AI in Support of Job and Industry Research

Why Research Matters

Once you have a list of career ideas, the next step is to dig deeper. Good research helps you assess fit, prepare for networking conversations, and make more informed decisions about where to focus your energy. It also signals genuine interest to employers and alumni you connect with along the way.

LLMs can be useful starting points for industry and job research. Is a particular field growing? Which companies are aligned with your personal values? What companies are more established versus startup? What are the important industry trends? Which companies or organizations should go on your target list? These are all questions you can explore with AI, keeping in mind that results should always be verified with authoritative sources.

AI can give you a useful overview of an industry, surface relevant terminology, and help you identify questions worth investigating further. It is a good tool for getting oriented. However, AI-generated research has real limitations: the information may be outdated, overly general, or simply wrong. For anything that matters, including salary data, company financials, hiring trends, or industry outlooks, verify with the primary sources listed in the resources section below.

Think of AI as a research starting point, not a research endpoint.

The prompts below have been developed by the Center for Career Design for use with LLMs such as ChatGPT, Claude, and others. To get the best results:

  1. Customize the fields [bolded here] before using. Sample content has been included to show you the format; replace it with your own information. You can either cut and paste directly into the LLM and customize the fields before sending, or cut and paste into another document to customize first. Either way is fine, just make sure the LLM receives your specific topic.
  2. Evaluate the results critically. Verify key claims against authoritative sources, especially for data-driven questions about salary, growth, or hiring.
  3. Iterate. Follow up with additional questions. Speak conversationally with the LLM to dig deeper. For example: “Tell me more about [company type or trend]” or “What are the biggest challenges facing this industry right now?”
  4. Feel free to experiment, changing the prompts as you see fit!

Remember, generative AI should not replace guidance from humans. The coaching team at the Dartmouth Center for Career Design brings years of experience, knowledge of Dartmouth, and access to our expansive alumni network. Meet with a career coach to further discuss and refine your research.

Tell me about the role of [Project Manager] in the field of [renewable energy]. What are typical projects like in this job? What is a typical day like? What impacts would I make? How much money would I make? What is the work/life balance like? What is the career trajectory like, including further education to advance in this field? I am currently a Dartmouth student, majoring in [Economics].

Help me to identify verifiable current industry trends in the field of [corporate communications / public relations]. For example, what are the growth prospects in this field? What are emerging topics or areas I should be aware of? Verify with reliable sources, such as career-specific subpages of the OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (see: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/a-z-index.htm), and others. Please suggest reliable resources I might use to gather more information, such as particular and specific pages associated with the career within the OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If displaying links, display in fully displayed, un-nested URL format, e.g.: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/public-relations-specialists.htm#tab-6

I am a Dartmouth student interested in [sustainability / public health / fintech]. List 15 organizations, across nonprofit, government, and private sectors, that are doing notable work in this field and are known to hire undergraduate interns.

I am exploring careers in [insert field]. What are the most active and well-regarded employers in this space right now, and what distinguishes them from one another in terms of culture, mission, and growth?

List 10 early-stage companies working on [insert topic or problem area] that have received funding in the last two years. For each, include a brief description, their stage of growth, and why they might be interesting to a new graduate.

Tell me about [insert company or organization]. What is their mission, what do they actually do day-to-day, and what kinds of roles do they typically hire for at the entry level?

I am a Dartmouth undergraduate majoring in [insert major] with an interest in [insert field or cause]. What types of internships or entry-level roles would be a realistic fit for my background, and which kinds of organizations typically offer them?

AI is a starting point, but the Dartmouth Libraries offer powerful research tools that go well beyond what an LLM can reliably provide, including access to company databases, industry reports, news archives, and more. The Job Hunting Resources guide compiled by the Dartmouth Libraries is an excellent place to continue your research. It includes resources for searching companies and nonprofits, researching industries, tracking current news, and more.

Crystal Schimpf and Amelia Looby, librarians at the Dartmouth College Libraries, are available to help you navigate these resources. You can email them, make an appointment with Amelia, or make an appointment with Crystal.

Research is most valuable when it leads to action. Here are some ways to reality-test your ideas and take next steps:

  1. As you research ideas, use one of our career idea trackers to organize your findings: Career Idea Tracker 1 | Career Idea Tracker 2
  2. Use informational interviews to test and reality-check your career ideas. Speaking directly with someone working in a role or industry you are researching is one of the most valuable things you can do. Your research will help you ask better questions and have more productive conversations. Dartmouth alumni are an exceptional resource here, and many are eager to share their experience with current students. Use connect.dartmouth.edu and LinkedIn to find alumni working in the roles and industries you are exploring.
  3. Build a target list of companies and organizations that interest you. Follow them on Handshake and LinkedIn to stay current on opportunities and news.
  4. Meet with a career coach to develop your research and networking strategy. A coach can help you identify target companies, refine your outreach approach, and make the most of the Dartmouth alumni network. Schedule an appointment to get started.