I’m Vanessa Raath, and if you don’t know me yet, I’m a Talent-Sourcing Trainer with a deep passion for AI. Today, I want to walk you through how to build your own GPT, a move that’s been an absolute game-changer for me.

This post is based on a video from my YouTube Channel—if you’d rather watch than read, you can find it here.

Why Build Your Own GPT?

Let’s start with a quick disclaimer: To create a custom GPT, you need to be on OpenAI’s paid plan—a modest investment of $20 per month (around R370 in South Africa). While the free version of ChatGPT is useful, it doesn’t compare to having your own custom model that actually understands your content, tone, and needs.

Here’s a real-world example:
When I asked the free version of ChatGPT to generate a training agenda for two of my courses, it produced a well-meaning but incorrect response. This is a classic case of AI hallucination—where the model generates plausible but incorrect information.

However, my custom GPT, Van’s PA, nailed the answer! It provided a perfect training agenda, complete with the correct timings, learning outcomes, and details—because I had trained it on my content.

So, if you want AI that truly works for you, keep reading.

Step 1: Get the Right Tools

Before you start, you need:

✔ A paid OpenAI account ($20/month)
✔ Your content (PDFs, Word docs, PowerPoints, etc.)
✔ A clear idea of what you want your GPT to do

Step 2: Start Creating Your Custom GPT

1. Go to ChatGPT (OpenAI’s platform)
   • Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
   • Select Explore GPTs → then Create a GPT.
2. Give it a purpose
   • Choose a name that reflects what your GPT will do.
   • Example: “Talent Hunters GPT” for recruiters or “Sourcing Sensei” if you want a sourcing-specific assistant.
3. Describe your GPT
   • Write a short description of its purpose.
   • Example: “A recruitment AI assistant trained to help talent sourcers find hidden candidates and craft high-response outreach.”
4. Customise the instructions
   • Tell your GPT how to respond.
   • Example: “Keep responses concise, focus on sourcing strategies, and avoid generic recruitment advice.”
   • If you’re cheeky (like me), you can add something fun: “Keep it witty, like Vanessa, and never be boring!”

I still firmly believe that Recruiters will not be 100% replaced by AI but it would be great to automate some of our more admin-intensive tasks. I wrote a blog on this that I think you will find very insightful…

Step 3: Feed Your GPT with Knowledge

This is where your custom GPT becomes powerful. You need to train it with your own content so it can generate accurate, on-brand responses.

✔ Upload documents: PDFs, Word docs, PPTs, etc. Even upload a PDF of your LinkedIn profile to give it context of who you are!
✔ Include FAQs, course material, or past emails (if relevant).
✔ Update regularly: If you create new content, add it!

For example, I uploaded my Talent Sourcing Training materials, so now Van’s PA can instantly generate accurate answers about my courses.

Step 4: Test & Improve

Once your GPT is set up, test it by asking questions like:

✔ “Summarise my latest training session.”
✔ “Draft a LinkedIn post about AI in recruitment.”
✔ “Create an email to re-engage passive candidates.”

If the responses aren’t perfect, tweak the instructions, add more documents, or refine your prompts.

Pro Tips for Getting the Best Results

🚀 Be specific: The clearer your instructions, the better your GPT will be.
📌 Update often: AI learns from what you give it—keep feeding it fresh data.
⚡ Experiment: Play around with prompts to refine responses.
🔥 Use it daily: The more you interact with it, the more value you’ll get.

Final Thoughts

Building your own GPT is like hiring an AI assistant—one that actually understands your work and saves you hours of manual effort. Whether you’re a recruiter, a trainer, or a business owner, this tool can streamline your workflow, improve accuracy, and give you a competitive edge.

Give it a try, and let me know how it works for you!

Want more AI hacks? Subscribe to my YouTube channel or connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights like this.

Sign up for some of the Courses in Online Academy to learn how to work smarter, not harder, when it comes to finding the right talent!