What are ChatGPT prompts for recruiters?

A ChatGPT prompt is an instruction that guides the AI to produce the most effective response. In recruitment, hiring teams can use AI prompts to assist with tasks such as candidate invitations, interview questions, onboarding checklists and job description drafts. By refining how prompts are written, recruiters can ensure that the AI produces clear, relevant and professional content that supports their hiring processes. This can save time and more importantly, help recruiters focus on higher-value parts of recruitment.

Best practices for using ChatGPT to assist in recruitment

When using ChatGPT in recruitment, it’s important to follow certain best practices to ensure the tool is used responsibly and effectively. Two key areas to consider are data protection and avoiding bias.

Using personal data with ChatGPT

Recruiters should be mindful of GDPR and UK  data protection regulations  including the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 when handling candidate information. Any personal data used with ChatGPT should be processed in line with government requirements and sensitive information should not be shared directly with the tool.

Employers can find detailed guidance on compliance on the UK government website. Additionally, since the UK government provides guidelines for their civil servants using generative AI, businesses can use these to inform their own AI-usage policies.

ChatGPT and bias or discrimination

Because ChatGPT is trained on large datasets from across the internet, its responses can sometimes reflect societal biases. HR teams should therefore take care to frame prompts carefully and thoroughly review and edit AI-generated outputs to ensure they are free from discriminatory language.

For example, prompts should not suggest that a particular gender or background is more suited to a job, for example, implying that certain genders or backgrounds are better suited to technical roles. These kinds of biases in AI outputs may also result in strong candidates being overlooked.

As highlighted in our guide to DEIB, many organisations are under pressure to demonstrate meaningful action on diversity and inclusion, equity and belonging. Misty Gaither, Indeed’s Vice President of DEIB+, explains:

‘To successfully attract,  retain and develop talent in this environment (and to improve representation in workforces) it’s vital to show how you’re taking meaningful action on these issues’.

Six ChatGPT examples to use as a recruiter

The following examples show how recruiters can use ChatGPT prompts for key tasks, from researching the job market to drafting communications with candidates. Each prompt is designed to illustrate how AI can enhance everyday recruitment activities while saving time and improving consistency.

1. Research the market and your competitors

Strong recruitment strategies depend on understanding the job market. Market research can reveal industry trends, competitor recruitment practices and the skills currently in demand. Traditionally, this type of research requires significant time and effort, but ChatGPT can help generate a quick overview that supports more informed decision-making.

For example, if you are planning to expand your SaaS sales team in the next year, you could use AI to explore how competitive the talent market is and how your offer compares with others in the sector.

Example prompt:

‘You are a recruiter in the SaaS industry. Research and summarise employment and hiring forecasts for SaaS roles in the UK over the next year. Highlight key trends, potential challenges in attracting talent and factors employers should consider when planning recruitment.’

ChatGPT’s response might include insights into skills shortages, the growing importance of employer branding or emerging tools for predicting candidate success, all of which can enhance a business’s recruitment approach.

2. Create job listings

Writing a strong job description takes time and skill. It needs to be clear, engaging and aligned with your employer brand. ChatGPT can help by turning a set of key attributes into a polished draft that appeals to jobseekers and meets SEO needs.

Example prompt:

‘Create a job description for a SaaS sales position at a mid-level software company targeting clients interested in marketing automation. Include:

[Company name, mission and location]

[Job overview and its core duties]

[Education requirements and preferred experience]

[Desired skills (technical and soft) and qualifications/certifications]

[Salary offer and potential perks/benefits]

[How to apply and what to expect from the application/recruitment process]

Use language that is professional but approachable. Avoid slang and jargon and emphasise the company’s inclusive and forward-thinking culture. Include keywords to improve SEO’.

ChatGPT shold then produce a structured job description with sections such as About the company, What you’ll do, What we’re looking for and How to apply. However, it is always important that recruiters edit the draft to reflect their brand voice and ensure accuracy before publishing.

3. Locate top industry talent using Boolean search

Boolean searches use operators like AND, OR and NOT to refine queries and identify relevant candidates on job boards, CV databases and social platforms. Creating these strings manually can be time-consuming, but ChatGPT can generate tailored Boolean searches quickly.

Example prompt:

‘Create a Boolean search string to use on Indeed. The goal is to find a SaaS salesperson with experience in marketing. Candidates should ideally have 5+ years of industry experience and be based in or willing to relocate to London. Include alternative terms for SaaS sales and related positions with similar responsibilities’.

This type of prompt helps find candidates who may describe their experience differently, such as ‘cloud sales’ or ‘IT sales’. ChatGPT may also suggest refinements to narrow results further by sector, company size or seniority, allowing recruiters to target their searches more effectively.

ChatGPT might then respond with a Boolean search string tailored to your prompt, with tips for usage and ways that you could refine the prompt further to get more specific results (such as by industry or company size). 

4. Craft interview questions

Generic lists of interview questions often miss the mark because they don’t reflect a company’s brand, culture or specific job requirements. With ChatGPT, recruiters can generate tailored interview questions that assess both technical ability and cultural fit.

One example might be a start-up looking for a SaaS salesperson with technical skills, experience and a dynamic personality:

‘Act as a recruiter with five years of experience in software and technology. Create 15 interview questions for a SaaS salesperson position at a fast-growing start-up. Questions should evaluate technical skills, alignment with company values, adaptability to start-up culture and passion for learning.’

ChatGPT can then deliver a structured set of questions grouped by theme, such as ‘technical skills’, ‘cultural fit’, ‘adaptability’ and ‘growth mindset’. The tool can also extend support by creating candidate scorecards or evaluation rubrics based on these questions, helping to make assessments more consistent.

5. Generate assessments

Structured assessments help employers make fairer, more data-driven recruitment decisions. For example, an interview evaluation rubric allows recruiters to score candidates against defined criteria, reducing bias and making comparisons more objective.

With the right prompt, ChatGPT can help create that rubric, using the same qualifications and question categories you used to create your job listing, screen criteria and interview questions. It should include intangible factors, such as culture and interpersonal skills too.

Example prompt:

‘Develop a structured interview evaluation rubric that will help an HR recruitment panel assess applicants for an open SaaS salesperson position. Include categories such as technical competencies, education, experience, value alignments and interpersonal skills. Each category or quality should include scoring criteria, from minimal to exceptional performance.’

ChatGPT can then provide a rubric with defined categories and sample criteria. For example:

• Score of 1 (Technical skills): no clear understanding of SaaS processes and unable to explain involvement in past sales 
• Score of 5 (Technical skills): advanced understanding of SaaS processes, mentors junior staff, adapts tools to business needs and contributes to product–market fit 

This type of framework gives recruiters a more consistent basis for evaluating candidates and supports more objective decision-making.

6. Draft offer and rejection emails using personalised ChatGPT prompts

Writing offer and rejection emails can be one of the most sensitive parts of the recruitment process. ChatGPT prompts can help recruiters strike the right balance of professionalism, clarity and empathy, whether extending an offer or informing a candidate they were not selected.

Rejection email example prompt:

‘You’re a talent recruiter with 10+ years of experience. Write a rejection email for a SaaS salesperson candidate who has not been selected to advance to the next stage in the recruitment process. Use an empathetic tone, highlight something positive from their application (such as recent certifications) and explain that the position requires more hands-on sales experience. Conclude with professional well-wishes.’

This type of prompt helps generate a thoughtful rejection email that maintains goodwill and leaves the candidate with a positive impression of the employer brand.

Conversely, ChatGPT can be prompted by recruiters who have found a suitable candidate and would like to extend an official job offer.

Offer email example prompt:

‘Write from the perspective of an HR recruiter extending a formal job offer to an applicant interested in your company’s opening for a SaaS salesperson. The applicant has already verbally accepted, but more information is required. Ask for personal details such as their address, confirm a viable start date at least two weeks away to allow the applicant to give notice at their current job and request any additional details required for onboarding, outlining the next steps, including a two-day orientation and meetings with company mentors. Use a welcoming and professional tone.’

ChatGPT can then produce a structured offer letter that confirms key details, sets expectations and provides a clear next step for the candidate, ensuring consistency and professionalism in candidate communication.

Remember to read and edit the output to make sure it aligns with your company culture and is accurate.

Advantages and disadvantages of using ChatGPT in recruitment

Like any tool, ChatGPT has strengths and limitations. As a business, you may have to decide whether these make it a good fit for you or not. Additionally, understanding these can help recruiters use it effectively and responsibly.

Advantages

• Time-saving: automates repetitive tasks like drafting job ads or interview questions
• Consistency: ensures standardised communications, such as rejection letters or onboarding materials
• Inspiration: provides fresh ideas when you’re stuck on phrasing or want to test new approaches
• Scalability: can generate content quickly across multiple roles or departments as your business grows

Disadvantages

• Risk of bias: AI can reflect societal biases if prompts and outputs are not reviewed carefully
• AI-sounding tone: drafts may sound generic and lack the personal touch or employer brand voice unless it is thoroughly revised and edited
• Accuracy issues: AI can generate outdated or incorrect information if not fact-checked
• Data concerns: recruiters must avoid inputting sensitive candidate data to remain compliant with GDPR

Recruiters should always combine ChatGPT with their own expertise to make the most of its advantages while minimising the risks.