Custom instructions
Tell Copilot how every answer should sound, for one interview profile or for all of them, and see how instructions work with your response style.
Custom instructions are standing directions that Copilot follows in every answer, such as how long answers should be or what to emphasize. They’re part of an interview profile, and you can share one set across all your profiles.
Where to find them
In the workspace, click Profile, open a profile and choose the Custom tab. Type in Custom instructions, then click Save profile.
In the workspace, click Profile, open a profile and choose the Custom tab. Type in Custom instructions, then click Save profile.
Open the Profile tab, tap the interview profile card at the top, open a profile and tap Custom instructions. Your changes save automatically.
Open the Profile tab, tap the interview profile card at the top, open a profile and tap Custom instructions. Your changes save automatically.
Go to Interview Profiles, open a profile and choose the Custom tab. Type in Custom instructions, then click Save profile.
Custom instructions can be up to 8,000 characters long.
What to write
Write instructions about how to answer, not facts about yourself. Facts belong in Personal info and Job details, where Copilot uses them only when they’re relevant.
Good custom instructions are short and direct. For example:
- Keep answers short enough to say in about one minute.
- Use the STAR method for behavioral questions: situation, task, action, result.
- I’m interviewing for a senior role, so focus on decisions I made and how I led others.
- Use simple words and avoid jargon.
- Don’t mention my current employer by name.
- When it fits, mention that I moved into this field from teaching.
Say exactly what you want to be different. Vague instructions, such as “sound smart”, give Copilot little to act on.
Use the same instructions for every profile
Turn on Apply to all profiles above the instructions to use one set of instructions with every profile. The page then says These instructions apply to every Copilot response across all profiles.
- If you haven’t written shared instructions before, the instructions of the profile you’re editing become the shared instructions.
- While it’s on, editing the instructions in any profile changes them for all profiles.
- When you turn it off, each profile goes back to its own instructions.
On Mac, Windows and the web, click Save profile to keep the change.
How instructions work with your response style
Your response style, such as Structured or Concise, sets the basic shape of each answer. Custom instructions are added on top of it. If the two disagree, Copilot follows your custom instructions.
For example, if you choose Detailed but your instructions ask for answers you can say in about one minute, Copilot aims for the shorter answer you asked for. If you find yourself overriding your style every time, choosing a different style is simpler. Choose how answers are written.
Copilot uses the custom instructions of the profile selected for interviews. When you’re signed in, they’re saved to your account with your profile and appear on your other devices.
Related articles
Choose how answers are written
Pick a response style, decide whether Copilot remembers earlier questions, assumes experience or sounds conversational, and set up Coding Support on each device.
What an interview profile is
An interview profile tells Copilot about you and the job. Learn what goes in one, how Copilot uses it, and how to choose the profile for your next interview.
Create an interview profile
Set up a profile with your background and the job you’re interviewing for, on any device, and see what to write in each field.
Still need help?
Email our support team with your device, what you were doing and any message you saw.
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