At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students in their career journey with personalised coaching and guidance.
- Company: GBS, a leading higher education provider focused on employability.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, flexible benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives by guiding them to successful careers.
- Qualifications: Degree in Careers Guidance or related field, plus coaching experience.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a commitment to equality and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 36000 £ per year.
Department: Graduate Employment and Entrepreneurship
Location: Leeds (On-site)
Type of Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time - 40hrs Per Week
Salary Range: £38,000-£42,000pa
GBS is a higher education provider offering a range of sector-relevant courses across ten campuses in London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester. Working in partnership with several of the UK’s leading higher education providers, we deliver vocational, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in finance, accounting, business, construction, tourism, healthcare, and more.
Our Vision: Changing lives through education.
What We Do: The Employability and Entrepreneurship Department at GBS is dedicated to preparing students for successful careers and business ventures. It offers tailored one-to-one guidance, a dynamic online Careers Hub via Handshake, and a structured Employability Award that builds critical job-seeking skills through Bronze to Platinum levels. Students gain practical experience in CV building, networking, and real job applications, including tools like ChatGPT.
The role: The Careers Consultant supports students and graduates in their career journey, providing personalised coaching, guidance, and ongoing support to help them transition into professional-level roles. By offering tailored advice and connecting individuals with relevant resources, they ensure that students and alumni make informed decisions and overcome barriers to employment success.
What the role involves:
- Personalised Coaching: Provide proactive, one-on-one coaching to students and graduates (up to 16 months post-graduation) to support their career and professional development. Complete regular progress reviews to ensure students and alumni remain on track towards achieving professional-level roles. Offer expert advice on career exploration, industry trends, job market insights, and educational pathways.
- Career Planning and Pathways: Help students and graduates develop clear and actionable career plans, regularly reviewing and referencing these throughout their learning journey. Ensure career aspirations and progression pathways are continually discussed and updated to align with individual goals and market opportunities.
- Support and Problem-Solving: Address students' and graduates’ concerns, challenges, and barriers to employment success with tailored solutions and actionable advice. Connect students and graduates with relevant, location-specific resources and support services to address individual needs.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Work in collaboration with Employer Engagement Team to promote and prepare participants for suitable roles. Work closely with academic departments, career services, and external organizations to provide comprehensive and cohesive support.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Maintain accurate and timely records of coaching sessions, progress reviews, and outcomes. Track and report on key metrics, including progression rates, career aspirations, and challenges faced by students and alumni.
What Experience/Skills are required:
- Essential:
- Flexibility: High degree of working flexibility is required for some evening and weekend working.
- Qualifications: A degree in Careers Guidance, Education, Human Resources, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Experience: Proven experience in coaching, career guidance, or a related role. Demonstrated success in supporting diverse groups, including mature students and individuals from widening participation backgrounds. Experience in career planning, goal-setting, and job market navigation.
- Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with students and graduates. Excellent organizational skills, capable of managing multiple caseloads and meeting deadlines. Knowledge of industry trends, labour market insights, and educational pathways.
- Personal Attributes: Empathetic and proactive approach to student support and career coaching. Resilient and adaptable, capable of handling complex challenges in a dynamic environment.
What We Offer:
- 25 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays
- 1-day extra leave per year of service, up to a maximum of 5 days
- Workplace pension scheme
- Tuition reimbursement for career development courses
- Flexible Benefits: Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Techscheme and much more
- Perks@Work discounts platform, wellbeing centre and much more
- Reward and recognition programme
- £500 award employee referral scheme
- Discretionary annual performance bonus
GBS is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. We take our core values seriously and work hard to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed.
Careers Consultant employer: GBS UK
Contact Detail:
GBS UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Careers Consultant
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Get out there and connect with people in your industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We can help you polish your networking skills!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for interviews by doing mock sessions with friends or mentors. We can provide you with common interview questions and tips to help you shine when it counts.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! Research the companies you're interested in and customise your pitch to align with their values and goals. We can guide you on how to effectively showcase your fit for each role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After interviews, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference. We can help you craft the perfect follow-up message!
We think you need these skills to ace Careers Consultant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Careers Consultant role. Highlight relevant experience in coaching and career guidance, and don’t forget to showcase your interpersonal skills. We want to see how you can connect with students and help them succeed!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about supporting students in their career journeys. Share specific examples of how you've helped others navigate their career paths, and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Flexibility: Since the role requires flexibility, make sure to mention any experience you have working evenings or weekends. We appreciate candidates who can adapt to the needs of our students, so share any relevant stories that demonstrate your ability to be flexible.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at GBS UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the role of a Careers Consultant. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in career guidance and employability. Understand the specific needs of students and graduates, especially those from diverse backgrounds, so you can speak confidently about how you can support them.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare to discuss your coaching experience in detail. Think of specific examples where you've successfully guided someone through their career journey. Highlight your ability to build rapport and trust, as this is crucial for a role that involves personal coaching.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations. For instance, how would you handle a student struggling with job applications? Prepare structured responses that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your empathetic approach to student support.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the department's goals and how they measure success. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.