The Career Compass #50: The Future of Work — How AI Is Changing Job Search in 2025

Why the way we apply, interview, and get hired will never be the same.

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Hey Career Navigators,

We’ve hit a milestone — Edition #50 of The Career Compass! Thank you for being here every week as we explore how to take control of your career and grow with confidence.

This week, I want to dig into something that’s shaping careers everywhere: Artificial Intelligence. AI isn’t just changing how we work — it’s transforming how we get hired. From resumes to interviews, the job search in 2025 looks very different than it did even a year ago.

The Future of Work: How AI Is Changing Job Search in 2025

AI is no longer just a buzzword in hiring — it’s everywhere. Recruiters, employers, and even candidates are using AI tools daily. But how is it reshaping your career journey?

1. AI-Driven Resumes & Applications

More candidates are using AI to write resumes and cover letters. The upside? Speed. The downside? Generic, cookie-cutter applications. Recruiters can spot these instantly. The winners will be job seekers who use AI as an assistant, not a replacement — adding their own stories, achievements, and voice.

2. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) Are Smarter

ATS software now uses AI to scan for skills, experience, and even tone. That means keyword stuffing doesn’t work anymore. Instead, you need to show evidence of results: measurable achievements and clear career impact.

3. AI in Interviews

Video interviews are increasingly AI-reviewed before a human ever sees them. Systems analyse tone, body language, and keywords. Preparation is now about balancing authenticity with awareness of AI evaluation.

4. Networking Goes Digital

AI-powered networking tools on LinkedIn now recommend people to connect with based on your skills and interests. Clarity about your direction (what you want and why) makes these recommendations far more powerful.

5. The Human Edge

Here’s the twist: as AI gets smarter, human skills matter more. Creativity, empathy, problem-solving, and communication are the qualities machines can’t replace — and the ones hiring managers value most.

📌 Takeaway: The future of job searching isn’t AI vs. humans — it’s AI + humans. Those who combine smart AI use with authentic storytelling, clarity, and soft skills will win in 2025.

AI Agents For The Entire Customer Journey

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 Career Action of the Week

Test how AI-proof your resume is:

  • Paste your CV into an AI tool (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) and ask: “Rewrite this to make me stand out for [X role].”

  • Compare it to your original. Which parts did the AI strengthen? Which parts lost your personality?

  • Keep the best of both — your achievements, in your voice, with AI-polished clarity.

Video of the Week: Why There’s NEVER Been a Better Time to Get Into Cybersecurity

With 4.8 million cybersecurity jobs unfilled worldwide (latest ISC2 Workforce Study), there has never been a better time to launch your career in cybersecurity. 

In this video, I’ll explain:

✅ Why demand for cyber talent is exploding in 2025

✅ The impact of new laws and technology shifts on hiring

✅ The top skills and certifications employers are looking for right now

✅ How YOU can position yourself to take advantage of this career boom

Whether you’re a graduate starting your career or a professional looking to transition into cybersecurity, this video shows why the timing has never been better to break into the industry.

  • AI-Powered Threats Fuel Hiring: Cyber roles are surging as AI-boosted attacks push demand for SOC Analysts, Pen Testers, Threat Intelligence Analysts, and Ethical Hackers. The UK alone has around 17,000 live cybersecurity vacancies, with sector expansion estimated at 10–12% annually. 

  • AI Adoption Hits Critical Mass: 73% of organisations now use AI in their cybersecurity operations, often for automating threat prediction and response. Still, 52% plan to up-skill human teams to manage these tools. 

  • AI Augments, Doesn’t Replace: In many SOCs, AI handles routine triage and investigation—freeing human analysts to tackle complex threats. About 30% of security teams already use AI in live operations. 

  • Upskilling Beats Hiring: At the 2025 RSA Conference, attendance for AI-skills workshops jumped 36%, with employers prioritising team development over new hiring amid talent shortages.

  • Big IT Cuts, Yet AI Wins: Even amid layoffs (like CrowdStrike’s 5% reduction), AI and cybersecurity roles remain strategic hires, showing that technical adaptability is essential in hiring today. 

  • Skills Gaps Sound the Alarm: A global study finds only 10% of employers believe their workforce is-ready for future needs. AI, leadership, and technical know-how are the biggest shortfalls. 

  • Soft Skills Rule in the AI Age: Companies are leaning into human-first traits—like empathy, adaptability, and communication—as AI reshapes the workforce. One study shows 92% of executives now value soft skills equally or more than technical abilities. 

  • Australia’s Cybersecurity Boom: The Australian cybersecurity market hit roughly AUD 9.18 billion in 2024, with a projected CAGR of 13.3% through 2034. Cyber jobs, particularly in cloud and AI areas, are growing rapidly with salaries often between AUD 70,000–135,000. 

  • Smart Security Architecture Needed: Organisations are ditching fragmented security toolkits (an average of 83 tools across 29 vendors) in favour of unified, API-driven solutions—reducing breach detection times drastically. 

Coaching Spotlight

The rise of AI in hiring makes career clarity more important than ever. If you’re unsure how to position yourself — or worried about being overlooked in AI-driven recruiting — I can help.

I offer 1:1 coaching sessions covering:

  • Resumes that beat AI filters and engage recruiters

  • Interview prep (including AI-screened video interviews)

  • Career clarity so you know what jobs to target in 2025

  • Salary negotiation strategies in an AI-driven market

🎯 Book your free 15-minute exploratory call: Click here

Career Spotlight – SOC Analyst in 2025

If you’re looking for an entry point into cybersecurity, Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst is one of the most in-demand roles right now. With AI driving both new threats and new defences, SOC Analysts sit at the front line of digital security.

What Does a SOC Analyst Do?

SOC Analysts monitor networks and systems for signs of suspicious activity. They investigate alerts, respond to incidents, and help strengthen defences against future attacks. Think of them as the digital “first responders.”

Key Skills & Tools

  • SIEM tools (Splunk, QRadar, Microsoft Sentinel)

  • Log analysis & incident response

  • Understanding of malware, phishing, and network traffic

  • Strong problem-solving and communication

Certifications to Consider

  • CompTIA Security+ – great entry-level start

  • CompTIA CySA+ – focuses on analysis & response

  • Google Cybersecurity Certificate – beginner-friendly option

  • Cisco CCNA – helpful for network fundamentals

Salary Outlook (2025)

  • Australia: AUD $70,000–$100,000+

  • US: USD $60,000–$95,000

  • UK: £35,000–£55,000

    (Ranges vary depending on region, company size, and experience)

Why Now Is the Time

With millions of cybersecurity jobs unfilled worldwide, SOC Analyst remains one of the most accessible entry-level roles. AI-powered threats are making these positions even more critical — and employers are hiring fast.

📌 Big takeaway: If you’re aiming to break into cybersecurity, SOC Analyst is often the best starting role to launch your career.

Thanks for reading, and as always, keep levelling up your career.

Best wishes
Luke Gough
Recruiter / Career Coach / Founder of The Career Compass

P.S. Thank you for being part of this milestone — 50 editions! Remember to share The Career Compass with your network, and let’s work together to empower more careers in this new AI-driven world.

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