Be aware and cautious of sharing personal data with AI tools. Understand how your data is being stored, used, and secured by reviewing the data privacy policy page of the tool you are using. Personally identifiable information such as name, email address, physical address, social security number, passwords, and organization names should NEVER be inputted into AI.

Generative AI (and the knowledge it can provide) is available for everyone; for all types of learning styles, languages, abilities, and stages in your career; from anywhere; and you can use it 24/7!

Generative AI can help you complete tasks like writing a resume or cover letter quickly and more efficiently, leaving you more time to dig into other things like preparing for interviews and building your career networks of support.

Generative AI’s responses and ideas are truly infinite! Stuck and don’t know where to start with your career, job application, career fair preparation, networking conversations…? Want help with brainstorming? Generative AI is your tool!

Think of generative AI as a companion on your career journey! It can provide you general advice and guidance, help you with research, provide a different perspective, check your assumptions, and edit/revise your writing.

Generative AI skills are in demand in today’s workforce! No matter the industry, AI -combined with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills and the ability to approach challenges creatively- can help you tackle the complex problems we face as a society.

While AI tools are interactive in nature and can feel like you’re having a discussion with someone, they cannot replace the value found in human interaction with your career advisor and other people you trust. Use discussions with these important career champions to gain personal insight, ask questions, sort out feelings, and make meaningful connections…something a machine-like generative AI cannot assist you with.

While generative AI can be a helpful place to start research and get ideas, it can lead to overdependence on technology and neglecting the ability to think critically and use your own personal voice in your career journey!

Generative AI may generate responses that are biased or inaccurate. Use your critical thinking skills and gut feelings (does something not feel quite right?) to distinguish facts from fiction.

Generic prompts will result in generic responses with generative AI. Generative AI lacks context and awareness of your personal story. For example, without very specific prompting, generative AI cannot tell your personal story in a cover letter in a way that is authentic to your own values, voice, tone, or written communication skills. Moreover, it also does not have the ability to determine if listing one skill over another on your resume would impress a hiring manager more. We recommend using generative AI for brainstorming and refining your ideas.

Responses from generative AI platforms pull from all information that has ever been published on the internet, including information published by prejudiced humans. AI responses can perpetuate biases. Be aware of potential biases and always critically evaluate information generated. Seek diverse perspectives from mentors, peers, and industry professionals from varied backgrounds to counteract biased viewpoints from generative AI tools.

Generative AI can use a lot more energy than traditional internet search engines. Although AI technologies offer promising tools for advancing climate research and environmental monitoring, its growth around the world can also harm the environment.

Notes about this prompt:

• This prompt could be helpful when you are starting to learn about different career paths, jobs, and majors that might interest you.
• Tip: Before you work with this prompt, we recommend meeting with a career advisor to discuss your career and major interests and personal values.

• Note: While your major may relate to your future career, know that generally majors do not directly lead to a specific career. Chat with a career advisor to learn more about how you can explore various career paths regardless of your chosen major.

Initial prompt to enter:

• My values are [insert values], some of my top skills are [insert skills], and I have interests in [insert interests]. What careers align with my values? What careers align with my skills? What careers align with my interests?

Continue the conversation:

• What job titles fall under these career paths?
• Generally, what majors could I look at based on my career interests of [insert interests].
  • Note: Generative AI tool data is not specific to University of Memphis majors. To learn more about our specific majors, visit What Can I Do With This Major or chat with a career advisor.
• What other jobs are similar to [insert job title] in [insert specific industry]?

Notes about this prompt:

• This prompt could be helpful when you are starting to identify organizations (employers) you may be interested in working for.
• Note: If you are interested in working at a smaller organization, generative AI may not have extensive enough data to provide specific recommendations.
• Tip: We recommend connecting with a career advisor to discuss employer options beyond what generative AI may recommend. Your career advisor will have an understanding of which employers the career center has existing relationships with and/or if any alumni are working at the organization.

Initial prompt to enter:

• I want to live in [insert location] and I am interested in a career in [insert industry]. My values are [insert values]. What are some organizations I could consider applying to?

Continue the conversation:

• What is [organization or industry name’s] typical entry-level salary for a [insert job title]?
• What is the average cost of living in [insert location]?
• Provide me with search resources to gather information on these industries/employers that have a mission of [insert mission].

Notes about this prompt:

• This prompt could be helpful when you are determining which skills you already have and which skills you need to develop to work toward a career in a specific industry.
• Note: Prompts like this are not meant to point out what you are missing or lacking, but rather to help you develop a plan for growth and professional development.
• Note: If you use this prompt or something similar, please know that you do not need to match 100% of the requirements to apply for a job/work in the industry of interest.
• Note: DO NOT paste personal information from your resume. The major content (bullet points) should suffice.

Initial prompt to enter:

• I am interested in a career in [insert industry]. Some roles that I am interested in include [insert job titles/roles]. What are some of the most important skills for this industry/these roles?

Continue the conversation:

• Here is my resume [paste resume]. What skills do I have that align with roles in this industry, and what skills should I focus on developing more? Please do not rewrite my resume for me.
• What are some ways I could go about developing [insert skills] to best prepare myself for a career in [insert industry] as a student in [insert major]?
• Which LinkedIn Learning courses might be helpful for me given these growth areas [insert growth areas/skills]?
• What experiences are common for entry-level positions in [insert industry/job title]?

Notes about this prompt:

• It is never too early to start planning for your post-graduation career! Use this prompt to get an idea of steps you can take at any stage of your educational journey to guide you in your career development.
• Tip: Chat with a career advisor to learn more about strategies for developing a career plan!

Initial prompt to enter:

• I am a [insert school year] student in college and interested in a career in [insert industry, if known]. So far, I have taken the following steps toward my career development: [insert steps taken]. Outline a plan for my remaining time as a student for my career development.

Continue the conversation:

• Depending on the response: Tell me more about strategies for [insert one of the steps outlined in the response].

Notes about this prompt:

• Career conversations are an important part of exploring industries and jobs that interest you. Expanding your network through these conversations can also help you leverage your position in a job search and get connected with even more job opportunities. Use this prompt as the first outreach to a potential professional contact to set up a career conversation.
• Tip: Chat with a career advisor to learn more about strategies for finding individuals to network with!

• Note: Do not enter individual names into generative AI tools.

Initial prompt to enter:

• Write a short connection message to a prospective professional contact [insert additional description of the person if desired] requesting a career conversation to learn more about their career journey and current role.

Continue the conversation:

• How many characters can a LinkedIn message be?
• Can you please rewrite this message [paste message] to be 300 characters or less.

Notes about this prompt:

• Elevator pitches are usually used at career fairs or other networking events/encounters to introduce yourself and begin a conversation with an employer or professional contact. Elevator pitches are clear, brief (usually 30 seconds or less) messages or “commercials” about you and why you might be interested in chatting more with this individual.
• Note: Make sure you get your resume reviewed by your career center before you paste your resume bullet points into this prompt.
• Note: DO NOT paste personal information from your resume. The major content (bullet points) should suffice.
• Tip: Practice your elevator pitch with your career advisor before attending a career fair or event. They can give you specific tips based on their knowledge of the event and the organizations you may be delivering the pitch to.

Initial prompt to enter:

• Provide me with a sample elevator pitch for a career fair based on my resume [insert resume bullet points].

Continue the conversation:

• Make this elevator pitch more specific to this industry [insert specific industry].
• Include this research I did about the organization [insert information] into my elevator pitch.
• Rewrite the initial prompt to talk more about how my skills and experiences would benefit the industry or organization.

Notes about this prompt:

• LinkedIn is the world’s largest online network and can be a great place to make connections with professionals in your field of interest, find jobs/internships, and grow professionally! Make your LinkedIn profile stand out to potential employers and professional contacts with up-to-date information and tailor it to the jobs/internships and industries you may be interested in pursuing.

Initial prompt to enter:

• Given my professional interests [insert interests], what keywords/skills should I use in my LinkedIn profile to stand out to potential employers.

Continue the conversation:

• Write a brief LinkedIn summary using those keywords and my resume [paste resume bullet points or LinkedIn profile content].

Notes about this prompt:

• Use this prompt when you’re ready to search for jobs and internships!
• Tip: We recommend searching for jobs and internships in Handshake. It’s a free job-search tool that is different from other platforms because it was created specifically to connect employers to college students. All the jobs you see on Handshake are posted for students and employers are actively recruiting from University of Memphis.

• Tip: We recommend using keywords and filters to narrow down the best job/internship opportunities for you!

Initial prompt to enter:

• I would like to use Handshake to find [internship/job] roles to apply for. Given my interests [insert interests such as desired industry, type of organization, remote/on-site work, etc.] what keywords do you recommend I enter into Handshake for the optimal results?

Continue the conversation:

• Which additional filters could I use in Handshake to optimize my job search results?

Notes about this prompt:

• If you match the language used in a job/internship posting with the application materials you submit, your application will stand out to employers. Moreover, if an employer is using an applicant tracking system in their review process, it is especially important that you mirror the language used in a posting. Use the prompt below to determine how you can leverage keywords in a job posting in your resume and/or cover letter!
• Note: Avoid entering the organization (employer) name into the generative AI tool.

Initial prompt to enter:

• I am applying for this position [paste job description]. What keywords should I make sure I use in my application materials?

Continue the conversation:

• Hello, I utilized the keywords you suggested in my [cover letter/resume]: [paste text]. Please evaluate this text for keyword match like an applicant tracking system would.

Notes about this prompt:

• Use this prompt to improve upon the bullet points in your resume so they are impactful, demonstrate your skills clearly and effectively, and are relevant to the position you are applying to.
• Tip: Meet with a career advisor to learn how to structure and create a resume before engaging with this prompt!

Initial prompt to enter:

• [Insert resume, deleting any personal identifying information first] How should I strengthen the bullet points in my resume? Please do not rewrite my resume.

Continue the conversation:

• Identify any vague or abstract ideas in the bullets on my resume. Do not rewrite my resume.
• [Paste job description for a position you are applying to] Which of the experiences on my resume are strongest or most relevant for this job position?

Notes about this prompt:

• Use this prompt to get feedback on a cover letter draft, evaluate the strength of your cover letter, and ensure your cover letter speaks to the key qualifications of a job description.
• Tip: Start with a cover letter draft; do not ask Copilot to create one for you. This will help ensure you are using your own voice in your cover letter. Don’t know where to start with a cover letter? Meet with a career advisor!

Initial prompt to enter:

• I am applying for the following position: [paste position description]. Here is my cover letter draft: [paste cover letter draft]. Give me some writer’s feedback. Evaluate the message/theme of this cover letter. Do not rewrite my cover letter.

Continue the conversation:

• How can I revise my cover letter to better address the themes, skills, and qualifications this position is looking for? Please do not rewrite my cover letter.

Notes about this prompt:

• Use this prompt to generate and prepare for potential job or internship interview questions.
• Tip: Once you have generated some potential interview questions on your own and using AI, meet with a career advisor to do a mock interview so you can get feedback on your responses!

Initial prompts to enter:

• I’m applying for a role in [insert field] as a [insert job title]. What are some potential interview questions I could be asked?
• From the job description [paste job description], what interview questions could I be asked?

Continue the conversation:

• Compare my resume with the given job description and identify any keywords from the job description missing on my resume.
• Based on the keywords that are missing, what are some potential interview questions that I could be asked?

Notes on this prompt:

• Send a thank you note (email or mail) to each interviewer within 24 hours of your interview. Use this prompt as a guide in the process.
• Tip: Start with a draft of a thank you note; do not ask the generative AI tool to create one for you. This will help ensure you are using your own voice and experience. Don’t know where to start with a thank you note? Meet with a career advisor!

Initial prompt to enter:

• Here is a draft of a thank you note to my interviewer for [insert role]: [paste email draft]. Give me some writer’s feedback. Evaluate for [insert feedback criteria such as message, clarity, grammar, spelling, etc].