Careers Guide

Careers Advice Guide
It’s never too early to think about your career – taking time to sit down and think about what you might be interested in doing is still a good idea.

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The 10 Minute Career Plan
The 10 Minute Career Plan

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How do I decide on a career path?

To help choose the best career for you, we recommend:

  1. Outlining your career goals
  2. Creating a five-year plan and a ten-year plan
  3. Taking a personality test
  4. Looking at your previous experience
  5. Comparing the job requirements to your education
  6. Assessing your current skill set
  7. Making a note of your interests, hobbies and/or extracurricular activities
  8. Identifying your core values.

For more help and advice, please see our Careers Guide and our Careers Plan.

Where can I get careers advice?

As well as our guides above, you can also call 0800 100 900 to speak to a careers adviser at the National Careers Service.

Lines are open from 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week. Calls are free from landlines and most mobile numbers.

How can I help my child choose a career?

  1. Let them be yourself (and not a copy of you). Remember that they have a different personality and are motivated by different things, so don't try to persuade them down a certain path.
  2. Help them think about their interests
  3. Try to find them a positive role model like a family member, relative, teacher or friend who can mentor them
  4. Get them to try different activities to see what they are most keen on
  5. Set a good example - letting them see you enjoy your own work will help them to see that they could do the same
  6. Be encouraging - remind your child that the quest to do work they loves is often a long process of self-discovery and experimenting. They may change course as they navigate their career path. Be patient with them as they make these difficult decisions.