Save the date for the spring Job, Internship & Graduate School Fair Tuesday, February 24 in Queally Center - Breed Pavilion.

AI for Career Readiness

Getting Started with AI for Career Readiness

AI tools can help you think more clearly, save time, and explore new ideas, but they’re not magic. You don’t need to be a tech expert to get started. You just need to be curious, thoughtful, and ready to try things out.

What Is AI?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is technology that helps you solve problems, generate ideas, or complete tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings. It works by recognizing patterns in data.

What’s Generative AI?

Generative AI is a subset of AI that can create content like text, images, summaries, music, or synthetic voices that sound human. Gen AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are powered by large language models, which are trained on tons of examples. These tools don’t think or feel, but they’re great at helping you advance your ideas.

Common Tools You’ll See

  • ChatGPT – Brainstorming, drafting, Q&A
  • Gemini – Fast, visual, and connected to Google tools
  • Copilot – Works inside Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.
  • Claude – Good for longer writing and reflection

Use It Ethically

AI can help you, but it shouldn’t replace your thinking or your voice, not least because it carries risks related to the ABC’s of AI: accuracy, bias, and confidentiality. At UR, we encourage you to use AI responsibly. This means:

  • It’s OK to use AI for brainstorming, drafting, editing, learning
  • It’s not OK to copy answers without revision or attribution.
  • You should make active decisions about safeguarding your personal information.

UR’s library has baked ethical considerations into their video introduction. You’re still the author. Use your judgment. Check facts. Ask for help when unsure. And make sure to review UR’s Student Guidelines for Generative AI.

Advertise Your AI Skills & Projects

AI skills and projects are valuable. Right now, they’re among the fastest growing qualifications for which organizations are hiring. If you know how to use AI tools or have built projects with them, by all means list them on your resume and social-media profiles! Just like you would other skills, technologies, or projects.

A Spider Prompt Library Just For You!

Ready to put AI to work in your career journey? We’ve built a library of interactive, Spider-specific prompts to help you make progress with each dimension of YoUR Spider Career Builder: Find Your Why, Discover Possibilities, Build Career Skills, and Search & Apply. Copy and paste a prompt into your favorite platform (ChatGPT, Claude, MS Copilot, etc.). Add material when appropriate and/or refine the prompt to tailor it for yourself. And remember that AI Chatbots are useful but imperfect thought tools. You should start a dialog and refine the results until you get what you want. Come talk with our team about new ideas and next steps!

Spider Prompt Library

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in helping students with career exploration. I’m a student considering my options, perhaps just getting started with career exploration, perhaps already committed to a specific goal, or perhaps somewhere in between. Please ask me up to 9 thoughtful, open-ended questions I can answer in about 3 minutes. Organize your questions into 2–3 thematic sections—such as values, interests, academic favorites, or learning style.

Your questions should help me reflect on what matters to me, what I enjoy doing, and what kinds of tasks or challenges feel engaging or energizing. Keep the tone curious and supportive—this is about discovery as much as it is decision-making. Start by asking whether I’m wide open to exploration, considering a handful of options, or already committed to a goal. If I say I’m considering options or committed to a goal, ask me to name what these are. Also, suggest that I number my answers to keep us organized.

Once you’ve learned enough, suggest three contrasting paths I might want to consider. For each path, include:

  • A brief explanation of why it might be a fit for me
  • What kinds of problems I’d get to solve in that role or field
  • A few low-stakes, practical ways I can try out aspects of that path in college—using resources I already have access to, like classes, student orgs, part-time work, research, internships, or relationships.

Use a warm, encouraging tone to help me stay open, reflect on what I’m learning about myself, and build confidence as I explore. Finish by gently encouraging me to talk with a career advisor about what I learned.

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in helping students with career exploration. I’m a student exploring a specific industry to understand whether it could be a good fit for me.

Start by asking me to share:

  • My major(s), intended major(s), or academic fields of interest
  • The industry or field I’m curious about (e.g., tech, education, consulting)

Then ask me up to 8 short, open-ended questions I can answer in about 3 minutes. Organize your questions into 2–3 quick themes, such as:

  • What draws me to this industry
  • What I imagine a typical day or project might look like
  • What I know—or want to learn—about salary, education, work/life balance, or career growth

After I respond:

  • Help me reflect on my potential fit
  • Gently highlight where my interests and expectations seem aligned—and where there may be open questions or surprises
  • Then suggest three contrasting roles within the industry that could connect with what I shared

Finally, suggest a few practical, low-barrier ways I can explore this field while I’m in college, using resources like:

  • Professional associations
  • Alumni networking
  • Informational interviews
  • Vault career guides
  • O*NET
  • Job shadowing
  • Side projects
  • Campus jobs
  • Student organizations
  • Relevant courses

Use a warm, curious tone. This isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about exploring what feels meaningful and worth learning more about. Finish by inviting me to talk with a career advisor about what I learned.

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in helping students with career exploration. I’m a student researching a specific role in a specific industry to better understand whether it might be a good fit for me. Start by asking me to name: 

  • My majors, intended majors, or fields of academic interests 
  • The role I’m exploring (e.g., UX researcher, nonprofit fundraiser) 
  • The industry or fields I’m considering (e.g., tech, education, consulting). 

Then ask me up to 8 short, open-ended questions I can answer in about 3 minutes. Suggest that I number my questions to help us stay organized. Organize the questions into 2–3 thematic sections, such as: 

  • What draws me to this role and industry 
  • What I imagine a typical day or project might look like 
  • What I already know—or want to learn—about salary, education, work/life balance, and career growth 

After I respond, help me reflect on my potential fit. Gently highlight where my interests, strengths, or expectations seem aligned—and where there may be tensions or open questions. Then suggest a few practical ways I can learn more about this role or industry while I’m in college, especially using resources like: Vault career guides, O*NET, professional associations, informational interviews, job shadowing, student organizations, campus jobs, side projects, alumni connections, or relevant courses. Use a warm, curious tone to help me reflect and take next steps without feeling rushed or pressured to decide right away. Finish by gently encouraging me to talk with a career advisor about what I learned.

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in career communication.
I’m a student getting ready to craft or refine a 30-second personal elevator pitch for a career fair, networking event, interview, or my LinkedIn profile. Please guide me through a brief, reflective process that helps me sound like myself and speak with confidence.

Ask me up to 8 open-ended questions I can answer in about 4 minutes or less. Suggest that I number my answers to help us stay organized. Group your questions into four short sections: Foundation (Who am I and what am I studying?; Focus (What am I studying or hoping to do next, and why?; Value (one experience, outlined using the STAR method) that shows my strengths and connects to my goals and the kind of work I’m considering right now; Voice (how do I want to sound and connect with others). 

After I’ve answered these questions, please help me draft a 30-second elevator pitch that’s:

  • Clear and easy to adapt across settings
  • Authentic to my personality and goals
  • Rooted in the story and direction I shared above
  • Designed to build connection, not just impress.

Finish by gently suggesting that I refine my draft so that it feels like it’s mine and share what I’ve learned with a career advisor.

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in resumes, cover letters, and other deliverables. I’m a student preparing to apply for a specific opportunity, such as a job, internship, or research role. Please start by asking me to share the full job or internship description, followed by my current resume, reminding me to consider removing my personal information from the document I submit for privacy. Once I’ve submitted both, analyze them side-by-side to help me identify how well my resume aligns with the position. In particular, please highlight: 

  • Keywords: Core language used in the job description 
  • Hard Skills: Technical abilities, tools, or content knowledge emphasized 
  • Soft Skills: Communication, collaboration, leadership, or problem-solving traits 
  • Action Verbs: Resume language that aligns with the tone and focus of the role 
  • Relevant Experience or Accomplishments: Specific experiences the employer is seeking 
  • Educational Background: Required or preferred academic preparation 

Conclude your analysis with a clear, comparative table that shows: What the job posting emphasizes; What my resume currently reflects; What I could revise, reword, or add to improve the match. Use a warm, constructive tone that helps me feel confident making changes. This is about improving alignment and telling my story in a way that speaks to the role.

Finish by inviting me to check out UR’s free vMock resume tool and to share what I’ve learned with a career advisor.

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in resumes, cover letters, and other deliverables. I’m a student preparing to write a cover letter for a specific opportunity—whether it’s a job, internship, or research position—and I want to make it clear, concise, and tailored using the STAR method.

Please ask me the following questions in order to generate a first-draft cover letter outline. Suggest that I number my answers to help us stay organized. Group your questions in three parts, Introduction, STAR Body Paragraphs, and Closing, so I can reflect on my experience and articulate my fit with the role. Use a warm, constructive tone that helps me feel confident about my process. This is about telling my authentic story in a way that speaks to the role.

PART 1: INTRODUCTION

(Goal: Establish connection and motivation)

  1. What is the position you’re applying for, and at what organization?
  2. What draws you to this organization or opportunity—what excites you about their mission, work, or team?
  3. Why do you believe you’re a strong candidate for this role, in one or two sentences? (Focus on how you can contribute to their team.)

PART 2: BODY PARAGRAPHS USING THE STAR METHOD

(Goal: Highlight 1–2 relevant experiences using STAR to show transferable skills and accomplishments)

Experience #1

  1. What’s a specific experience you want to highlight?
    (E.g., a job, internship, research project, leadership role, or class assignment)
  2. S – Situation: What was the context or background of the experience?
  3. T – Task: What were you responsible for or asked to do?
  4. A – Action: What actions did you take? What steps did you personally lead or contribute to?
  5. R – Result: What happened as a result of your actions? What did you achieve, learn, or improve?

(Optional) Experience #2

  1. Would you like to include a second STAR story to show a different skill set or strength?
    (If yes, repeat questions 4–8 for the second experience.)

PART 3: CLOSING & NEXT STEPS

(Goal: Express enthusiasm and suggest follow-up)

  1. What do you hope to contribute in this role?
  2. What makes you a uniquely strong candidate—based on your story, interests, skills, or values?
  3. How can they reach you, and when would you be available for an interview?

Once I’ve answered these questions, please generate a first draft of my cover letter using a tone that is confident, professional, and warm. Keep it to 3–4 paragraphs, and help me connect my experiences to the job description using the STAR method. Also, suggest that I revise my letter and share it with a member of the advising team.

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in interview preparation and other career communication. I’m a student preparing for an interview for a job or internship. Please analyze the following materials:

  • My attached resume
  • My attached cover letter
  • The job description 
  • A description of the organization or team 

Based on this, help me strategically prepare for behavioral interview questions. Specifically:

  1. Generate a list of up to 12 potential behavioral questions, phrased in a way that allows me to answer using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  2. For each question, estimate how likely it is to be asked (e.g., very likely, possible, unlikely) based on your analysis.
  3. Highlight the top 4-6 questions I should consider prioritize in my preparation.

To support your analysis, organize key findings under these categories, listed in order of importance based on their frequency and context in the job description:

  • Keywords: Core terms and phrases the employer repeats or emphasizes
  • Hard Skills: Technical abilities or specialized knowledge required
  • Soft Skills: Interpersonal or transferable skills valued in the role
  • Action Verbs: Verbs that signal what kinds of contributions they expect
  • Relevant Experiences: Specific achievements or types of experience prioritized
  • Educational Background: Required or preferred academic qualifications

Please present this information in a format that helps me reflect and practice, such as a mock interview prep sheet or table I can review or upload to UR’s free vMock or BigInterview practice platforms. Use a warm, supportive tone, assuming I’m a motivated student who wants to be thoughtful, authentic, and prepared. 

Start by prompting me to upload my materials. Then generate your analysis. Finish by suggesting that I check out UR’s free BigInterview or vMock interview practice platforms and share what I learn with a member of the advising team.

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in interview preparation and other career communication. I’m a student preparing for an interview for a job or internship. Based on the following materials:

  • My attached resume
  • My attached cover letter
  • The job description 
  • A description of the organization or team

Please help me generate a list of thoughtful, tailored questions I can ask the interviewer when they invite me to ask questions. These questions should:

  • Reflect curiosity and engagement grounded in my background and interests
  • Help me learn more about the team’s priorities, culture, or expectations so I can assess fit
  • Be professional in tone and specific to the opportunity

Please provide 5–7 questions, organized by theme if appropriate (e.g., team culture, professional development, strategic priorities), and briefly explain what each question might reveal. This will help me choose the ones that feel most useful and authentic to me.

Start by prompting me to upload my materials. Then generate your analysis. Finish by inviting me to share what I’ve learned with a member of the advising team.  

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in job and internship searches. I’m a student exploring future opportunities—whether internships, research roles, or full-time jobs—and I want to use my current resume to identify areas where I could acquire new skills (“upskill”) in order to strengthen my candidacy.

Please guide me through a reflective, constructive process to help me:

  • Recognize how well my current qualifications align with roles I’m interested in
  • Spot patterns in what employers emphasize—especially hard skills, soft skills, and key experiences
  • Prioritize opportunities for growth or skill-building that will help me stand out

Start by asking me to share:

  1. The role and industry I’m curious about
  2. Up to three job or internship descriptions
  3. My current resume

Once I’ve submitted this material, please analyze the job descriptions and resume side-by-side. Highlight both areas of alignment and possible gaps, focusing on:

  • Keywords – Core terms or phrases employers use repeatedly
  • Hard Skills – Tools, technologies, or domain knowledge they emphasize
  • Soft Skills – Collaboration, initiative, communication, leadership, or adaptability
  • Action Verbs – Resume language that reflects the tone or priorities of the postings
  • Relevant Experience or Accomplishments – Specific outcomes or settings employers value
  • Educational Background – Required or preferred coursework, majors, or credentials

Then, present a clear comparative table that shows:

  • What the job posting emphasizes
  • What my resume currently reflects
  • Specific upskilling opportunities—such as a technical tool I could learn, a soft skill I could strengthen, or an experience I could pursue on campus or over the summer.

Close with a few low-stakes, practical ways I could begin to build these skills, such as LinkedIn Learning courses, research assistantships, student org roles, part-time work, or community-based projects. Use a warm, strengths-based tone that helps me feel capable and motivated. This is about growing into opportunities—not proving I’m already perfect. Finish by suggesting that I share what I’ve learned with a member of the career advising team.  

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in helping students organize clear, sustainable, and successful job or internship search strategies. I’m a student getting ready to launch my search and want to begin with a comprehensive checklist of potential action items I could include in my process.

Please generate a well-organized, flexible list that includes:

  • Tactical actions (e.g., updating my resume, identifying target employers)
  • Strategic actions (e.g., networking, setting milestones, reflection)
  • Support-seeking actions (e.g., using career services, seeking feedback)

My goals:

  • To approach this search with clarity and confidence
  • To feel in control of the process without aiming for perfection
  • To make thoughtful choices about what to include, based on my time, values, and goals

Please group action items by priority level or impact (e.g., “Fundamental Actions,” “Strong Additions,” “Nice-to-Haves”). You may also note which items are:

  • Time-sensitive
  • Easier to do with help or collaboration

Use a tone that’s constructive, motivational, and encouraging. I want to feel like I have options—not obligations—and that it’s okay to personalize the plan to suit my needs. Finish by encouraging me to adapt the list to my needs and share what I’ve learned with a career advisor.

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in helping students organize successful, well-paced searches for internships, jobs, or research opportunities. I’m a student preparing to launch a search and want to approach it like a strategic project—one that reflects my priorities, respects my time constraints, and helps me stay organized and proactive.

Please ask me up to 11 questions you need to create a realistic, timeline-based work plan that includes:

  • Key milestones (e.g., deadlines, outreach targets, application dates)
  • Regular check-in points to assess progress and adjust
  • Clear dependencies (what must happen before other steps)
  • Built-in time buffers for unplanned delays or reflection
  • networking component woven throughout—not just after applications

My goal is to approach this search with clarity and confidence—knowing what I need to do, when to do it, and how to stay agile as new opportunities arise. Suggest that I number my answers to help keep us organized. When you have the information you need, generate a basic plan outline and ask me about my preferences concerning refinements, format, software/platforms, visualizations, etc. Finish by inviting me adapt the plan to my needs and share what I’ve learned with a career advisor.

Copy and paste the entire prompt below into your favorite generative AI chat bot:

Act as an expert career advisor at a top-tier liberal arts institution like the University of Richmond. You specialize in helping students design personalized, well-paced networking strategies that are authentic, sustainable, and aligned with their goals. I’m a student preparing to build or strengthen my professional network, and I want to treat this like a strategic project—one that reflects:

  • My current interests, values, and evolving career questions
  • My available time and energy
  • My desire to connect meaningfully, not just perform or “pitch” myself
  • My need to stay organized, adaptable, and confident along the way

Please start by asking me up to 11 questions you need to design a realistic, timeline-based networking plan. The plan should include:

  • Key milestones – such as outreach goals, follow-ups, informational interviews, or application deadlines
  • Check-in points – moments to assess what’s working, what’s changed, and what I need next
  • Dependencies – steps that rely on prior actions (e.g., polishing LinkedIn before reaching out)
  • Time buffers – space for reflection, delays, or unexpected opportunities

My goal is to connect with curious, creative people doing interesting work in fields I’d like to explore. I want to approach this process with clarity, self-confidence, and agility. 

Please use a thoughtful, encouraging tone. I’m not trying to be perfect. I’m trying to make progress and grow. Suggest that I number my answers to help keep us organized. When you have the information you need, generate a basic plan outline and ask me about my preferences concerning refinements, format, software/platforms, visualizations, etc. Finish by inviting me to adapt the plan to my needs and share what I’ve learned with a career advisor.

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Career Advising Suite

Tyler Haynes Commons, Suite 306
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: (804) 289-8547
careerservices@richmond.edu

Interview Suite

Queally Center, Suite 201
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: (804) 662-3032
hirespiders@richmond.edu

Drop-In Hours/Locations

Tyler Haynes Commons, Suite 306
Monday – Friday, 2 – 4 p.m.

Robins School of Business Queally Hall, Suite 273 Monday – Thursday, 2 – 4 p.m.