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Careers adviser:Job descriptionMore in this section

1. Job description

2. Salary and conditions

3. Entry requirements

4. Training

5. Career development

6. Employers and vacancy

7. Related jobs

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Case studies

Connexions personal adviser: Kelly

Connexions personal adviser: Clare

A careers adviser provides information, advice and guidance to help people make realistic choices about their education, training

and work. They may deal with a range of people fro, school children aged 13+ years up to adults who perhaps want a career

change or need help with further training.

Careers advisers can help to identify options for suitable careers, help to build CVs, identify skills gaps, advise on where to search

for jobs and help with the application, and locate relevant training courses.

They can work in a range of locations in the public, private and voluntary sectors. The work will usually be carried out under

theNational Careers Service but it may be sub-contracted out to various organisations to maximise the accessibility of the service to

as many people as possible. Premises where careers advisers can be based include: schools, further education colleges, Job

Centre Plus offices, community centres, training providers, libraries, Connexions offices, Sure Start Centres, charities, health care

settings and local authorities.

The National Careers Service also runs an online and telephone careers advice service which also employs careers advisers.

It is also possible to specialise in higher education careers advice and to work in a careers service based within a university. For

more information on this role seehigher education careers adviser.

Typical work activitiesThe work of a careers adviser varies depending on the type of organisation they work in. Those contracted to work in a school with

13 year olds and up will deal with different issues to those who work in colleges or job or community centres. The variety of work

that can be carried out includes:

interviewing people one to one or in small groups to discuss career or education options;

identifying skills gaps and how to deal with them;

helping young people to draw up action plans for employment, education and training and supporting them to achieve these

goals;

researching careers, options and support organisations to meet people's needs;

advising people on how to source relevant training courses or qualifications and what funding might be available;

providing advice on CV, applications, job hunting and interview techniques;

running small group sessions or larger presentations on all aspects of careers work and topics related to personal

development;

helping people to understand the current job market;

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_salary.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_salary.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_entry_requirements.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_entry_requirements.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_training.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_training.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_career_development.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_career_development.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_vacancy_sources.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_vacancy_sources.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_related_jobs.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_related_jobs.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_print_version.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_print_version.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_careers_adviser_case_study_1.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_careers_adviser_case_study_1.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_careers_adviser_case_study_2.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_careers_adviser_case_study_2.htmhttps://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspxhttps://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspxhttps://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspxhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_job_description.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_job_description.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_job_description.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_job_description.htmhttps://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspxhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_careers_adviser_case_study_2.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_careers_adviser_case_study_1.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_print_version.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_related_jobs.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_vacancy_sources.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_career_development.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_training.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_entry_requirements.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers_adviser_salary.htm

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liaising and negotiating with other organisations on behalf of people;

using IT for administrative tasks, such as recording interactions with and tracking clients;

using computer-aided guidance packages, skills assessment tools, career planners, psychometric tests and personal

inventories;

writing careers literature or sourcing information products from elsewhere for use within the service;

planning and organising careers fairs and conventions;

keeping up to date with labour market information, legislation, and professional and academic developments by visiting

employers, training providers and training events run by educational and professional bodies;

managing a caseload of clients.

AGCAS

Written by AGCAS editors

Date:

June 2012

Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd|Disclaimer

If you like meeting different people and want to help them reach their full potential, this could be anideal job for you. People who do this job help others make decisions about their education. They also

help with training and work options.

You can qualify by completing a careers adviser qualification at university or through work.

You will be suited to this job if you have good listening and questioning skills. Youll also need the

ability to develop good working relationships with a wide range of people.

The workAs a careers adviser you could help people:

assess their abilities, interests and achievements

find learning and work opportunities

use careers information and resources

make decisions that suit their life and their circumstances

look at available training and work options

make a plan of action for achieving their aims, and give them support as they carry it out.

Your work would also include:

developing working relationships with employers, colleges, universities and training providers

keeping up to date with occupational and labour market informationgiving talks and leading discussions

Job descriptionMore in this section

1. Job description

2. Salary and conditions

3. Entry requirements

4. Training

5. Career development

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/graduate_prospects_and_agcas_copyright_statement.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/graduate_prospects_and_agcas_copyright_statement.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/disclaimer.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/disclaimer.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/disclaimer.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_salary.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_salary.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_entry_requirements.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_entry_requirements.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_training.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_training.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_career_development.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_career_development.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_career_development.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_training.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_entry_requirements.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_salary.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/disclaimer.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/graduate_prospects_and_agcas_copyright_statement.htm

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6. Employers and vacancy

7. Related jobs

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Case studies

Careers and employability adviser: Robin Woollam

Higher education careers adviser: James Goodwin

Careers consultant: Amanda

A careers adviser in higher education (HE) provides information, advice and guidance to undergraduates, graduates and

postgraduates through individual interviews and group work.

They help clients assess their values, interests, abilities and skills and relate these to opportunities for employment, further study

and training. They also help clients make informed decisions, develop strategies and carry out career plans as well as advising on

how to present themselves effectively at interviews and cope with the transition from HE to employment.

Increasingly, careers advisers work with academic colleagues to promote the employability of students, including careers education

within the curriculum, and liaise with employers to help them recruit students and graduates.

Jobs may also be advertised under a range of other job titles such as career coach, career counseller or careers and employability

adviser.

Typical work activitiesMost higher education (HE) careers advisers are predominantly involved in providing careers advice and guidance, which are an

important means of helping students and graduates explore their options and make plans. The method of delivery of this guidance,

however, will vary depending on the institution and the type of students and graduates. For example, an institution with a large

number of distance learning students may provide guidance largely through email.

Typical guidance activities include:

providing in-depth individual, face-to-face interviews to students and graduates;

providing a drop-in service, where students and graduates can have a shorter interview about their career needs;

providing email or telephone advice and guidance interviews;

using a range of technology and social media, e.g. Skype or webinars, to contact students and graduates who may be part

time or distance learning;

working with groups of students and/or graduates on specific topics such as preparing for interviews or choosing a career

path. Sessions may be offered to particular course groups or be open to any student;

advising students on the mechanics of job seeking, such as CV and cover letter feedback, interview advice and mock

interviews and application form reviews. This can be done on a one-to-one basis or in groups;

delivering careers-related presentations;

organising programmes of workshops featuring external speakers, such as employers or representatives from professional

bodies;

contributing to the curriculum, either through individual group sessions or accredited programmes. Responsibilities can include

designing career modules (or elements within them), delivering lectures and seminars, assessing accredited assignments, or

acting as consultants to academics completing these tasks.

The role of careers adviser is increasingly diverse and other duties can include:

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_vacancy_sources.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_vacancy_sources.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_related_jobs.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_related_jobs.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_print_version.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_print_version.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_higher_education_careers_adviser_case_study_1.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_higher_education_careers_adviser_case_study_1.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_higher_education_careers_adviser_case_study_2.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_higher_education_careers_adviser_case_study_2.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_higher_education_careers_adviser_case_study_3.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_higher_education_careers_adviser_case_study_3.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_higher_education_careers_adviser_case_study_3.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_higher_education_careers_adviser_case_study_2.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/case_studies_higher_education_careers_adviser_case_study_1.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_print_version.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_related_jobs.htmhttp://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_careers_adviser_vacancy_sources.htm

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researching and writing information on local and national career opportunities and producing publicity material, newsletters

and vacancy bulletins;

using computer-aided guidance packages;

developing web-based materials for use by students, graduates, employers and academics;

supporting the promotion of employability and work experience, e.g volunteering opportunities, internships and job

opportunities;

administering and interpreting psychometric tests and personality inventories;

visiting employers and professional bodies to obtain information about opportunities, recruitment procedures and policies, and

labour market trends;

organising programmes of employer recruitment visits, careers fairs and other events;

liaising with academic staff to promote the use of the service by students;

providing information on graduate employment and training;

advising on careers education programmes and the development of the skills required by employers;

coding, analysing and interpreting data for Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) surveys;

developing students' awareness of entrepreneurship and the possibilities of setting up a business; acting as consultants to academic and other departments in relation to careers, employability and the current labour market;

liaising with schools and colleges;

carrying out research related to the careers and employment of graduates.Many careers advisers are actively involved in the work of theAssociation of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), the

professional body for HE careers staff. As members of AGCAS, they work alongside staff of other careers services researching and

writing information, carrying out surveys, running and participating in training courses and other activities, and developing relevant

knowledge and skills.

Careers adviser: job description

Careers advisers provide guidance about career choice, employment,

training and further education opportunities to clients who include

young people and the unemployed.

Clients of careers advisers include adults, young

people, the unemployed, job-changers and

students in colleges and further education.What does a careers adviser do?Typical employers|Qualifications and training|Key skills

Careers advisers are employed by private and public careers offices contracted by the Department for

Employment and Learning to provide advice and guidance services. Their clients include adults, young people,

the unemployed, job-changers and students in colleges and further education. Typical responsibilities include:

assessing personal characteristics, skills and interests via individual interviews and/or group work;

providing appropriate help and advice;

http://www.agcas.org.uk/http://www.agcas.org.uk/http://www.agcas.org.uk/http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#employershttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#employershttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#employershttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#traininghttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#traininghttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#traininghttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#skillshttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#skillshttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#skillshttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#skillshttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#traininghttp://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278301-careers-adviser-job-description#employershttp://www.agcas.org.uk/

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liaison with schools, employers and professional organisations;

promoting and marketing services;

writing careers literature, action plans and reports;

using specialist computer applications.

Job vacancies are advertised in the Times Educational Supplement, local, regional and national newspapers

andPortico(the Institute of Careers Guidance fortnightly recruitment magazine).Qualifications and training requiredAny degree discipline is acceptable for entry into the profession; maturity in attitude, relevant experience andpersonality are usually more important than subject studied. There are two higher education routes to

becoming a careers adviser. Candidates can study for the Qualification in Careers Guidance (QCG), which is auniversity course completed in conjunction with work experience. Alternatively it is possible to take the

vocational Advice and Guidance NVQ level 4 route.

Key skills for careers advisersPotential careers advisers should have plenty of confidence and excellent listening, verbal and written

communication skills. Confidentiality, a non-prejudicial manner, and good team-working and interpersonal

skills are also important. Work experience gained in any relevant setting is helpful, although placements within

careers offices are difficult to obtain.