The one thing you need to do to succeed – according to top bosses

James Reed, chairman and chief executive of recruitment company Reed, says one of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking about what an employer can do for you rather than what you can offer in return.

“The biggest mistake is thinking that the world owes you a living,” he says and instead suggests you should ask yourself: “How am I the solution to an employer?”

As AI is increasingly used in recruitment, Reed says applicants need to think about how their skills are being picked up by technology as well as by a person.

“Try and mirror the job description with your skills and experiences in your application,” he says, so that the match between what an employer is looking for and what you can offer is clear.

He describes AI as “a wonderful tool”, but says it should not replace your own judgement or voice – the aim is for it to strengthen an application rather than expect it to do the work for you.

Read more about James Reed’s advice on how to get a job.