Make the case for one more hire with current numbers

About this exercise

You're asking your director for one more support agent. Write the ask and the role in the first sentence, then exactly 3 bullets of evidence, each with a current number from your notes, then the cost of not hiring in one sentence, plain text, under 90 words. Use only this quarter's numbers, with no comparisons to earlier quarters, and leave out the complaints about other teams.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Telling the story. The AI writes a narrative of how busy the team is before the ask. Try: Add: "First sentence: the ask and the role."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each part instead: "each bullet under 14 words."
• Mixing quarters. Several quarters of numbers are in your notes, and the AI may pick older ones. Try: Add: "Use only Q1 numbers."
• Too much evidence. The AI lists every metric with headings. Try: Add: "Exactly 3 bullets, each with one number. Plain text."
• Venting. The complaints sound like reasons, so the AI includes them. Try: Add: "End with the cost of not hiring. No complaints about other teams."

What a strong prompt includes

• Puts the ask first
• Uses current numbers
• Limits the evidence
• Leaves out complaints
• Sets a word limit

Practice this now ↑

Related exercises

• Accept a job offer and confirm the exact terms (Writing AI · Job seekers)
• Answer a 'where is my order' email with the real new date (Writing AI · Customer support teams)
• Answer a big discount ask with two priced options (Writing AI · Sales and customer success)
• Answer a buyer's HOA questions from the bylaws (Research AI · Real estate agents)
• Answer a charge nurse application question with evidence (Writing AI · Nurses and healthcare workers)