SHRM developed this guide using the same general-purpose AI tools it describes. The prompts are intended as starting points and may need to be adapted, reviewed, and validated for your specific use case.
AI can help you get more done with the HR work you already do, from drafting and summarizing to organizing information and generating ideas. But it does not know your organization, your people, your policies, or your obligations unless you provide that context. This prompt gives you a starting point, with space to add the unique information AI needs to support your work.
Prompt 1 — Pressure-Test Your Notes
Replace everything in brackets before you run the prompt.
I am about to write performance review comments. Before I do, check whether my notes are specific enough to be useful.
Here are my observations about this employee:
[PASTE YOUR NOTES]
For each one, tell me:
- Is this a description of observable behavior and its outcome, or is it a judgment about the person's character, attitude, or potential? Name which.
- If it is a judgment, what specific incident would I need to recall to support it?
- Is it missing a date, a context, or a result that would make it concrete?
Then tell me:
- Which competencies or responsibilities I have said nothing about.
- Whether my development feedback points at something the employee can actually act on, or only names a shortfall.
Do not write any review comments yet, and do not invent examples or fill gaps for me. I want to know where my notes are thin so I can add to them.
Prompt 2 — Draft the Review Comments
Replace everything in brackets before you run the prompt.
Help me write performance review comments. I have already decided this employee's rating and assessment. Your job is to help me express it clearly, not to evaluate the employee.
My assessment and rating: [state it]
Competency framework: [paste]
Review period: [dates]
My specific observations — what happened, when, and what resulted:
- [example]
- [example]
- [example]
Development areas, with the specific behavior I observed: [example]
Write review comments that:
- Describe observable behavior and outcomes, never personality traits or attitude.
- Tie every statement to one of my specific examples.
- Make development feedback actionable, with a concrete next step.
- Use consistent, professional language.
Do not:
- Add examples, accomplishments, or concerns I did not provide.
- Infer anything about motivation, attitude, potential, or personal circumstances.
- Soften or strengthen my assessment.
- Reference anything outside the review period.
Then flag: any statement of mine that is too vague to be useful to the employee, and any place I gave you a judgment without a supporting example.
Write in plain, everyday language. Do not use jargon or invented terms; if a simpler word exists, use it.
Optional, if available: give the AI your organization's style guide, brand voice guide, or writing standards document alongside this prompt so the output matches how we write.
Check Before You Publish
Before you publish, review the AI-generated draft carefully. You are responsible for the final version.
- Check facts, figures, dates, requirements, and other details against the information you supplied or the original source.
- Paste in any legally required or compliance-sensitive language yourself. Do not let AI generate it.
- Confirm nothing was invented, assumed, or taken out of context.
- Verify that the final version reflects your organization, your audience, and the purpose of the work.
Use your judgement as an HR professional. AI can assist with the work, but you make the final call. Looking for more prompts? Explore the AI Prompts Guide for HR for more prompts and templates to support your HR work.
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