The new-employee test
Imagine a new helper starts at your lemonade stand today. They are smart, but they don't know where the cups are or how sweet you like it. If you explain it clearly, they do a great job. AI is the same.
- Anthropic's prompting guide says Claude responds well to clear, explicit instructions, and that being specific about the output you want improves results.
- The guide suggests thinking of Claude as a "brilliant but new employee" who doesn't know your norms or workflows yet.
- Its "key test": show your prompt to a colleague who knows little about the task. If they would be confused, the AI will be too.
- If you want more than the bare minimum, ask for it directly. The AI should not have to guess.
- When order matters, give steps as a numbered list.
| Vague | Clear |
|---|---|
| "Write a bio." | "Write a 60-word bio for my LinkedIn. I'm a bookkeeper in Hamilton with 8 years of experience helping trades businesses. Friendly but professional. First person." |
| "Fix this email." | "Fix spelling and grammar in this email. Keep my wording and tone. Don't add new sentences." |
- Open your AI chat app and start a new chat.
- Type the first version of your prompt, the way you normally would, but do not send it yet.
- Imagine handing that text to a smart new co-worker who knows nothing about your task. Ask: would they have questions?
- For every question they would have, add one short sentence: who it is for, how long, what tone, what to include.
- If order matters, rewrite the instructions as a numbered list.
- Send the clearer prompt and read the answer.
- Check: the answer needs fewer fixes than your old prompt would have needed. If not, add the missing detail and send again.
Videos by other creators on YouTube, for reference. They are not made by or affiliated with The Future Market.
Read the video script
[Host] "Pretend the AI is a brilliant new co-worker on their very first day."
[Screen: typing "Write a bio." and getting a bland result] "If I say 'write a bio,' it has to guess everything."
[Screen: typing the clear version] "Now I say who it's for, how long, what tone, and what to include."
[Text on screen: Would a new co-worker understand this?] "Before you hit enter, ask: would a new co-worker understand this?"
[Host] "If the answer is no, add one more sentence. That's the whole trick."
Take three prompts you used this week. Run the new-employee test on each one. Rewrite each so a stranger could follow it, then compare the old and new answers.
ClaudeStuck? Copy a ready-made prompt for Claude
Copy this, open Claude, paste it, and Claude will walk you through the lesson step by step.
For a grown-up: Claude is for adults (18+). Copy this, paste it into Claude, and use the answer to explain the lesson to your child.
I'm learning "Prompt Writing That Works" on The Future Market. Lesson 1: "The new-employee test". What the lesson teaches: - Anthropic's prompting guide says Claude responds well to clear, explicit instructions, and that being specific about the output you want improves results. - The guide suggests thinking of Claude as a "brilliant but new employee" who doesn't know your norms or workflows yet. - Its "key test": show your prompt to a colleague who knows little about the task. If they would be confused, the AI will be too. - If you want more than the bare minimum, ask for it directly. The AI should not have to guess. - When order matters, give steps as a numbered list. - Vague - Clear - "Write a bio." - "Write a 60-word bio for my LinkedIn. I'm a bookkeeper in Hamilton with 8 years of experience helping trades businesses. Friendly but professional. First person." The exercise I'm working on: Take three prompts you used this week. Run the new-employee test on each one. Rewrite each so a stranger could follow it, then compare the old and new answers. I'm stuck. Please: 1. Explain the main idea in plain, simple words with one everyday example. 2. Walk me through the exercise one small step at a time. Ask me what I've done so far before giving the next step. 3. Don't just give me the final answer. Help me do it myself, and check my work when I share it.
I'm a parent helping my child (about 8 years old) with a lesson called "The new-employee test" from the course "Prompt Writing That Works". Here's what the lesson says: Imagine a new helper starts at your lemonade stand today. They are smart, but they don't know where the cups are or how sweet you like it. If you explain it clearly, they do a great job. AI is the same. The activity: Take three prompts you used this week. Run the new-employee test on each one. Rewrite each so a stranger could follow it, then compare the old and new answers. Please explain this so an 8-year-old understands: short sentences, a fun everyday example, and no hard words. Then give me 3 simple questions I can ask my child to check they understood, and a way to do the activity together, one tiny step at a time.
Sources
- Anthropic, Prompting best practices (Be clear and direct): platform.claude.com/docs/en/build-with-claude/prompt-engineering/claud
Give the "why", not just the "what"
This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.
Show, don't just tell (examples)
This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.
Label the parts (tags, roles and long documents)
This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.
Big jobs in small steps (chaining)
This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.
Fix it, test it, save it
This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.
Final project
This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.
Quiz
What is the "key test" from Anthropic's guide?
Show your prompt to a colleague with little context; if they'd be confused, the AI will be too.
Why add a reason to an instruction?
It helps the AI understand your goal and apply the rule sensibly.
Rewrite "Don't use bullet points" as a positive instruction.
For example: "Write your answer in flowing paragraphs."
How many examples does Anthropic's guide suggest for best results?
3 to 5.
Where should a long document go in your prompt?
Near the top, with your question at the end.
What is the self-correction chain?
Draft, review against criteria, then refine.
An answer is "too formal." What's a better follow-up than "try again"?
Name the fix, for example: "Use contractions and shorter sentences."
Final exam
This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.
Certificate
This lesson is part of full access: every course and every level for one payment.