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Format a references list after one reference drops out
Practice: Asking for a format you can use. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
An employer asked for three references. Write exactly 3 numbered lines in the form "Name - title, company - how you know them - phone - email", plain text, under 80 words. Leave out the reference who said no, use each person's current title and contact info, and add nothing else. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- No fixed shape. The AI makes a formatted references page with a header and blocks of contact info. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 3 numbered lines: Name - title, company - how you know them - phone - email."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 80 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part instead: "each line under 25 words."
- Keeping the one who said no. Paul is still on the list in your notes. Try: Add: "Leave out Paul; he can't do it."
- Old contact details. Linda's old title and email appear first. Try: Add: "Use Linda's new title and email from the update."
What a strong prompt includes
- Removes the decline
- Uses current details
- Shows the line shape
- Sets the number of references
- Sets a word limit
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