Level Up Your Career: Using Copilot for Interview Prep & Self-Assessment
Source: Dev.to
Intro
In today’s fast‑evolving job market, it’s not enough to simply update your resume when you’re actively job hunting. Periodically “benchmark” yourself—preparing for interviews every 18–20 months, even if you’re not planning a move. This habit helps you reflect on how you’ve upskilled, stay attuned to current market trends, and ensure you’re aligned with the latest in company culture and compensation benchmarks.
Regular interview prep isn’t just about readiness for new opportunities; it’s about understanding where you stand, what the market values, and how your growth matches industry expectations. It’s a proactive way to identify skill gaps, discover new in‑demand tools or frameworks, and keep your career trajectory competitive and fulfilling.
With tools like M365 Copilot, the process has become more structured and insightful. Copilot can help you analyze job descriptions, tailor your resume and cover letter, and even simulate interview scenarios—making periodic self‑assessment both efficient and actionable.
In this article you’ll learn how to use Copilot to prepare for a job interview, starting with tailoring your resume and cover letter, and you’ll get practical prompts you can incorporate into your own prep routine.
The Copilot‑Powered Interview Prep Workflow
Preparing for a job interview is a multi‑step journey, and leveraging Copilot can make each stage more focused and effective:
- Research the role and company – understand what employers are seeking.
- Tailor your resume – highlight the most relevant skills and experiences.
- Craft a compelling cover letter – connect your story to the organization’s mission.
- Prepare for interview questions – be ready to showcase your strengths and fit.
Visual Overview
Tailoring Your Resume
Tailoring your resume is more than keyword‑matching; it’s about presenting your experience in a way that resonates with recruiters and aligns with the specific needs of the role. The prompt below leverages Copilot’s ability to analyze, compare, and provide actionable feedback.
I want you to act as a recruiter for a [nnnnnnnnn] position at [ABC PLC]. I am considering applying for this job and am trying to determine if I am a good fit for the position and how my resume might be improved.
Step 1: Please review the job description [Link to job description or Word document]
Step 2: Review my resume [Link to resume Word document]
Step 3: Compare the two documents and provide the following information:
- Determine whether I am a good candidate for this role and provide a percentage estimate of how the resume matches the job description. (Base the estimate on demonstrated expertise for each qualification.)
- Rate my strengths for the role.
- Identify my weaknesses for this role.
- Specify how I can improve this resume to be more compelling to recruiters.What the prompt delivers
- Quantitative feedback – a tangible match percentage.
- Strengths & weaknesses analysis – balanced positive and constructive comments.
- Actionable recommendations – clear steps to make the resume more recruiter‑friendly.
Reassessing After Resume Updates
Resume tailoring is rarely a one‑and‑done task. After each round of edits, reassess to ensure the document remains compelling and relevant.
Please reassess my resume [Link to resume Word document] compared to the job description [Link to job description or Word document], as I’ve made some changes based on your previous feedback.
Provide updated feedback and a new percentage estimate of how well I fit this role.
Is there anything else I can do to appear stronger given the information I’ve presented?
Help me prioritize and consolidate my experience and skills based on what is most relevant to the job description.Benefits
- Targeted enhancement – specific, actionable advice for further strengthening.
- Prioritization & consolidation – keeps the resume concise and focused on the most important qualifications.
Cover Letter (or Informational Email)
Not every application requires a cover letter, but reaching out for an informational meeting can be a powerful way to learn more about the role and make a positive impression. Use Copilot to draft a concise, warm, and purposeful email.
I plan to reach out to the hiring manager to request an informational meeting regarding the role. Please help me draft an email based on the following information:
Objective: Request a 25‑minute informational meeting
Email length: Brief
Tone: Warm, personal, friendly
Points to include:
- Introduction
- Why I’m interested in this role
- What I’m hoping to learn during the meeting (1‑2 topics)
Remember, this is a request for an informational meeting to learn more about the role/team, not a shortcut to the formal interview process.Why it helps
- Builds rapport and demonstrates initiative.
- Provides insider insights that can strengthen your later formal application.
Preparing for Interview Questions
Effective interview preparation goes beyond rehearsing answers; it involves understanding who you’ll be speaking with, what they value, and how to connect your story to the role and team. Copilot can act as a strategic partner.
I am going to meet with [Individual’s Name] about their [Role Name] position. You can find their LinkedIn profile here: [Insert Link].
What can you tell me about them?
What are some questions I could ask to get to know them better (e.g., leadership style, team culture)?
What are the top 5 behavioral interview questions for this role?
Help me draft concise, impactful answers using my background.What you gain
- Insightful question suggestions – show curiosity and cultural alignment.
- Behavioral question forecasting – anticipate common interview topics.
- Answer crafting – generate concise, compelling responses grounded in your experience.