Every recruiter I speak to falls into one of two camps right now. Camp 1: "I have heard of ChatGPT but I do not really use it for recruitment work." Camp 2: "I use ChatGPT every single day and I cannot imagine going back."
The gap between these two recruiters — in terms of speed, output quality, and productivity — is growing every month. This post gives you 7 specific, tested prompts you can copy and use today.
All prompts work on ChatGPT (free or Plus), Claude (Anthropic), Gemini (Google), and Copilot (Microsoft). The key to good output is specificity — the more context you give, the better the response.
Prompt 1 — JD Breakdown
Use this when you receive a new job requirement and need to quickly understand what you are actually looking for.
I am a recruiter and I have received the following job description.
Please break it down for me into:
1. Must-have technical skills
2. Good-to-have skills
3. Key responsibilities in simple language
4. Candidate profile — what kind of person fits this role
5. Suggested Boolean search string for LinkedIn
Here is the JD: [paste full JD here]
Prompt 2 — Candidate Persona
Use this when you need to figure out WHERE to find your ideal candidate, not just WHAT skills they need.
I am recruiting for the following role: [job title and brief description]
Please help me build a candidate persona that includes:
1. What job titles this person likely holds currently
2. What companies they likely work at (startup, MNC, product, service)
3. Where they are likely to be active online
4. What would motivate them to consider a new opportunity
5. What objections they might have on a recruiter call
Prompt 3 — Boolean String Generator
I am recruiting for a [job title] with these must-have skills: [list skills].
Please generate 3 Boolean search strings:
1. A tight string for exact match candidates
2. A broader string that widens the title and skills
3. A Google X-Ray string to search LinkedIn profiles directly
Also suggest any title variations I might be missing.
Prompt 4 — Screening Call Questions
I am about to screen a candidate for: [job title and key skills].
Please give me:
1. 5 technical screening questions for this role
2. 3 behavioural questions relevant to this position
3. 2 questions to assess motivation
4. Key things to listen for in their answers
5. Red flags to watch out for
Prompt 5 — Candidate Outreach Message
Most recruiter outreach messages are terrible. This prompt forces the right shift in perspective — leading with what is in it for the candidate.
I want to reach out to a candidate for this role:
- Job title: [title]
- Company type: [startup / MNC / product]
- Key selling points: [list 2-3 things that make this role attractive]
- Candidate's current role: [their current title]
Please write:
1. A LinkedIn InMail subject line (max 8 words)
2. A LinkedIn InMail message (max 150 words)
3. A WhatsApp outreach message (max 100 words, conversational tone)
Prompt 6 — Offer Negotiation Script
A candidate received an offer with these details:
- Offered CTC: [amount]
- Candidate's current CTC: [amount]
- Candidate's expectation: [amount]
- Main concern: [compensation / growth / notice buyout]
- Company's flexibility: [what can/cannot be offered]
Please give me:
1. An opening script for the negotiation call
2. How to handle the candidate's specific concern
3. How to close positively whether they accept or decline
4. What NOT to say during this conversation
Prompt 7 — JD Writer
I need to write a job description. Here is the rough information:
[paste hiring manager's bullet points]
Please write a complete JD that includes:
1. Job title (suggest the most searchable version)
2. Role overview (2-3 sentences)
3. Key responsibilities (8-10 bullet points)
4. Must-have qualifications
5. Good-to-have qualifications
Write it to attract candidates, not just list requirements.
What AI Cannot Do
AI makes you faster and sharper. It does not replace core recruiter skills: relationship building, listening on calls, closing, and domain expertise. Use AI for the mechanical parts. Use your human skills for what actually closes positions.
Summary — Your 7 Prompts
| # | Prompt | Use It For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JD Breakdown | Understanding any new requirement fast |
| 2 | Candidate Persona | Knowing where and who to source |
| 3 | Boolean String Generator | Building search strings quickly |
| 4 | Screening Questions | Preparing for candidate calls |
| 5 | Outreach Message | Getting candidates to respond |
| 6 | Offer Negotiation Script | Handling the toughest conversation |
| 7 | JD Writer | Turning rough notes into compelling posts |
Ready to Build Your Recruitment Career?
Explore our SCIR programme or book a 1:1 call — for candidates and companies alike.