Today’s TikTok Careers Clinic with Brian Berry of Leap Forward Careers delivers another grounded, reassuring session for anyone in the UK struggling with job searching, CV writing, or interview confidence. As someone in my 20s trying to navigate a difficult job market, this livestream stands out because it addresses the real reasons applications stall, interviews feel unpredictable, and confidence dips.
Brian opens the session by welcoming viewers logging in from night shifts, late-night study sessions, early mornings, or simply stressful job hunts. He immediately acknowledges a shared frustration: applying for jobs and hearing nothing back. He explains the issue without guessing or dramatizing. Based on his recruitment experience, he notes that application silence often comes from internal changes that candidates never see—team members off sick, managers handling emergencies, shifting business priorities, or roles paused because of organisational changes. He stresses that these delays are rarely about the applicant’s ability or effort.
Brian also discusses how wider economic uncertainty affects hiring. He highlights the upcoming Autumn Budget and how increased business taxes may slow recruitment. This context helps jobseekers understand that they are not “failing”—the market is tightening, and competition rises as demand drops.
A key part of today’s livestream focuses on how to adapt when changing careers. One viewer asks about moving into project management with no experience. Brian reassures them that the transition is often easier than expected because many roles already include project-based tasks. He recommends strengthening applications with project-management training—either funded through work or self-study—to signal credibility to employers.
Another question involves changing fields and adjusting to new routines. Brian responds by sharing his own experience navigating major shifts. He speaks honestly about the challenges, the discomfort, and the steps he took to adapt. For someone like me, trying to maintain work stability, hearing that a career change is survivable—and sometimes beneficial—feels grounding and supportive.
There is also a positive moment when a viewer shares how much they enjoy their job. Brian highlights the importance of hearing good news in a difficult labour market. It adds balance to the session and reminds viewers that meaningful career satisfaction is still possible.
Throughout the livestream, Brian returns to a core message: your CV must reflect the language employers use. He explains that “parroting” or mirroring job-description keywords significantly increases the chance of having your CV noticed. He ties this to interview anxiety, explaining that many interviewers are not fully trained. Because interviewers often lack structured techniques, candidates misinterpret unpredictability as personal failure. Brian reframes this as a process issue, not an individual issue.