Episode 32: Job Search SOS. Ask the experts Q&A session with Lucy Cairncross, March 2025 Artwork

Don't Shoot The Messenger

Don't Shoot The Messenger is a podcast by Vicki Marinker, bringing you interesting conversations about careers in communications. Vicki talks with experts in PR, corporate communications, internal comms and more - discussing everything from starting a career in comms, to managing a full-scale corporate crisis. This is the podcast for you, if you want to get ahead in communications.

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Don't Shoot The Messenger

Episode 32: Job Search SOS. Ask the experts Q&A session with Lucy Cairncross, March 2025

March 14, 2025 • Vicki Marinker • Episode 32

Here's the latest 'Job Search SOS' episode.

I'm back with Lucy Cairncross, MD of VMA GROUP to tackle the questions keeping job seekers up at night.

This episode is packed with straight-talking advice on:

📣 Cover letters: why they still matter (despite what everyone tells you), and what actually works

📣 How to explain a disjointed career without badmouthing your toxic ex-boss

📣 Getting your CV to the top of the pile (and why hiring a CV writer is definitely not the answer)

📣 Following up on applications without looking desperate

📣 Convincing hiring managers you're not overqualified and you won't get bored (code for 'too expensive' or 'flight risk').

Job searching is brutal and can feel lonely - but you're absolutely not alone in this. The questions we received show that even the most experienced comms professionals struggle with the same challenges.

Let me know what other subjects you would be interested in hearing about from a career coach and a comms recruiter. You can send me a DM on LinkedIn.

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