A reference briefing that provides specific talking points — rather than a general ask to say nice things — dramatically improves the quality of the reference conversation a potential employer has. AI can help develop tailored talking points for each reference based on the specific role and your history with that person. This concept covers the briefing approach that turns good references into great ones.
A reference briefing is a structured document or conversation you share with a professional reference before they speak or write on your behalf — covering the specific role you are applying for, the skills that matter most, and the stories or achievements you want them to highlight. Most candidates skip this step, leaving references to improvise with outdated or generic information.
A well-briefed reference is far more persuasive than a well-meaning but vague one, and AI can help you build a concise, professionally framed briefing kit in minutes — even tailoring it to each specific application.
Paste a job description into ChatGPT and prompt: 'Based on this job description and the following three achievements I want my reference to emphasize, write a one-page briefing document I can send to my reference. Include the role I am applying for, the top three qualities the employer is looking for, and bullet-pointed talking points that connect my accomplishments to those qualities.' Share the output with your reference before any call or written submission.
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