Explore the Best Career Advice Services in 2024: A Guide for UK Jobseekers

Finding a new job can be a challenge. Knowing which employers to apply to, where to find vacancies, or how to craft your CV can often turn the job hunt process into a mystifying conundrum. You might be looking for your first job, trying to move into a new industry, or returning to work after a break. Or it could simply be that your job search is taking much longer than you expected. Whatever the reason for your job hunt discomfort, one way to get back on track is to seek careers advice.

Let’s look at the different kinds of career advice services that are available to today’s job seekers.

What Do Career Advice Services Include?

Career advice services come in a range of formats to suit the varied needs of job seekers. Some are paid for, while others are completely free to access. From career planning to preparing you for job interviews, there’s sure to be a service that suits your needs.

One On One Career Coaching

One on one career coaching gives you the space to concentrate on you. This is personalised guidance from a career professional on topics like deciding which job is perfect for your skills and preferences, how to improve your job application, or the best way to express your expertise in a job interview.

This tailored service is ideal if you:

• want to explore your value as a candidate and improve your personal brand
• want career change advice so you can break into a new industry
• are returning to work after a career gap
• are looking for your first job and have no idea where to start
• want to move into a senior position

One on one career coaching can help you build a personal career plan, set realistic goals, gain clarity on who you are as both a person and a job candidate, and improve your confidence to land that job. You’ll generally attend a number of sessions, either face to face or by video call.

Online Courses And Workshops

If you don’t need personalised career coaching but you’re still interested in professional advice, an online course or workshop may be the answer. Many of these courses and workshops are on demand, so you can follow them at your own pace and at a time to suit your needs.

While these courses and workshops aren’t tailored to your individual situation, they can still provide valuable knowledge and insights into topics like how to polish your CV and effectively answer interview questions.

Career Books And Resources

Everyone responds differently when it comes to gathering knowledge and learning new skills. If you’d rather read a book on the subject, there are plenty of careers advice books on the market.

Many careers advice websites offer free resources in the form of blog posts, videos, and downloadables.

CV/Resume Writing Services

Your CV or resume is often your first chance to make a good impression on an employer. If you’re unsure how to write your own CV or you just feel that a professional eye could improve your chances of standing out from the crowd, a CV writing service can prove invaluable.

Here’s what you can expect from a CV/resume writing service:

• your CV/resume will be written by a professional who knows what employers are looking for and how your CV will be handled by applicant tracking systems and recruiters
• you’ll receive a CV/resume that gives the best first impression of your value as a candidate
• you’ll receive a CV/resume that gives the best first impression of your value as a candidate

Many writing services will review your existing CV/resume for free, with tips on how to improve it yourself.

Interview Preparation Services

If you’re happy with your career plan, CV/resume, and cover letter, it may be that you simply need help with your job interview skills. That might be how to:

• research the employer and job before the interview
• create examples of how you’ve used your skills in the past
• answer questions using the STAR method

Interview preparation resources come in a wide range of formats, including one to one coaching, books, courses, apps, and blog posts.

5 Best Career Advice Services

Once you know what type of career advice service suits your needs, you can begin looking for the right coach, book, or course for you. Here’s our top five to get you started.

National Careers Service

The National Careers Service offers a wide range of advice, including skills assessment, exploring what different jobs entail, finding courses and training in your local area, and blog posts.

Run by the UK government, this is a free service for jobseekers in England at all stages of life and career. For the rest of the UK, visit:

• Skills Development Scotland
• Careers Wales
• Careers Service Northern Ireland

JobLeads

JobLeads offers a well-rounded career resource. Whether you need help with polishing your resume, would benefit from their masterclass, or simply need some free career advice, they’ve got you covered.

JobLeads is a job board with that little bit extra, offering access to unadvertised vacancies through their network of head hunters.

Target Jobs

Target Jobs provides career advice for young people, from school leavers to university graduates. Beyond graduate jobs and internships, Target Jobs also offers information on writing your CV, deciding which job is right for you, interview skills, and many other aspects of the job hunt process.

Career Addict

Career Addict offers an extensive range of career advice services, including a career planner, masterclass, resume writing service, career test to match you to your ideal role, newsletter, and plenty of careers advice videos and blog posts.

Career Smart

Career Smart is provided by the UK union, Prospect. Career Smart aims to not only provide you with plenty of free careers advice, but also keep you informed on employment and industry trends. Career Smart free tools include a skills audit career test and a salary calculator.

Conclusion

Being on the hunt for a new job can often feel like a lonely process but there’s plenty of valuable careers advice out there. Whether you need help to make your CV stand out to employers, want to polish your interview skills, or dream of changing careers, there’s sure to be a service that suits your needs.