Dan Kiernan

Careers Coach Oxford, UK

I’m Dan (He/Him), a careers coach who is passionate about helping people make good career choices. I currently work for Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. Follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

Dan is a careers coach who is passionate about helping people make good career choices. He works for Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. He wasn’t always a careers coach though: he spent 6 years in a Fintech Startup and 10 years working for an Investment Bank. He’s also ran a nightclub, worked as a librarian, laboured for a blacksmith, worked as a personal trainer and been a carpet fitter –  among other things. Having tried so many different paths, he’s perfectly placed to help others in their careers.

Latest Stories from Dan

Do employers use AI to scan applicant CVs now?

Do employers use AI to scan applicant CVs now?

Wondering whether employers use AI to scan our CVs these days? Our career coach has the answers you seek. Question: Do employers use AI to scan applicant CVs? Yes, some employers use AI to scan applicant CVs, and they have done for some time, usually in a very basic way: looking for keywords that match the job description. However, many employers don’t use AI to scan application CVs. These are smaller employers...

By Oxford, UK
Question – What other courses should I take to get into UI/UX?

Question – What other courses should I take to get into UI/UX?

Wondering what other qualifications could help boost your career prospects in UI and UX work? Our career coach offers up some tips to get you started. Question: Are there any courses or certificates I should be taking to help my path into UI/UX as a teenager? – Hima, Gurugram There are plenty of courses you can do to help you get into UI/UX. I’d suggest starting with courses that are...

By Oxford, UK
Question – What types of careers are available in advertising?

Question – What types of careers are available in advertising?

Wondering how an advertising agency works? Our career coach gives a rundown on the ins and outs of agency life, with specifics on each type of role you can expect. Question: How many different career paths are around in advertising? I like the idea of working at an agency, but I don’t know what to aim for or what degree I should apply for? (Aimée, Cardiff) Navigating the advertising industry's...

By Oxford, UK
Question – Do you need to be rich to start a business?

Question – Do you need to be rich to start a business?

Wondering whether you need to be financially-backed and well connected to get your business ventures going? Our career coach gives some advice to help you get started. Question: Do I need to be rich and connected to start my own business? (Cameron, Phoenix) Absolutely not. Don’t let not being rich or connected put you off if you want to start your own business. There are plenty of stories of successful entrepreneurs who...

By Oxford, UK
Question – Is it worth studying for a Masters?

Question – Is it worth studying for a Masters?

Wondering whether you should look into getting a Masters degree? Our career coach offers up some advice to help you make the big decision. Question: How do I decide whether it’s worth studying for a Masters or not? Will it improve my chances of getting a better paid job? (Carmen, London) I think there are broadly three reasons why young people choose to study Masters degrees: employability, personal interest, and putting...

By Oxford, UK
Question – Which work experiences should I take as an aspiring biologist?

Question – Which work experiences should I take as an aspiring biologist?

Wondering where you should be looking to improve your CV before you jump into work as a biologist? Our career coach gives some top advice. Question: What work experience opportunities could I look for to help my chances of getting a job as a biologist? I’m still in high school and I think there are restrictions on what lab work I can do at my age. – Neha, Delhi It’s...

By Oxford, UK
Question – What should I consider when moving abroad for work?

Question – What should I consider when moving abroad for work?

Considering relocating? Here is some advice from our career coach on switching countries for work. Question: What are some relocating tips and tricks for when moving country for your job? Snigdha, Singapore I asked some folks in my network who have relocated what their tips were. Their advice is divided into three categories, which I’m going to call practical, personal and spiritual. Practical Research, ahead of time, the tax system, the healthcare...

By Oxford, UK
Question – How can I become a good entrepreneur?

Question – How can I become a good entrepreneur?

Wondering how to become a good entrepreneur? Our career coach gives a lowdown on the preparation you can make to help boost your chances of success. Question: What qualities do I need to be a good entrepreneur one day, and is there anything I can do now to work on them and be prepared? – Praise, Nairobi There’s plenty of advice about entrepreneurship online, and the quality is really mixed,...

By Oxford, UK
Question – What should I expect to be paid working in media?

Question – What should I expect to be paid working in media?

Wondering where your salary expectations should lie when entering a media role? Our career coach gives a little advice on why being specific could help. Question: What are salaries like in the media industry? Everyone says creative jobs pay badly. – Sabikun, Dhaka I get a lot of questions like this: What are salaries like in the media industry? What does it take to get a green job? Can I...

By Oxford, UK
Question – Will one-company people be the future of work?

Question – Will one-company people be the future of work?

How will job hopping affect our personal work experience and the shape of companies in the future? Our career coach offers their insight. Question: Is the future a one-company person or a one-person company? – Carmen, UK The future is almost certainly not a one-company person. It’s estimated that in their lifetime, Gen Z are expected to work 18 jobs spanning six careers. This is the continuation of a trend...

By Oxford, UK