New to AI?Start here.
A plain-English guide to using free AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Copilot for your job applications. What to use, how to set it up safely, what to say to it, and how to check what it gives you.
Get AI Basics $1Just $1, instant download. Four pages, plain English, no tech skills needed.
Everyone says use AI. Nobody shows you how.
Maybe you've opened ChatGPT once and weren't sure what to type. Maybe it gave you something that sounded nothing like you. Or maybe you're worried about what's safe to share.
AI Basics walks you through it, one step at a time, in plain English. By the end you'll know how to use any free AI tool to help with your CV, cover letter and selection criteria, and how to keep it honest.
What's inside
- What an AI chat tool actually isWhat it's good at, what it isn't, and why it can sound sure and still be wrong.
- Choosing a free toolChatGPT, Claude, Copilot or Gemini, and what to expect from free plans.
- Setting it up safelyFive minutes of settings, and what never to paste in.
- Your first conversationStep by step, from pasting a prompt to getting clean text into Word.
- How to talk to itA before-and-after example and ten phrases you can copy.
- Check before you sendA quick list to catch made-up facts and AI habits.
- Is it okay to use AI?What employers expect, and how to answer if they ask.
- When things go wrongLimits, lost chats, files that won't upload and messy formatting.
- Watch out for scamsFake AI apps, fake job ads, and the warning signs to look for.
Things you'll learn to say
No special words needed. Just a few phrases that make a big difference.
Safe, honest and scam-aware
The guide shows you which privacy settings to check, what never to share with an AI tool, and how to keep every claim in your application true.
It also covers the job scams that are getting more convincing with AI, with warning signs taken from Scamwatch's advice and where to get help.
Ready to write your application?
AI Basics pairs with the Bloom Kit: two AI prompts and two Word templates for a CV and cover letter that sound like you. Once you're comfortable with AI, it's the natural next step.
Questions
Do I need to pay for an AI tool?
No. The guide is written for the free versions of ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. Free plans have some limits, and the guide explains what to do when you hit one.
I'm not good with technology. Is this for me?
Yes. That's exactly who it's for. Everything is explained in plain English, step by step, with no jargon.
Will it write my application for me?
No. AI Basics teaches you how to use AI well. For ready-made prompts and templates that do the heavy lifting, add the Bloom Kit.
Why $1?
It's a small thank-you that covers the cost of running the shop. You'll also get the occasional email from me with new prompts, tips and launch prices. You can unsubscribe any time.
What format is it?
A four-page PDF you can read on your phone or print.
What if something's wrong with my file?
Email info@samanthabowen.com.au. If a file is faulty or doesn't do what we've described, I'll fix it, replace it or refund you.
Feel confident with AI.
A short, practical guide that gets you from "where do I start?" to using AI safely for your next application.
Get AI Basics $1Just $1. You'll also get the occasional email from me with new prompts and tips. Unsubscribe any time.