At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students in their career journey with personalised coaching and guidance.
- Company: GBS, a leading higher education provider with a focus on employability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days leave, flexible benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- 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.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 42000 € 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.
Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position.
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.
- Desirable: Certification in coaching, career guidance, or employability services is advantageous.
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 supported my development by enrolling me in an external Leadership and Management course, which equipped me with the tools to drive my team towards continued growth and success. Before joining GBS, I did not envision myself as a manager, but I have now found my passion in leadership. — Ebony Bates (Professional Services Employee)
Careers Consultant (Leeds) employer: GBS UK
GBS is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth and wellbeing of its employees, offering a supportive work culture in Leeds. With a commitment to changing lives through education, GBS provides extensive benefits including generous annual leave, flexible working options, and opportunities for career development, ensuring that employees can thrive both personally and professionally. The collaborative environment fosters innovation and empowers staff to make a meaningful impact on students' career journeys.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Careers Consultant (Leeds)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in your industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to alumni or professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your interview skills! Grab a mate and do some mock interviews. Focus on common questions and how to articulate your experiences. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When you find a job that excites you, make sure to research the company and align your skills with their needs. Show them why you’re the perfect fit by highlighting relevant experiences during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources and opportunities waiting for you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Careers Consultant (Leeds)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Careers Consultant role. Highlight your relevant experience in coaching and career guidance, and show how you can help students navigate their career paths.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your strong interpersonal and communication skills. We want to see how you build rapport with students and graduates, so share examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value an empathetic and proactive approach, so don’t hesitate to share your passion for supporting students in their career journeys.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your details and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at GBS UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with GBS and its mission of changing lives through education. Research the Employability and Entrepreneurship Department, and understand how they support students in their career journeys. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect your experience to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully coached or guided individuals. Highlight your ability to build trust and rapport, as well as how you’ve helped others navigate their career paths. This is crucial for a Careers Consultant role!
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like addressing a student’s concerns about job applications. Think through potential challenges students might face and prepare tailored solutions. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and proactive approach.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the tools and resources available for career coaching, or how the team collaborates with other departments. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
