Contact us
Face-to-face advice
If you would rather talk through your career options in person, we can help you. At your local National Careers Service office we can advise you on learning and work, deciding which career would suit you best, searching the local job market and brushing up on your interview skills.
You'll need to be 19 or over. If you would like to book an appointment at your local office just call 0800 100 900.
How can the National Careers Service help me?
Your personal National Careers Service adviser can help you to plan your future. They can offer you a variety of services – which ones you choose will depend on what you want to do.
Your National Careers Service adviser can help you:
- develop your CV
- search and apply for jobs
- understand the job market
- search for courses and training schemes
- find funding to support any learning
- think of ways to get ahead in your current job
- identify your key strengths and skills
- explore your career options
- develop an action plan to help you achieve your goals.
Who can use the face-to-face service?
You can book an appointment to speak to a National Careers Service adviser in your local area if you're living in England and aged 19 or over (18 or over if you're a Jobcentre Plus customer).
How do I book an appointment?
Simply go to the Contact us page to get in touch with a National Careers Service adviser. You can call, email or even ask an adviser to ring you back. Just choose the best option for you.
Before your face-to-face session
A face-to-face session can take up to an hour, depending on what you want to talk about. To make the most of your time, here are some useful things you can do to prepare beforehand:
- think about what you want to get out of the session - for example, have you a specific question in mind or are you looking for more general advice?
- think about your previous working or learning experience as this will help your adviser find out what your likes and dislikes are
- think about your circumstances, as this will affect which jobs and courses are best for you - whether you've got kids, work irregular hours or want to work full-time or part-time
- if you have a CV and covering letter, bring these with you
- find out where the National Careers Service office is and plan your route
- allow an hour for your session.
Don't worry if you don't have answers to any of these questions. Your National Careers Service adviser can provide all the help and advice you need.
Helping you work out your next steps (action planning)
At the end of a careers advice interview, you will agree an action plan with your adviser. This is a step-by-step approach to reaching your goal. It gives you something to stick to and keeps you motivated and on track!
Contact an adviser
Call us to book an appointment at your local National Careers Service office. Or if you prefer you can also get careers advice over the phone from a National Careers Service adviser. All calls are confidential and impartial, and you'll get the best possible advice on your options. Call 0800 100 900 from 8am to 10pm seven days a week.
