AI Quick Guide: Gap Analysis

"AI Quick Guide" with a circle around it.

Use this guide to quickly complete your gap analysis – just follow the steps!

AI is a tool to help, not replace you. You’re in control, and the more you use it, the better it will work for you.

AI will help you:

  • Uncover the skills and experience needed for your career goal
  • Find what you’re missing
  • Get suggestions to fill your gaps
  • Stay organized with a simple summary document

🎥 STEP 1: WATCH AI ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

⚠️ Important Tips Before You Use AI

  • Protect your privacy: Remove sensitive personal info from your résumé (name, email, etc.) before pasting it into the AI.
  • Check for mistakes: AI can sometimes make things up (called “hallucinations”). Always double-check its responses.
  • Make it Yours: Make sure the AI’s suggestions fit your personal situation so you don’t get overwhelmed.

🤖 STEP 2: CHOOSE A FREE AI TOOL

  • Sign up or log in to a free account on ChatGPT or Perplexity. Note: You can use these without logging in, but features are limited.

💬 STEP 3: USE THE AI PROMPTS BELOW

  • What is a Prompt? – A message you type to tell the AI what you want and guide its responses.
  • Prompt Instructions:
    • ✅ Follow in order – Use the prompts below one at a time in the order presented for best results.
    • ✅ Copy & paste – Copy each prompt and paste it into the AI chat box.
    • ✅ Fill in the blanks – Add your info where needed in each prompt.
    • ✅ Send it – Press Enter (computer) or tap the send arrow (phone).
    • ✅ Wait for a response – Don’t move on to the next prompt until the AI has replied.
  • 👉 Clear Input = Clear Output! The more details you give, the better the AI can help. If the first response isn’t quite right, try rephrasing your prompt, asking follow-up questions, or asking the AI to be more specific.

AI Prompts

Note: All images below show outputs generated by ChatGPT

▶️ Prompt 1: Research Career Goal

This prompt will give you an overview of what you need for your career goal.

💬  Copy & Paste (remember to fill in the blanks):

Here is my Career Goal: [Target Job Title]. Summarize the specific technical and soft skills, most common certifications, education, tools, and experience (including the type of experience and number of years) required for my career goal.

👉 Not getting what you need? Try asking a follow-up question!

  • What are the most important skills for this job?
  • What kind of experience do employers look for?

Screenshot of AI prompt and response

▶️ Prompt 2A: Identify Skill Gaps (With Résumé)

Use this prompt if you already have a résumé.

💬  Copy & Paste:

Compare my current skills, experience, education, and certifications (as outlined in my résumé) with the typical requirements for a [Target Job Title]. Identify missing tehnical and soft skills, education, certifications, and/or experience that may be required for success in this role.

Here is my resume: [⚠️paste résumé with personal info removed].

NOTE: To add a new line between your prompt and résumé, press Shift + Enter (computer) or tap the return/enter key (phone). This will separate them for better readability.

Screenshot of AI response to potential career gaps

▶️ Prompt 2B: Identify Skill Gaps (Without Résumé)

Use this prompt if you don’t have a résumé or prefer not to share one.

💬  Copy & Paste:

Ask me a series of targeted questions to assess my current skills, experience, and qualifications for a [Target Job Title]. Include questions that help uncover transferrable skills, and any relevant experiential learning (such as internships, projects, or volunteer work) or coursework I’ve completed that relates to my target job. Based on my responses, compare them with industry expectations and highlight any gaps I may need to address.

Screenshot of AI response to query

▶️ Prompt 3: Create Actions to Close Gaps

This prompt will help you come up with ideas to fill your skill gaps.

💬  Copy & Paste:

Based on the identified gaps in my qualifications for a [Target Job Title], recommend ways to close them. Include relevant courses, certifications, self-paced learning, projects, experiential learning, or professional experiences. Prioritize the most critical gaps.

👉 Not getting what you need? Try asking a follow-up question!

  • What courses should I take first?
  • What kind of projects will help me gain experience?
Screenshot of AI prompt and response

▶️ Prompt 4: Download Your Gap Analysis

You can even download your gap analysis directly from the AI!

💬  Copy & Paste:

Organize my career gap analysis results into a downloadable structured Word document. Include the following sections:

  • Career Goal (from Prompt 1)
  • Skill Gaps (from Prompt 2)
  • Actions to Close Gaps (from Prompt 3) in the highest-lowest priority order
Screenshot of AI-generated action plan

📂 SAVE YOUR GAP ANALYSIS

  • Download and save your AI-generated gap analysis to your OneDrive, Google Drive, or computer. You’ll need it to build your career plan—so keep it somewhere easy to find!
Next: Start Your Career Plan!