National Careers Service

The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. The service offers confidential and impartial advice. This is supported by qualified careers advisers.

How we can help you

We know that everyone has the ability and potential to develop and grow.  We also understand that sometimes things get in the way and can hold you back.

The National Careers Service website aims to:

• help you with careers decisions and planning
• support you in reviewing your skills and abilities and develop new goals
• motivate you to implement your plan of action
• enable you to make the best use of high quality career related tools

Whatever your situation, whatever your barriers, we’re here to help you overcome them and reach your potential.

We also realise that jobs these days need more skills and qualifications. This means making the right decisions about your learning and development is more important than ever. We’re here to help you build on your strengths, improve your weaker areas, and help you find a job or career that suits your skills and personality.

Job profiles

We’ve got almost 800 job profiles. Each of these describes the essential information about each job, including:

• what the work is like
• what the typical hours are
• how much you usually get paid
• which qualifications you need to get in and to get on
• who the main types of employers are
• links for further information.

Job market information

Our job market information section includes details about skills shortages, important industries in each region and what you can expect to earn in different job sectors.

Job hunting advice

Are you on the lookout for a new job? In our get a job section you can find in-depth advice on:

• where to find vacancies
• filling in application forms
• writing a professional CV
• performing well in interviews
• getting work experience.

Advice on choosing a career

There’s lots to take into account when choosing your first job or changing career. After all, it’s a big step, and everyone has their own individual circumstances, skills and ambitions. In this section you’ll find guides on how to:

Advice for your situation

We also have specific advice for people in certain situations or groups, including:

• Dealing with redundancy
• Aged 13-18
• Returning to work after having children
• Being an older worker
• Looking for work with a criminal record
• Returning to work after long-term sickness or injury
• Working overseas
• Advice for students with disabilities
• Working in the UK
• Working from home

Real Stories

Read about how we were able to help people just like you to take the next step in their career. You could be the next success story.

Latest news

Our Spotlight section has news about the job market, new qualifications and new careers resources. There are also job hunting tips and events where you can meet an adviser. You can find careers advice for different situations, and updates on the National Careers Service website.

Our advisers

Our expert advisers are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and provide independent help. They aim to empower you to make your own career and learning choices. Our advisers are trained to inspire and motivate you. They provide you with the information, advice and guidance you need to help you take control of your learning and work.

Our advisers put you and your needs at the centre of the process. They help you make the best possible decisions.

We offer advice on learning and work issues, help you explore which careers would suit you best, provide tips on searching for a job and help you to improve your interview skills.

Your National Careers Service adviser can help you:

• develop your CV
• search and apply for jobs
• understand the job market
• search for courses and training schemes
• find funding to support any learning
• identify your key strengths and skills
• explore your career options
• choose training routes that fit your lifestyle
• develop an action plan - this can help you achieve your goals
• refer you to other useful organisations.

How to contact our advisers

The National Careers Service aims to give you the advice you need in the method you prefer. Whichever method you choose, you’ll get the same quality advice that puts your needs first.

Phone

National Careers Service advisers are at the end of a telephone line to help you. Whether you want some quick course information or an in-depth careers interview, we can help. The number to call is 0800 100 900. Mobile users don’t need to worry about charges for 0800 numbers. We will call you back for free (see below). Lines are open 8am – 10pm seven days a week.

Request a call back

If you’d like to chat to an adviser but it’s not convenient right now, you can request a call back at a time that suits you.

Email

Post any careers question you like using our web form. It’s designed to make sure you include all the information our advisers need to answer your question over email. It’s not just a one-stop question and answer service – you’ll be invited to come back to ask more questions if you want to.

Webchat

If you’d like to chat right now in confidence via instant messaging, why not use our webchat? Advisers will try to answer your query as quickly as possible. This may take longer during busy times and if they need to do some research.

Face-to-face advice

You can book an appointment to speak to a National Careers Service adviser in your local area. You'll need to be living in England and aged 19 or over (18 or over if you're a Jobcentre Plus customer). You’ll get advice on deciding which careers might be right for you, writing a CV, job hunting and choosing courses. You can also find out about your local jobs market. You book an appointment by calling 0800 100 900.

Typetalk and minicom are available if you have a hearing impairment and wish to contact an adviser.