By Chanell Alexander
If it seems like ChatGPT has overtaken your social media timeline, we don't blame you. You may be tired of hearing about the next "disruptive" tech craze. We've seen things like the Internet of Things, workplace automation tools like Zapier, and communication apps like Slack change the workplace as we know it. Now, all eyes are on generative AI with the introduction of ChatGPT.
Massive shifts have left a lot of people feeling unsettled, and it’s little surprise why. Much of the dialogue has involved doomsday articles stating that this new AI tech is taking a large percentage of office jobs. Other reports talk about how if you're only now discovering ChatGPT, you're already behind (as other AI tools like AutoGPT and Google's Bard emerge).
Three quick takeaways before we dig in:
It’s okay to be overwhelmed by the ChatGPT news! Hearing about a disruptive tool impacting your career prospects can be worrisome. Believe us when we say we're taking a deep breath right along with you.
Nathan George (+13,000 followers and over 500 connections)
We acknowledge that ChatGPT is a potent, pivotal tool. It indeed does have the capability to change our working landscape, and there’s no going back to the way things used to be.
ChatGPT could be a game changer that helps you stand out. While we can't predict how ChatGPT will impact your job's future, its features can help you grow your skillset and put you in a position to be competitive in an ever-changing job market.
It benefits companies to use AI to empower instead of replace. Companies that will shine the most are those that find ways to empower employees instead of just merely replacing them. Embracing what tools like ChatGPT have to offer will put you in a position to engage with companies doing this.
How, exactly? By strategically using ChatGPT career prompts, which show how the AI tool can support (rather than hinder) your career.
What is ChatGPT?
How often have we heard about a new tool, concept, or policy and formed opinions or ideas from what others say about it? (Virtually raising my hand.)
So, what better way to define ChatGPT than to go directly to the source, the tech-of-the-hour itself?
After asking the tool "What is ChatGPT?," it formally introduced itself:
"ChatGPT is a conversational AI model developed by OpenAI. It is designed to generate human-like responses to text inputs, making it capable of engaging in natural language conversations with users. ChatGPT is based on the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture, specifically GPT-3.5, which is trained on a vast amount of text data to learn patterns, grammar, and contextual understanding of language."
TLDR: It is an AI tool that you can talk to and ask questions. It will respond with human-like language using data that's been input into it by OpenAI.
ChatGPT has been compared to Google, but is unique since it doesn't necessarily offer website content as an answer (as Google does in its search results). It is meant to respond like a human but may include websites or sources in its explanations as citations.
It's worth noting that the data put into ChatGPT is only as recent as September 2021. Also, as with any tool, it's always essential to check responses for accuracy, as it has been known to give wrong answers. There’s also legitimate concern that its answers could be clouded by cultural, racial, and gender bias. Therefore, tread with caution and do your research due diligence with any responses you receive.
What are ChatGPT Career Prompts?
Caption: A thorough example of ChatGPT Career Prompts by Eric Partaker, CEO advisor, and strategist for companies like McKinsey & Company and Skype.
A "prompt" is the question you ask ChatGPT to answer or the action you command the program to complete. A career prompt asks ChatGPT to handle an inquiry or action related to job topics.
➡️ The more straightforward and intentional your prompt, the easier it will be to get the desired results.
Here are some tips for creating effective ChatGPT prompts:
It’s all about the verbs - Use effective and strong verbs when asking ChatGPT to do something. Anna Bernstein, a prompt engineer at Copy.ai, gave the example of using “condense this” instead of “rewrite this to be shorter” when asking ChatGPT to shorten prose. Carefully choosing your verbs can get you to your desired result quicker. Below is a table showing how you can sharpen your ChatGPT prompts, particularly in constructing your verb phrasing.
💡Stellar Verb Recommendations to Improve Your ChatGPT Results
📌Original Prompt | ♟Improved Prompt |
Can you pretend like you’re a career counselor and tell me what possible interview questions could be asked in [X INDUSTRY] interviews? | Act as an [X INDUSTRY] career counselor and advise me on common interview questions in the [EDUCATION MARKETING] field. |
Let me know about topics related to [X INDUSTRY] that I need to know to be competitive when applying for [X POSITION]. | Brainstorm and inform me of [X TOPICS] that make me a competitive candidate for [X POSITIONS] in [COMPANY TYPE (Fortune 500, Start-Up, Nonprofit, etc.]. |
Put together a training program that teaches me the basics of [X SKILL]. I am a career professional in [X INDUSTRY]. | Create a training program for a beginner that is a [X POSITION] professional in [X INDUSTRY] over the course of 90 days. |
Can the original prompt work? Sure. But the improved version can get you specifics much faster while enhancing ChatGPT's understanding of what you're asking. For example, "Can you pretend, " in the first column," can be shortened to a more effective "Act as."
The same goes for "Let me know" and "Brainstorm and inform me of." When writing a prompt for ChatGPT, think about how to condense verb phrases to one or two words.
Test and refine - Workplace automation software company Zapier knows a lot about ‘harassing’ AI to make work easier. Their suggestion to try a prompt, edit, and then try again is a crucial one. Don't hesitate to change the language or length if you're not getting what you want.
Always offer context - Remember that ChatGPT is meant to mimic human interaction. Much like you’d explain a situation before diving into details with a friend, it’s best to do the same with ChatGPT. If you want resume help, provide your work history and the industry you're in before asking for input. The same goes for questions about training and development. The bottom line: This tool is only as good as the effort you put into it. Deeper prompts elicit better responses.
ChatGPT can be a goldmine for outlining a training strategy or finding your next job. But knowing how to craft solid career prompts first is critical.
Six ChatGPT Prompts to Transform Your Career Planning
ChatGPT can offer an excellent training ground and provide 24/7 career coaching.
Here are six areas where ChatGPT career advice can give you a competitive edge:
Managing job fears
Resume building
How to skill up in your industry
Create a training and learning plan
Tips for obtaining a new job or getting a promotion
Managing daily work
Prompt #1: Managing job fears
The much-publicized threats that AI programs like ChatGPT pose to various industries may be overplayed, or may be a harbinger of things to come. By gaining information from the source, you can avoid getting bogged down by all the speculation.
Here are two prompts to help you overcome job-replacement concerns in your industry.
What new job opportunities can ChatGPT create in [INDUSTRY]?
How can ChatGPT contribute to job creation in the [INDUSTRY]?
For this query, I asked specifically about the software development industry.
A sample ChatGPT answer:
ChatGPT, as an advanced language model, has the potential to create new job opportunities in the software development industry. Here are some ways in which ChatGPT can contribute to job creation:
AI Application Development: ChatGPT can be leveraged to develop AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants for various industries. Companies can hire software developers to integrate ChatGPT into their applications and build conversational interfaces that enhance user experiences and provide valuable services.
Natural Language Processing (NLP) Specialists: With the increasing use of ChatGPT, there is a growing demand for professionals skilled in natural language processing. NLP specialists can work on refining and optimizing the interactions between ChatGPT and users, improving the model's understanding of context, and enhancing its response generation capabilities.
AI Ethics and Bias Mitigation: As ChatGPT is trained on large amounts of data from the internet, there can be challenges related to biases and misinformation. Job opportunities can arise for professionals specializing in AI ethics, responsible AI development, and bias mitigation. They can help ensure that ChatGPT's responses are accurate, unbiased, and aligned with ethical standards.
While there might be job restructuring or loss in some cases, there are also possibilities for new opportunities. The World Economic Forum discussed the jobs lost and those created by AI. Here's a look at a snapshot of their Future of Jobs Report 2023, and guess what?
AI and Machine Learning specialists are at the top of their fastest-growing list. 👀
While AI may threaten some jobs, new opportunities to use AI tech to enhance or switch your career are emerging along with it.
Prompt #2: Resume building
Creating a stand-out resume in today’s highly competitive job market can be a Herculean feat. If you want some quick insight or a professional resume review is out of reach financially, ChatGPT could help you get a jumpstart.
The following prompt is from a list of Jasper commands (an AI program focused on copywriting):
Can you write me a resume that highlights my top skills, such as [SKILL 1], [SKILL 2], [SKILL 3], and [SKILL 4], and showcases my experience working in [INDUSTRY OR FIELD]? In my previous roles at [COMPANY NAME], I [ACTION VERB] [TASK 1], [TASK 2], and [TASK 3], which helped [RESULT OR IMPACT]. My ability to [SKILL 1] and [SKILL 2] has been essential to my success in [INDUSTRY OR FIELD], and I am eager to apply these skills in a new position.
I added some skills and information about my last job, and here’s what ChatGPT delivered:
NOTE: This generic resume template is based on professional information from a prompt. It’s intended to give you a baseline (rather than starting from scratch) that you can tailor to your skills and profession. It's always crucial to customize the template so your resume won’t resemble that of other ChatGPT users ;-)
The template includes everyday tasks associated with the indicated skills and helps me to tailor those further to my experience. Also, many of the tasks mentioned are things I actually did in previous roles. Having a starting point makes customization and adding accomplishments/metrics so much easier.
💡Hint: Speed things up by asking ChatGPT to create a resume based on a job description from a position that interests you.
The goal here isn't to take the description word-for-word and turn it into a resume, but you can use this trick to have ChatGPT build a resume filled with keywords from the job description that you can customize your skills and accomplishments.
Prompt #3: How to skill up in your industry
ChatGPT's career prompts can act as opportunity goggles, enabling you to see potential gaps in knowledge and learning in your desired industry.
I am a [CURRENT POSITION] that has worked in [INDUSTRY/SECTOR], [INDUSTRY/SECTOR], and [INDUSTRY/SECTOR]. What are some innovative skills in [CURRENT POSITION] that I should learn and train on to make me competitive with my professional peers? How do these skills relate to my career?
I used this prompt for a content manager professional who has worked in personal finance and entrepreneurship spaces. Here’s a small snippet of the response:
As a content manager looking to stay competitive in the field, there are several innovative skills you can learn and train on. These skills can enhance your content management abilities and help you excel in the areas of personal finance, entrepreneurship, and tech. Here are some innovative skills in content management that you should consider:
Technology and Automation Skills: With the rapid advancement of technology, having skills in areas such as robotic process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and cloud financial management system (FMS) applications can empower you to deliver more value with less effort [1]. These skills allow you to leverage digital technologies and automation to streamline processes, eliminate manual tasks, and enhance the overall efficiency of content management.
Business Process Management: Developing skills in business process management is crucial for managing change and implementing cloud-based solutions effectively [1]. Understanding vendor management, service-level agreements (SLAs), security administration, and ongoing support within the finance function can enable you to make informed decisions and achieve successful outcomes in content management.
Data Literacy: In today's data-driven world, being proficient in data literacy is essential for content managers. Enhancing your ability to read, write, and communicate data in context, understand data sources, apply analytical methods, and describe use-case applications can help you provide valuable insights and drive informed decision-making [1].
This prompt, particularly if you pair it with the first one, can give you insight into skills you may need to learn and insight into training for another industry or position.
Prompt #4: Create a training and learning plan
Now let’s connect prompt #3 to this example. Let's say you're a content manager and want to create a detailed training plan for data literacy. With the right prompt, ChatGPT can put together a comprehensive learning and development strategy for this skill:
I am a content manager, and I want to learn about data literacy. I am a complete beginner. Create a 30-day learning plan to help a beginner like me learn and improve this skill.
Note: This prompt comes from Hasan Toor, a software engineer, who shared this and a collection of other helpful prompts on Twitter.
ChatGPT dutifully created a 30-day plan with tips for resources to use along the way.
For brevity’s sake, here’s an excerpt of the answer:
Day 1 includes a plan for introducing yourself to the concept of data literacy:
Read about data literacy and its importance in decision-making processes.
Understand the definition of data literacy and its key components.
Explore the benefits of data-driven decision-making.
By Days 18 and 20, ChatGPT recommended tools you should familiarize yourself with:
Explore popular data literacy tools and software, such as Excel, Tableau, or Power BI.
Learn the basics of using these tools for data analysis and visualization.
Practice importing data, performing calculations, and creating visualizations using one or more of these tools.
While ChatGPT won't be handling the training, it can make your approach to learning something new easier. (This prompt answered the "what," but what about the "how?") It could even help you find ways to use the tool to deepen your learning. (How meta!)
For example, you could ask something like: "What are the five most critical or useful features of Power BI for a new user to master?" …followed by “Where can I find more information about those tools?”
Use base prompts to expand your knowledge and get actionable steps.
Prompt #5: Tips for obtaining a new job or getting a promotion in your current role
Seeking a new job or want to level up in your organization? Well, ChatGPT can help with that, too. It can provide a framework and tips to get promoted or land a new position.
Check out this prompt:
I am a [X-YEAR] [PROFESSION/CAREER]. I have experience in [SKILL 1], [SKILL 2], and [SKILL 3] skills. I want to get a promotion at my [X-NUMBER of PEOPLE] company in [INDUSTRY]. How can I convince my manager to promote me to a [NEW SENIOR ROLE]?
Here’s a snippet of a query I did for a content management professional with SEO and leadership skills who wants to move up to a senior content manager role:
To convince your manager to promote you to a senior content manager role, follow these steps:
Clarify your career goals: Before approaching your manager, take some time to reflect on your career aspirations and ensure that a senior content manager role aligns with your long-term goals. Make sure you genuinely want this promotion and understand the responsibilities it entails.
Research the requirements: Find out what it takes to advance to a senior content manager role in your organization. Understand the skills, experience, and qualifications typically expected from candidates in such a position. This knowledge will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your readiness [1].
Showcase your skills and achievements: Highlight your project management, SEO, and leadership skills when discussing your promotion with your manager. Provide specific examples of projects you have successfully managed, SEO strategies you have implemented, and instances where you have demonstrated leadership qualities. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact on the company [1].
The answer goes on to offer tips for building a professional network and demonstrating a commitment to the company. It’s like having a personalized robot mentor (who would have thought tech would turn this corner? Wow!)
If your focus is on obtaining a new job, simply alter the prompt to reflect that.
Prompt #6: Managing daily work
You've done the work and found a job that's the right fit (or you're happy where you are and need some help adding efficiency to your day). Either way, ChatGPT can offer insight into how it can help you better handle your daily work.
How can ChatGPT support my daily work with clients as a/n [X PROFESSIONAL] at an [X TYPE OF COMPANY]?
For this example, I completed the query as an account executive at a digital marketing agency.
Here’s a sample of the results:
As an account executive in a digital advertising agency, ChatGPT can support your daily work with clients in several ways:
Enhanced User Queries: ChatGPT, being a natural language processing tool, can understand and respond to user queries accurately and in a human-like manner [1]. This ability allows you to provide personalized advertising experiences to clients and create more engaging and persuasive ad campaigns [1].
Research Assistance: ChatGPT can serve as a valuable research tool by providing a starting point for exploring new topics or industries. For example, if a client approaches your agency for help, you can ask ChatGPT to summarize how labor shortages impact that specific industry, allowing you to direct your further research effectively [3].
Email Writing Assistance: Composing the perfect email message can be challenging, but ChatGPT can act as your writing assistant. By dictating the content and tone you wish to achieve, the chatbot can generate engaging email drafts that match your request. This feature is especially helpful when dealing with sensitive subjects like customer complaints, as ChatGPT can assist in crafting apology emails or resolving issues to regain customer trust [3].
ChatGPT went on to discuss how it can help with other tasks like content ideation, analytics and data support, and productivity and technical SEO. ChatGPT removes the pressure of needing to think about how it can help you. Simply ask it to tell you all the ways it can support you in your current role
There’s No Denying It: AI Has Unlocked a New Era
Much like the takeover of the internet in the 90s and the widespread adoption of smartphones in the 2000s, life will never go back to how it was before the current era of AI.
With this evolving outlook of technological evolution will come a lot of unknowns. With that, it's important to always remember the tech's purpose.
Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize winner Christian Lous Lange once said: "Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master." What's striking about that quote is that he said it in 1921. Even then, Lange understood that technology wasn't meant to be given the power to rule, but to be managed by people.
One of the best ways to manage the radical advancement of tech tools like ChatGPT is to understand how it can best help and support you in your endeavors. Taking this approach can help you overcome the fear.
The fear and unknowns can come in the form of things like job loss concerns or even wondering if you have the capacity to learn a complex new skill.
Bonnie Dilber, a recruiting manager at Zapier, sums up how you should implement ChatGPT career prompts: with a mix of curiosity, intentionality, and caution:
Accepting this new era and learning as much as possible about AI can ease your fears and position you for success down the road. You’ve read this far and already have a head start! By learning how to write better ChatGPT prompts, you can carve out potential new spaces in your industry while enabling you to make moves that benefit your career.