Scenario-based prompting is all about asking ChatGPT to take on a specific role—like a hiring manager, recruiter, or career coach—so it can provide feedback from a real-world point of view.

By telling ChatGPT to “act as” someone who’s part of your target audience, you’ll receive insights that are more aligned with what these professionals look for.

This approach helps you refine your portfolio, resume, or cover letter based on realistic expectations and standards.

Why Use Scenario-Based Prompts?

When you instruct ChatGPT to “act as” a certain role, you’re guiding it to think about your content from that role’s perspective. This means the AI will prioritize the details and tone that matter most to that specific person.

In the context of building a portfolio, these scenarios can reveal blind spots, enhance relevance, and sharpen your overall message.

Examples of Role-Based Prompts

1. “Act as a Hiring Manager”

   • Why This Helps: A hiring manager is often the first person to review your portfolio. They look for clarity, relevance, and evidence of skill.

   • Sample Prompt:
     “Act as a hiring manager for a tech startup. Review my About section and suggest improvements that would make me stand out compared to other candidates.”

2. “Act as a Recruiter”

   • Why This Helps: Recruiters scan portfolios quickly for key qualifications and keywords. They also pay attention to overall organization and tone.

   • Sample Prompt:
     “Act as a recruiter searching for a software developer with data science skills. Analyze my project descriptions and highlight any missing keywords or common phrases recruiters look for.”

3. “Act as a Career Coach”

   • Why This Helps: A career coach focuses on personal branding, confidence, and long-term growth. They offer a broader perspective on how you present your skills and achievements.

   • Sample Prompt:
     “Act as a career coach helping a web developer transition into product management. Suggest ways to emphasize transferable skills in my resume and portfolio.”

How to Get AI to Simulate Real-World Perspectives

1. Set the Scene: Mention the industry, role, or company type the AI should focus on. The more details you provide, the more tailored the advice will be.

2. Ask for Specific Feedback: Clearly state what you want to improve, such as the tone of your About section or the clarity of your project descriptions.

3. Iterate and Compare: After ChatGPT provides feedback, decide what suggestions make sense. You can always refine the scenario further—e.g., “Now act as a senior hiring manager at a large tech firm.”

4. Use Multiple Angles: If you’re unsure how well your portfolio speaks to different audiences, try prompting ChatGPT as both a recruiter and a hiring manager, then combine the best advice from each scenario.

Best Practices for Scenario-Based Prompts

• Be Specific: Include the job title, years of experience you have, or the type of company you’re aiming for.

• Ask for Examples: Request bullet points or short paragraphs that show exactly how to rewrite certain sections.

• Keep Refining: If the feedback isn’t quite right, update your prompt with more context or ask ChatGPT to elaborate.

• Cross-Reference Real Feedback: While AI-simulated roles can be insightful, also consider real-world input from friends, mentors, or actual professionals in the field.