In an age where artificial intelligence is seamlessly integrating into our daily lives, conversational platforms like ChatGPT are emerging as versatile tools for a variety of applications. They can act as our personal assistants, tutors, or even confidants. However, the utility of these AI platforms often correlates with our ability to ask focused and insightful questions. It’s not just about what the AI can offer, but how we interact with it.
This is where the Interviewer-Assessor Template (IAT) (designed by yours truly) comes into play. The IAT is not merely a set of questions; it’s a strategically designed framework that guides the interaction in a purposeful manner. It leverages the conversational prowess of ChatGPT and takes it a step further by channeling it into more specialized roles: that of an interviewer and an assessor. Imagine having a well-planned, in-depth dialogue rather than a sequence of isolated queries.While ChatGPT already offers a wealth of possibilities in its standard configuration, its full potential often remains untapped due to the limitations of open-ended or vague questioning. Even with the best algorithms and training data, the output’s quality is ultimately governed by the input
The Interviewer-Assessor Template (IAT) addresses this challenge head-on. By structuring the conversation in a focused and intentional manner, IAT enables you to drill down on specific topics, obtain more nuanced answers, and even receive tailored recommendations. The goal isn’t to replace the freeform dialogue that makes ChatGPT so appealing, but rather to enhance it, offering a more targeted and constructive experience for users who seek in-depth insights or guidance.
Not only does IAT make the interaction more rewarding, but it also saves time by eliminating the need for redundant or clarifying questions, streamlining the conversational flow. It’s not just a tool for advanced users; it’s an accessible framework that anyone can employ to derive greater value from their ChatGPT conversations.
While ChatGPT already offers a wealth of possibilities in its standard configuration, its full potential often remains untapped due to the limitations of open-ended or vague questioning. Even with the best algorithms and training data, the output’s quality is ultimately governed by the input
The Interviewer-Assessor Template (IAT) addresses this challenge head-on. By structuring the conversation in a focused and intentional manner, IAT enables you to drill down on specific topics, obtain more nuanced answers, and even receive tailored recommendations. The goal isn’t to replace the freeform dialogue that makes ChatGPT so appealing, but rather to enhance it, offering a more targeted and constructive experience for users who seek in-depth insights or guidance.
Not only does IAT make the interaction more rewarding, but it also saves time by eliminating the need for redundant or clarifying questions, streamlining the conversational flow. It’s not just a tool for advanced users; it’s an accessible framework that anyone can employ to derive greater value from their ChatGPT conversations.
The Anatomy of an IAT Prompt
An IAT prompt is more than just a simple question; it’s a multi-layered construct designed to guide a focused and insightful conversation with ChatGPT. At its core, the IAT prompt consists of 3 key elements:
- Introductory Statement: Set the tone and clarify the purpose of the conversation. This helps ChatGPT in understanding the dialogue’s context and aim.
- Periodic Check-In Questions: Incorporate different types of check-in questions that serve as pauses for recalibration in the conversation. This can include questions to assess the user’s comfort level, interest in continuing, and numerical ratings on specific aspects of the topic being discussed.
- Ending Assessment: Close the interaction with a structured summary and actionable advice. This should include a numerical evaluation based on the discussion, areas needing attention, and recommended next steps.
Understanding the anatomy of an IAT prompt allows you to craft a conversational structure that maximizes the value derived from your interaction with ChatGPT. By combining these elements thoughtfully, you can transform a standard ChatGPT session into a specialized and purpose-driven experience.
In a digital conversation, attention is at a premium. A single-question focus (“ask me questions, one by one”) ensures that each query is both targeted and meaningful, maximizing the impact of each interaction.
Periodic check-ins serve multiple functions in an IAT. In the well-being example, questions like “Would you like to continue discussing your well-being?” and “On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your emotional state right now?” serve as these periodic moments of recalibration. These check-ins ensure the dialogue remains on course and user-centered. Numeric data also helps ChatGPT to use measurable data in the ending assessment.
The ending assessment consolidates the value gained from the interaction. In the well-being example, this consists of a numerical well-being score, a list of areas needing attention, and recommended next steps, rounding off the interaction in a meaningful way.
To provide a concrete illustration, here’s your well-being assessment IAT:
Please investigate my well-being by asking me in-depth and empathetic questions, one at a time. Periodically check if I wish to continue, ask for a numerical rating on a relevant topic, and provide an assessment at the end.
Example of IAT prompt
Periodic Check-In Questions:
– Would you like to continue discussing your well-being?
– We’ve covered a lot of ground. Do you want to keep going or would you like an assessment so far?
– On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your [relevant topic] at this moment?
Ending Assessment:
– Based on our discussion and your ratings, your well-being score is [numerical scale].
– Here are some areas that might require attention: [list of areas based on user’s answers].
– We recommend the following steps for improvement: [actionable advice].
– Would you like to discuss these recommendations further, or is there something else you’d like to explore?
In summary, the well-being IAT example demonstrates that even a relatively simple set of instructions can leverage ChatGPT’s reasoning capabilities to produce an insightful, nuanced discussion. It’s not merely about following a set of strict rules; the interaction becomes an intelligent dialogue as ChatGPT interprets and builds upon your prompts. If this piques your interest, we strongly encourage you to try it out (copy-paste it as it is above). You might be pleasantly surprised by the depth of conversation and insight that can be achieved through this approach.
The Interviewer-Assessment Template (IAT) is not limited to any particular field or topic; its structured format is versatile enough to be adapted to a myriad of contexts. By virtue of its focus on in-depth, single-topic exploration coupled with periodic check-ins and a comprehensive final assessment, the IAT can dramatically enhance the quality of interactions you have with ChatGPT.
The format provides a clear yet flexible framework that guides the conversation in a meaningful direction while still allowing for individual interpretation and nuance. This duality of structure and flexibility allows the IAT to serve not just as a questionnaire but as a dynamic tool for generating actionable insights.
Whether your goal is to generate more nuanced data, deepen your understanding of a complex issue, or just to have a more organized and impactful conversation, the IAT is adaptable enough to meet these needs. By customizing the core and periodic questions, as well as the final assessment criteria, you can tailor the IAT to fit the specific objectives of your interaction, offering a unique blend of personalization and structured guidance.

