Industry Sectors

Role Description

1. Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements.

Previous experience in sales, marketing or customer services, or the right skills and attitude, could help you get into this type of work. 

Some new recruitment consultants are graduates. You can enter recruitment with any degree, although some employers may prefer one more closely related to the industry they find staff for, like human resources, marketing or public relations.

You could get into this role through an apprenticeship.

The Institute of Recruitment Professionals has more information about becoming a recruitment consultant.

2. Skills required

You’ll need:

• excellent communication and customer service skills 
• good sales and negotiation skills 
• the ability to work under pressure and meet targets 
• good organisational and administrative skills

3. What you'll do

Your day-to-day duties might include:

• ‘cold calling’ companies to generate new business 
• interviewing and testing job seekers, to create a pool of people ready to fill vacancies 
• matching candidates to suitable jobs 
• screening and shortlisting candidates before employers interview them 
• meeting targets for the number of vacancies taken or the number of people placed into jobs 
• keeping records of clients, employers and vacancies 
• negotiating your agency’s fees 
• ‘headhunting' – finding and approaching candidates for executive or specialist jobs

4. Salary

Starter: £16,000 to £20,000 (trainee)

Experienced: £38,000 

Highly Experienced: £60,000 (manager) 

Most recruitment consultants earn a basic salary plus commission.

These figures are a guide.

5. Working hours, patterns and environment

You’ll usually work standard office hours. In some jobs you may need to work outside office hours, contacting clients or interviewing candidates.

The work is mainly office-based, but you’ll also spend some of your time visiting your client companies.

6. Career path and progression

With experience you could move into business development or management, or set up your own agency.

Role Description

Skills required

You’ll need:

• excellent communication and listening skills 
• empathy and the ability to deal with people in distress 
• honesty and integrity 
• the ability to remain calm in stressful situations 
• problem-solving and decision-making skills

What you'll do

You’ll see people who have psychological difficulties like anxiety, depression, phobias or eating disorders.

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• assessing clients’ needs through interviews, tests and observations
• deciding on the most appropriate form of treatment, like therapy, counselling or advice
• planning treatment programmes
• working with clients in groups or individually
• writing reports and going to case conferences
• carrying out research
• You’ll work closely with other professionals, like doctors and probation officers.

Role Training

• a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited degree in psychology, or completion of an approved conversion course 
• Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS 
• a doctorate in clinical psychology 
• work experience (often a minimum of 12 months) as a psychology assistant or research assistant, or in a relevant caring role 
• registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) 
• clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Role Description

1. Entry requirements

• You may find it useful to have GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths.
• Employers also value experience, which you could get by temporary work or volunteering.
• Getting a qualification in reception skills or business and administration may also be helpful.
• You could get into this job through an apprenticeship.
• You may need a background check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

2. Skills required

You'll need:

• excellent spoken and written communication skills
• the ability to use office equipment like computers, photocopiers and fax machines
• organisational skills

3. What you'll do

You may work in the reception area of offices, hotels, sports centres, hospitals or health centres.

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• greeting visitors and directing them to the correct person or department
• managing the visitors book and giving out security passes
• answering enquiries in person, by phone and email
• managing a room booking system and keeping rooms tidy
• dealing with incoming and outgoing post and deliveries
• arranging appointments and updating records on databases
• taking payments and handling invoices

4. Salary

Starter: £12,000 to £15,000

Experienced: £16,000 to £18,000

Highly Experienced: £21,000

Salaries vary and may be higher in some city centre offices.

These figures are a guide.

5. Working hours, patterns and environment

If you're based in an office you'll usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

In hotels, restaurants and sports centres, you'll probably work a shift system that includes weekends.

In hospitals and health centres, you're also likely to work some early and late shifts.

6. Career path and progression

With training and experience, you could move into a senior receptionist or personal assistant (PA) role. 

In a GP surgery or health centre, you could train to become a medical secretary or a practice manager.

Role Description

1. Entry requirements

You'll need a level 3 electrical or electro-technical qualification. You'll need to complete this qualification while you're working in a related job. 

A common way to get into this job is through an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship will give you a level 3 qualification.

Taking a level 1 or level 2 qualification in electrical installation may help you to find an apprenticeship or get a trainee position.

Electrical Careers has more information on how to become an electrician.

2. Skills required

You'll need:

practical skills

the ability to follow technical drawings, building plans and wiring diagrams

the ability to work carefully, methodically and safely

planning and organisational skills

problem-solving skills

3. What you'll do

You'll work in range of areas, from bringing power to people's homes to big engineering projects. You may also work with renewable technology, like wind turbines, 'smart' heating systems and solar power.

Your work will depend on the type of electrician you are:

installation electrician - installing power systems, lighting, fire protection, security and data-network systems in all types of buildings

maintenance electrician - checking systems to make sure they're working efficiently and safely

electrotechnical panel builder - making and installing control panels to operate the electrical systems inside buildings

machine repair and rewind electrician - fixing and maintaining electrical motors and transformers

highway systems electrician - installing and maintaining street lighting and traffic management systems

You may also supervise other people in a team.

4. Salary

Starter: £18,000 to £23,000

Experienced: £25,000 to £35,000

Highly Experienced: Up to £42,000

You could get bonuses and overtime pay. There are national rates for travelling time, travel expenses and accommodation costs.

These figures are a guide.

5. Working hours, patterns and environment

You'll usually work 30 to 40 hours, Monday to Friday. You may work shifts or be on call.

You may have to travel between jobs and work away from home.

You may have to work around other trades. You may have to work in all weathers, in cramped spaces or at height.

6. Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into design engineering, site or project management, consultancy work or training.

You could also set up your own business.

Role Description

1.Entry Requirements

There are no set entry requirements. A good standard of general education is important but employers will also want you to have an outgoing and confident personality.

Previous experience in customer service, sales or marketing will be helpful though not essential.

You could get into this career through an apprenticeship.

The Institute of Sales Management (ISM) is the industry body offering qualifications to help you progress in your career.

2. Skills required

You’ll need:

• excellent communication skills to build trust with customers quickly 
• sales and negotiation skills 
• IT skills 
• a well organised approach 
• determination and a focus

3. What you'll do

You’ll be:  

• contacting customers and businesses 
• promoting products, services and special deals 
• following up sales leads and taking orders 
• updating customer records on computer systems 
• advising customers about delivery times 
• setting up appointments for senior sales staff 
• providing after-sales service

4. Salary

Starter: £15,000 to £18,000

Experienced: £20,000 to £25,000

Highly Experienced: £25,000 to £35,000 (managers)

Some companies offer a basic salary with extra bonuses and commission linked to sales targets.

These figures are a guide.

5. Working hours, patterns and environment

You’ll usually work up to 40 hours a week on shifts between 8am and 10pm, Monday to Saturday.

You’ll be based in an office or call centre and spend most of your time using a computer. Some companies offer homeworking.

6. Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a team leader, senior salesperson or sales manager. 

Role Description

Skills required

You'll need:

• the ability to understand the development process 
• some programming knowledge
• the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
• maths skills

What you'll do

You could work in a wide range of businesses and industries, public services, utilities, defence and research. 

You'll work closely with project managers, business analysts and graphic designers, to find out what the client wants and the best way to achieve it. 

Usually, you’ll work in a team.

You could work on a wide variety of projects, from financial databases to robotics to apps for phones and tablets. You may use a number of programming languages or project management tools.

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• talking through requirements with the client and the development team
• taking part in technical design and progress meetings
• writing or amending computer code
• testing software and fixing problems
• keeping accurate records of the development process, changes and results
• carrying out trials and quality checks before release
• maintaining and supporting systems once they're up and running
• As an experienced developer, you may supervise a programming team and provide feedback on coding work.

Role Training

You may be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship if you've developed some programming skills and can show a strong interest in the subject.

The TECH Partnership has details of digital apprenticeships at all levels.

It also has details of the Software Development for Business degree available at some universities.

Other suitable qualifications are a foundation degree, HND or degree in computing or a related subject, like:

• computer science
• information technology
• software development
• software engineering
• mathematics
• business information systems

Some companies will accept you onto their graduate training scheme without an IT-related degree if you understand programming languages and frameworks, project management and development methods.

You could also study for a postgraduate IT conversion qualification.

The Chartered Institute for IT (BCS) has information about training and qualifications.

Role Description

You may work for a local education authority, social services, or a voluntary organisation. You'll accompany passengers on journeys, usually in a mini-bus.

• Your day-to-day tasks may include:
• checking timetables for pick-ups
• talking to carers and families
• helping people to and from the vehicle
• securing passengers, wheelchairs and baggage
• dealing with emergencies
• supervising passengers at all times
• keeping the mini-bus tidy
• filling in paperwork
• You'll need patience and an understanding of disability needs.

Role Training

There are no set entry requirements. Experience in social care or customer service may help you get a job. You could start by volunteering for a charity like a hospice.

With experience, you could move into administration or management.

You could also become a driver, which would open up more full-time opportunities.

Role Description

Skills required

You’ll need:

• the ability to concentrate for long periods
• a good level of accuracy and attention to detail 
• an enquiring mind and good problem-solving skills 
• the ability to lead a research and development team 
• strong spoken and written communication skills 
• empathy and understanding when working directly with patients

What you'll do

You’ll usually work in a laboratory, testing and analysing biological samples. 

You’ll specialise in one of these areas:

• infection sciences 
• blood sciences 
• cellular sciences
• Depending on your chosen area, your duties could include:
• testing for diseases like Legionnaires’ disease and food poisoning 
• screening and testing for infectious diseases like rubella or hepatitis 
• analysing blood for disease and monitoring organ function 
• supporting the blood transfusion and transplant service through blood grouping and matching 
• screening for blood abnormalities and diseases, like anaemia and leukaemia 
• processing and analysing tissue samples from operations and autopsies 
• using specialist procedures like cell culture to detect cancer 
• routine testing of fluid and tissue samples like cervical smear tests 
• updating paperwork or computerised systems with data and test results
• You’ll also be involved in carrying out new research, and will support junior staff and technicians.

Role Training

You’ll need:

1. an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited BSc (Hons) degree 
2. at least one year’s experience at an approved laboratory - during this time you’ll work towards completion of the Registration Training Portfolio for the Certificate of Competence awarded by IBMS 
3. registration as a biomedical scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
4. You may be able to get into biomedical science as a trainee. You'll usually need at least 2 A levels in science or a related subject. Places are sponsored by employers like the NHS and are advertised as trainee biomedical scientist positions. You'd work and study towards an accredited degree.