AI Prompts for Work: 50 Copy-Paste Prompts by Task

The best AI prompts for work give the tool a role, the task, the context and the format you want back. Below are 50 copy-paste prompts grouped by task (writing, data, meetings, planning and career) that work in ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini. Swap in your details, paste, and edit the output before you use it.

For even more, the Boredlisted AI prompts library keeps copy-ready prompts sorted by job.

How do you get good results from AI prompts for work?

The best AI prompts share one simple structure. OpenAI's official prompt engineering guide recommends clear instructions, useful context and a defined output format.

Anthropic's Claude prompting documentation gives the same advice. Here is how those parts fit together:

What you need before you start

• An AI chat tool. Free versions of ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini run every prompt here. Paid plans add higher limits and file uploads, and prices change often, so check each official plans page.
• Your raw material. The email, notes, data or job post you want help with.
• Your employer's AI rules. Many companies limit which tools you can use and what you can paste.

Weighing a paid plan? Start by comparing paid AI subscriptions so you only pay for features you will actually use.

How to use each prompt

1. Copy a prompt from its box.
2. Replace anything in square brackets with your own details.
3. Paste your text, data or notes after the final colon.
4. Read the answer, then ask for one specific change, such as shorter, warmer or more detailed.
5. Check every fact, name and number before you use the result.

Expected result: a solid first draft to polish, not a finished product. If it misses the mark, add more context.

Writing and email prompts (1 to 12)

These ChatGPT prompts for work run just as well in Claude or Gemini.

1. Use it when: replying to a long email.

Reply to this email in under 120 words, friendly but direct, answering every question. Email:

2. Use it when: a draft feels wordy.

Edit this text for clarity. Cut filler, use short sentences and plain words, and keep my meaning. Text:

3. Use it when: you must say no politely.

Write a warm email declining [REQUEST]. Give one honest reason, offer an alternative, and stay under 100 words.

4. Use it when: the tone feels off.

Rewrite this message for [AUDIENCE] in a [MORE FORMAL or MORE CASUAL] tone. Keep every fact. Message:

5. Use it when: your manager wants the short version.

Summarize this document in one takeaway sentence, then five bullets on key points and decisions needed. Document:

6. Use it when: someone has gone quiet.

Write a polite follow-up to [NAME] about [TOPIC], restating the ask and suggesting a next step.

7. Use it when: announcing a team change.

Draft a calm team announcement about [CHANGE]: what, why, when and what people must do. Under 200 words.

8. Use it when: sharing bad news with a client.

Write a client email about [PROBLEM]. Take responsibility, explain the impact, and propose a dated fix.

9. Use it when: emails are not getting opened.

Give me 10 specific subject lines under 50 characters for this email. No clickbait. Email:

10. Use it when: notes must become a report.

Turn these notes into a report section with a heading and three paragraphs. Add no new facts. Notes:

11. Use it when: you want feedback before sending.

Act as a skeptical reader. Name the three weakest points in this text and the best fix. Text:

12. Use it when: explaining tech to non-experts.

Explain this update to non-experts using one analogy and no jargon. End with what it means for them. Update:

Data and research prompts (13 to 22)

AI can still get math wrong. Ask it to show its working, check results against your source, and strip confidential figures first.

13. Use it when: reading a new spreadsheet.

Summarize this data in five bullets, flag trends or outliers, and suggest three questions to investigate. Data:

14. Use it when: you need a spreadsheet formula.

Write a [EXCEL or GOOGLE SHEETS] formula that [GOAL] using columns [COLUMNS]. Explain it briefly.

15. Use it when: a formula throws an error.

This formula returns an error: [FORMULA]. Explain the likely cause and give a fixed version. Sample data:

16. Use it when: sorting survey feedback.

Group this feedback into themes. For each, give a name, a comment count and one representative quote. Feedback:

17. Use it when: choosing a chart.

Suggest the best chart type for this data, explain why, and give a title and axis labels. Data:

18. Use it when: weighing two options.

Compare [OPTION A] and [OPTION B] for [GOAL] by cost, effort, risk and benefit, then recommend one.

19. Use it when: learning a new topic fast.

Explain [TOPIC] to a beginner working as [ROLE]: what it is, why it matters, key terms. Flag uncertainty.

20. Use it when: a report buries key details.

Pull every number, date, deadline and named owner from this text into a table. Text:

21. Use it when: stress-testing a conclusion.

Argue against my conclusion below. List my hidden assumptions and the data that would change my mind. Analysis:

22. Use it when: you need a quick SQL query.

Write a [DATABASE] SQL query that [GOAL]. Table: [TABLE]. Columns: [COLUMNS]. Comment each step.

Meeting and communication prompts (23 to 30)

These help you walk in prepared and walk out with clear next steps.

23. Use it when: you need an agenda fast.

Create a 30-minute agenda for [PURPOSE] with time slots, the decision needed and one prep question per item.

24. Use it when: meeting notes are messy.

Turn these notes into decisions made, action items with owners and due dates, and open questions. Notes:

25. Use it when: a hard conversation is coming.

I need to talk to [PERSON] about [ISSUE]. Give me an opener, key points, likely reactions and calm replies.

26. Use it when: rehearsing a pitch.

Role-play a skeptical [ROLE] while I pitch [IDEA]. Ask tough questions one at a time.

27. Use it when: giving a colleague feedback.

Write kind, specific feedback about [BEHAVIOR] using the situation, behavior, impact format. End with an open question.

28. Use it when: posting a quick team update.

Write a team chat update on [PROJECT]: done, next and blockers, under 60 words.

29. Use it when: you need talking points.

Turn this into speaker notes for a [LENGTH]-minute talk: strong opening, three points, clear close. Content:

30. Use it when: emailing a senior stranger.

Email [NAME, TITLE] asking for [REQUEST]. Put the ask in the first two lines and stay under 120 words.

Planning and productivity prompts (31 to 40)

These prompts for productivity turn a vague workload into a plan. Give real constraints, such as deadlines and fixed meetings.

31. Use it when: your to-do list is overwhelming.

Sort my to-do list with the Eisenhower matrix (urgent vs. important): do today, schedule, delegate or drop. List:

32. Use it when: a project needs breaking down.

Break [PROJECT] into phases and tasks with rough time estimates and dependencies. Deadline: [DATE].

33. Use it when: planning your week.

Plan my week. Fixed meetings: [MEETINGS]. Priorities: [PRIORITIES]. I focus best in the [MORNING or AFTERNOON]. Leave buffer time.

34. Use it when: a repeat task needs a checklist.

Create a checklist for [TASK] a new hire could follow, including common mistakes.

35. Use it when: writing an SOP (standard operating procedure).

Turn this description into an SOP with purpose, scope, numbered steps and an owner per step. Description:

36. Use it when: preparing for a launch.

List the ten likeliest risks for [PROJECT], rate each by likelihood and impact, and suggest one fix each.

37. Use it when: setting quarterly goals.

Turn this goal into three objectives with measurable key results (OKRs) for next quarter: [GOAL].

38. Use it when: interruptions wreck your focus.

I lose focus because of [DISTRACTIONS]. Suggest five workday changes and a polite message requesting focus time.

39. Use it when: you are stuck between two plans.

Help me choose between [PLAN A] and [PLAN B]. Ask about my priorities first, then recommend one.

40. Use it when: hunting for tasks to automate.

List which of my weekly tasks could be automated or templated, easiest first, and how: [TASKS]

Career prompts (41 to 50)

These also work well as Claude prompts for work. For profile help, try these Claude prompts for LinkedIn.

Then test your fit with our free AI resume checker before applying.

41. Use it when: tailoring a resume.

Compare my resume to the job post below. List missing skills, then rewrite my top five bullets to match, inventing nothing.

42. Use it when: resume bullets sound flat.

Rewrite these bullets with strong verbs and results. Where I lack a number, suggest what to measure instead. Bullets:

43. Use it when: drafting a cover letter.

Write a 250-word cover letter for [JOB] at [COMPANY] from my background below. Give two proof points and avoid cliches.

44. Use it when: preparing for an interview.

Act as the hiring manager for [JOB]. Ask eight likely questions one at a time and critique each answer.

45. Use it when: building a STAR interview answer.

Turn this story into a STAR answer (situation, task, action, result) under 150 words for [QUESTION]. Story:

46. Use it when: asking for a raise.

Using my wins below, build a short case for a raise, three talking points and replies to two objections. Wins:

47. Use it when: learning a new skill.

Build a 30-day plan to learn [SKILL] in 30 minutes a day, ending with a small project.

48. Use it when: writing your self-review.

Turn my notes into a self-review with accomplishments tied to team goals and one honest growth area. Notes:

49. Use it when: networking on LinkedIn.

Write a short LinkedIn message to [PERSON] in [FIELD]. Mention [SHARED POINT] and ask one question, not for a job.

50. Use it when: checking how AI affects your role.

I work as a [JOB TITLE]. List tasks AI could speed up, tasks needing human judgment, and three skills to build.

What mistakes should you avoid?

• Pasting confidential data. Strip client names, personal details and internal numbers. In the UK and EU, personal data in prompts can also raise GDPR concerns.
• Trusting facts without checking. AI tools can state wrong information with total confidence. Verify names, figures, dates and quotes against the original source.
• Stopping at the first answer. Ask for one clear change, such as cut this by half.
• Asking for everything at once. Split big jobs into steps: outline first, then draft, then edit.
• Sending output unedited. Generic AI phrasing is easy to spot. Add your own details, examples and voice.
• Forgetting your readers' spelling. Add use US English or use British English to match your audience.

The bottom line

You do not need all 50. Pick three that match your most repeated tasks, save them as templates, and refine them each time you use them.

Strong prompting skills also help you future-proof your career against AI.

For more guides like this, browse the AI and work topic hub.