Are you using ChatGPT in your job search?

It’s taken me a while to build the habit of using it as a resource. Now that I use it almost daily to save time, I wish I had started using it sooner!

I’ve seen some eye-roll-inducing copy come from the platform, and I bet you have too. The best way to use ChatGPT to elevate your writing is to start with a draft. 

People > AI, and the Communication major in me will die on that hill. 

When used as an assistance tool, ChatGPT can help you get started when you feel stuck and refine your messaging a lot faster than getting human feedback can. 

The more you engage with the platform, the better your outputs.

Your prompt is the key.

Here’s an example of how I used ChatGPT to write an interview follow-up email:

For context, this was an initial, virtual 30-minute interview where I was asked questions, but there was no time for me to ask questions.

Rayla’s Prompt to ChatGPT:

“What do you think about this interview follow-up:
It was a pleasure meeting you this morning to discuss the [position] opportunity at [Company]. I appreciate your thoughtful questions that allowed me to share my aligned experience.

Here are a few of the questions that I would have asked if we had more time:

• What is the size and breakdown of the workforce (org chart, hourly vs. salaried, # of departments)?
• What is leadership’s perspective of the HR function? What are their expectations for this role?
• Who is leadership? Management?
• What does HR look like right now?
• What is the #1 people priority?
• Are there other business-critical roles that need to be filled urgently? What is your current talent pipeline?
• What is the measure of success for this role?
• What are your most common and most challenging employee relations issues?
• What has surprised you since joining the team?
• What are you most excited about?
  … and a few others.

It’s an exciting time at the organization, and I’m energized by the opportunity to establish and build the HR function from the ground up. I look forward to continuing our conversation and learning more about your vision for this role. Thank you again for your time and consideration.”

ChatGPT’s Response:

“Your follow-up is strong: it’s thoughtful, professional, and shows genuine interest and strategic thinking. With a few refinements, it could sound more polished and confident while maintaining your curiosity and enthusiasm. Here’s an edited version:

Subject: Thank You – [Position Title] Interview

Dear [Interviewer’s Name],

It was a pleasure speaking with you this morning about the [Position Title] opportunity at [Company Name]. I appreciated the thoughtful questions and the chance to share how my experience aligns with your goals.

If we’d had more time, I would have loved to ask a few additional questions to better understand the role and context:

• What is the size and structure of the workforce (e.g., org chart, hourly vs. salaried, number of departments)?
• How does leadership view the HR function, and what are their expectations for this role?
• Who comprises the leadership and management teams?
• What does the current HR function look like?
• What is the #1 people-related priority right now?
• Are there other critical roles you’re actively trying to fill? What does your talent pipeline look like?
• How will success be measured in this role?
• What are the most common or challenging employee relations issues?
• What has surprised you most since joining the team?
• What are you most excited about?

It’s clearly an exciting time at [Company Name], and I’m energized by the potential to help build and shape the HR function. I look forward to continuing the conversation and appreciate your time and consideration.

Warmly,
[Your Name]

Would you like a version tailored to a more casual or more executive-level tone?”

Notice it added a title, intro, and signature in case I missed that or needed help with that as well. 

Rayla to ChatGPT:

“I didn’t get to ask any questions and was offered to email the questions instead.”

ChatGPT’s Response:

“Thanks for clarifying — that context makes a big difference. If you were explicitly invited to send questions by email, it’s a great opportunity to keep the momentum going and show your strategic thinking. Here’s a revised version that fits that context:

Subject: Thank You & Follow-Up Questions – [Position Title] Interview

Hi [Interviewer’s Name],

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me this morning about the [Position Title] opportunity. I enjoyed our conversation and appreciated learning more about the team and the company.

As we didn’t have time for questions during the interview, I wanted to take you up on the offer to share a few I’ve been thinking about. These are intended to help me better understand the role’s context and the broader organizational landscape:

• What is the current size and structure of the workforce (e.g., hourly vs. salaried, number of departments)?
• How is the HR function currently viewed by leadership, and what expectations do they have for this role?
• Who comprises the executive and management teams?
• What does the HR function look like today?
• What is the top people-related priority right now?
• Are there other urgent, business-critical roles that need to be filled? What does your current talent pipeline look like?
• How will success in this role be defined and measured?
• What are the most common or complex employee relations challenges the organization faces?
• Since joining the company, what has surprised you the most?
• What are you personally most excited about in the months ahead?

I’m energized by the potential to contribute at this stage of growth and to help shape the HR function in a way that supports both people and performance. Please feel free to respond to any (or all) of the questions at your convenience—I look forward to continuing the conversation.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

Would you like help adjusting this to reflect a more senior or peer-level tone, or for a particular type of company (e.g., startup, nonprofit, etc.)?”

Not bad, right?

Here is the final interview follow-up email format I sent

(a combination of my original prompt combined with ChatGPT’s refinements):

“Subject: Thank You – Great Connecting!

Hi [Name],

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me this morning about the [Position] opportunity at [Company]. I appreciated your thoughtful questions and the chance to share how my experience aligns with your goals.

As we didn’t have time for questions during the interview, I wanted to take you up on the offer to share a few I’ve been thinking about. These are intended to help me better understand the role’s context and the broader organizational landscape:

• What is the current size and structure of the workforce (e.g., hourly vs. salaried, number of departments)?
• How is the HR function currently viewed by leadership, and what expectations do they have for this role?
• Who comprises the executive and management teams?
• What does the HR function look like today?
• What is the top people-related priority right now?
• Are there other urgent, business-critical roles that need to be filled? What does your current talent pipeline look like?
• How will success in this role be defined and measured?
• What are the most common or complex employee relations challenges the organization faces?
• Since joining the company, what has surprised you the most?
• What are you personally most excited about in the months ahead?

I’m energized by the potential to contribute at this stage of growth and to help shape the HR function in a way that supports both people and performance. I look forward to continuing the conversation.

Best,
Rayla Maurin”

Rayla to ChatGPT:

“How long did it take for us to go from prompt to final email?”

ChatGPT’s Response:

“You sent your first message about the email at 12:12 PM, and you confirmed you were ‘all set’ at 12:25 PM — so it took about 13 minutes from your initial draft to a finalized, polished version. Efficient work!”

There you have it 🧘🏽‍♀️. I hope this example encourages you to use ChatGPT as a resource to improve your writing and save you time, your most valuable asset.

For the ultimate job seeker’s toolbox for getting hired and saving time, check out my signature program, The Confident Candidate.