The Hunt Blog

Building upon last week’s post, An Existentialist Guide to Layoffs: AKA What would Camus Say, I offer you a little poetic pep talk from Camus followed by an AI prompt you can use to add structure to your days. Albert Camus would clearly stand for taking action in the game of life, not standing by as a mere NPC.

Morning Reminder (in the spirit of Camus)

Today is uncertain, but you are not powerless.
The layoff is not your identity—it is only an event.
Your task is simple: act. Update one thing, apply to one role, reach out to one person. Each step is a revolt against despair.

Do not demand that the world explain itself; it never will. Instead, create your own proof of strength in the work you choose today.
And when the day is done, claim joy—a walk, a laugh, a moment of rest.

You are free, and in your persistence there is dignity. 

~Albert Camus’ ChatGPT persona

You can actually use an AI prompt to build a routine of revolt. 

What You’ll Receive In Response is:

• A day‑by‑day timetable (e.g., Monday: 9 am – 11 am job applications, 12 pm – 1 pm walk, 2 pm – 4 pm skill‑building, 6 pm – 8 pm family dinner, etc.).
• Time‑block totals for each category so you can see the balance at a glance.
• Optional “swap slots” that let you replace a lower‑priority block with a higher‑priority one without breaking the overall rhythm.
• Weekly reflection prompts to help you iterate and improve the schedule over time.

Now for some prompting: 

Copy the entire following Prompt section into your AI assistant (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.). Answer the follow‑up questions it asks, and you’ll get a customized, balanced weekly routine that supports both an effective job search and your mental well‑being. Feel free to tweak the wording and add any personal goals you have.

Prompt

Goal: Create a personalized weekly schedule that balances active job‑search activities with self‑care and personal priorities.

Instructions:

1. Ask me a series of short, focused questions to uncover my current priorities, time constraints, energy levels, and preferred work style.
2. Based on my answers, generate a draft weekly routine that includes blocks for:
   • Job searching (applications, resume tweaks, interview prep)
   • Networking (online outreach, coffee chats, industry events)
   • Skill building (courses, tutorials, practice projects)
   • Family / social time (quality moments with loved ones)
   • Reading / learning (industry news, books, podcasts)
   • Exercise / physical activity (walks, workouts, stretching)
   • Mental‑health breaks (mindfulness, hobbies, downtime)
3. Ensure each day has a realistic total hour count (e.g., 6–8 h of “productive” time) and that I have at least one dedicated rest day.
4. Highlight flexibility points where I can shift activities if energy or opportunities change.
5. End with three quick reflection questions for me to review at the end of the week (e.g., “What went well?”, “Where did I feel overwhelmed?”, “What will I adjust next week?”).

Sample Questions to Ask Me:

1. Time Availability – How many hours per day can you realistically dedicate to structured activities right now?
2. Energy Peaks – When do you feel most alert and focused (morning, afternoon, evening)?
3. Job‑Search Priorities – Which job‑search tasks feel most urgent (applications, networking, interview prep)?
4. Skill Development – What new skill(s) or certification are you targeting, and how many hours per week would you like to allocate?
5. Family & Social Commitments – Are there fixed times you need to reserve for family or friends?
6. Physical Activity – What type of exercise do you enjoy, and how many sessions per week would you like?
7. Mental‑Health Practices – Do you have preferred relaxation or mindfulness practices? How often would you like to incorporate them?
8. Reading / Learning – What topics or formats (books, articles, podcasts) interest you for weekly consumption?

Flexibility

On a scale of 1‑5, how comfortable are you with moving tasks around if something unexpected comes up?