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Careers adviser

Alternative titles for this job include Career consultant, career coach, career development practitioner

Careers advisers help people make decisions about their education, training and work options.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

35 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends

Meet James

As a careers adviser, James listens to customers to understand what barriers they face in their career.

1 minute 35 second watch

View transcript

My name is James Platford. I'm a careers adviser and I work for the National Careers Service.

If I'm doing 1 to 1 meetings on the day, that's generally, 5 or 6 appointments in a day. Hours, an hour with each customer. Going through information, advice and guidance, coaching, mentoring and all that kind of stuff regarding careers.

Making sure you get really good action plans written up that can inspire and motivate the customer that you're dealing with. Because they read through them and it's making sure that you have everything very clear and so they understand what their next steps are, what they have set themselves.

Workshops, I love. It’s one of those ones where people are very nervous when they start. It’s sort of really, "why am I here?" And by the end of it, you've just really inspired them and you can see the group coming together.

I did a level 1 coaching course and a level 2 information, advice and guidance.

To be a National Careers Service careers adviser, I had to do a level 4 careers information, advice and guidance qualification. Learning about the various different careers theories was fascinating, and it really opens your eyes to the different ways you can support people and allow them to support themselves as well.

I would say the most important skill is listening. Every customer is different and they're often not knowing where their barriers are.

And I think the real trick is in understanding, listening for what they're not saying, and then asking that follow-up question to find out if that's what the barrier is. Because that's when you give your best, that's when you do your best work. That's when you know at the end of your appointment, you've really made a difference for the customer because you've listened properly.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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

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

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 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.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

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
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

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

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Careers Advisor

  • Wage: £14,526.20 a year Annually
  • Location: Kettering
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Aim L3 Award in Domestic Retrofit Advice

  • Provider: CITY OF SUNDERLAND COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Sunderland
Find courses near you

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Skills assessment

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Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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