Career Blog
Insights for your next career move
Practical, weekly guidance on CVs, interviews and career transitions from Tony McBride.
Subscribe and Watch on YouTubeYour LinkedIn headline is gold! Here’s how a Job Hunter should write theirs.
If you want recruiters to click on your LinkedIn profile, you’ve got to have a good headline. Here’s how to make those 220 characters count.
3 October 2026 | 5 min read
How to Ask for the Right Salary Without Pricing Yourself Out
What salary should you be asking for? Research your market rate, calculate your minimum and avoid pricing yourself out of the process.
27 September 2026 | 5 min read

Just gimme the job! When to chase your job applications.
Keen to follow up without being pushy? Tony explains when to chase an application, an HR interview or a final interview.
19 September 2026 | 4 min read

The Top CV Hack Guaranteed to Get You More Interviews
As a certified CV writer, Tony has written thousands of CVs. Discover the application advice he shares with job hunters.
12 September 2026 | 4 min read

Don’t Overthink the HR Interview Stage - Here’s What To Do
I want to share exactly what you need to do to prepare for that HR interview. I help professionals with interview coaching all the time.
7 September 2026 | 6 min read

Are cover letters a waste of time?
I am here to bust that myth for you and understand when it is appropriate to use a cover letter, and when it might not be. One of the most regular questions I am asked by people is whether they...
27 August 2026 | 5 min read

The September Hiring Rush is Coming: How to Reset Your Job Search Strategy Today
It is time to do a reset on your strategy before we get busier in September with new jobs being posted. Last week in the Career Transition Club we went around the room and dived into everyone's...
23 August 2026 | 5 min read

Is Your CV Full of AI Slop? Here’s How to Fix It.
Trust me, everyone is sick of looking at AI slop. AI is fabulous, and I am not here to talk to you about how bad it is.
16 August 2026 | 4 min read

The Truth About ATS:
There are so many myths about Applicant Tracking Software out there and I am here to solve them. . I completely understand how overwhelming the job search can feel.
10 August 2026 | 5 min read

Are You Using Only 10% of LinkedIn? Here’s 5 Strategies to use LinkedIn to Expand Your Network and Secure Roles
Hey! This blog is much better when you watch the demo video that shows you exactly what to do on LinkedIn to widen your network. Watch it here. If you are only using LinkedIn to apply for jobs,...
12 July 2026 | 4 min read

The Top 15 Things that JobSeekers Need to Know in Today’s Market
These are the top 15 key themes and conversations that I keep having with my clients, and I am here to share them with you right now. This is an overview of everything covered in my conversations...
4 July 2026 | 7 min read

Never Accept the First Job Offer: How to Negotiate Thousands More
You have just received a job offer. Well bloody done. And if you are not there yet, your day will come, and you will be glad you have read this first.
29 June 2026 | 2 min read

The Initial Screening Call: What Recruiters Actually Want to Hear
If you get nervous about that initial screening call with a recruiter, this blog is exactly what you need. I completely understand how daunting it feels to get on the phone when you really want...
22 June 2026 | 3 min read

How to Build a LinkedIn Content Strategy That Actually Gets You Hired
Let's face it, LinkedIn can feel like an absolute minefield when you’re a job seeker Between floods of generic #opentowork announcements and a lot of negative energy around the job market, finding...
15 June 2026 | 3 min read
How to Manage Your Finances When You’re Made Redundant
If you have just been made redundant, it can be an incredibly daunting experience. It is a massive shock to the system, especially if you never saw it coming.
7 June 2026 | 3 min read

I Reviewed 50 CVs In One Day: Here Are 6 Trends Costing You Interviews
Last week, I was down in Dublin at the Career Connect event acting as a panellist and CV reviewer. In just one day, I personally held over 50 CV consultations for a wide range of experienced...
29 May 2026 | 4 min read

Virtual Interviews : How to Build Rapport without the Handshake
Virtual interviews are a different beast. You lose the handshake, the physical presence, and those small social cues that happen naturally when you are in the same room.
18 May 2026 | 3 min read
Stop using LinkedIn Easy Apply - Here’s Why and What To Do Instead
I see this mistake happening every single week with my clients. They feel like they are being ghosted by recruiters.
10 May 2026 | 2 min read
5 Things You Probably Have On Your CV That Need to be Removed
If your CV hasn't been updated in a few years, there is a strong chance it contains outdated habits that are working against you. With more applicants in the market and technology filtering your...
3 May 2026 | 3 min read
AI Applications are no longer working. Here’s Why
Recently, I sat down with several recruiters to get the inside scoop on what they are currently seeing in the job market, and what they shared is a wake-up call for job seekers. Right now,...
27 April 2026 | 3 min read

Narrow Down your Job Search with Niche Job Boards Listed Here
There are so many ways to find vacancies in today’s job market. You can set up LinkedIn alerts, upload your CV to the likes of Indeed or CV Library, use AI to scan the market for you or even...
13 April 2026 | 3 min read

How to write your Core Competencies section of your CV.
It’s never been as important to get your CV right for today’s market. With more candidates applying for less vacancies out there, the CV is the thing that will push you to the top of the pile and...
5 April 2026 | 5 min read

How to Become a Head Hunter for Your Next Role
Do you remember the good old days when your DM’s were hot with recruiters trying to grab you from your role and tempt you into something new and exciting? Being headhunted was a lovely feeling but...
28 March 2026 | 7 min read

Before you Accept a Job Offer, Consider a Counter-Offer First
So many people simply take the first offer and accept. And for those who are out of work for some time, you feel grateful to have an offer on the table so it doesn’t feel right to negotiate.
20 March 2026 | 7 min read

Consider Your Priorities : A framework to help you map out your work/life balance goals
When we are seeking a role, life has a way of dictating what our priorities should look like. You could be out of work and have a pressing need to earn money,
14 March 2026 | 7 min read

Top 5 Tips for using LinkedIn to Enhance Your Job Search Strategy
I speak with talented professionals every single day who are navigating a market that has shifted fundamentally. The competition is fierce, and the old methods of simply throwing your CV out into...
7 March 2026 | 4 min read

15 Career Transition Trends I’m Seeing from Real Conversations with Real People in 2026.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to speak with so many talented professionals every single day. From Associate Directors in global organisations to dedicated public sector workers...
1 March 2026 | 8 min read

Learning and Development : How Do You Know What is the Right Investment?
Learning and Development or CPD is an essential requirement for us to stay relevant and continuously sharpen our skills. I speak to many people who have a vast array of certifications and...
23 February 2026 | 6 min read

Tailor your CV if you want to get more interviews. Here’s how.
The current market is a very challenging one. More and more people are going through redundancy meaning unemployment is higher.
16 February 2026 | 6 min read

Accelerating your Journey from Redundancy to Fulfilling Career : The Kübler-Ross Change Curve
Going through redundancy is a major life changing event. One minute you are secure in your role, and suddenly, you are informed that your career and financial security is at risk with no clear...
6 February 2026 | 5 min read

The Interview Secret Weapon: How to Rise to the Top by Addressing Gaps Head On
A 30-60-90 day plan is your secret weapon in a job interview, The reason this plan is so important isn't just because the employer needs to know what you will do in your first three months.
30 January 2026 | 4 min read

You Are So Much More Than Your Last Job Title
For twenty years, I have watched professionals climb the corporate ladder with incredible focus. No matter whether it is a small business or a large corporation, your title becomes your armour.
24 January 2026 | 6 min read

How to Become a Top Applicant in Today’s Market
Last week, I hosted a webinar focused on how to become a top-tier candidate in the current climate. I know many of you couldn't make it, so I wanted to share the high-level details here.
19 January 2026 | 2 min read

From Food Retail Entrepreneur to Technical Business Consultant: How Simon experienced a true Career Transformation
Simon thought his 17 years running a family business meant starting again in technology. Career clarity, a new CV and interview coaching revealed a different story.
12 January 2026 | 3 min read

2026 Career Goals: How to Find Clarity Without the January Burnout
The air is crisp, the decorations are packed away, and my LinkedIn feed is suddenly flooded with “New Year, New You” manifestos. I often find that this creates a strange kind of static.
5 January 2026 | 6 min read
Stop Applying for New Roles! Invest Your Time in Growing your Network for the Hidden Market
We have officially entered the festive window. The Out of Office auto-replies are starting to spike.
15 December 2025 | 8 min read
Turn "Do You Have Any Questions For Us?" Into Your Secret Weapon
You have made it to the end of the interview. You have answered the tough competency questions.
8 December 2025 | 5 min read
Don’t let the ‘January Rush’ catch you off guard
A lot of people see December as a write-off when it comes to the job search. There are fewer opportunities coming through.
29 November 2025 | 2 min read
Stop Losing Out to the Candidate With "More Experience"
It is incredibly frustrating because it makes you wonder why you were interviewed in the first place... "Well, I can't invent experience I don't have.
24 November 2025 | 2 min read

Rejection and the Job Search: A 3-Step Strategy to Stay Motivated
But when you're deep in a job search, that stream of "thanks, but no thanks" emails can feel relentless. If you're trying to get back to work, or you're stuck in a toxic job that feels like a...
14 November 2025 | 5 min read

The 'Jack of All Trades' Trap: Why Being a Specialist Lands You the Job
"I’ve been a Project Manager, a Business Analyst, and an Operations Manager. I have so much experience, so why can't I secure a new role?" If I had a pound for every time a client asked me a...
17 October 2025 | 4 min read

Is AI Writing Your CV? Recruiters Can Tell. Here’s What to Do Instead.
AI is everywhere, isn't it? From planning holidays to writing emails, it’s quickly becoming a part of our daily lives. And when it comes to the job search, it’s no different.
10 October 2025 | 3 min read

The Great Work Debate: Finding Your Fit in an Office, Hybrid, or Remote World.
It feels like a constant tug-of-war, doesn't it? One minute, we were all adapting to a new world of remote work.
3 October 2025 | 6 min read

Stop Leaving Money on the Table: A Professional's Guide to Negotiating Your Worth.
It’s a conversation I have almost every week. A client, let's call him Mark, will sit across from me and flawlessly detail how he navigated a complex project at a large corporate firm.
26 September 2025 | 6 min read

Contract vs. Permanent: Which Career Path Is Right For You?
I speak to professionals every week who are wrestling with this exact decision. Some have been offered a lucrative contract role but are nervous about leaving the safety of a permanent job.
19 September 2025 | 6 min read

Why I Left a 'Great' Corporate Job and What It Taught Me About Finding Your Way
Have you ever looked at your career, the one you’ve spent years building, and had the unsettling thought: “Is this really it?” You have a good job. A respectable title, a decent salary, and a...
14 September 2025 | 4 min read

Why the People Who Love You Most Give the Worst Career Guidance
You’ve spent hours polishing your CV, or you're wrestling with the huge decision to leave a job you've been in for a decade. You turn to your partner, your best mate, or your dad and ask,
6 September 2025 | 4 min read

How Much Does a Stagnant Career Actually Cost You?
That feeling of being stuck is heavy, isn’t it? The dread that creeps in on a Sunday evening. The mental exhaustion of just going through the motions in a role that no longer fits. I speak to...
28 August 2025 | 3 min read

Real Conversations, Real Career Trends: 10 Insights & Recommendations from This Summer
One of the greatest privileges of my work is speaking with people every day. These are not just client meetings; they are honest, human conversations about careers, ambitions, and the very real...
22 August 2025 | 8 min read

Own Your Story: How to Confidently Explain a Career Break
It’s a question that can fill even the most experienced professional with dread: Whether you’re staring at your CV, updating your LinkedIn, or sitting in an interview, that period when you weren’t...
18 August 2025 | 4 min read

The Most In-Demand Skill for 2025 Isn't What You Think
A talented, experienced professional sits across from me, their CV in hand, and tells me they feel obsolete. They’re worried they haven't mastered the latest AI platform.
8 August 2025 | 4 min read

Your Career History is a Goldmine. Here’s How We Find the Gold.
When you’ve been in the workforce for 15 or 20 years, your career history can feel like a jumble of job titles, projects, and performance reviews. You know you have valuable experience, but when...
1 August 2025 | 4 min read

A Fresh Start: How Louise Found Clarity and Confidence in a Tough Job Market
How Louise rebuilt confidence, refocused her job search and secured a Scrum Master role after a challenging period in the market.
31 July 2025 | 2 min read

The 10-Year Rule: Why Your First Job Doesn't Belong on Your CV Anymore
I was on a call last week with a client, a highly experienced Senior Manager in the tech sector. He had a fantastic career spanning over two decades. It detailed every role he'd had since...
28 July 2025 | 4 min read

The People with Your Dream Job Can Help You Get It. Here's How.
When you're feeling stuck in your career, it’s easy to look at someone else’s success and feel like it’s a million miles away. You see that person with the job title you want, working at a company...
18 July 2025 | 6 min read

Your Interview's First 60 Seconds: How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself"
The interview begins. You’ve prepared, you’re dressed for the part, and then it comes. The seemingly simple, yet incredibly daunting, opening question: If your immediate instinct is to start...
14 July 2025 | 4 min read

Let's bust some myths about what ATS is doing with your job applications
You spend ages crafting what you think is a brilliant CV, hit "send" on that job application, and then… crickets. It's incredibly frustrating, and often, the silent culprit is how your application...
5 July 2025 | 7 min read

I'm genuinely worried about the use of AI in job applications...
This isn't a rant about how terrible AI is. Absolutely not. In fact, I'm a massive fan. I use AI daily. I barely "Google" anything anymore; I "Gemini" it.
29 June 2025 | 4 min read

Trading the Corporate Ladder for My Own Path: Reflections After Two Months
Last week, I had a truly unexpected blast at a local innovation workshop in Belfast. It was one of those rare days where I actually had to pack a laptop bag, iron a shirt, ditch the Crocs, and...
20 June 2025 | 4 min read

The Robots Aren't Coming For Your Job, But They Are Changing It: Here's How
The world of work is shifting on its axis. Roles that have existed for decades are evolving, and new ones are emerging at a pace we’ve never seen before. At the heart of this transformation are...
13 June 2025 | 6 min read

The Job Search Rollercoaster: How to Stay Positive and Land Your Next Role
Sign up to my newsletter to receive all of my blogs once they are published. Let's be honest, searching for a new job can feel like a full-time job in itself.
24 May 2025 | 4 min read

Making Your Next Career Move with Confidence, Even Under Pressure
Deciding on your next career step, especially when you feel the clock is ticking or your current situation isn't ideal, requires careful thought. Perhaps you're eager for a fresh start or actively...
19 May 2025 | 5 min read

Tailoring your CV - Why it’s important and how to do it.
The current market is a very challenging one. More and more people are going through redundancy meaning unemployment is higher.
8 May 2025 | 7 min read

Which persona resonates most with you? And how can a Career Navigation Specialist help?
Sometimes it’s hard to know the best way to seek support when you’re in certain scenarios. And with so many services available, it can be a minefield knowing what will be the best use of your time...
27 April 2025 | 9 min read

Six Weeks to Success: How Glenn Navigated a Major Career Change
Glenn translated years with one employer into a compelling CV and secured a new public sector role within six weeks.
8 April 2025 | 2 min read

My Journey to Full-Time Coaching: Trading Salaried Stability for a Dream I Didn't Know Was So Close.
Life has a funny way of leading you down paths you never expected. Sometimes, the greatest disappointments turn out to be the catalysts for the most fulfilling adventures.
8 April 2025 | 6 min read

Drowning in Job Applications? It's Time to Break the Cycle and Find Your Focus
The current job market is incredibly competitive, perhaps more so than ever before. Back in November 2024, reports showed an average of nearly 49 applications per job role.
3 April 2025 | 4 min read

Unlock Your Career Potential: Inside Our Trial Group Coaching Session (And How You Can Join the Next!)
Ever feel like you're navigating your career in the dark, wishing you had a sounding board to bounce ideas off? Or perhaps you're curious about career coaching but not quite ready for a one-on-one...
17 March 2025 | 6 min read

How I Helped Annette Turned Her Career Around
From five months of interview ghosting to an Early Careers Programme Manager role with a new CV and focused interview preparation.
8 March 2025 | 2 min read

Embrace Your New Role: Adapt, Connect, and Thrive!
That moment when you receive the offer letter - the surge of excitement, the validation of your hard work. You've landed a new role, a fresh start, a chance to shine.
8 March 2025 | 3 min read

Job Search Strategies
Navigating the Crowded Market: Your Strategic Job Search for Success The modern job market is a competitive arena, a landscape where talent is abundant, and opportunities, at times, feel scarce.
8 March 2025 | 4 min read

Do You Feel Like You’re at Risk of Redundancy? You’re Not Alone
the feeling that something's not quite right at work - It's a familiar feeling for many right now.
3 March 2025 | 3 min read

Ever wondered what it takes to become a career coach? 🤔
My journey wasn't a straight line, but every twist and turn led me here. It all started back in 2010 at Santander, diving into the world of contact centre planning.
23 February 2025 | 3 min read

The Cover Letter is Dying. Make way for the LinkedIn DM
10 February 2025 | 4 min read

From Small-Town Dreamer to Confident Leader: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome, those quiet persistent whispers of self-doubt that echo in the corners of your mind, telling you that you're not enough. It's the voice that tells you, "You're a fraud. You...
4 February 2025 | 7 min read

Navigating the Job Market in 2025: Challenges, Trends, and Predictions
27 January 2025 | 6 min read

The Power of Volunteering in the Office: How I Gained Leadership, Networking, and Lifelong Friendships
In today’s competitive job market, career growth often requires more than just performing your job well. One of the most powerful and overlooked strategies for professional development is...
20 January 2025 | 6 min read

Setting Boundaries and Empowering Teams: Why I’m Taking a Break This Winter
Have you ever wondered what it really means to trust? For me, the answer lies in setting boundaries, it’s about empowering others to excel, and ensuring my team thrives even when I step away.
13 January 2025 | 6 min read

From STUCK to SUCCESS
Are you tired of outdated career advice that feels like it belongs in the stone age? Let’s give your strategy a 21st-century makeover in 2025.
6 January 2025 | 2 min read

Reclaiming Your Time: The Power of Boundaries for Work-Life Balance
A few years ago, I found myself completely burnt out. My work-life balance had gone completely off the rails, and I ended up taking three weeks off with stress. It wasn't a huge amount of time,...
31 December 2024 | 2 min read

New Year, New Career Goals?
It's that time of year again when the fireworks are fading, the champagne flutes are empty, and we're left with that familiar feeling of a fresh start. New Year's Eve has a way of making us...
31 December 2024 | 2 min read

Passed Over for Promotion? Turn Disappointment into Your Next Career Win!
The air is filled with the smell of mince pies and mulled wine... and the looming presence of annual performance reviews. For some, this period brings well-deserved recognition and exciting news...
9 December 2024 | 2 min read

Why a Mentor Can Be Your Secret Weapon for Career Success
Navigating the twists and turns of your career can feel like trying to solve a maze blindfolded. A mentor can be that guiding light, helping you see the bigger picture and make informed decisions.
2 December 2024 | 2 min read

Nailing the Interview - Preparing Your Answers to Impress the Hiring Manager
The interview process can be nerve-wracking, but thorough preparation can make all the difference. Preparing for interview questions not only demonstrates your ability to plan and research, but...
25 November 2024 | 3 min read

Invest in Yourself: The Power of Continuous Learning
As a Career Navigation Specialist, I've had the privilege of working with countless individuals at various stages of their professional journeys. One consistent theme emerges: those who prioritise...
18 November 2024 | 2 min read

5 Top Tips for Developing a Promotion Plan
Are you ready to take the next step in your career? A well-crafted promotion plan can significantly increase your chances of securing that coveted promotion.
11 November 2024 | 4 min read

Upgrade your CV - Format and Final Review
In order to make the right first impression, a well structured CV that is tailored to the role you are applying for is essential to securing that next step. This blog focuses on how to ensure your...
8 November 2024 | 3 min read

Upgrade your CV - Enhance your Career History & Education
In order to make the right first impression, a well structured CV that is tailored to the role you are applying for is essential to securing that next step. This blog focuses on how to enhance...
7 November 2024 | 3 min read

Upgrade your CV - Highlighting your Skills and Experience.
If you haven't had a chance to review my blog on how to get a hiring managers’ attention, click here to learn more. In order to make the right first impression, a well structured CV that is...
6 November 2024 | 2 min read

Upgrade your CV - A bio/personal statement.
In order to make the right first impression, a well structured CV that is tailored to the role you are applying for is essential to securing that next step. This blog focuses on how to write an...
5 November 2024 | 2 min read

A day in the life of a hiring manager reviewing CV's
A CV is your first introduction to an organisation. They are trying to understand if you are the right type of person with the right skills to join their company, yet for some reason, it's the one...
4 November 2024 | 6 min read

Promotions - When is it time to start looking sideways Vs upwards?
It's easy to fall into the default position of seeking promotion as often through pressure from external factors, it feels like the only pathway, when in fact, there are so many career altering...
28 October 2024 | 5 min read

How do I help identify what my next career step should be?
It's important to be able to have clear career goals which enable you to develop your pathway to success. The key thing that enables this for you is having an understanding of your skills, an idea...
21 October 2024 | 4 min read

Burnout - How do you break the cycle?
Sometimes we are all guilty of saying yes, yes, yes to new tasks or workload. You might have a new role and are keen to make the right first impression, or perhaps you are aiming for promotion and...
14 October 2024 | 5 min read

Is it ever appropriate to lie during the selection process?
Let me take you back to a time when I learnt this lesson as a young 14 year old boy trying to take my first step in the working world. I was looking for my first job, as pocket money was not...
7 October 2024 | 3 min read
