Careers Adviser

Typical Salary

£18,000 To £35,000

Typical Hours

35 to 40 a week

evenings / weekends

How To Become a Careers Adviser

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role

College / University

You can take either a postgraduate diploma or master’s degree in career guidance. These courses lead to the Qualification in Career Development.

a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to do a:

Level 4 Employability practitioner apprenticeship
Level 6 Career development professional apprenticeship

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

Routes into this Career

You could start by working as a careers support assistant or youth worker and take further training on the job.

Your employer may sponsor you to take work-based qualifications such as:

Level 4 Diploma in Advice and Guidance
Level 4 Diploma in Careers Information and Advice
Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

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
customer service 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

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties will depend on the people you work with, for example school pupils, undergraduates or unemployed adults.

You may:

work with people individually or in groups
give advice face-to-face, online through email or webchat, or on the telephone
explore clients' skills, abilities, interests and achievements and look at how they relate to potential careers
identify and discuss work experience, learning, training and work opportunities
help people make decisions, overcome barriers and to make plans of action
promote equal opportunities and challenge discrimination
develop relationships with employers, colleges, universities and training providers
research occupational and labour market information and write careers information
give talks, update records and meet targets

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 & Progression

You could specialise and work with adults, graduates or young people with special needs.

With experience, you could become a manager. You could also become self-employed and work as a consultant, researcher or writer.

Another option could be to move into industry and provide career management advice for employees of large companies.

Volunteering Opportunities

Experience of relevant paid or unpaid work, for example in support, advisory 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

Tips & 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.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults