![\"'Keir](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SEI_300743341-97f3-e1781073439414.jpg\")
\n\t\t(Picture: Metro)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t(Picture: Metro)<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no secret that getting a job in the UK <\/a>today is tough. But if you ask the government<\/a>\u2019s new AI <\/a>chatbot for jobseekers, it\u2019s even tougher for cats.<\/p>\n Take my own pet cat, Ethel. She\u2019s two years old and I\u2019m her first real employer \u2013 her old owners abandoned her after she had two litters.<\/p>\n She\u2019s not eligible for benefits \u2013 they\u2019re only for humans. But fortunately, there\u2019s a fix for her problem thanks to the new government-made AI job assistant<\/a>.<\/p>\n Keir Starmer<\/a> announced the launch of the tool yesterday<\/a>, describing it as a \u2018Jobcentre in your pocket\u2019 that will help get people into work and tackle inequality.<\/p>\n Designed by the Department for Work and\u00a0Pensions and currently on a three-month trial, the AI work assistant can draft CVs and provide advice on applications and career development.<\/p>\n To test it, I decided to get some career advice for Ethel.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t The first step is to tell the tool my experience so it can help me find a job. To this I respond that Ethel enjoys taking naps, stretching and \u2018waking up my owners\u2019.<\/p>\n It might not sound like the most employable skillset, but the bot says otherwise.<\/p>\n \u2018From a human employment perspective, some of these could translate in interesting ways,\u2019 it tells me. <\/p>\n \u2018Sleeping,\u2019 for example, \u2018could suggest an interest in sleep research, wellbeing or healthcare.\u2019<\/p>\n The bot adds that catching some rays shows I\u2019m well-suited to work outdoors.<\/p>\n But I stress that some\u00a0people<\/a> are allergic<\/a> to cats. Should I disclose this to employers?<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t \u2018That is a thoughtful and considerate question,\u2019 the bot tells me\/Ethel, saying that no one is obligated to disclose information not related to the role.<\/p>\n One of the biggest draws of this AI assistant is that it can write CVs, and being able to write a cat\u2019s, too, is quite a good selling point.<\/p>\n I tell it my employment history \u2013 I was adopted in January as an indoor cat before going outside to catch bugs and meow at other cats in March.<\/p>\n Based on that, the tool says I am a \u2018domestic and outdoor operative\u2019 who has transitioned to hybrid working.<\/p>\n My responsibilities include \u2018routine self-care\u2019, \u2018pest control\u2019 and \u2018conflict resolution and stakeholder management with difficult colleagues\u2019 (the mean male cat down the road).<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tMy cat’s AI-generated CV in full:\t\t\t<\/p>\n Ethel<\/p>\n Professional Profile<\/p>\n A highly adaptable and self-motivated outdoor operative with experience in wildlife management, conflict resolution and stakeholder management. Skilled in independent working, problem-solving and observation. Brings patience, resilience and strong communication to any role.<\/p>\n Home-maker & Primary Carer\u00a0(Prior to January 2026)<\/p>\n Primary carer for two litters, managing all aspects of day-to-day care Domestic & Outdoor Operative\u00a0(January 2026 \u2013 Present)<\/p>\n Managed household responsibilities including routine self-care and time management Key Skills<\/p>\n Stealth and discretion Being a cat has its professional drawbacks. For one, I only roam as far as the end of my road.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t worry, the AI work assistant stresses: I can work remotely, apply for \u2018hyperlocal roles\u2019 or self-employ as a freelance pest controller.<\/p>\n It was also rather stern about not including a photograph of myself to show future employers that I am, in fact, a cat.<\/p>\n \u2018The general guidance for CVs in the UK is actually to not include a photograph, regardless of species,\u2019 it tells me. <\/p>\n \t\t \t\t \t\t With my CV to hand (paw?), the assistant pulls a list of 8,643 pest control and wildlife conservation jobs that are, it says, cat-friendly. <\/p>\n Unemployment in the UK<\/p>\n More than 1.8 million people <\/a>(not cats) in the UK were unemployed between January and March, up 4.5% from last year.<\/p>\n Some 327,000 job losses are expected this year, according to the business advisory firm Liquidation Centre<\/a>.<\/p>\n And looking for a job can take a toll \u2013 it even has a name, \u2018job-search depression\u2019.<\/p>\n As well as the stress of not having a monthly paycheck, simply being out of work can result in depression<\/a>, anxiety and a greater risk of\u00a0substance use problems<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t This is something that the AI work assistant seems to know all too well \u2013 when I share my worries about being employable, it gives me many a passionate pep talk.<\/p>\n \u2018You\u2019re an AI and I\u2019m a cat. We make a good team!\u2019 I tell the assistant.<\/p>\n After telling me I should \u2018network with local cats, it replies: \u2018We do indeed \u2014 an unlikely partnership but a productive one.<\/p>\n \u2018You came in a self-doubting cat with a napping habit and a complicated relationship with pspspsps and you are leaving with a polished CV and a clear job search strategy.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t After some final words of wisdom (\u2018the job market was not strictly designed with cats in mind\u2019), the software offers a predictive reply of \u2018Meow!\u2019, so I do just that. <\/p>\n \u2018Meow, Ethel,\u2019 the bot replies. \u2018Go get them.\u2019<\/p>\n The Department for Work and\u00a0Pensions told Metro: \u2018We\u2019re confident our AI Work Assistant will prove invaluable to the millions of people across the country looking for work \u2013 though we suspect Ethel may face some additional hurdles in her job search.<\/p>\n \u2018Jokes aside, this tool has been built to give real job-seekers the support they need, whenever they need it. <\/p>\n \u2018Whether it\u2019s CV advice, career guidance or finding the right vacancy, we want everyone to have the tools to do it. <\/p>\n \u2018The fact it can even rustle up a CV for a cat shows just how capable it is \u2013 imagine what it can do for you.\u2019<\/p>\n Downing Street declined to comment. <\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_8382-0f33.jpeg\")
\n\t\tEthel, the job-seeking cat (Picture: Josh Milton)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-09-103201-3b37.png\")
\n\t\tWhen logging in, the service says: \u2018This is an experimental prototype. Some features may not be fully operational\u2019 (Picture: GOV.UK)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-09-103224-6eb1.png\")
\n\t\tThe chatbot helped outline what skills a cat has based on hobbies and interests (Picture: GOV.UK)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_8378-1ffc.jpeg\")
\n\t\tThe AI assistant says Ethel\u2019s habit of waking up up early could make her suited to work in a bakery (Picture: Josh Milton)<\/p>\n
\nDeveloped strong nurturing, organisational and multitasking skills<\/p>\n
\nTransitioned to hybrid working in March 2026, broadening scope of responsibilities
\nPest control and wildlife management, specialising in insects
\nBird watching and wildlife observation
\nConflict resolution and stakeholder management
\nIndependent outdoor working with minimal supervision<\/p>\n
\nTerritorial awareness
\nIndependence and self-management
\nClear communication
\nAdaptability across indoor and outdoor environments
\nHeightened sensory awareness and attention to detail
\nBalance and coordination
\nCuriosity and problem-solving
\nPatience and resilience
\nNurturing and care<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-09-103816-fbf6.png\")
\n\t\tSad, given that my cat is rather photogenic (Picture: GOV.UK)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-09-104242-cedd-e1781074345626.png\")
\n\t\tSadly, Ethel can\u2019t get on Universal Credit (Picture: GOV.UK)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-09-104518-38c9-e1781074533373.png\")
\n\t\tThe bot gave detailed advice on how a cat could realistically get in contact with Citizens Advice (Picture: GOV.UK)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_9129-45c9.jpeg\")
\n\t\tEthel out on a job (Picture: Josh Milton)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-09-104128-5815.png\")
\n\t\tThe assistant declined my offer of a dead bird (Picture: GOV.UK)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-09-110456-ed3f.png\")
\n\t\t\u2018Meow!\u2019 (Picture: GOV.UK)<\/p>\n
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