At a Glance
- Tasks: Support early career programmes and mentor aspiring talent in the automotive industry.
- Company: Join the UK's leading automotive marketplace with a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, hybrid working, private medical cover, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on future talent while enjoying a flexible work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in early careers programmes and strong coaching skills.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
We’re the UK’s leading automotive marketplace, a heritage brand, and a tech darling of the stock market. Cars may be what we're best known for but we’re also the place for pretty much everything else on wheels, from e-bikes to caravans. In the automotive world, change is a constant, that’s why we take our job of untangling the complex car-buying journey very seriously.
We go our own way while embracing diversity and celebrating our differences. We’re looking for an Early Careers Advisor to join our friendly People & Culture team based in our Manchester office. You’ll work as part of a small but dedicated Early Careers team responsible for delivering and evolving our early careers programmes, which currently include apprenticeships (levels 3–6) across multiple pathways—with a focus on Software Developer and Sales Executive level 4 standards—as well as a graduate programme, internships, T-Level placements, and outreach.
From onboarding and safeguarding to performance and development, you’ll ensure they achieve milestones, complete learning objectives, and receive the right level of support to enable high performance in their roles. Externally, you will work with training providers, educational institutions, STEM and tech communities to actively raise awareness of future talent initiatives, helping to attract a wider range of candidates ensuring our programmes remain innovative and inclusive.
- An understanding of early careers programmes—including apprenticeships, internships, graduate programmes, and T Level placements.
- Confident in coaching, mentoring, and supporting both early career colleagues and managers/mentors, developing strong relationships and driving positive outcomes for both groups.
- Experience of working with training providers and education establishments, building long-term partnerships, setting clear performance expectations, and conducting regular progress reviews to ensure programme quality and learner success.
- Experience designing and delivering outreach activities, onboarding and workshops for early careers colleagues and students.
- An understanding of the legal and funding frameworks around skills levy and apprenticeships, safeguarding policies and educational pathways in England.
- You’ll be proactive, curious, and community-minded—someone who asks great coaching questions, shares ideas, and embraces feedback.
- Experience working in early careers within the Tech or Digital industry is desirable.
If you’re someone who can pivot with change, make learner-focused decisions, and contribute to a culture of inclusion and continuous improvement, we’d love to hear from you.
During our application process, you will be asked two questions to help us learn more about you and how you align with our values. You'll have 28 days holiday per year, in addition to bank holidays and half day closures on Christmas and New Year's Eve. You'll be enrolled in our pension scheme, where our standard contributions are 7% and employee contributions are 5%. We also have comprehensive private medical cover, enhanced family leave provisions, a car salary sacrifice scheme, share-save options, and much more.
We always want to give you the support you need and help prioritise your wellbeing, that’s why we provide access to 24/7 online GP and dentist, as well as specialist support for assisted fertility, gender dysphoria, menopause, period care plans and lots more.
On top of all that, our hybrid model, Connected Working, combines the best of both worlds – office and home working. You’ll have two fixed weekly office days for team collaboration and one more of your choice to suit your work-life balance. Additionally, we have our remote-first periods at set times during summer and winter. During these periods, you can work remotely anywhere in the UK and from certain locations abroad.
Early Career & Training Advisor in Manchester employer: Autotrader
Autotrader is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Manchester where innovation thrives. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide opportunities for mentorship and collaboration across teams, alongside a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package that includes share options and generous holiday allowances. Our hybrid work model ensures flexibility, allowing you to balance your professional and personal life while contributing to meaningful projects that shape the future of consumer products.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Early Career & Training Advisor in Manchester
✨Dive into the Talent Acquisition Community
Get involved with communities specifically aimed at talent acquisition and recruitment. Follow popular forums, like the HR and recruitment threads on LinkedIn Groups or join Talent Acquisition Meetups in your area. Networking with fellow recruiters and industry experts can lead to hidden job opportunities and insider tips!
✨Show Off Your Expertise at Recruitment Events
Attend recruitment fairs and industry conferences where companies, including Autotrader, often showcase their hiring needs. Not only can you meet potential employers face-to-face, but you can also demonstrate your passion and knowledge about the field. Make sure you've got some thoughtful questions ready to impress!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still connected to your university, tap into their career services. Many universities have exclusive job boards and connections with companies eager to hire fresh talent in recruitment roles. Plus, you never know who might be able to put in a good word for you at places like Autotrader!
✨Tailor Your Digital Footprint
Make sure your online presence reflects your passion for talent acquisition. Share articles, join discussions, and post about trends in recruiting to establish yourself as a knowledgeable candidate. Recruiters often check candidates out online, so use platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your insights and enthusiasm for discovering the right talent!
We think you need these skills to ace Early Career & Training Advisor in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Passion for Talent Acquisition:In your cover letter, let your passion for recruiting shine through! Talk about what drew you to talent acquisition. Share experiences where you helped others find their dream jobs or any times you've been involved in hiring processes – it’ll show us at Autotrader that you're genuinely invested in the field.
Highlight Relevant Skills and Certifications:Make sure your CV includes any relevant skills or certifications related to recruiting. Mentioning your knowledge of applicant tracking systems, personality assessments, or even any HR-related qualifications can set you apart. This way, we can see straight away that you're not just any candidate but one with the necessary tools for talent acquisition.
Tailor Your CV for the Job:When applying for Early Career & Training Advisor at Autotrader, tailor your CV to reflect the job description. Highlight previous experiences in recruitment, candidate sourcing, or employee engagement that align with what we’re after. Personalisation shows we’re not just another checkbox on your job applications!
Bring Your Unique Perspective:In your cover letter, don't hesitate to share your unique perspective on what makes a good recruiter. Whether it's building strong candidate relationships or your approach to diversity in hiring, your insights can resonate well with our team. We love a fresh take, so let it shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at Autotrader
✨Know Your Sourcing Strategies
In the talent acquisition world, it’s all about knowing the best sourcing strategies. Be prepared to discuss specific techniques you’ve used to find and attract top talent, whether that’s through social media, networking events, or innovative outreach methods. Bring examples that showcase your capability!
✨Value of Employer Branding
Employer branding is a huge part of recruitment, so be ready to chat about how you’ve contributed to building an attractive company image. Think about how you’d pitch Autotrader to potential candidates and maintain a consistent brand image across platforms.
✨Demonstrate Your Interviewing Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, hiring managers will want to see your interviewing prowess. Prepare for mock interview scenarios where you might need to assess candidates' cultural fit and skill set. Practise asking competency-based questions to demonstrate your systematic approach.
✨Engage with Data and Metrics
Being data-driven is key in talent acquisition! Expect to discuss how you’ve used recruiting metrics to refine your strategies. Familiarise yourself with common KPIs, like time-to-fill and candidate satisfaction scores, and be ready to back up your insights with data!
