The everyday prompt cookbook: 24 AI prompts to copy for real life

Compare my CV with the job advert below and suggest the 5 changes that would help most. I'm applying for [job title] and have [number] years of experience in [field]. Use only experience that is in my CV: don't invent skills, numbers or job titles. For each change, show the current line, your rewrite and why it helps. CV (name and contact details removed): [paste here] Job advert: [paste here]

Then ask: Which requirement in the advert am I weakest on, and how should I deal with it?

Watch out: Read every suggested line and keep only what is true. You may be asked about it in the interview.

Write a cover letter for the job below. My background: [two or three lines]. The two things I most want to get across are [point 1] and [point 2]. I want this job because [your real reason]. Under 200 words, plain and confident. Avoid phrases such as "I am passionate about". Job advert: [paste here]

Then ask: Rewrite the first line so it could only have been written for this company.

Act as the interviewer for a [job title] role at a [type of company] and interview me. My experience: [two or three lines]. I'm most nervous about [topic]. Ask one question at a time and wait for my answer. After each answer, tell me one thing that worked and one thing to improve. Stop after 6 questions and sum up what to practise.

Then ask: Ask me a harder follow-up on my weakest answer.

Turn the meeting notes below into a clear summary. It is for [who it is for], who wasn't there. Use only what is in the notes, and mark anything unclear as "To confirm" rather than guessing. Give 3 lines on what was decided, then a table of actions with an owner and a due date. Notes: [paste here]

Then ask: What did we leave undecided that could cause a problem later?

Watch out: Check your employer's rules first, and use a work-approved AI tool for anything confidential.

Help me tell my manager that [what went wrong or is running late]. It happened because [reason]. My plan to fix it is [plan]. My manager cares most about [deadlines, cost or customers]. Write a message under 100 words covering what happened, the impact, what I'm doing about it and what I need from them. Be honest and make no excuses.

Then ask: What is the toughest question my manager could ask, and how should I answer it?

Help me prepare to ask for a pay rise. I've been a [job title] in [city] for [time]. Over the past year I [two or three achievements, with numbers if you have them]. I'd like [amount or percentage]. Give me a 30-second opening, my 3 strongest points, and the 3 objections my manager is most likely to raise, with a calm reply to each.

Then ask: Play my manager and push back on my request, then tell me how I did.

Watch out: Salary figures from a chatbot can be wrong or out of date. Check job adverts and salary surveys for your area.

Write a short email to my manager saying I can't work [today, or the dates] because I'm unwell. I don't want to share medical details. [Who can cover, or what needs handing over.] Under 60 words, polite and not over-apologetic.

Then ask: Now make it shorter, for a text message.

Write a complaint to [company] about [the problem]. I bought it on [date] and my order number is [number]. What happened: [the facts, in order]. I've already tried [what you did]. I want [a refund, replacement or repair] by [date]. Under 150 words, firm and polite, with the facts in order and a clear request at the end.

Then ask: If they ignore this, what should my next step be?

Watch out: If it mentions a law or your rights, check them on your country's official consumer website. Chatbots can get these wrong.

Help me say no to [the request] from [who is asking]. They are my [relationship] and I want to stay on good terms. My reason is [reason, or "no reason needed"]. Give me 3 versions, each under 50 words: warm, neutral and very short.

Then ask: Suggest an alternative I could offer instead, if I want to.

Explain the letter below in plain English. I'm not familiar with [topic]. I've removed my name, address and any account numbers. Tell me what it says, what I have to do, by when, and what happens if I don't. Then list anything you're unsure about. Letter: [paste here]

Then ask: Draft a short reply asking for more time or more details.

Watch out: Check any deadline against the original letter. If it looks like a scam, contact the organisation using a number you already trust.

Help me build a simple monthly budget. My take-home pay is about [amount]. Fixed costs: [rent, bills, loans]. Usual spending: [food, transport, other]. My goal is [goal] by [date]. Show a table by category with a suggested amount, then 3 realistic cuts that wouldn't hurt much.

Then ask: Show your working and check that the table adds up.

Watch out: Check the sums yourself. This is general help, not financial advice.

Explain the contract below in plain English. I'm the [tenant, employee or customer], and names and addresses have been removed. My main worry is [what concerns you]. List what I am agreeing to, the costs and deadlines, how I can get out of it, and any terms that look unusual or one-sided. Contract: [paste here]

Then ask: What questions should I ask before I sign?

Watch out: A chatbot can miss things and laws differ by country. For anything big, ask a lawyer or an advice service.

Help me understand these test results in plain English. I'm [age and sex]. I've typed only the test names, values and normal ranges, with no name, ID or clinic details. Say what each test measures and whether my value is inside the range shown. Don't diagnose me. End with 5 questions to ask my doctor. Results: [type them here]

Then ask: Which of these questions matters most, and why?

Watch out: Type the numbers rather than uploading the report, which carries your personal details. Only a doctor who knows your history can tell you what results mean. If you feel unwell, don't wait for a chatbot.

Help me prepare for a doctor's appointment about [the problem]. Symptoms: [what, since when, what makes them better or worse]. Medicines I take: [list]. What worries me most: [worry]. Turn this into a short note I can show the doctor, then list the 5 most useful questions to ask.

Then ask: What details would a doctor want that I have left out?

Plan 5 dinners for this week. For [number] people. Diet or allergies: [details]. Budget: about [amount]. Time to cook: up to [minutes] on weeknights. Already in the kitchen: [ingredients]. Give a table of meals, then one shopping list grouped by aisle. Reuse ingredients across meals to cut waste.

Then ask: Swap the meal that takes longest for something faster.

Watch out: If anyone has an allergy, check the ingredients and labels yourself.

Help me choose a [product]. My budget is [amount] and I'll mostly use it for [what for]. Must-haves: [list]. I'm looking at [option A], [option B] and [option C]. Compare them in a table on price, the features I care about and common complaints, then say which you would pick and why.

Then ask: What would make you change your recommendation?

Watch out: Prices and models change, and chatbots can be out of date. Ask for sources with dates and check them.

Help me work out why my [appliance or item] is [the problem]. It's a [make and model]. I've already tried [what you did]. Start with the safest and cheapest checks. Give me one step at a time and wait for me to report back.

Then ask: At what point should I stop and call someone?

Watch out: Stop and call a professional for anything involving gas, mains electricity or the structure of your home.

Help me talk to my [age]-year-old about [topic]. What prompted this: [what happened]. They usually react by [how they react]. What I want them to take away is [message]. Give me 3 ways to start the conversation, 3 things to avoid saying, and a calm reply for if they shut down.

Then ask: What questions might they ask, and how could I answer honestly?

Teach me [topic] one step at a time. I'm at [your level] and I need it for [your reason]. Explain one small idea, ask me a question about it, and wait for my answer. Don't move on until I've got it right.

Then ask: Sum up what I have learned so far and what I still get wrong.

Help me work through this homework question without giving me the answer. I'm in [year or grade]. Here's what I've tried so far: [your attempt]. Give one hint at a time and ask what I think the next step is. Question: [paste here]

Then ask: Give me a similar question so I can try it alone.

Watch out: Check your school's rules on using AI. Chatbots also make maths mistakes, so check the final answer.

Quiz me on the notes below. My exam is on [date]. Use only what is in the notes. Ask 10 questions, one at a time, getting harder as we go. Tell me if I was right and why. At the end, list what I should revise. Notes: [paste here]

Then ask: Make a revision plan for the topics I got wrong.

Write a reply to the customer review below. We are a [type of business]. What happened from our side: [facts]. We want to [apologise, explain or offer something]. Under 80 words and calm. Don't argue or mention private details. Invite them to contact us at [contact]. Review: [paste here]

Then ask: Make it warmer without promising anything new.

Write 5 social media posts for [platform]. We sell [product or service] to [customers]. News this month: [offers, events or new products]. Under 40 words each, each from a different angle, with a clear next step. Match the style of this post of ours: [paste a post you liked]

Then ask: Which of these is most likely to get a reply, and why?

Write a polite reminder that invoice [number] for [amount] is [number] days overdue. [Customer] is a good customer. The invoice was due on [date] and I've reminded them [number] times. Give me two versions under 80 words: a friendly first reminder and a firmer final one with a new due date.

Then ask: Draft a short phone script for the same conversation.