job hunting in this day and age
I spent three years job hunting in the UK, from volunteering to part-time and full-time roles. The process is brutal, but a clear formula makes it workable.
Cover Letter Formula
1. No guesswork — answer the job requirements
I used to get stuck staring at a blank page. You don’t need a fancy story for cover letters, just answer what the job description asks for.
If the description is detailed, prioritise the summary and essential criteria. Match your experience to each requirement in the same order.
If there’s a criteria list, answer each point with relevant skills and experience. Keep it factual and concise so every point lands.
2. Facts, not opinions
Avoid vague claims. Use concrete examples.
❌ “I always deliver high-quality service and build strong relationships.”
✅ “I have two years of customer service experience across multiple sectors, supporting people with diverse backgrounds and age groups.”
3. Make it about them, not you
I used to emphasise how the job aligned with my goals. Employers care more about whether you can do the job. Focus on why you fit the role, not why the role fits you.
4. Get to the point
Long, detailed cover letters rarely impress. Give just enough to get shortlisted. Save the storytelling for the interview.
Interview Formula
1. Nail the basics
Prepare one solid answer that covers questions like (1) Tell me about yourself; (2) Why do you want this job; (3) Why should we hire you?
Focus less on what the job means to you, but why they need you: “This role requires X, Y, and Z—and here’s how I demonstrate all three.”
2. Turn the job description into your story
Group the responsibilities into themes to identify the key qualities the employer is looking for. Once you have a list, match each quality with an example from your experience. Pick the strongest example for the interview. You can also combine multiple experiences into one story to demonstrate several skills at once.
For example, IT roles often require troubleshooting, prioritisation, communication, and teamwork. I once combined three separate cases I handled into a single story that showed all four skills in action. If an employer only asks about one, I tweak my story to highlight that particular skill.
3. What if you don’t have direct experience?
You don’t have to know everything, but you should show effort.
When reviewing a job description, I usually know what I lack. There isn’t always time for a crash course, but you can still impress by showing initiative. For example, I once applied for a system support analyst role without much system experience, so I reviewed their website and suggested improvements I could contribute. For a data role, I pulled public data from the organisation and created a mini analysis project. Sometimes I simply research what the organisation does and reference it in the interview. These show genuine interest and initiative.
4. Seek clarity, show honesty
If a question isn’t clear, ask them to repeat or clarify it. If you can’t answer a question, be honest, then show your willingness to learn. This demonstrates poise and self-awareness.
Extra Tips
1. Use AI wisely
AI tends to over‑polish and turn writing into a motivational speech. Keep your story and voice authentic; use AI to only refine, not write.
2. Don’t over-prepare
I used to ask AI for every possible interview question, and most of them never came up. Stick to the job description; it tells you what the employer actually cares about.
3. Learn key terms
When I come across unfamiliar concepts, I ask AI for a simple explanation and create a short glossary to review before the interview. It’s surprisingly useful; even a basic understanding helps when unexpected questions come up.
4. For non‑English speakers
Preparing for interviews in another language is hard. I still write down my answers beforehand so I don’t forget my talking points.
The important part is not to memorise full answers; it will only make you nervous and blank out during the interview. Instead, outline your story, use the vocabulary you already know, and look up phrases that help you express yourself. Mistakes are fine; effort and clarity matter more than perfection.
All of this takes work, but it gets easier and more intuitive. So far, about 90% of my prepared answers have come up in interviews. Between October and November last year, I received four job offers from five applications (I declined one interview due to location and contract length).
If you’re job hunting in this chaotic market, I hope these tips help.
Check out my other post for tips on part-time jobs!