Jonathan Black

@OxfordCareers Director; @FTworkcareers columnist #DearJonathan; gardening, baking, opera, music fan

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

WFH 🏡 , WFA, and now WFO (Work from overseas) 🏖 . With some employers now insisting staff are back in the office 🏢 , and others are embracing a mixture of remote/office work, what's your advice to this reader?

He wants to work…https://t.co/HO5pWLjHWy https://t.co/Cm7d42Nznl

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

My answer to this reader's question and with insight and help from Seetha Kumar of ScreenSkills who opened with, "If something's calling you, it's not too late."

There are specific research tools for this reader, eg on >270 roles…https://t.co/hvz85KoZwa https://t.co/2slzgBdO50

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

Interesting to focus on skills - and agree that employers may use education/school as a proxy for fit/intelligence/etc BUT surprised there was no mention of hiring for attitude and training for skill.

Hiring for attitude cuts away any exclusivity based…https://t.co/3RH3PY06Ai

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

Like all new generations entering the workplace, they bring new ideas, new energy, and a new perspective. Gen Z bring the courage to challenge and express their views as well; the rest of us can benefit if we listen, respect and present our own ideas so t…https://t.co/RVqZdMu0Y9

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

Lights, camera, and ... action? 🎬 This reader is in a "standard, reliable, mundane" career that "pays well." But she has never really enjoyed work and aspires to work in film? 📽

So ... should she take the risk to follow a drea…https://t.co/wngnTGg5BO https://t.co/2slzgBelUy

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

Advice to this reader considering a move to look separately at the role, the industry, and what work itself gives them. Help and great insight from Tim Edwards of STORM Therapeutics Limited and many #FT readers as well.

We observe…https://t.co/LOwkc4pbzu https://t.co/P04TEG0fy4

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

How far can you move? This reader is "financially solvent" and ready for a change, not to retire. They ask how to change industries and apply their transferable skills from senior VP in tech to something new?

Is it possible to piv…https://t.co/xLKuqGrRD1 https://t.co/P04TEG0NnC

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

This reader wanted a more flexible role to spend time with children; is it a case of either family or career? My answer, advice from FT readers, and input from @annaselundberg of One Step Outside out today.

With the right employer…https://t.co/e3QnBbjW2I https://t.co/GkD7nhEdX9

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

This reader feels "trapped" in a high pressure financial services role that is flexible enough to enable time with her children - she would love a role in a single company, answering to one not many bosses, but thinks she'd lose th…https://t.co/QSf7LkXaam https://t.co/GkD7nhDG7B

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

Advice to this reader included insight from Maurice McCartney of Learn Love Look Ahead on how they could identify exactly what has to change, how to accelerate that change, and when to make it. With a challenging question from the…https://t.co/TRPnJyT7ZZ https://t.co/4tZKbLFApZ

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

The #FT careers supplement for #school students (and parents, carers, and teachers) - out today - starting with finding a role with #purpose, setting your flag on the top of the mountain and finding one of the many ways up.

Plus g…https://t.co/QqdWhb07Ra https://t.co/6KaUKs8iLD

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

Sound familiar? This reader is feeling "stuck" on a project they don't like, but the manager is taking no action. Now what? Stick it out, move elsewhere in the firm, or leave the organisation and go to a competitor?

Did this happe…https://t.co/Ltha0C7q0Y https://t.co/4tZKbLFApZ

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

Returning after retirement and worried that your skills are "rusty"? My (and many FT readers') advice to them. Understand your motivations for what work outside the home will give you to focus your direction. With thanks to and ins…https://t.co/AHn4cniV4X https://t.co/TEMnsaN7Xy

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

Back to work after retiring? This older reader "left" the UK workforce and now wants to return after retiring several years ago. They are seeking advice on how to reintegrate when technical skills might be rusty, and their network…https://t.co/x2kBsMo2DC https://t.co/TEMnsaN7Xy

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

#HR professionals can be well suited for #ESG work given their understanding of corporate culture so this reader has picked a positive route. And #companysecretary is also a good route to more senior roles.

"Work backwards from…https://t.co/ZBe5SK50l0 https://t.co/qkwvSoYeX1

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

After 7y in HR in Fin Svcs, this reader is looking for the next rung on the ladder. What roles are open to HR professionals, or is she stuck? She'd really like to work in ESG or as a Co Sec.

Perhaps you've moved out of HR - how di…https://t.co/hRis1SSmD5 https://t.co/qkwvSoYeX1

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

You wait for rare Careers Adviser posts and then two come along at once. These two posts are to support Oxford University Research Staff

FT (PT 0.5 FTE min may be considered, Fixed Term until July 2025

Want to learn more? Check out the JD (…https://t.co/miFlw5xwjo

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

Ready and willing to change roles, after 30 years, but how to?

My column today with advice and thanks to the helpful and practical actions from readers, Phanella Mayall Fine from Up Rising, and @ArpadSzakal of Cormis Partners - E…https://t.co/bm6BzSVghX https://t.co/FRVDUbkTVn

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

"Job for life" has been used as an enviable feature of past generations - but what when you feel "stuck" in just such a job? This reader prioritised family over career but now family is grown up, wonders if he can move forwards aga…https://t.co/8kC4pgxHAN https://t.co/FRVDUbkTVn

[Jonathan Black @JonathanPBlack]

Career breaks are becoming more common - but have recruiters adjusted their views and how to present them. "Important to make a watertight, true story ... some personal experience can add plausibility," said David Green, retired fi…https://t.co/SXcpo4NdQC https://t.co/3xzmgdlGc2