These AI prompts helped me land my role
Our recent student survey revealed that 64% of you are already using AI in your applications. It can be super useful for finding a job.
Here’s the thing: the candidates getting through aren't the ones who used AI to write their entire application. They're the ones who used it to prepare better, research smarter and show up to interviews with real confidence. It’s exactly what I did, and it got me my graduate job.
We don’t gatekeep, so here are the AI prompts I used, from finding a job right up to the interview stage.
MY TOP TIP:
Before you dive in, every application still needs to sound like you - your voice, your experiences, your genuine reason for wanting the role. No prompt can give you that. These prompts just get you there faster. So make sure you edit any responses to sound like YOU.
AI Prompts for researching a role
Decode the job description
Job descriptions can be long, vague, or, if you're lucky, packed with keywords to include in your applications. Those words are your cheat code. They tell you exactly what to focus on, and this prompt pulls them out for you so you can tailor your application around what actually matters to the employer.
“Here's a job description: [paste JD]
Please:
1. Identify the three to five skills/qualities they seem to value most
2. Flag any keywords or company-specific language I should mirror
3. Note anything vague that I should research further”
Use the output to understand the role better and guide which achievements you highlight. Remember, don’t let AI rewrite your experience.
AI Prompts to Tailor your CV like a pro
Spot the gaps before the employer does
Most applications are screened by an ATS (Applicant Tracking Software) before a real recruiter even sees them, so tailoring your CV to the role isn’t optional; it’s what actually gets you noticed. Use this prompt to get honest feedback on what's missing, so you can decide what to remove, reorder, or strengthen.
“Here is my CV: [paste CV]
Here is the job description: [paste JD]
What's missing or weak in my CV in relation to this role? Be honest. Also flag anything I should reorder or emphasise more.”
Some gaps are completely fine, especially if you’re only just starting out. Nobody's going to have absolutely everything an employer is looking for.
Also, don't send the same CV everywhere and hope for the best. Employers can tell when you’ve actually read the job description. It shows you want the job.
Need a little help structuring your CVs? Pick the one that's relevant to you:
AI Prompts to Write a Cover Letter (with zero waffle)
Get a structure to build from
A cover letter written entirely by AI will stick out and be the first to go when screening systems or a recruiter reviews it. That said, starting from scratch is hard, especially early in your career. It's completely fine to ask AI for a skeleton to work from. Just make sure you rewrite it in your own words. Try this:
“I'm applying for [role] at [company]. Here are the key points I want to hit:
- Why this company: [your genuine reason], what inspires me about what they are doing, any recent projects or product launches that really align with my interests.
- Why this role: my relevant experience: [two to three things from your background]
- Why me - AKA What I'd bring: [your angle]
Write a cover letter skeleton I can rewrite in my own voice. Keep it under 250 words.”
Need a little help structuring your cover letter? We'll walk you through it. Pick the one relevant to you:
AI Prompts to Prep for your Interviews
Generating likely interview questions
Walking into an interview without knowing what questions you might be asked is an easy mistake to avoid. This prompt helps you figure out what's coming for your specific role, making your prep targeted rather than generic.
It’s also good to research common interview questions you could be asked - we’ve laid out the top ten interview questions, with exact answers, too!
“Based on this job description, what are the eight to ten most likely interview questions - including behavioural, technical, and 'why us' style questions?
Job description: [paste JD]
My background: [one to two sentence summary]"
Tip: Answer each one yourself before looking at any AI-suggested answers.
Stress-test a STAR answer
So you’ve written your STAR answers (Situation, Task, Action and Result) and you're happy with how they sound. Use this prompt to check your answer actually holds up under follow-up questions - so you're not caught off guard in the interview.
“Here's my STAR answer to "[interview question]":
[your answer]
What follow-up questions might an interviewer ask? Are there any weak spots - things that sound vague, unverifiable, or unconvincing?”
Prepping for ‘Do you have any questions for me?’
The interview questions you ask at the end say a lot about how seriously you've thought about the role. Generic questions won't help you stand out. Here’s a prompt you can use to find ones that will!
“I'm being interviewed by [Insert interviewers' role, how long they’ve been at company] for [role] at [company]. Based on what I know: [two to three things you've learned about the role/company].
Suggest five thoughtful questions I could ask about the interviewer, role and company at the end of the interview. Avoid generic questions like 'what does success look like' unless made specific.”
It’s easy to forget that interviews are conversations (nerve will do that). We’re talking to real people wth real experiences and interests like us. Showing your passion for the role will go a long way in making an impression on a recruiter.
Get our free toolkits
No matter where you are in your career journey, our toolkits will give you everything you need to absolutely boss the application process - whether that's putting together your first ever CV or going to your second interview. Click below to grab them.
With so many more applications landing in recruiter inboxes, the ones that stand out aren't the ones that sound like everyone else’s. It’s the applications that sound the most human, the ones where a recruiter can tell you actually read the job description, thought about why you wanted it, and took the time to say so in your own words.
You’ve got this!
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I'm Grace, Marketing Executive here at Higherin! I recently graduated with a Business Degree from Bournemouth University, and have returned as a graduate after completing my placement year with Higherin. I'm here to share real insights into placements, student struggles, and now graduate life. I've been there, so I know how to ensure you get the help and support you need to achieve your career goals.
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