New Year, New Career 2025: Ten tips from the experts

More than 90 people joined us to kickstart their job search for 2025 at the Work Avenue New Year, New Career event. You can read more about the day here.

Attendees got to hear from employers, recruiters and motivational speakers on what organisations are really looking for when hiring.

Below we share ten top tips from our experts to help anyone applying for roles, preparing for interviews, or considering a career change.

For full support and advice, free of charge, please make an appointment to speak to one of our employment team.

Charlotte Collins – Editor-in-Chief of SheerLuxe, the leading digital lifestyle publication:

1) The people who get through the door, and rise fastest, aren’t necessarily those with the right skills or ability – but the people with the best attitude, who go beyond the 9-5 and show a true passion for the job and the company.

2) Don’t rest on your laurels. Upskill and keep evolving. There is so much that is changing – especially in the digital world – and employers will look for those skills.

Neil Taub – Co-Founder and Client Relationship Director at Zoomdoc, the on-demand healthcare service provider:

3) Before going for interview, really spend time finding out about the company and the people interviewing you. Make sure you have done all your background research and have questions ready that will make them think.

Amanda Reuben – Owner of www.amandareuben.com, offering tailored recruitment for individuals and organisations:

4) Be who you are. Those who succeed in today’s jobs market are those who are themselves. Of course, all jobs need certain skills but attitude is the most important thing.

5) A job interview is a two-way conversation. Remember, it’s not just them interviewing you – you are interviewing them.

Eszter Bobvos – Head of People & Culture at JW3, the Jewish community centre:

6) Be curious! The best thing I’ve seen from interview candidates is people sharing a personal story that connects them to the job. Often I’ve had people who don’t have the exact experience a role requires, but they get the job because they clearly have the passion and the curiosity.

Keith Breslauer – Managing Partner at Patron Capital, a private equity firm focused on real estate investments:

7) The characteristics I think are most important when hiring are finding someone who is hungry, smart and curious – and has made the effort to do their homework.

Nicky Simmons – Founder of London Health Consult, a consultancy specialising in health and wellness services:

8) Make sure to network and make contacts. You will start to know people who know people who are looking for your skillset.

9) Life is unbelievably wonderful, but also unbelievably complicated. It’s OK to not be OK. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Dr Danny McGuigan – Development coach, motivational speaker and Director of the Business Development Centre:

10) We are all vulnerable but that’s a good thing. Feeling vulnerable can help you grow as a person, find satisfaction in your relationships and help you feel more comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings.