The Careers Chat

Is AI a threat to your career, an opportunity—or a bit of both?In this episode of The Careers Chat, Konstantina and Siobhan Qadir discuss how AI is influencing jobs, recruitment and the graduate job search. With different levels of optimism about what comes next, they explore how to make use of the technology without losing the human qualities that make you stand out.From AI-assisted CVs and cover letters to interview preparation, fairness and data privacy, the conversation returns to a central question: how can AI support your job search while keeping your experience, personality and judgement at the heart of it?Expect practical reflections on keeping your own voice, backing up your claims with evidence, checking AI-generated content and staying open to change.Follow The Careers Chat for more conversations to help you find your future today.https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/staff/education-development-unit/public/The-graduate-labour-market-in-Spring-2026.pdf https://luminate.prospects.ac.uk/outcomes-and-experiences-vary-widely-among-disabled-graduates https://ise.org.uk/knowledge/insights/573/the_graduate_jobs_market_isnt_collapsing/ https://www.taylorbennettfoundation.org/2026/06/10/britain-sees-ai-closing-the-door-on-young-workers-but-isnt-asking-who-gets-locked-out/ https://www.replyintelligencegroup.co.uk/insights/when-customer-facing-ai-goes-wronghttps://scholar.google.com/

You know your experience—but can you show an employer why it matters to them? 💡In this clip from Episode 2 of Careers Chat, Konstantina and Siobhan Qadir discuss why even a well-rehearsed interview story can miss the mark if it doesn’t connect with the company you’re applying to.They explore how to build a “bridging narrative”—connecting your experience and achievements to the employer’s needs. AI can help you identify those connections, but the story, the voice and the delivery should remain yours.AI and Your Job Search: Your Researcher, Not Your Ghostwriter (The Careers Chat S4E2)https://youtu.be/o0CraFK30-U?si=nH3J7bgK2V_4VHxC #CareersChat #InterviewTips #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #InterviewPreparation

How can you use AI to make sense of the job opportunities out there? 💡In this clip from Episode 2 of Careers Chat, Siobhan Qadir shares her tips for using AI to support your job search—from breaking down job adverts and researching company values to finding websites for relevant roles.Her key advice? Be clear with your prompts, and use AI to support your research—not to do all the thinking for you.AI and Your Job Search: Your Researcher, Not Your Ghostwriter (The Careers Chat S4E2)https://youtu.be/o0CraFK30-U?si=nH3J7bgK2V_4VHxC #CareersChat #JobSearchTips #AI #CareerAdvice #JobSearch

The job market is competitive and confusing, and AI tools are changing how people look for work. In this episode Siobhan and Konstantina (cold and all) share practical ways to use AI in your job search, and where to draw the line.They talk about:* Using AI to find lesser-known, growing companies in your sector, not just the big names* Why suppliers, contractors and agencies can be a route into your dream employer* Preparing for networking conversations without sounding scripted* Writing short outreach messages that offer a 15-minute chat, then following up and saying thank you* Watching out for "Google knowledge", AI mistakes and out-of-date advice on visa sponsorship* Practising interview questions and role plays with AI, and making your examples relevant to the employer* Protecting your personal data when you use AI toolsTheir main message: use AI as your researcher, not your ghostwriter. When everyone else's CVs and messages sound the same, your own voice is what makes you stand out.Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and what's coming up00:54 Managing a flood of job opportunities01:53 Using AI to find lesser-known, growing companies03:37 Suppliers and supply chains as a way in05:41 Using AI to prepare for networking conversations08:22 Be prepared, but don't be scripted09:55 "Google knowledge" and the swallowed-spider myth11:19 Writing outreach messages and offering 15 minutes13:53 Following up and saying thank you15:22 AI is your researcher, not your ghostwriter17:20 What not to trust AI on19:40 Keeping your own voice20:18 Practising for interviews with AI21:59 Making your examples relevant to the employer23:27 Protecting your personal data24:21 Coming up nexthttps://youtu.be/QNqOZwgTE88?si=ZkeHr8RmkezqZz3pMusic licensed through Soundstripe.Code: OCTC5FAYWFOZPVFW, FLVYNWDROVHYLMJN

A moment from Season 4, Episode 1: New Term, Fresh Start.A student once told Konstantina, "I'm learning to adult." She thinks it's true for every new student, and especially for master's students who have moved to a new country. As Siobhan adds, they're learning to adult in another language and another culture too.Konstantina knows this first-hand. Moving here meant losing the comfort, security and certainty of home (and learning to drive on the other side of the road). Humans need certainty, and the first few weeks somewhere new are full of the opposite. It's normal for that to take its toll.If you're settling into a new place this term, you're not the only one.What surprised you most when you moved somewhere new? Tell us in the comments.Watch the full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jewubgH0pdkoDJFErZsG9?si=8c2cc2fbd6254c7e#Shorts #TheCareersChat #InternationalStudents #LearningToAdult #StudentLife #Freshers #Wellbeing

⁠Welcome to Season 4 of The Careers Chat, our first season as an independent podcast. Siobhan and Konstantina are back for the start of the academic year, freshers' flu and all, to talk about new beginnings.Whether you're starting university, beginning a master's in a new country, going into your final year at school or starting your first graduate job, a fresh start can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. In this episode they talk about:Building healthy habits in small steps, and why you shouldn't join all 20 societies at onceTed Lasso's reminder that the rear-view mirror is smaller than the windscreen for a reasonMaking room for quiet time if you're introverted or neurodivergent, and recharging your social batteryHomesickness, uncertainty and "learning to adult", sometimes in a new language and cultureWhy talking is the first step, and where to find support, including your university's wellbeing service and UKCISA's resources on settling inUsing hard moments to practice communication, listening and empathy, the human skills AI can't replaceA note for parents on stepping back when your child leaves homeFive practical tips for the new term. Remember, it won't always feel like this, and everyone around you is going through it too.Timestamps:00:00 Welcome to Season 4: colds and fresh starts01:47 Starting afresh and building healthy habits02:43 Ted Lasso's rear-view mirror and windscreen03:47 Freshers' week, societies and new friendships05:37 Introversion, neurodiversity and recharging07:18 For parents: stepping back and "learning to adult"08:51 International students adulting in a new culture09:47 Homesickness and where to find support12:43 Practising communication when things are hard13:55 Starting work after university14:30 UKCISA resources and TJ Power's four chemicals16:19 Listening, empathy and human skills17:30 The swan metaphor: everyone struggles19:30 Siobhan's five tips for the new term21:06 Growing through changehttps://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/homesickness/⁠⁠https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student-advice/life-in-the-uk/facing-culture-shock/ ⁠https://youtu.be/iTeGWqETJTo?si=4y8yUKO2eo-Xb_oG⁠⁠https://youtu.be/rHHyWACm9sE?si=b6Yzof0gkNuF0um4⁠Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: OCTC5FAYWFOZPVFW, FLVYNWDROVHYLMJN

Episode 1 of season 4 now available: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1EewAruKdfHZcCMMKf3V2D?si=sSFBGjXKSASCBRjsPWRM8ATranscript: "It's not always going to be like this. It's going to get better. But to get better, it does require you to kind of think about what you can do to improve the situation for yourself. I don't guess it helps to hear that everybody goes through this. Everybody feels uncertain. we always talk about the swan metaphor, this beautiful gliding bird as it comes across the water. you look at other people and you think, they're not homesick. They're not sick. Yeah. You don't know that. You don't know what's going on in their mind. And the person that shyly smiles to you across the room, they're showing they're open to a connection just to talk, to go across and talk to them. it might last for a couple of minutes. It might last a lifetime. So be open to connections..."

In this episode Siobhan and Konstantina chat with Lee Griffin Academic Director (Postgraduate Taught) at University of Warwick, about the impact of AI on Careers and Education. Careers services can help students avoid making decisions based on AI fearsThe GenAI Divide STATE OF AI IN BUSINESS 2025Please note this episode was recorded near the end of 2025 and additional links for content mentioned within the podcast will be added asap. The video version of this podcast is available on our YouTube channel with a transcript and subtitles. https://www.youtube.com/@TheCareersChatThe audio version of this podcast is also available on other Audio podcast platforms including Amazon, Apple, Castbox.

In episode 3 of season 3 Siobhan and Konstantina chat with guest Dhruv Khrisnaraj the Director & Co-Founder at Student Circus a job search platform for international students. ⁠Find out more on the Warwick University Careers pages for International Students⁠⁠The full video podcast is available on YouTube⁠⁠International Graduate Success with Dhruv Khrisnaraj SpotifyUK government's immigration White Paper (The Careers Chat Bonus Episode Season 3) YouTubeTranscript: "Siobhan Qadir: And you mentioned the dreaded white paper I guess, you know, we've had a lot of really stressed out students, current students, and I’m about to start working with pre-arrival things, events and such like. But what do you think moving forward with... we've got to give people an idea of what they can do if it is shortened, what would your advice be? Dhruv Khrisnaraj: So the good part is they've now got rid of it. It's shortened there was a lot of talk that they want to get rid of it. And they've not kind of done any sort of requirements where you have to get a graduate level job.You can do anything even for 18 months even if they go through with the proposal. So look, Yes you think it's shorter by six months, which is a big deal, I don't think so I still think that it's not just 18 months that students have.Funnily enough, after you finish your course you have four months on your student visa, which is the amount of time it takes to pass your degree and get your certification and all that kind of stuff and then apply for the Post-Study work visa.So technically it's not 18, you still have a good 20 to 23 months. You know, between you finishing your course and your post-study work visa ending, that's almost two years.You can do a lot in two years honestly speaking you can hustle your way, you can network with people you can do so many different...you can get work experience. You know, a lot of the time students are kind of stuck up on...I'm not advocating non-paid work, but what I'm trying to say is look when you don't when people don't know, companies don't know what you can deliver you might want to give your skill set as a trial to the companies and then say, look, if you like what I've done and supported you can we work on an internship and then convert to a job etc?You don't have to go in with the mindset that I need to get 40 grand, If you going to go with that mindset you're going to have lesser number of roles but if you can prove that you're worth 40 grand it's going to be much easier for you to convince them."

In episode 3 of season 3 Siobhan and Konstantina chat with guest Dhruv Khrisnaraj the Director & Co-Founder at Student Circus a job search platform for international students. ⁠Find out more on the Warwick University Careers pages for International Students⁠⁠The full video podcast is available on YouTube⁠⁠International Graduate Success with Dhruv Khrisnaraj SpotifyTranscript: "Siobhan Qadir: I mean, we could talk to you all day. But I just want to ask you one last question. Dhruv Khrisnaraj: Sure. Siobhan: What would you tell your 21...24 year old self? What advice would you give?Dhruv: Okay, so the first thing I would give is start early way earlier, so right from the time you landed. I’m guilty as charged for the first three, four months I was so enamored by the beauty that the UK education system living in the UK and everything else around you gives, that, you know, you're totally defocused and by the time you start focusing, it's too late.So start early. The second advice that I would for sure give is make the most of the career services and the resources. I am telling you now, after working with universities across the UK, with so many of them, I know how much blood, sweat, and tears the careers consultants like yourselves put to support students and I it just breaks my heart to see that when I'm talking to students, the first thing they come and do is they complain about not being helped and when you ask them why and you ask them if they visited the career services, most of them say yes or no and they say yes, but I know about them I didn’t visit them I didn't take their support or it wasn't enough and stuff like that. And when you start probing them, you realize that they've not even attended any sessions, they're not done much.So again, you know, make the most of all the resources I always kind of make it a joke in my presentations to go and say, you know, it's free you've already paid for it, so make the most of itbecause a lot of international students, unfortunately, are being targeted by a lot of scammers around and saying you know what, pay us and we will give you jobs and visas.You don't need to pay anyone in the uk for jobs and visas and I know, companies trying and going and saying pay us a couple of quid a month to access jobs you don’t need to pay anyone your university is giving you access to all of that stuff It's all free, all that you need to do is spend less time on Instagram and more time on LinkedIn, and more time on your job search.And you should be fine."