10 Free AI Prompts to Help You Land Your Next Job

This article was originally published on LinkedIn.

The job market is tough right now. I know many of you are navigating layoffs, career transitions, or a search that's stretching longer than expected. It's exhausting. Not just the applications, but the emotional weight of it all.

I've spent time building AI prompts that can help with the practical side of job searching: tailoring resumes, preparing for interviews, negotiating offers, and more. These aren't generic "write me a cover letter" prompts. They're designed to give you specific, actionable output that you can really use.

I'm sharing all ten prompts here because I want them to be useful to anyone who needs them.

How to use these prompts: Copy any prompt below and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, or your preferred AI assistant. Replace everything in {{double brackets}} with your own information. The more detail you provide, the better your results will be.

1. Resume Tailoring

This prompt analyzes a job posting to identify exactly what the hiring manager and ATS systems are looking for, then rewrites your resume to match. It gives you a keyword gap analysis, prioritizes requirements, and explains every change it makes.

You are a resume optimization specialist who analyzes job postings to identify exactly what hiring managers and ATS systems prioritize.

TASK: Tailor my resume to maximize relevance for a specific position.

INPUTS:
- Target role: {{JOB_TITLE}} at {{COMPANY}}
- Job description: {{PASTE_JOB_DESCRIPTION}}
- My current resume: {{PASTE_RESUME}}

DELIVERABLES:
1. **Keyword Gap Analysis**: List required skills/qualifications from the posting, marking which I have (✓) vs. missing (✗)
2. **Priority Ranking**: Rank the top 5 requirements by emphasis in the posting
3. **Tailored Resume**: Rewritten version with:
   - Summary reframed around their priorities
   - Bullet points reordered/reworded to mirror job language
   - Quantified achievements where possible
4. **Change Log**: Specific edits made and why each improves ATS/recruiter match

CONSTRAINTS:
- Preserve factual accuracy—never fabricate experience
- If I lack a "required" qualification, suggest how to address it (transferable skill, willingness to learn, or acknowledge the gap)
- Flag any red flags I should prepare to address (gaps, overqualification, underqualification)

2. Cover Letter Writing

Most cover letters sound the same. This prompt writes one that demonstrates genuine fit by connecting your specific experience to their specific needs. And it does so without the clichés that make hiring managers' eyes glaze over.

You are a hiring manager who has read thousands of cover letters. You know what makes candidates stand out vs. sound generic.

TASK: Write a cover letter that demonstrates genuine fit—not just enthusiasm.

INPUTS:
- Role: {{JOB_TITLE}} at {{COMPANY}}
- My relevant qualifications: {{LIST_3-4_KEY_STRENGTHS}}
- Key requirements from posting: {{LIST_TOP_REQUIREMENTS}}
- (Optional) Something specific about the company I admire: {{COMPANY_DETAIL}}

DELIVERABLES:
A cover letter (250-300 words) structured as:
1. **Opening Hook** (1-2 sentences): Specific connection to company/role—not "I'm excited to apply"
2. **Value Proof** (2-3 sentences): One concrete achievement that maps to their top requirement
3. **Fit Statement** (2-3 sentences): Why this role specifically, not just any role
4. **Close** (1 sentence): Clear call to action

CONSTRAINTS:
- No clichés: "passionate," "team player," "excited about this opportunity"
- Every sentence must provide information my resume doesn't
- Tone: Confident without arrogance, specific without rambling
- If I lack a stated requirement, do NOT mention it—focus on strengths

3. Interview Question Preparation

This prompt generates realistic interview questions for your specific role and industry, explains what each question is really assessing, and gives you answer frameworks using the STAR method. It prioritizes the questions you're most likely to face.

You are an interview coach who has prepared candidates for {{INDUSTRY}} roles across all seniority levels.

TASK: Generate realistic interview questions with strong answer frameworks.

INPUTS:
- Target role: {{JOB_TITLE}}
- Industry: {{INDUSTRY}}
- Seniority level: {{ENTRY/MID/SENIOR/EXECUTIVE}}
- (Optional) Specific company: {{COMPANY}}

DELIVERABLES:

**Section A: Likely Questions (15 total)**
- 5 Behavioral (past experience)
- 5 Technical/Role-specific
- 5 Situational (hypothetical scenarios)

For each question, provide:
- The question itself
- Why they ask it (what they're really assessing)
- Answer framework (not a script—key points to hit)

**Section B: STAR Answer Templates**
For the 3 hardest behavioral questions, provide:
- Situation setup (1 sentence)
- Task framing (1 sentence)
- Action emphasis (2-3 sentences—this is the meat)
- Result with metrics if possible (1 sentence)

CONSTRAINTS:
- Questions should reflect current hiring practices, not outdated "Where do you see yourself in 5 years" clichés
- Include at least 2 questions that probe weaknesses or failures
- Mark any questions as "HIGH PRIORITY" if they appear in 80%+ of interviews for this role

4. LinkedIn Profile Optimization

Recruiters search LinkedIn using specific keywords. This prompt rewrites your headline and summary to appear in those searches while still sounding human. It also gives you a keyword list and a quick-wins checklist.

You are a recruiter who searches LinkedIn daily. You know what makes profiles appear in searches and what makes you click.

TASK: Optimize my LinkedIn presence for recruiter discovery and engagement.

INPUTS:
- Target role: {{JOB_TITLE}}
- Current headline: {{CURRENT_HEADLINE}}
- Current summary/About: {{CURRENT_SUMMARY}}
- Key skills I want to highlight: {{TOP_5_SKILLS}}
- (Optional) Industry/companies I'm targeting: {{TARGETS}}

DELIVERABLES:

1. **Headline Rewrite** (max 220 characters)
   - Include: Target role keywords, value proposition, specialty
   - Avoid: "Seeking opportunities," current job title only

2. **Summary Rewrite** (max 2,600 characters, aim for 1,500)
   Structure:
   - Hook (who you help and how)
   - Proof points (2-3 achievements with numbers)
   - Expertise areas (naturally embed keywords)
   - Call to action

3. **Keyword Recommendations**
   - 10 keywords to add to Skills section
   - 5 phrases to incorporate naturally in Experience descriptions

4. **Quick Wins Checklist**
   - [ ] Profile photo assessment
   - [ ] Custom URL recommendation
   - [ ] Featured section suggestions

CONSTRAINTS:
- Optimize for both ATS keyword matching AND human readability
- No buzzwords without substance: "synergy," "leverage," "dynamic"
- Voice: First person, professional but approachable

5. Salary Negotiation Script

Most people leave money on the table because they don't know what to say. This prompt gives you exact scripts for your opening counter, justification talking points, and responses to common objections like "this is the max for this level."

You are a negotiation coach specializing in compensation discussions. Your approach is firm but collaborative, focused on mutual value.

TASK: Prepare me to negotiate my job offer with confidence and specific language.

INPUTS:
- Offered salary: {{OFFERED_AMOUNT}}
- Target salary: {{MY_TARGET}}
- Role: {{JOB_TITLE}}
- Market data: {{MARKET_RANGE_WITH_SOURCE}}
- My leverage points: {{YEARS_EXPERIENCE}}, {{KEY_ACHIEVEMENTS}}, {{COMPETING_OFFERS_IF_ANY}}
- My flexibility: {{WHAT_ELSE_I_VALUE: signing bonus, equity, PTO, remote, title}}

DELIVERABLES:

1. **Opening Script**
   Exact words to say when countering (not "I was hoping for more")

2. **Justification Talking Points**
   3-4 bullet points I can reference, each tied to:
   - Market data
   - My specific value-add
   - Role requirements

3. **Objection Responses**
   Scripts for:
   - "This is the max for this level"
   - "We can revisit in 6 months"
   - "We have internal equity constraints"
   - "The budget is fixed"

4. **Negotiation Beyond Salary**
   If base salary is truly fixed, ranked alternatives to request

5. **Walk-Away Criteria**
   Help me define my true minimum so I negotiate from clarity, not anxiety

CONSTRAINTS:
- Never suggest ultimatums or threats
- Tone: Grateful + professional + firm
- All scripts should sound like me talking, not a template
- Include silence as a tactic where appropriate

6. Thank-You Email After Interview

A good thank-you email does more than say thanks. It reinforces why you're the right candidate and addresses any concerns the interviewer raised. This prompt writes one that's specific to your actual conversation.

TASK: Write a post-interview thank-you email that reinforces my candidacy without being generic.

INPUTS:
- Role: {{JOB_TITLE}} at {{COMPANY}}
- Interviewer(s): {{NAME(S)_AND_ROLE(S)}}
- Interview date: {{DATE}}
- Specific topic we discussed: {{MEMORABLE_DISCUSSION_POINT}}
- Something I wish I'd said better: {{OPTIONAL_POINT_TO_CLARIFY}}
- Concern they raised about my fit: {{OPTIONAL_OBJECTION_TO_ADDRESS}}

DELIVERABLES:
A thank-you email (150-200 words) with:
1. **Subject Line**: Specific, not "Thank you for your time"
2. **Genuine Thanks** (1 sentence): Reference something specific from the conversation
3. **Value Reinforcement** (2-3 sentences): Connect a discussion point to how you'd contribute
4. **Address Concerns** (if applicable): Briefly counter any hesitation they expressed
5. **Forward Motion** (1 sentence): Express continued interest + next step acknowledgment

CONSTRAINTS:
- Send within 24 hours (email should reflect this urgency/freshness)
- If multiple interviewers, indicate whether this is one email or personalized versions
- No: "I really enjoyed learning about the role" (too generic)
- Yes: Reference specific project, challenge, or insight they shared

7. Career Pivot Positioning

Changing industries is hard because you're competing against people with direct experience. This prompt helps you identify transferable skills, craft a narrative that frames your pivot as an asset, and prepare for the inevitable "why should we hire you over someone with more relevant experience?" question.

You are a career strategist who specializes in helping professionals transition between industries.

TASK: Help me reframe my background to be compelling for a new field.

INPUTS:
- Current/past field: {{CURRENT_FIELD}}
- Target field: {{TARGET_FIELD}}
- My background: {{BRIEF_EXPERIENCE_SUMMARY}}
- Why I'm pivoting: {{MOTIVATION}}
- Target role type: {{SPECIFIC_ROLE_IF_KNOWN}}

DELIVERABLES:

1. **Transferable Skills Mapping**
   | My Experience | How It Translates | Their Language |
   |---------------|-------------------|----------------|
   (5-7 rows minimum)

2. **Narrative Script**
   How to explain my pivot in 30 seconds (elevator pitch version) and 2 minutes (interview version) without sounding like I'm "running from" my past field

3. **Gap Analysis**
   - Skills/credentials I'm missing
   - Realistic ways to address each (courses, projects, certifications)
   - Which gaps matter vs. which I can work around

4. **Positioning Statement**
   One paragraph for LinkedIn/resume summary that frames my pivot as an asset

5. **Objection Prep**
   How to answer:
   - "Why should we hire you over someone with direct experience?"
   - "What if you decide to go back to {{CURRENT_FIELD}}?"

CONSTRAINTS:
- Be honest about what translates and what's a genuine gap
- Don't oversell—hiring managers can tell
- Focus on unique value: What perspective do I bring that career-long industry people don't?

8. Networking Outreach Message

Cold outreach works when it's specific and low-ask. This prompt writes LinkedIn messages that get responses by showing you've done your homework and making it easy for the other person to say yes (or no).

TASK: Draft a cold outreach message that gets responses by being specific and low-ask.

INPUTS:
- Their role: {{THEIR_JOB_TITLE}} at {{THEIR_COMPANY}}
- How I found them: {{LINKEDIN_SEARCH/ARTICLE/MUTUAL_CONNECTION/EVENT}}
- What I genuinely want to learn: {{SPECIFIC_QUESTION_OR_TOPIC}}
- My brief background: {{ONE_SENTENCE_ABOUT_ME}}
- Connection point (if any): {{SHARED_SCHOOL/INDUSTRY/INTEREST}}

DELIVERABLES:
A LinkedIn message (under 300 characters for connection request, or under 500 for InMail) with:
1. **Hook**: Why them specifically (not flattery—specificity)
2. **Credibility**: One line establishing I'm worth responding to
3. **The Ask**: Specific, small, easy to say yes to
4. **Out**: Make it easy to decline without awkwardness

ALSO PROVIDE:
- A follow-up message if no response (1 week later)
- Topics to prepare if they say yes to a call

CONSTRAINTS:
- Never: "I'd love to pick your brain"
- Never: Mention job searching in the first message
- Always: Make the ask specific ("I have one question about X" beats "would love to chat sometime")
- Tone: Respectful of their time, curious, not desperate

9. Behavioral Interview Answer Builder

You know the STAR method, but it's hard to structure your own stories in the moment. This prompt takes a rough description of something you did and transforms it into a polished 60-90 second answer, complete with follow-up questions you might face.

TASK: Transform my rough situation into a polished STAR-method answer.

INPUTS:
- Interview question: "Tell me about a time you {{QUESTION_TOPIC: handled conflict / led a project / failed / etc.}}"
- My raw situation: {{DESCRIBE_WHAT_HAPPENED_IN_3-5_SENTENCES}}
- Role I'm interviewing for: {{JOB_TITLE}}
- What I think they want to hear: {{OPTIONAL}}

DELIVERABLES:

1. **STAR Breakdown**
   - **Situation** (2 sentences max): Set context quickly—who, what, stakes
   - **Task** (1 sentence): Your specific responsibility
   - **Action** (3-4 sentences): What YOU did (not the team)—use "I" not "we"
   - **Result** (1-2 sentences): Quantified outcome + what you learned

2. **Tailored Version**
   Adjusted to emphasize skills relevant to {{JOB_TITLE}}

3. **Potential Follow-ups**
   3 likely follow-up questions they might ask, with brief answers

4. **Red Flags Check**
   - Does this story accidentally reveal: blame-shifting, poor judgment, unresolved conflict?
   - If yes, how to reframe or choose a different example

CONSTRAINTS:
- Total answer: 60-90 seconds when spoken
- Action section should be 50%+ of the answer
- Results should include numbers where possible ("reduced by 30%," "saved 2 weeks")
- If the situation doesn't have a clear win, frame the learning as the result

10. Job Search Strategy

Job searching without a plan leads to burnout and scattered effort. This prompt creates a realistic 30-day action plan based on how many hours you actually have available, with specific daily tasks, weekly targets, and a system for tracking your pipeline.

You are a job search strategist who helps people run efficient, effective searches without burnout.

TASK: Create a realistic 30-day action plan customized to my situation.

INPUTS:
- Target role: {{JOB_TITLE}}
- Current status: {{EMPLOYED/UNEMPLOYED/STUDENT}}
- Hours available per week: {{X_HOURS}}
- Biggest challenge: {{APPLICATIONS_NOT_CONVERTING/NO_INTERVIEWS/NETWORK_IS_WEAK/ETC.}}
- Resources: {{PREMIUM_LINKEDIN/CAREER_COACH/SAVINGS_RUNWAY/ETC.}}

DELIVERABLES:

1. **Weekly Focus Areas**
   - Week 1: [Foundation building]
   - Week 2: [Active outreach]
   - Week 3: [Pipeline building]
   - Week 4: [Optimization + momentum]

2. **Daily Time Blocks** (based on {{X_HOURS}}/week)
   How to allocate time across:
   - Applications (targeted, not spray-and-pray)
   - Networking (warm and cold outreach)
   - Skill building (only if genuine gap)
   - Interview prep (ongoing)

3. **Weekly Targets**
   Specific, measurable goals:
   - # of tailored applications
   - # of networking conversations
   - # of follow-ups sent

4. **Tracking System**
   Simple spreadsheet structure to track pipeline without overhead

5. **Energy Management**
   - How to handle rejection without spiraling
   - When to take breaks
   - Signs of burnout to watch for

CONSTRAINTS:
- Realistic for {{X_HOURS}}/week—don't prescribe 40 hours of tasks for someone with 10
- Quality over quantity: 5 tailored apps > 50 generic ones
- Include specific daily actions, not vague "work on applications"
- Account for emotional labor of job searching

Wrapping Up

I hope you find these prompts helpful. They won't do the work for you. You still need to bring your experience, your stories, and your effort. But they can help you present yourself more effectively and save hours of staring at a blank page.

If one of these prompts helps you land an interview, negotiate a better offer, or just feel a little more prepared, I'd love to hear about it.

Good luck out there. You've got this.