Now back to today’s SMART IDEA.
This is the first article in a four-part SMART IDEAS series on using AI in staffing. Each piece will get into the real-world how, not the abstract hype. Over the next few weeks, we’ll cover:
- How to work effectively with AI tools (this article!)
- AI for sales (what to automate, what to humanize)
- AI for marketing (think content, strategy, and more)
- AI for recruitment marketing (yep, job ads, programmatic, social)
And if we stumble on more killer use cases? We’ll keep the series going.
Let’s kick things off with the most important topic: how to work with AI, not just use it like an email vending machine.
Think like a collaborator, not a user
If you’re asking ChatGPT to “write me a cold email” and wondering why it sounds like a robot, here’s why:
You're treating it like Google. And expecting it to be an answer machine.
Instead, approach AI like a really smart intern, a creative partner or research assistant. Think collaborator, not task rabbit.
- Start simple, then refine: Ask a basic prompt, then say “now make it more conversational” or “shorter and punchier.”
- Share your goal, not just your question. Say “I’m trying to re-engage old leads for light industrial staffing” instead of “write a follow-up email.”
👉 Bonus tip: Tell AI what to avoid. “Make this sound confident, but not cocky.”
Context is everything
If you want output that’s tailored, you’ve got to give input that’s specific. The more context you can provide, the better.
Before asking for copy, content, or strategy, try this:
- Explain your role: “I’m a staffing sales rep calling on mid-sized logistics companies in Ohio.”
- Describe your audience: “The client is a warehouse manager who’s short 20 people and hates dealing with temp agencies.”
- Paste in source material: Notes from a client call, a past campaign that worked, even a rough draft.
👉 Bonus tip: Use Deep Research to create source material. Personally, I like to use
Trust Insight's CASINO framework for Deep Research, then attach the research report (or a summary) to chats, projects, and custom GPTs.
💡 Real-world idea: Record transcripts from your intake calls. Use AI to turn those into reusable job ad templates. You’ll save hours every week—and get better job posts!
Use frameworks to structure your thinking
Frameworks aren’t just for consultants—they’re power tools for AI prompting.
Want to organize your prompt? Try these:
- RACE: Reach, Act, Convert, Engage (great for mapping marketing campaigns)
- AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire, Action (ideal for copywriting)
- SPIN: Situation, Problem, Implication, Need-Payoff (perfect for sales scripts)
- MECE: Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive (clean, clear planning)
- RAPPEL: Role, Action, Prime, Prompt, Evaluate, Learn (perfect for ideation)
You can also tell AI to respond using a framework:
“Use the AIDA model to create a cold email targeting HR directors at logistics companies.”
Suddenly, your output looks strategic—not like generic mush.
👉 Bonus tip: Not sure how to use a framework? Ask the AI to walk you through it step by step.
Let the AI ask you questions
This is probably my favorite prompting hack.
Instead of telling the AI how to do something, ask: “What do you need from me to create this?”
Or “What questions should I answer to help you write this ad?”
This kind of “Socratic prompting” lets the AI guide you to clearer, stronger inputs. It’s like having a copywriter who interviews you.
📍 For teams: This works great in brainstorming meetings. One person “feeds” ChatGPT an objective and instructs the AI to ask questions, the group provides answers together.
Iterate and layer instructions
Expecting perfect output on the first try is like interviewing a candidate and never asking probing questions.
To get the best results, you’ve got to go deeper. You can ask things like:
- “Can you rewrite this to sound more urgent?”
- “Make this shorter, but keep the emotional appeal.”
- “Give me three variations focused on cost savings.”
Treat your prompting process like editing a human draft. Tweak tone, length, format, voice. And remember—your second (or third) prompt is usually where the magic happens.
Prompt for perspective, not just output
AI doesn’t just generate text—it can play roles.
Use it to test ideas or uncover blind spots. For example:
- “What would a skeptical buyer say about this proposal?”
- “Give me objections an HR manager might raise.”
- “How would a Gen Z job seeker react to this job post?”
This is where AI gets really useful—not just writing, but helping you think through your audience’s eyes.
Save and reuse your best prompts
Once you’ve got a great prompt formula, don’t reinvent the wheel.
Create a “prompt library” for your team in Notion, Google Docs, or even ChatGPT’s custom instructions.
Ideas to save:
- A template for writing job ads (with company info, tone guidelines)
- A cold outreach email prompt that includes target audience pain points
- A format for creating weekly social media posts
- A structure for turning client testimonials into case studies
🧠 Smart staffing firms are already systematizing prompts across departments. It saves time. Builds consistency. Boosts results. Test, tweak, and level up
One last secret: tiny prompt changes = big output changes.
Bad prompt: “Write a blog post about AI in staffing.”
Better prompt: “Write a blog post for staffing firm owners explaining how AI can improve recruiter productivity, including one case study.”
🔥 Pro tip: Add constraints—length, audience, format, tone. Like: “Give me a LinkedIn post (under 150 words) that sounds like Gary Vee.”
TL;DR — Don’t just “use” AI. Work with it.
Want better output? Be a better collaborator.
To recap:
- Treat AI like a partner, not a vending machine.
- Provide context—audience, goals, examples.
- Use frameworks to structure your thinking.
- Let AI ask you questions to clarify.
- Iterate—prompt, review, adjust.
- Role-play perspectives to test ideas.
- Save great prompts for repeat use.
- Experiment with small prompt tweaks.
When in doubt, ask AI for help
Let me conclude with one final (and powerful) idea…
Ask “How could AI help me do this?”
When you take on any new task, before you open Outlook, create a new Word doc, or start an Excel spreadsheet, ask yourself this question.
Better yet, open up your favorite AI, and ask the AI how it could help you.
You’ll be amazed by the answers. And the more you use AI your thought partner and assistant, the more of an AI expert you will become!
Next up: we’re diving into AI for sales.
In next week’s SMART IDEA, we’ll show how your sales team can use AI for prospecting, personalization, and closing smarter.
Until then, test out one new AI use case each day. And see what happens when you treat it like a team member!
Got an AI best practice or a killer prompt to share?
Hit reply and show me what you’re up to! |
