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Careers adviser
Career consultant, career coach, career development practitioner
Careers advisers help people make decisions about their education, training and work options.
Average salary (a year)
£21000
Starter
£35000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
35.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends
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You can get into this job through:a university course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role
University
You can take either a postgraduate diploma or master's degree in career guidance.
These courses take one year full-time or 2 years part-time and lead to the Qualification in Career Development (QCD).
Many people apply to do a career guidance qualification after working in teaching, youth work or social services.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
You could do a Career Development Professional Level 6 Higher Apprenticeship.
This takes 2 years to complete.
You may be able to do an Employability Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, if you're working in careers or education, then go on to complete a career guidance qualification.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Work
You could start by working as a careers co-ordinator or youth worker and do further training on the job.
Your employer may support you to take work-based qualifications such as
Level 4 Diploma in Advice and Guidance, Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice, Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development
Level 4 Diploma in Advice and Guidance, Level 4 Diploma in Career Information and Advice, Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development
Volunteering
Volunteering in support, advice or mentoring could help you to gain work in this field.
Find out about local opportunities for voluntary work through the National Council for Voluntary Organisations or Do IT.
More Information
Professional And Industry Bodies
Once you're qualified, you can apply to join the Career Development Institute's UK register of career development professionals.
Further Information
You can find out more about becoming a careers adviser from the Career Development Institute.
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
Counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
Knowledge of psychology
Knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
Sensitivity and understanding
Active listening skills
Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
The ability to work well with others
The ability to understand people’s reactions
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Related Restrictions
pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
Day to day tasks
As a careers adviser, you could
work with people individually or in groups, offer advice and guidance face-to-face, online, or by telephone, explore how skills, abilities and interests relate to potential careers, work with employers, schools, universities and training providers, research and provide careers and labour market information, give support to make decisions, overcome barriers and plan next steps
work with people individually or in groups, offer advice and guidance face-to-face, online, or by telephone, explore how skills, abilities and interests relate to potential careers, work with employers, schools, universities and training providers, research and provide careers and labour market information, give support to make decisions, overcome barriers and plan next steps
Working environment
You could work in a contact centre, at a university, at a college, at a school, at an outreach centre or from home.
With experience, you could
work with specific groups like adults, graduates or young people with special needs, become a careers leader in school or college, co-ordinate careers services and manage a team of advisers, go into careers coaching, resettlement or work-placement services, be self-employed as a consultant or freelance adviser
work with specific groups like adults, graduates or young people with special needs, become a careers leader in school or college, co-ordinate careers services and manage a team of advisers, go into careers coaching, resettlement or work-placement services, be self-employed as a consultant or freelance adviser
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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