Job searching after receiving a cancer diagnosis can be incredibly challenging. The process is filled with emotional ups and downs and many unknowns which can feel like a loss of control. Thankfully, AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot can help you regain some control over the process by helping you discover job postings, perfect your resume or cover letter and even let you practice some interview questions and craft responses. To get the best results, it’s important not to treat AI like a search engine. Instead of typing vague phrases, try asking full questions. For example, instead of just typing “remote jobs,” ask, “What are some remote jobs that offer flexibility in the schedule?”

To help craft your resume, try prompts like, “Using my attached resume, how can I make my leadership experience stand out more?” or “Based on the job description pasted below and my attached resume, how can I incorporate better keywords in my resume to get picked up by ATS?” Get creative in the prompts you give, but remember you will still want to edit what it writes for you. The software is not perfect, and you still want to make sure everything is appropriate and still in your own voice.

Here are some more prompts to get you started in a few different areas of the job search process.

Finding Jobs:

• "Based on my attached resume, what are some possible jobs I could apply for?"
• "Please find open jobs for remote work which may be a good fit for my experience"
• "Please aggregate a list of open jobs for a construction supervisor in the Scranton, PA area"

Resume writing:

• "Using my attached resume, please craft a one-paragraph professional summary"
• "Using the job description below and my resume attached, please craft a professional cover letter highlighting my achievements in people management and exceptional sales goals achieved"
• "Please edit my resume so it includes a more active voice"
• "Edit my resume to better optimize it for ATS systems"

Interview prep:

• "Based on the job description below, can you help me prepare answers to common interview questions, including how to address my resume gap?"
• "Can we role play? I would like you to act as if you are an HR director interviewing me for the job below. Please ask me questions and then analyze the responses I give"

Remember, just like you do not want to use a form cover letter for every job you apply to, make sure you do not copy and paste AI results verbatim. The software is still being refined and the results you get still need to be edited for accuracy, tone, your own personal voice/style, etc. This is a tool to help you generate ideas or do some heavy lifting of a first draft but it should not replace your own skills, judgement and refinement. 

For more on using AI, check out our archived webinar on Job Search Tools: Using AI Strategically.