come with various risks, including data privacy, potential misuse, and unintended consequences. It's essential to remember that tools like ChatGPT and platforms developed by OpenAI are just that – tools. And these tools are by no means infallible.  

Over-reliance on any tool can be dangerous, so it's crucial to maintain a healthy level of critical discernment. Always question, verify, and exercise your own judgment when using AI-generated content to ensure you make smart, well-informed decisions.

If you’re interested in understanding more about the risks, Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin from The Centre for Humane Technology recently posted a sobering talk from earlier this year which I highly recommend – click here to watch on YouTube. 

Here are a few other links about risks in other areas: 

• Risks to Cybersecurity – Harvard Business Review
• Risks to Educational Quality – The Conversation 
• The AI Crisis and Bad Actors – The Atlantic

What about you? How are you leveraging the power of AI? Let’s start a conversation in the comments – I’d love to hear from you. 👇

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