20 Effective Writing Prompts for Job Applications You Need to Try

When applying for jobs, AI tools can help you save time and craft compelling applications by generating tailored content, improving the quality of your resume, cover letter, or portfolio, and optimizing your application strategy.

Last update:
01/01/2024
20 Effective Writing Prompts for Job Applications You Need to Try

Write your resume in 15 minutes

Our free collection of expertly designed resume templates will help you stand out from the crowd and get one step closer to your dream job.

Create your resume
Table of contents
Table of content
Create my resume with AI

Write your resume in 15 minutes

Our free collection of expertly designed resume templates will help you stand out from the crowd and get one step closer to your dream job.

Create my resume

Using these prompts with an AI tool can help ensure that each part of your job offer application is tailored and polished, ultimately increasing your chances of success.

Here are 20 great prompts to use with an AI tool when applying for jobs:

A woman smiling while using AI on her laptop at home

1. Cover Letter Drafting

  • Prompt: "Write a professional and personalized cover letter for a [Job Title] position at [Company Name], highlighting my experience in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3], and explaining why I’m a good fit for the role."
  • This prompt helps you create a personalized cover letter for each job you apply to, focusing on specific skills that match the job description. By inputting details about the company and the role, the AI can tailor the tone and language to resonate with the employer’s culture and values, ensuring a more impactful application.

2. Resume Tailoring

  • Prompt: "Create a resume tailored to a [Job Title] role in [Industry], showcasing my experience in [Specific Skills], [Key Achievements], and my work in [Relevant Projects]."
  • When applying for a job, your resume should reflect not only your experience but also your skills and accomplishments in a way that aligns with the specific position. This prompt ensures that the AI helps format your resume in the most relevant way possible, highlighting key achievements that will resonate with hiring managers.

3. Quantifying Achievements

  • Prompt: "Help me quantify my achievements in my last job as a [Job Title] at [Company Name] using metrics such as revenue growth, customer satisfaction, or efficiency improvements."
  • Employers love to see concrete results. Instead of just stating your responsibilities, this prompt encourages you to use numbers and statistics to demonstrate your impact. The AI can help you identify metrics that might not immediately come to mind, making your achievements more persuasive and measurable

4. Job Description Analysis

  • Prompt: "Analyze this job description for [Job Title] at [Company Name] and provide a summary of the key skills, qualifications, and experience required. Then, suggest how I can align my resume to match these needs."
  • Job descriptions can sometimes be long and complex, and it’s easy to miss key information. By inputting the job description into the AI, you can have it break down the essential qualifications and skills, making it easier to revise your application documents to align with the employer’s needs.

5. Interview Preparation (Behavioral Questions)

  • Prompt: "Generate answers to common behavioral interview questions like 'Tell me about a time when you handled a challenging project,' focusing on my background in [Relevant Skill or Experience]."
  • Behavioral interview questions are designed to assess how you’ve handled situations in the past to predict your future performance. This prompt allows you to craft well-structured, concise, and impactful responses based on your real-life experiences, ensuring you’re prepared for your interview.
A woman updating her LinkedIn profile on her laptop.

6. LinkedIn Profile Optimization

  • Prompt: "Generate a professional LinkedIn summary that highlights my career achievements, skills  and passion for the respective Industry."
  • Your LinkedIn profile is often the first thing recruiters will see. This prompt helps generate a summary that grabs attention, effectively presents your skills, and shows your passion for your field. It helps you highlight the value you can bring to potential employers, making your profile stand out in a crowded job market.

7. Cover Letter for Career Change

  • Prompt: "Write a cover letter for a career change from [Previous Field] to [New Field], explaining my transferable skills and enthusiasm for learning and growing in this new industry."
  • Career changers often struggle to present their past experiences in a way that fits their new desired role. This prompt helps the AI focus on the transferable skills that can make you a valuable candidate in your new field, while also expressing your passion for the new direction you’re pursuing.

8. Salary Negotiation Email

  • Prompt: "Write a polite and professional email to negotiate a higher salary offer for a [Job Title] role at [Company], referencing my relevant experience and industry standards."
  • Salary negotiations can be tricky, but using a respectful and well-structured email can go a long way. This prompt allows you to draft an email that balances confidence with professionalism, citing specific achievements and industry standards to justify your request for a higher salary.

9. Professional Summary for Resume

  • Prompt: "Write a compelling professional summary for my resume as a [Job Title] with expertise in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3], focusing on my ability to contribute to [specific type of work or project]."
  • Your resume’s professional summary is the first thing hiring managers will read, so it needs to make an immediate impact. This prompt helps you create a succinct, impactful statement that summarizes your experience, skills, and what you bring to the table, all tailored to the role you're applying for.

10. Personal Branding Statement

  • Prompt: "Create a personal branding statement that captures my professional identity as a [Job Title/Industry], emphasizing my unique combination of skills in [Skill 1] and [Skill 2]."
  • A personal branding statement helps you stand out from other applicants by succinctly communicating what makes you unique. This prompt guides the AI in crafting a statement that conveys both your professional identity and the key skills that set you apart in your industry.
A focused female office worker sitting at a kitchen desk, working on a project and typing on her laptop.

11. Job Search Strategy

  • Prompt: "Provide a job search strategy for someone seeking [Job Title] roles in [Industry], including suggestions for networking, job boards, and industry events."
  • Job hunting can be overwhelming, but a strategic approach makes it more manageable. This prompt helps create a tailored job search plan, including tips on networking, the best job boards to visit, and industry-specific events that can help you connect with employers.

12. Handling Employment Gaps

  • Prompt: "Help me explain an employment gap in my resume due to [Reason] in a way that highlights my skills, growth, and commitment to returning to the workforce."
  • Employment gaps can raise red flags for hiring managers, but this prompt helps you reframe the gap in a positive light. The AI can suggest ways to explain your gap that emphasize personal development, skills you gained during that time, or how you stayed engaged with your field.

13. Adapting a Resume for Remote Roles

  • Prompt: "Rewrite my resume to emphasize my experience and skills related to remote work, such as communication tools, time management, and self-motivation."
  • Remote work requires specific skills that traditional office jobs may not. This prompt helps you focus on your remote work competencies, such as proficiency with digital tools, your ability to work independently, and how you manage tasks and deadlines remotely.

14. Customizing Application for a Startup

  • Prompt: "Write a tailored cover letter for a [Job Title] role at a startup, showcasing my entrepreneurial spirit, adaptability, and experience in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3]."
  • Startups often look for candidates who are adaptable, creative, and can thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment. This prompt helps create a cover letter that shows you're a good fit for that culture, highlighting relevant experiences and demonstrating a passion for working in a startup.

15. Writing a Job Application Follow-Up Email

  • Prompt: "Write a polite and professional follow-up email to inquire about the status of my application for the [Job Title] role at [Company Name] after [X] weeks."
  • Following up on your job application is an important but delicate process. This prompt helps you craft a polite, non-intrusive email that demonstrates continued interest in the position while also requesting an update on your application status.
A young connecting to her laptop and drinking a healthy glass of orange juice

16. Highlighting Soft Skills

  • Prompt: "Help me write a section for my resume that emphasizes my soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, with specific examples from my past roles."
  • Soft skills are just as crucial as hard skills, and employers highly value them. This prompt can guide you in highlighting your soft skills with concrete examples, demonstrating how you work well in teams, solve problems creatively, and communicate effectively.

17. Cover Letter for an Internship

  • Prompt: "Create a cover letter for an internship application, highlighting my academic background in [Major], relevant coursework, and enthusiasm to gain practical experience in [Industry]."
  • Internships are often the first step in gaining professional experience. This prompt helps you create a compelling cover letter that emphasizes your academic background, relevant coursework, and eagerness to learn in a hands-on setting.

18. Writing a Thank-You Note After an Interview

  • Prompt: "Write a professional thank-you email after a job interview for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], expressing my gratitude for the opportunity and reinforcing my interest in the role."
  • Sending a thank-you note is a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and leave a positive impression. This prompt helps you write a thoughtful email that expresses appreciation and reaffirms your qualifications, all while maintaining professionalism.

19. Demonstrating Passion for the Company

  • Prompt: "Write a cover letter that shows my genuine, interest in the position, not a replacement, in the position of [Company Name], highlighting my research into their values, culture, and recent initiatives and aligning them with my career goals."
  • Employers want to know that you’re not just applying to any job, but specifically to their company. This prompt encourages you to show that you've done your research on the company’s culture and values and that you genuinely align with their mission.

20. Converting Freelance Work to Full-Time Position

  • Prompt: "Write a cover letter for a full-time position at [Company Name], where I previously worked as a freelancer, demonstrating my familiarity with their workflow and the value I’ve already contributed."
  • Transitioning from freelancing to a full-time position requires showcasing how your freelance work has already benefitted the company. This prompt helps you craft a cover letter that highlights your prior experience with the company and your desire to contribute more long-term.

These prompts can help ensure that your application stands out by effectively showcasing your skills and experience, while also addressing any potential concerns employers may have. By tailoring your job application materials to each position, you can increase your chances of success in a competitive job market.

A cute brunette woman sitting at a table, using a laptop

Top Strategies for Creating a Standout Job Application


  1. Understanding the Job Description and Requirements
  2. Crafting a Compelling Cover Letter
  3. Creating a Resume that Stands Out
  4. Streamlining Your Job Search Process
  5. Writing Effective Resume Bullet Points
  6. Creating a Strong LinkedIn Profile
  7. Following Up After an Application
  8. Tailoring Your Application to the Job Title
  9. Finalizing Your Job Application

Conclusion


AI has revolutionized how we approach job applications, and job applicants by offering tools that save time and enhance quality. From using leadership skills and crafting tailored resumes to generating engaging cover, letter writing and letters and preparing for interviews, AI empowers candidates to present themselves as strong, confident professionals.

Take the next step in your job search by trying our Resume builder or leveraging ChatGPT for your applications to job seekers. With AI as your partner with job seekers, success for job seekers is within reach!

Create your resume with the best templates

Frequently Asked Questions

How Accurate Are AI-Generated Job Applications?

AI is highly accurate when provided with detailed prompts. However, human review is necessary to ensure personalization and authenticity.

Can AI Replace Professional Resume Writers?

AI is an excellent tool for quick, customized results. However, for senior roles or highly technical jobs, professional guidance may still be beneficial.

How Can I Ensure My Data is Secure When Using AI?

Always use trusted platforms with clear privacy policies. Avoid sharing sensitive personal information directly in AI tools.

Create your resume in 15 minutes

Our free collection of expertly designed cover letter templates will help you stand out from the crowd and get one step closer to your dream job.

Create my resume