AI for HR & Recruiters
Module 2: ChatGPT Basics for HR
Module Overview
Now that you understand the AI landscape, it's time to get hands-on. This module will teach you the fundamentals of using ChatGPT and similar AI tools effectively for HR tasks. You'll learn how to craft prompts, iterate on outputs, and build a library of reusable templates.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Write effective prompts for HR tasks
- Use iteration to improve AI outputs
- Apply the CRAFT framework for prompt creation
- Avoid common prompting mistakes
- Build reusable prompt templates
Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
2.1 Understanding Prompts
What Is a Prompt?
A prompt is the instruction or question you give to an AI tool. The quality of your prompt directly affects the quality of the output.
Think of it like giving instructions to a new employee:
- Vague instructions → inconsistent results
- Clear, specific instructions → predictable, useful results
Example of a Vague Prompt:
Write a job description.
What's Wrong:
- No role specified
- No company context
- No format guidance
- No tone indication
Example of a Clear Prompt:
Write a job description for a Senior Software Engineer
at a fintech startup. The role is hybrid (3 days in office
in Austin, TX), reports to the Engineering Manager, and
requires 5+ years of experience with Python and cloud
infrastructure. The tone should be professional but
reflect our innovative, fast-paced culture. Include
sections for: role summary, key responsibilities,
required qualifications, preferred qualifications,
and what we offer.
What's Better:
- Specific role and level
- Company context (fintech startup)
- Work arrangement details
- Experience requirements
- Tone guidance
- Structure specified
2.2 The CRAFT Framework
Use the CRAFT framework to create effective HR prompts:
C - Context
Provide background information the AI needs:
- Your company type and industry
- The role or situation
- Any relevant constraints
Example:
Our company is a 50-person B2B SaaS startup in the
healthcare technology space. We value innovation,
collaboration, and work-life balance.
R - Role
Tell the AI what perspective to take:
- Who should it write as?
- What expertise should it apply?
Example:
Act as an experienced HR manager with expertise
in tech recruiting and employer branding.
A - Action
Be specific about what you want:
- What task should be completed?
- What deliverable do you need?
Example:
Write a job description for a Product Manager role
that will attract experienced candidates while clearly
communicating our expectations.
F - Format
Specify how the output should be structured:
- Length requirements
- Section headings
- Bullet points vs. paragraphs
- Tone and style
Example:
Format the job description with the following sections:
- About Us (2-3 sentences)
- About the Role (1 paragraph)
- Key Responsibilities (5-7 bullet points)
- Requirements (5-7 bullet points)
- Nice to Have (3-4 bullet points)
- Benefits (5-6 bullet points)
T - Tone
Indicate the voice and style:
- Formal vs. casual
- Enthusiastic vs. measured
- Technical vs. accessible
Example:
Use a professional but approachable tone. Avoid
corporate jargon. Write in a way that feels human
and authentic, not robotic or generic.
Complete CRAFT Example
Context: Our company is a 50-person B2B SaaS startup
in the healthcare technology space. We value innovation,
collaboration, and work-life balance. We're fully remote
with quarterly in-person team gatherings.
Role: Act as an experienced HR manager with expertise
in tech recruiting and employer branding.
Action: Write a job description for a Senior Product
Manager role. This person will own our core product
roadmap and work closely with engineering and design.
Format: Include these sections:
- About Us (2-3 sentences)
- About the Role (1 paragraph)
- Key Responsibilities (6-8 bullet points)
- Requirements (5-6 bullet points)
- Nice to Have (3-4 bullet points)
- Benefits (5-6 bullet points)
Tone: Professional but approachable. Avoid corporate
jargon. Emphasize our collaborative culture and
meaningful work in healthcare technology.
2.3 Iteration and Refinement
The Iteration Mindset
Your first prompt rarely produces the perfect output. Expect to iterate:
- Generate: Get the initial output
- Evaluate: Assess what works and what doesn't
- Refine: Request specific changes
- Repeat: Continue until satisfied
Effective Refinement Prompts
To Adjust Length:
This is too long. Please shorten it to about half
the length while keeping the key points.
The responsibilities section needs more detail.
Expand each bullet point with specific examples.
To Adjust Tone:
This sounds too formal. Make it more conversational
while remaining professional.
Add more energy and enthusiasm to the company
description section.
To Adjust Content:
Add a section about our commitment to diversity
and inclusion.
Remove the salary range and replace with
"Competitive compensation based on experience."
To Get Alternatives:
Give me 3 different opening paragraphs for this
job description, each with a different angle:
1. Emphasizing impact
2. Emphasizing growth
3. Emphasizing culture
Example Iteration Sequence
Initial Prompt:
Write a job description for an HR Coordinator.
First Refinement:
This is too generic. Our company is a mid-size
manufacturing company in Ohio. Add more specific
responsibilities around benefits administration
and onboarding.
Second Refinement:
Good. Now make the tone more welcoming - we want
to attract entry-level candidates who are excited
to grow their HR career.
Third Refinement:
Perfect. Add a brief section about career development
opportunities and mentorship we provide.
2.4 Common Prompting Mistakes
Mistake 1: Being Too Vague
Bad:
Write interview questions.
Better:
Write 8 interview questions for a Customer Success
Manager position. Include 4 behavioral questions
(using the "Tell me about a time..." format) and
4 situational questions. Focus on customer
relationship skills, problem-solving, and cross-
functional collaboration.
Mistake 2: Overloading the Prompt
Bad:
Write a job description and interview questions
and a rejection email and an offer letter and
an onboarding checklist for a Sales Rep role.
Better: Break into separate prompts for each document.
Mistake 3: Not Providing Context
Bad:
Make this more inclusive.
Better:
Review this job description for inclusive language.
Specifically, check for:
- Gendered language
- Unnecessary requirements that might exclude
qualified candidates
- Cultural bias
- Accessibility considerations
Suggest specific changes for any issues found.
Mistake 4: Accepting First Output
Always review and refine. The first output is a draft, not a final product.
Mistake 5: Sharing Confidential Information
Never include in prompts:
- Employee names and personal information
- Specific salary data for individuals
- Confidential company information
- Trade secrets or proprietary processes
Instead:
- Use placeholders like [Employee Name]
- Describe scenarios generically
- Create fictional examples for practice
2.5 Building Your Prompt Library
Why Build Templates?
Reusable prompts save time and ensure consistency:
- Start with proven structures
- Customize for specific needs
- Share effective prompts with your team
- Build institutional knowledge
Template Structure
A good template includes:
- Purpose: What this prompt is for
- Base Prompt: The reusable structure
- Customization Points: What to change each time
- Example: A filled-in version
Example Template: Job Description
Purpose: Generate job descriptions for any role
Base Prompt:
Context: [Company description - size, industry,
culture, location/remote policy]
Role: Act as an HR professional with expertise in
[relevant industry] recruiting.
Action: Write a job description for a [Job Title]
position. The role [brief description of what
the role does and who they report to].
Format:
- About Us (2-3 sentences)
- About the Role (1 paragraph)
- Key Responsibilities (6-8 bullet points)
- Requirements (5-6 bullet points)
- Nice to Have (3-4 bullet points)
- Benefits & Perks (5-6 bullet points)
Tone: [Desired tone - e.g., professional but
approachable, formal, casual, etc.]
Additional notes: [Any specific requirements,
keywords to include, or things to avoid]
Customization Points:
- Company description
- Industry expertise
- Job title and description
- Specific requirements
- Desired tone
- Additional notes
Example Template: Interview Questions
Purpose: Generate interview questions for any role
Base Prompt:
Role: Act as an experienced interviewer with expertise
in [industry/function] hiring.
Action: Generate interview questions for a [Job Title]
position. We're looking for someone who can [key
capability 1], [key capability 2], and [key capability 3].
Format: Provide:
- 4 behavioral questions (using "Tell me about a time...")
- 4 situational questions (using "What would you do if...")
- 2 role-specific technical questions
For each question, provide:
1. The question itself
2. What it assesses
3. What to look for in a good answer
Tone: Questions should be conversational and put
candidates at ease while still being substantive.
2.6 Hands-On Practice
Exercise 1: Write a Job Description
Using the CRAFT framework, write a prompt for a job description at your company (or a fictional one). Include:
- Full context about the company
- Role specification
- Clear action
- Detailed format requirements
- Tone guidance
Exercise 2: Generate Interview Questions
Create a prompt that generates interview questions for a role you commonly hire for. Request:
- Multiple question types
- Evaluation criteria for each
- Follow-up prompts
Exercise 3: Refine and Iterate
Take one of your outputs and practice refinement:
- Adjust the length
- Change the tone
- Add missing elements
- Request alternatives
Module 2 Summary
Key Takeaways:
-
Prompts matter: The quality of your prompt directly affects output quality.
-
Use CRAFT: Context, Role, Action, Format, and Tone guide effective prompts.
-
Iterate always: Your first output is a starting point, not the final product.
-
Avoid common mistakes: Be specific, provide context, and don't overload prompts.
-
Build templates: Reusable prompts save time and ensure consistency.
-
Protect confidentiality: Never share personal employee information with AI tools.
Preparing for Module 3
In the next module, we'll apply what you've learned to one of the most common HR tasks: writing job descriptions. You'll learn to:
- Create inclusive job descriptions
- Avoid language that deters qualified candidates
- Structure descriptions for maximum impact
- Use AI to improve existing job descriptions
Before Module 3:
- Practice the CRAFT framework with a few prompts
- Review some of your existing job descriptions
- Note what you'd like to improve about them
"A clear prompt is like a good briefing—it sets your assistant up for success."
Ready to continue? Proceed to Module 3: Writing Job Descriptions.