How to Use AI as Your Career Coach
- Dr. CK Bray
- Jul 24
- 3 min read
Whether you’ve just graduated, you're thinking about a career pivot, or you're an executive aiming to sharpen your leadership edge, having a trusted coach can be a game‑changer. A 2021 Harris Poll of 1,500+ adults revealed that while only about 1 in 8 use a career counselor, nearly two‑thirds believe it would help them navigate their next move. The catch? Real coaches average $272 an hour, making them valuable, but not always affordable or practical.
Enter generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. These platforms are emerging as powerful alternatives or enhancers to traditional coaching, and some estimates suggest up to 65% of job seekers now call on AI during their search.
So, how can you integrate AI into your career strategy? Here are seven potent ways to make AI feel like your personal mentor with prompts to get you started.
1. Career Clarity & Direction
What it does: AI guides you through reflection exercises and career path exploration based on your experiences and interests.
Try these prompts:
“Ask me questions to find my strengths and interests.”
“I’m skilled at X, Y, Z—what careers might align with that?”
“Here’s my resume—can you tell me what strengths and soft skills stand out?”
2. Resume & LinkedIn Optimization
What it does: AI helps polish your professional narrative, ensuring your accomplishments and tone shine.
Try these prompts:
“Write a strong resume summary for my background in [industry].”
“How can I quantify my achievements for maximum impact?”
“Review this LinkedIn profile section—what edits would increase engagement?”
3. Job Search Strategy
What it does: AI helps map out opportunities, networks, and creative search tactics tailored to your situation.
Try these prompts:
“What job types should I pursue with my skills in [field]?”
“How do I approach recruiters at [Company Name] on LinkedIn?”
“What are creative ways to uncover unadvertised job openings?”
4. Interview Prep & Negotiation
What it does: AI can role‑play interviews, refine answers, and help you confidently negotiate.
Try these prompts:
“Conduct a mock interview for this job description.”
“What’s a strong response to ‘Tell me about yourself’?”
“How do I handle salary talks if the role’s budget is $X‑$Y?”
5. Leadership & Promotion Coaching
What it does: AI offers guidance on sharpening leadership presence and preparing for higher‑level roles.
Try these prompts:
“What leadership skills do I need for a management role in [industry]?”
“Help me draft an email requesting a promotion conversation.”
“How can I stand out as a rising leader in meetings?”
6. Personal Branding & Thought Leadership
What it does: AI helps you build a compelling online presence on blogs, LinkedIn, or social media.
Try these prompts:
“Outline a LinkedIn post on [industry topic].”
“Help me write a 500‑word article with sources on [subject].”
“What social media habits will boost my credibility?”
7. Resolving Everyday Workplace Issues
What it does: AI offers guidance for sticky workplace problems from credit digs to workplace boundaries.
Try these prompts:
“How do I address a colleague who takes credit for my ideas?”
“My manager emails on weekends—how can I set boundaries politely?”
“I feel left out—what can I do to improve my visibility?”
Why It Works
Generative AI is like having a career coach available 24/7, offering tailored suggestions, refining your messaging, and rebuilding your strategies in real-time. But scouts, the real edge? How you use AI makes all the difference. It’s not about replacing a human; it’s about amplifying your intelligence, expertise, and creativity.
Bottom Line
AI can be a mighty co‑pilot for career growth, guiding you through clarity, interviews, brand building, and workplace navigation. But it’s not the autopilot. Once you combine its insights with your context, judgment, and action, you take your career from “AI suggests” to “I choose.”
Try a few of these prompts and see where your own career AI‑assistant can take you today, tomorrow, and well into your future.
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For more information, visit this HBR article, "Want to Use AI as a Career Coach? Use These Prompts." by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. April 15th, 2025.
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