Q&A: How to land your next job - you asked, we answered

Question asked by: Jorg
Question: Do I really need to submit a cover letter with every application? How much do they matter?

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: This is an interesting one. Cover letters were for many years a crucial part of the application process, but lately several recruiters have told me that's no longer the case -- that the cover letter is, if not dead, then seriously under the weather. If you're applying to large companies in open processes, or through recruiters, it's the CV that matters. This is in part a result of AI -- if everyone can craft a perfect cover letter, they can't be a reliable metric for recruiters. It's also about recruitment being more automated -- you submit CVs through online platforms, to be filtered based on quite specific criteria, more than in the past. That said, there's still a great deal of use for the cover letter: you need to be awake to the requirements of each application. If you're sending your CV cold to a small business, of course you need to send a cover letter explaining the approach. In smaller recruitment rounds, where a few applications will be read by a few people, they are still great, if well-crafted and personalised, for getting ahead. And of course if an online application *requires* a cover letter, you should include one -- and it would be remiss not to make the most of it when you do.

I find it really hard to talk to random people without it feeling forced/ fake. Plus, how do you follow up after and keep the network working relationship going that it could help you later down the line if needed?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: My best tip is to go to an event with a panel so everyone has to sit down rather than mingle pointelessly. You can talk to the person next to you - it is low stakes. And your online network is easy to manage - check in on what people are doing, congratulate etc on LinkedIn. Don't stress too much - you don't need to approach 'networking' as a transaction. It can be meeting people and finding out something about them - it's much easier to manage if you think about it like that, IMO

I find it really hard to talk to random people without it feeling forced/ fake. Plus, how do you follow up after and keep the network working relationship going that it could help you later down the line if needed?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: My best tip is to go to an event with a panel so everyone has to sit down rather than mingle pointelessly. You can talk to the person next to you - it is low stakes. And your online network is easy to manage - check in on what people are doing, congratulate etc on LinkedIn. Don't stress too much - you don't need to approach 'networking' as a transaction. It can be meeting people and finding out something about them - it's much easier to manage if you think about it like that, IMO

Question asked by: Careers teacher
Question: Generalising of course, but women in the workplace often care less about salary and more about interesting, worthwhile work. But how can we make sure we aren't being taken advantage of?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Great Q. Can you bear to ask colleagues who are near or direct peers what they are paid? It's a very useful tool. Do you feel under paid and under appreciated? And are you getting other benefits - training, PMI, flexible work, good manager and purpose driven work? There's more to work than a salary. No point being super well paid if you have to shell out ££ for therapy because you are so miserable. It's a balance and only you can decide how you feel.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: Will it hinder you if all your jobs have only been for 2 years? I am at a company now and thought this would be one that I could progress in and settle at but unfortunately that's not the case so thinking about moving on but only been at the company for 1 year and my last 2 roles for 2

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Jobhopping is far more common than it used to be. It probably won't hamper you are you are clearly in demand but you might also want to 'do some work' [as they say] into why you don't stay anywhere. What is the block here? A therapist or counsellor may help here. Or not - some people go their whole careers jobhopping every two years, and enjoy it !

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: Which jobs should I target that are least likely to be replaced by AI?

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: How to apply this practically? You might want to think carefully about targeting your search at jobs that have very high levels of automation, if only because there might be fewer of such jobs, and consider roles that have low levels of potential automation. But it may also be useful to think less about jobs and more about tasks – and how you can make sure you’re well positioned to excel at the part of jobs that aren’t automable.So if you’re a management consultant, your ability to summarise reports may no longer be that desirable – a machine can do that. But your particularly human skills – coaching, supporting, applying that information to practical scenarios – will be, and by developing your ability in these areas you can put yourself in a better position.Which is to say – do your research about job vulnerability. But also target the tasks within jobs that are least likely to be automated, and try and make yourself the best person to do them.

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: Remember when “learn to code” was the standard reply to anyone thinking about a job transition? That seems a long time ago. We can’t predict the future. But even though it’s difficult to know what jobs will be made defunct by technology, approaching the question methodically and thoughtfully can be helpful.When researchers analyse a job’s vulnerability to AI, they first tend to break the job into tasks. Then, they think about whether each task can be automated. One of the most influential papers on the topic, by Carl Bendikt Frey and Michael Osborne at Oxford, found that tasks that weren’t routine (or repeatable) and required creative thinking, social or people skills, and a degree of judgment – responding and strategising in response to unexpected situations – were less likely to be automated.So a management consultants’ job, for example, might include digesting reports, writing analyses, making recommendations, meeting clients, and working with them to implement strategy. The digesting reports stuff is easily automatable. Supporting teams to put ideas into practice, not so much. One more recent attempt at categorising the vulnerability of jobs, by the ILO found data entry jobs were most exposed, jobs in things like social services least.Jobs that had higher levels of tasks that could be automated were more vulnerable to AI. But here’s the thing: few jobs are *completely* automatable, at least based on these assessments. So while the time-saving value of AI might mean we need fewer management consultants, it doesn’t mean we don’t need them at all (some may disagree on this point).

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: I have managed to get to the last interview stage for a number of jobs over the past 12 months, but never managed to get over the line. Any insight on what I might be missing?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Probably interview technique. As you've got SO close, invest in some coaching around interview technique or public speaking. You are clearly talented and you should not be down hearted. [I did hear of one person who didn't get a job because they were asked to tell a joke - and it fell flat. This was in Silicon Valley]. I'd recommend Viv Groskop's book How to Own the Room as a good first step towards taking charge of your 'presence' in a interview situation and managing nerves.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: I’m 4 years into my advertising career & feel overwhelmed by the amount of career paths & options. How can I best structure my search & position myself without diluting my profile by creating too many CVs!

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: Speak to someone! It sounds like you'd really benefit from hearing directly from people a few years (or decades) down the paths your considering, about what their day to day involves and how they got there. You can explore formal mentoring opportunities in your industry, but also seek out this kind of supoprt yourself. Think carefully about the directions you might want to take and reach out to people in those positions. You'd be surprised at how open people are to meeting for a coffee and having a chat (it's an ego boost if nothing else).

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: What advice would you give individuals looking for their first job out of university? Sometimes I’ve been judged for a ‘lack of experience’, which I find harsh, when, as a young person, I’ve not had the opportunity to gain any yet. And I’d really love to!!

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Someone recently told me [sorry can't remember who but get in touch if it was you] that grads now need two years of experience for an entry level job. SO you need to max out your actual experience and skills. Saturday jobs, uni societies, any sort of leadership role - it's all good and shows you are committed and a good bet. People skills are the only certain thing at the moment: employers will ask 'do I want to work with this person?'. Be that person for them. And get as much free advice from your uni careers office as you can. Good luck !

Question asked by: Danny47
Question: I'm 47, heading up a steady but small NGO in the health sector. My job is meaningful and well paid but I"ve been here for 12 years, 9 of which I have been the chief. I am worried that I could become trapped, go stale, or fail to use my talents (through limited scope for future development).

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Meaningful and well paid work is the dream. If you aren't unhappy rn, carry on but you probably have the expertise and support to do something more - can you study, take on a voluntary/civil society role in addition to the day job, start to test out what might be your next move from the safety of the great job? Oliver Burkeman's book Four Thousand Weeks is the one to read - we are all going to die, how do you want to live? It will focus your mind on 'what next?'

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: I’ve been with a large, global firm in one location for 10 years and would like to move to another locations. What advice can you offer to help manoeuvre an internal transfer?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Start talking. Make yourself known. You can be informal about it to begin with. Ask senior managers who have had experience in these other countries [they will love to go on about it]. Is there a formal application process? Don't expect the change to come to you - you have to effect it.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: What would you say is the value of an MBA if looking to make a career change into business?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Depends. The MBA cycle is counter cyclical - in a tricky economy, applications boom. If you can go to a top school [take a look at the FT's excellent rankings] then that's going to be a bonus. You will build an unbeatable network. That can be almost more important than what you actually learn. But if you are looking to career change, can afford it, and can enter a good school, an MBA is a good investment. Check out all our Business Education content for more ideas 📚

Question asked by: QN
Question: Is it always better to apply for a job earlier in the application window? Does an application on deadline day receive less attention?

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: Not always, but be aware that application windows are getting tighter, in part as a response to employers receiving more applications (a consequence of AI). Recruiters tell me it's becoming more common for companies to stop accepting applications when they receive a certain number — this point could be not long after posting — or to make a posting with a very short window for applications. Of course take time to make the best application you can, but when it comes to hitting send there's no time like the present.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: I have another question about job search. From an economics module I know there is a lot of 'luck' involved in finding a good match. Searching for jobs now after being made redundant, how do I optimise my search in practice? I have a list of jobs boards, but am I missing opportunities out there?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Sounds like you are doing a lot - the only missing piece might be the human element and former colleagues/friends/acquaintances etc - that kind of network. There's evidence building that in an overwhelmed job market, humans tend to go for what we know. It's exhausting but try to to go events, talk to people, join professional groups etc. Your sports club, child's school etc can also be an unexpected source of great contacts. As the saying goes, the more doors you open, the more corridors you can walk down.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: As a professional 62 year old female who had to take a decade break because of caring duties, I am hitting a brick wall as to getting back in, yet feel have so much to give

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: You are not alone - ageism is real and pervasive. Have a look at job sites such as 55 Redefined and orgs such as Returners UK and Brave Starts - there are plenty of people leading the charge to get older people into good jobs. The workforce is ageing - one in three of us is 50 or over - and people can't retire at 60 anymore. Or want to. Make sure you are doing eg AI training, voluntary work in a relevant sector, building your network online and IRl. Talk to people in similar situations. If you can afford it, a coach can help here.

Question asked by: Georges S
Question: To what extent does taking the initiative, for example, reaching out to staff members, make a meaningful difference in the hiring process?

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: One theme that’s really emerging in my conversations with hiring managers recently is that taking small steps to help you stand out from the crowd is more important than ever. When employers are receiving more and more CVs, it’s harder to draw attention to yourself in the formal application process. If you can introduce yourself to hiring managers or other decision makers in an organisation, that demonstrates you’re enthusiastic and take the initiative, as well as placing you more firmly in the mind of any recruiter.You should, however, be thoughtful and strategic in how you do this. Ideally, you want to position yourself as part of a professional network, as someone with relevant experience and skills *before* the hiring process begins. You also want to be connecting to the right people – reaching out to random staff members at a company probably isn’t helpful! Don't make extra work for yourself, and don't appear mercenary, or scattergun.For that reason, it’s advisable to start the process of reaching out before getting started in earnest. Attend networking events where you can meet colleagues at other organisations, and follow up with a coffee. If you’re interested in a role at a specific company, think about who in your existing network might be able to introduce you to a relevant person, and reach out. Think about it as a research opportunity for your next role – showing you are thinking carefully about your next move also presents you as a qualified and confident candidate, which is a great look to show potential employers.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: Does it help with seeking a New job if you post a lot on LinkedIn about your work and other stuff and build a strong profile in the sector you are working

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Yes. Every bit helps. Ignore the people crying 'cringe' 😬

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: Should I add photos and other (reasonable) graphics to my CV, or QR code link to my website / linkedin profile to make it stand out if I'm applying for a corporate job?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Depends. In sales, for example, this might be welcome. Can you get some external advice from recruiters who specialise in the sectors you are looking at? One hiring manager's excitement might be someone else's cringe. So it's a high risk strategy but might pay off. Photos may not be seen: lots of people do blind recruitment.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: how to handle a question at an interview to which you don't know the answer to?

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: Always say if you don't know. Many years ago when I was interviewed for my university course, in English literature, the academic quizzing me asked a difficult question -- whether the introspective main character of a novel was engaging in an "anti-philosophical process". I thought for a while, then confessed I did not understand what such a process was. The academic paused -- then admitted, apologetically, that he too had no idea what the question meant. I got in.Bluffing and blundering by trying to give the impression you know something you don't won't work in your favour. But showing you are curious, actually thinking about the question, and able to consider how you *might* answer it will demonstrates skills like flexibility, adaptability and thougtfulness. The sort of things most interviewers are looking for.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: is there a role for a non-native speaker in a newspaper, such as researcher, etc.?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Yes. Absolutely. If your language skills are great, that's just a bonus. Also, GenAI is the non native speaker's friend.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: Have been working for 14 years in the same place. Company is getting extremely toxic and wanting to leave. How should I go about making the move and doing up the resume and not sounding desperate and all negative about the current place?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Don't leave in haste/anger ! 😡 This advice goes for life, too. Start your search while earning a living at Toxic Employer, set your boundaries fast [go home and try to be at home, pre internet style, and not engage with work at all - this will help your mental health]. If it's one person bothering you - can you move departments? A sideways short term move is a good interim measure. And start activating your network -go to events, build contacts on LinkedIn and IRL, try to stay positive. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer, as my kids would say. Things like walking at lunchtime, maintaining your external friendships and family life etc - will help you not burn out and go down in flames while you seek your next role.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: Does posting on LinkedIn make a significant difference in standing out for recruiters? I've never been one to enjoy posting.

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: I am biased because I love LinkedIn and I won't hear that it's cringe ! Give it a go - start with updating your profile, add a good photo, good bio - think of it like dating for work - and comment and like other people's posts. The algorithm will then reward you with a better feed. This may help recruiters notice you and lead to a better quality of DM. Can't guarantee it but it will possibly lead you to find new leads yourself and it will help you build your network - essentially what I am talking about is something called 'presence' - if you can think about it like that, it is less daunting.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: I am computer science BSc graduate who still hasn't secured a role. Should I apply to smaller or larger companies to maximize my chances of getting interviewed?

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: I hope it's not a cop-out to answer both! Especially when you've just graduated, it can feel like there are only a small handful of companies that you might work for. But look beyond the household-name graduate employers -- many of which have dozens of applications for each opening -- and you'll find there are plenty of opportunities worth going for. These could be big or small companies -- but try and bypass the alienating churn of mass application cycles. On the smaller side, think of local employers, or little-known companies in sectors that are expanding, and approach them directly, showing your particular skills and interest. Larger companies may be easier to connect with via recruiters, but also think about less-glamorous industries that might not attract the milkround buzz of sectors like law or consultancy. One important thing is to be targeted and thoughtful in your approach -- be one of the few who think outside of the box in your job search.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: Is there such a thing as staying too long in the same company/ being institutionalised, even though have had various different jobs?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: I am answering this having worked at the FT for 25 years. So … yes, institutionalised is a thing. Is it always bad? Not necessarily. The key, and this is IMO, is to remain flexible and curious. If you’ve had lots of different jobs, that helps. Working in the same role in the same company for decades does suit some people... but it won’t stretch you professionally, and there is always personal growth when we meet a new work challenge. It takes six months to get proficient -ish in most jobs - the upward curve can be painful, so the desire to avoid possible failure is huge. Try to embrace the fear. [We tend to regret what we DONT do as we get older, like over 45 - action is preferable over inaction]. If you like your employer and colleagues, like the work and the benefits - it's fine to stay. You cd think about how you can become as innovative as possible. You have great institutional knowledge. Leverage it.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: I’ve had several months off since a redundancy and have primarily enjoyed the time as a career break. But how do new employers view such time off? Is it frowned upon if nothing ‘productive’ has been done in that time? Or will a new employer see you as coming in with fresh energy?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: "Storytelling' is a buzzword, but for a reason. You can craft your own story about what you have been doing. Have you been exploring new career directions? Even CEOs take time off/sabbaticals now - in a fast moving age, a bit of reflection space is good. I like Will Storr's book A Story is a Deal which focuses on how to create a great narrative [about business or anything]. Find your 'thing', make it compelling; the fresh ideas idea is a good one. Caveat: tech jobs move very quickly. You may need to do extra training to show you have kept up while off. No harm in doing AI type skills courses, either, whatever your sector. Good luck !

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: At end of interview every company asks if you have any questions for us, and i find it hard to come up with anything.

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Oh this is grim. We’ve all been there. Ask them what they enjoy most about their job/the employer. Or about their own career progression. Everyone loves talking about their own success. Flatter them. Alt: curveball such as ‘What coming trends in the [sector/workplace] are you most interested in?’ ‘Is there a book/newsletter/ podcast you can recommend to me in order to deepen my knowledge of [workplace/sector’]? ‘How do you use AI at work and how has that changed?’ [if relevant].

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: I have been in transition from a CEO role for past 18 months. My departure was due to disagreement on Strategy which was escalated and led to bad echo in press. I had a couple of opportunities which did not work out. I believe my abrupt departure is still weighing on my profile. How do i remedy?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Be proactive in changing your own narrative - start with your LinkedIn profile, which, honestly, is a very quick win for most people and too many don’t do enough there. Your peers will be looking. Post there regularly. Amplify other people - be generous in your praise, don’t just post about yourself, comment on others’ posts. Decide how ‘vulnerable’ and authentic you want to be in terms of what you talk about. Can you go on a podcast or two to tell your story?Frame your abrupt departure as a personal break, a transition, and share the ‘journey’ of what you are doing next in your portfolio career. Is there a voluntary role you have taken on as an interim? Can you get involved in mentoring, start ups, advisory - lots to think about. Being a CEO is a big deal, however it ended. You have leadership experience that most people never get. Also: have you got a coach? If not, find a high end good one, because this is a situation where a great coach could really help. And if you have the money, a few sessions with a reputation management expert would be a good investment. Talk to headhunters about what’s next for you - yes, damage has happened. But CEOs generally bounce back - it may be a different direction, but you have huge value in the market. GOOD LUCK !

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: How do you maintain motivation if one is receiving constant rejections in the job application process, despite being more than qualified?

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: First of all, be kind to yourself — getting rejected is hard and it's the sort of thing that a lot of people are dealing with now. It's a tough environment — struggling to land a job doesn't mean you're not a great candidate. If you're just getting rejections and are sending out dozens or even hundreds of applications (and I know this is a reality for some people), however, it may be time to change tack -- if even for your own state of mind! If you've just been applying directly, on LinkedIn or via companies, approach some recruiters and get on the books of an agency that can connect you with opportunities. Try approaching people on LinkedIn, or arranging coffees to talk about roles that might be upcoming. What about exploring other opportunities to build skills outside of the job hunt, whether through volunteering or a course? Taking a more varied approach to the job hunt will make you more likely to be successful — but it's also good in itself. Meeting people, talking about your industry and careers, and having fresh experiences will remind you of what you contribute to your field and why you're in it. Good luck!

Question asked by: Erika_staging
Question: what is the future of jobs with AI?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Anybody who gives you a definitive answer on this is lying. In short: nobody knows but things are likely to get way tighter in the job market before they get better. If they get better. Best defence? Develop your AI skills, be adaptable and curious, don't wait to be told.

Question asked by: NinaE
Question: It's been a few years since I needed a CV and as an older worker I worry about not being modern enough to compete in today's market. How do I know what kinds of CVs todays employers are looking for?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Ones with your most relevant skills and experience at the top. Do not make it all chronological. Focus on matching your profile to the job spec. Leave off age, dates etc if you want.

Question asked by: Zdravko Hvarlingov
Question: What kind of red flags I should take into account when being interviewed by different companies? I don't want to be in a company with toxic culture.

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: You can't guarantee that you'll avoid accidentally joining a toxic soup of a company. You CAN do all you can before hand - is there someone you know in your network, or extended network, who works there? Glassdoor and other employee review sites are useful but bear in mind that [like any review] five stars or one star is the usual thing - people in the middle tend not to bother. And most of us are in the middle. If you get the offer - what's the worst that can happen? It doesnt work and you leave. But taking a chance is often good - do you like the manager? People work for managers; a bad/bullying direct line manager is far more of a problem than almost ANYTHING else in workplaces.

Question asked by: Zdravko Hvarlingov
Question: Should my CV be extremely short and sweet, e.g. a single page or a bit longer with much more details?

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: A year or so ago, I’d say keep a CV short. A short, punchy one page CV, packed with your best achievements, makes a great impression in a few seconds, and requires minimal effort from the recruiter.But AI has complicated that. Software doesn’t care about being able to cast its eyes over a page to absorb the main points. A priority should be making sure you meet the basic criteria to get through those initial stages – and if you need to make the CV longer to hit the right notes, it’s probably worth it.Of course, if you get through filtering that means your CV will (probably) get seen by a human. One of the tough balancing acts facing jobseekers now is needing to cater for both automated filtering and real people – an algorithm may not care about length, but a person will! So try and strike a happy medium – keep it compact, readable and to the point, but get all the information in.

Question asked by: NinaE
Question: Is it still important to include a cover letter / email with an application?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: If the job ad demands it, then yes. The level of how much the cover letters matter varies enormously. It depends on who is hiring, and for what role/sector - and you won’t know how they operate. Err on the side of caution. As with CVs, stick to the job spec, show how you meet the demands of the job, do not suggest why the job would be a good fit for you - ‘ask what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you’, to mangle a phrase. I cannot tell you how many cover letters I’ve seen that go on about why the candidate thinks the job would be good for them. So that’s one mistake you can avoid. Make sure there are zero typos, address it to the correct person [Isabel/Isabelle/Isobel - I’ve seen them all] and add a succinct summary of why your specific skills and experience make you an ideal candidate. Maybe don’t ask ChatGPT to write it all, either. It’s useful to use to review it. ALSO: always, always research the company you are applying to. Even if you don’t use that info, it’s great background.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: I want the job, but I find it hard to express enthusiasm during the interview. In a sense, the interview kills my interest: how can I get around this?

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: Interviews are nerve-wracking. You feel you're being judged, and are under pressure to show your skills and achievements with the fear of failure hanging over you. It's no surpise you're finding it a buzzkill!However, you say you want the job and the enthusiasm is there, so there's no reason it has to be this way. Turn the idea of an interview around as an opportunity to shine rather than be tested. You get to talk to someone about an exciting opportunity, in an area that you're interested in -- something that's actually quite enjoyable! Be curious about learning new things and sharing your ideas and experiences. If you don't get the job, it's a learning opportunity. Approaching interviews in this way goes against everything we've been taught about them, but trying to have a bit of fun will also help you communicate your skills and enthusiasm better.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: How best to change career paths within your company?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Start with talking: ask a few key people for a chat/coffee. In a big corporate you will have access to support, feedback, learning - make the most of the resources on offer. You don't need to have a plan - I am a big fan of something called 'horizontal networking' - talking to people from other departments/groups. Get ideas. Get a secondment/placement.PS If you don't know the Squiggly Careers podcast by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis - do listen to it, and read their books. Lots of great career advice there - not all career moves need to be vertical !

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: Do you think building relationships with agency recruiters gives more chance of being shortlisted for roles than applying for roles on LinkedIn which often have 100+ applicants and rarely result in any future communication?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: All relationship building is good. In a massively over subscribed job market, recruiting managers are turning to people they already know. This is happening in entry level jobs [hiring the intern from last summer, or your best mate from uni’s kid, for example]. And at higher levels. So if you know someone who knows someone -that can only help. Unless you are someone who lets the AI apply for jobs for you [some people just set it going overnight and it auto applies] - you need to craft your applications. It takes time. People are the missing ingredient here -real people, what’s called ‘loose ties’ - these are the former colleagues, recruiters you have a relationship with etc - who are far more likely to help you beat the algorithm

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: What are the top courses to do? I want to focus on AI but there's so much out there. And for other skills (used in business)

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Test the waters with something on LinkedIn - lots of free courses there on all sorts of topics, and the content is good. I subscribe to lots of Substacks giving tips and ideas on AI eg Exponential View by Azheem Azhar. ALSO if your employer offers L&D, make the most of the training on offer, Lots of people don't really max this out . Coursera and Emeritus are two names that corporates often buy into and their content is excellent.

Question asked by: F
Question: how can i transition to journalism?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: It's not an easy career at the moment - I'd recommend a formal qualification [NCTJ for example, or City/Cardiff university postgrad are highly regarded] if you can afford it. But, honestly, the definition of journalism and content creation is changing all the time. Substack and other newsletter platforms are a way to get writing - develop your brand and name, ideally, while you are doing a different job: it's very hard to make a living from journalism without other income sources. Lots of online resources - Press Gazette for example. Good luck !

Question asked by: Zdravko Hvarlingov
Question: Could you give us some advices for preparing for the interview process?

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: Firstly, always prepare! Most big companies do competency based interviews, which means you’ll be asked to talk about a time you demonstrated a particular ability or skill. Think questions like: tell me about a time when you had to delegate an important task, or, explain when you exceeded a sales target and how you did it.This is drawing on your own experience, of course, but don’t expect the right examples to be front of mind – have them lined up in advance. Think through the competencies that are relevant to this job, pick a clear example of you demonstrating each, and learn them. Practice answering the competency questions you might get asked, using these experiences, and think about how different examples might be adapted for curve-balls or surprise questions.Of course, do plenty of research into the organisation and the role too. With that solid foundation of prep, you'll probably find you have the confidence to be more engaging and spontaneous in the interview itself.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: How to present not passing probation

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: In the time honoured way: fudge it. No need to be explicit but you might also want to reflect on what went wrong and perhaps divert your attention to a job or career that suits you better. People leave jobs after just a few weeks/months for all sorts of reasons, and you can say that you parted ways amicably as it didn’t work out. New employers may want references - how will you manage that? Alternatively: come clean, say what happened, and were there any circs that mean it was out of your control ? [A takeover, reorg, role not what you expected?]

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: Why companies often don't even advertise lots of mid level or above roles?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: This is not an AI thing - it has always been true that some roles don’t get advertised, or if they are advertised it’s just for legal cover. A candidate is already ‘favoured’. If you are an external candidate looking to get into a new employer, do some research: is anyone in your LinkedIn network working there? Friends of friends? Find out as much as you can. If there is a role, you apply, and it seems mysterious you didn’t get it - ask for feedback. Applying is always good - one thing may lead to another. You may not get the first job - but perhaps it will help with something further down the line. But yes, it sucks. Humans tend to gravitate towards people we already know - or are familiar with. A headhunter may be a useful intermediary for you in your hunt.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: As someone over 55 who is energetic and wants to work (and change job), how can I negate ageism and its attendant perceptions?

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: If you are already in a job, that’s a great place to begin thinking about transition to another career/life stage. Ageism is a scourge - all surveys show ongoing discrimination against older people, but one in the three of the UK workforce is over 50, and the average employee in the UK is in their 40s. So you are well placed to make a change - but I’d build in plenty of time to creative thinking about ‘what’s next’ in the wider context of your life, ambition and commitments. Before thinking about ageism [negative] frame the potential change as a positive - you may want to have some coaching sessions with a specialist transition coach to help you figure out what comes next. And it doesn’t have to be a firm plan - ideas come to us as we go along. One thought: can you possibly negotiate a more flexible working life in your current role, perhaps moving to a part time or non managerial /more of a mentoring role - while then using the free time to think, study for a new qualification etc, Lots of employers are offering what used to be called phased retirement and is now much more about life stage transition. Recommended reading: The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink and From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks.

Question asked by: Anonymous
Question: That’s all we have time for. Thanks FT readers for your questions and Isabel and Bethan for your responses. We’ll be back with another Q&A on books on Friday so watch this space.

Answered by: Bethan Staton
Answer: Thanks for all your questions everyone -- it’s been great fun to answer them. And good luck to all in landing the next role!

Answered by: Isabel Berwick
Answer: Thanks so much ! If we didn’t get to your question today, do email me at isabel.berwick@ft.com and I will aim to answer them [anonymously!] in the Office Therapy column in my Working It newsletter. Sign up at ft.com/newsletters.