Career Advice 　>　 Career Development

Career Development

Looking to develop your career? We’ve got you covered. In addition to a whole host of information on the best courses & qualifications in a number of fields, we’ve got advice on how everything from internships & apprenticeships, to work experience & volunteering could be great ways to further your career.

Apprenticeships: How to get started

Everything you need to know about apprenticeships. From pay rates and levels to how to apply and changing careers, get the full guide here.

CIPD Levels: Explained

Interested in a career in HR or L&D? To help you choose the right course, here’s everything you need to know about CIPD levels.

Not going to uni? 11 alternatives to consider

Thinking about not going to uni? From degree apprenticeships to entry-level jobs, here are 11 great alternatives to university.

ESOL: What you need to know

Looking to improve your English? From funding eligibility to course levels, here is your essential guide to ESOL qualifications in the UK.

How to get a new job

Looking for a new position? From refreshing your CV to acing the interview, read our expert guide on how to get a new job.

What job can I get with a CIMA qualification?

What job can you get with a CIMA qualification? Here are just a few of the careers you could consider once qualified.

Courses & qualifications

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships: How to get started

Everything you need to know about apprenticeships. From pay rates and levels to how to apply and changing careers, get the full guide here.

CIPD levels

CIPD Levels: Explained

Interested in a career in HR or L&D? To help you choose the right course, here’s everything you need to know about CIPD levels.

not going to uni

Not going to uni? 11 alternatives to consider

Thinking about not going to uni? From degree apprenticeships to entry-level jobs, here are 11 great alternatives to university.

esol

ESOL: What you need to know

Looking to improve your English? From funding eligibility to course levels, here is your essential guide to ESOL qualifications in the UK.

How to get a new job

How to get a new job

Looking for a new position? From refreshing your CV to acing the interview, read our expert guide on how to get a new job.

cima qualification

What job can I get with a CIMA qualification?

What job can you get with a CIMA qualification? Here are just a few of the careers you could consider once qualified.

CIPD earning potential

CIPD earning potential: How getting qualified could boost your salary

Thinking about a CIPD qualification? Learn how it impacts your salary, what you could earn at each level, and how to negotiate a pay rise.

How to set SMART goals and objectives

How to set SMART goals and objectives

Want to achieve more? Learn how to set SMART goals and objectives with our comprehensive guide – including examples and actionable tips.

changing careers

Changing careers: What you need to know

Thinking about changing careers? From signs it’s time to leave, to how to make the leap and retraining options, here’s everything you need to know.

work experience placements

Work experience placements: What you need to know

To make sure you’re not missing out, here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know about work experience placements.

How to resign

How to resign from a job

Found a new role? Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to resign from a job professionally, including tips on notice periods and resignation letters.

helpful courses

Five helpful courses for each stage of your career

From starting out to stepping up, here are five essential courses to help you excel at every stage of your career. Start learning today.

More articles

Internships & apprenticeships

aat levels

AAT Levels: What you need to know

Learn about the different AAT levels, entry requirements, and career prospects to find the right accounting qualification for you.

sabbatical

What is a sabbatical?

Thinking of taking a break from work? We explain what a sabbatical is, how to ask your employer for one, and how to plan your time off.

best skills to learn

10 of the best skills to learn in 2026

Want to get ahead in your career? Here are the top 10 most in-demand skills for 2026, from AI and cyber security to project management.

retract resignation

How to retract a resignation (with example letter)

Changed your mind about leaving your job? Here’s how to withdraw your resignation professionally, along with a sample retraction letter.

How to show initiative at work

How to show initiative at work (and why you should)

Learn what taking the initiative means and how you can demonstrate it at work. Find practical examples and tips to help you stand out in your career.

reasons to take a masters

Five reasons why you should study a master’s degree

Here are five great reasons to get a master’s degree, including career growth, skill mastery, networking opportunities, and enhanced earning potential.

How to choose the right course

How to choose the right course for you

Struggling to decide whether you’d suit a classroom course, or you’re more of a distance learner? Find out which type of course is right for you.

what are soft skills

What are soft skills?

Not sure what your skills are? To find out how to make the most of them, here’s our guide on soft skills – and how they could help land your next job.

new years resolution ideas

20 of the best New Year’s resolution ideas for 2026

New Year, new career? Here are 20 resolutions for your career, personal growth, and mental health that you can actually stick to in 2026.

cyber security skills

Four essential skills that’ll help you land your dream cyber security job

To point you in the right direction, here are four essential skills that’ll help you land your dream cyber security job.

nhs apprenticeships

NHS Apprenticeships: What you need to know

Always wanted to work for the NHS? Here’s everything you need to know about NHS apprenticeships – and how you can get into them.

ways to resign

Eight of the greatest ways to resign

Although we don’t condone (nor recommend) trying these at home, here are eight of the greatest ways people have actually resigned.

More articles

Temporary jobs

adult learning grants

Adult Learning Grants: What you need to know

Not sure you have enough money to start studying? To help you get started, here’s everything you need to know about Adult Learning Grants.

how to write a resignation letter

How to write a resignation letter

Ready to hand in your notice? Here’s everything you should include – and our top tips on how to write a resignation letter.

icdl

ICDL: What you need to know

Find out what ICDL (previously ECDL) is, how it can boost your CV, and whether it’s the right choice for your career.

day in the life of a data scientist

A day in the life of a Data Scientist

Discover what Data Scientists do, from analysing datasets to building machine learning models. Figure out if it’s the right career for you, and how to get started.

tips for finding a job you love

Three tips for finding a job you’ll love

Here are just three tips to help you find a job you’ll love (and Love Mondays) – courtesy of our free course, Life’s Work.

personal development

Five benefits of personal development

Need to work on your development? It’s time to get personal. Here’s everything you need to know about personal development (and five reasons to get started).

Personal Development Plan template

Personal Development Plan template

No idea where you’re going to be in five years’ time? Plan for your future with our free Personal Development Plan template.

Personal development planning

Personal development planning (PDP): What you need to know

Learn what a personal development plan (PDP) is, why you need one, and how to create your own plan to achieve your career goals.

what are transferable skills

What are transferable skills?

Not sure you have the right skills for a role? You just might not be making the most of your transferable skills…

How to choose the right computing degree

How to choose the right computing degree for you

Discover which computing degree suits you best. Compare computer science, cyber security, data science and business computing options.

degree levels

Degree levels explained

Considering going to uni? There’s more than one way to get a degree. Here’s everything you need to know about university degree levels.

job skills october

Job skills: Five courses to help get you hired November 2025

Here are five top courses to help you build skills for work in November 2025. Explore training in creative arts, digital marketing, and more.

More articles

Work experience & volunteering

freelance jobs

Freelance jobs: What you need to know

Thinking of going freelance? To give you an insight of what freelancing is all about, here are a few things you should know:

computer skills

10 computer skills to add to your CV

To help you land an interview for your perfect job (whether it’s in tech or not), here are five computer skills to add to your CV. 

hard skills vs soft skills

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

To help add value to your applications, here’s a quick guide to hard skills and soft skills, and how using both of them together could land you your ideal job.

t levels

T levels explained

Wondering what T levels are? Our guide explains the T level qualification, what it’s equivalent to, and if it’s the right choice for you after your GCSEs.

what are v levels

What are V levels?

Discover V levels – the new vocational qualifications launching in 2027. Learn how they compare to A levels and T Levels, plus what it means for your career.

second job tax

Second job tax: How much will I have to pay?

Considering a second job? Find out how much tax you’ll pay, what tax code you’ll be on, and how to make sure you’re paying the right amount.

Five tips to guarantee career progression

Five tips to guarantee career progression

Looking to move up? Don’t miss out. To help motivate you, here are five tips to guarantee your career progression.

uk education levels explained

Education levels explained

To help you work out what your qualifications really mean and where to go next, here’s everything you need to know about education levels.

best AI skills for remote and hybrid AI jobs

The best AI skills for remote and hybrid AI jobs

Find out what AI skills you need for remote and hybrid jobs, with information on in-demand roles, salary trends, and how to get ahead.

challenges facing nhs and social care

Eight challenges facing the NHS and social care (and how to overcome them as a jobseeker)

Struggling to land an NHS or social care role? Here are some common challenges facing the NHS and social care, with practical solutions to overcome them.

Jobs for 14-year-olds

Jobs for 14-year-olds

Are you 14 years’ old, and not sure whether you can work? To help you get into work, here’s everything you need to know about finding work as a 14-year-old.

how can social care workers maximise career progression

How can social care workers maximise career progression?

Here’s how you can build a rewarding career in health and social care, some information on the kinds of roles that are out there, and some practical steps that’ll help you to maximise your career progression.

More articles

Working abroad

work experience letter template

Work experience letter template

Looking to gain some work experience? Our free work experience letter template will help get you started, and learn how to stand out to employers.

How to get an accounting job (with no experience) 

We spoke to KBM, a UK-based training provider, to find out how you can get a job in accounting, without any experience.

adult social care jobs

Adult social care jobs: What you need to know

Want to learn more about a career in the care industry? To help inspire you, here’s our practical guide to adult social care jobs.

social care training

Social care training: How to get started (and get ahead in your career)

Want to find out how social care training can elevate your career? Here’s why you should study social care, along with our advice on how to get started.

Resignation letter templates

Resignation letter templates

Ready to leave your job, but not sure how to put it into words? Here are our resignation letter templates to help you get the ball rolling:

personal statements for university

How to write a personal statement for university

Here’s everything you need to know about writing your personal statement for university, and a personal statement example to help you get started.

Quiet quitting vs. revenge quitting

In 2025, some UK workers are leaving their jobs in two less conventional ways. But what’s really behind the trend of ‘quiet quitting’ and ‘revenge quitting’?

Five reasons to take a master’s degree in psychology

Want to learn why people do the things they do? A psychology master’s could be for you. We spoke to The University of Law’s Psychology faculty, to find out five reasons to take a psychology master’s.

exam stress

How to deal with exam stress and anxiety

Big exam coming up? Here are our top stress relief techniques for students, to help you manage exam anxiety, keep calm, and stay focused.

critical thinking

What is critical thinking? 

Critical thinking is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Here’s what critical thinking is, why it matters, and how you can develop and demonstrate this essential skill to employers.

Analytical skills

Analytical skills: What are they, and how can you develop them?

Analytical skills are essential in almost every career. Here’s what analytical skills are, why they matter, and how you can improve them.

creative writing

Creative writing: How to get started

Here’s everything you need to know about creative writing, with practical exercises to help you develop your skills.

More articles

Other advice on: Career Development

Five key skills to master good teamwork

Whatever industry you work in, it’s important to play well with others. Find out the skills you need to master good teamwork.

10 tips for your first day at work

To help you come across as confident, engaged and motivated to your new colleagues, here are 10 tips for nailing your first day at work.

How to make a career change at 40

Looking for a new career in your 40’s can be daunting. Here’s everything you need to know to make the transition smoothly.

Out of work checklist: Things to do if you lose your job

Here’s a checklist of the things you should do if you lose your job, including claiming benefits, and keeping track of your money.

What is a line manager?

How do you become a line manager? And what are the main line management responsibilities? Here’s everything you need to know.

Ask James: What should I ask my mentor?

Not sure how to make the most of your mentor? In this month’s column, James gives his top tips on what to ask your mentor.

How to: Negotiate a payrise

Undervalued and underpaid? To help make sure you approach the conversation in the right way, here are our top tips on how to negotiate a payrise.

Four ways to help recruiters find your CV

Here are our top tips to help you optimise your CV for search, and ensure you get headhunted for your perfect position.

Ask James: What can I do to stand out and get a promotion?

Looking to take the next step in your career? In this month’s column, James gives his top tips on how to get yourself promoted.

How to start a blog

Need a way to make your application stand out? Try blogging. To help you get-to-grips with building yours, here are our top tips on how to start a blog:

How to: Choose a career

No idea what you want to do with your life? To avoid being stuck in a job that could potentially make you dread going to work, here are some of the best ways to make sure you choose your career wisely…

KPIs: What you need to know

Think all KPIs do is manufacture a diverse range of salted snacks? Think again. Here’s a quick guide to how you can use Key Performance Indicators to help you:

More articles