Learning to Use AI as a Tool (Even When I Didn’t Want To)

 At my current job, using AI isn’t optional it’s actually a requirement. At first, I wasn’t a fan of that at all because it felt like something being forced rather than something useful. Over time, though, I started to see how it could actually help, especially when I began using it to bounce ideas around. Instead of replacing my thinking, it ended up acting more like a second set of eyes that I could use whenever I got stuck.

I’ve used tools like Copilot, and ChatGPT to help me prepare for interviews and important conversations. Being able to talk through scenarios, practice responses, and even get feedback on how something sounds has been surprisingly helpful. I’ve also used AI to clean up reports and make them sound more professional, which saves time and improves the final product. What started as something I didn’t want to use has turned into something I rely on more than I expected.

One specific prompt I worked on was designed to help me prepare for professional conversations. My goal was to create something I could reuse anytime I needed to get ready for an interview or a difficult discussion. At first, my prompts were too vague, and the responses I got weren’t very helpful. I realized pretty quickly that I needed to be more specific about the role, tone, and type of feedback I wanted.

The process of improving my prompt involved testing it multiple times and making small changes each round. I started adding details like the type of job, the level of formality, and asking for both sample responses and critique. One tip I would give is to write your prompt somewhere else first, like in Word, and revise it before pasting it into the chatbot. That way you don’t waste limited usage, and you get better results faster.

Here is the final version of the prompt I created:

“Act as a hiring manager in my field and conduct a mock interview with me. Ask me one question at a time and wait for my response. After each answer, provide constructive feedback on my response, including clarity, professionalism, and areas for improvement. Keep the tone realistic and slightly challenging so I can improve my confidence and communication skills.”

Overall, my experience with prompting has changed my perspective on AI. I went from not wanting to use it at all to finding practical ways it can support my work and improve how I communicate. The biggest takeaway for me is that AI is only as useful as the prompts you give it, so taking the time to refine them really makes a difference.

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