This chapter examines the evidence base in career guidance. It argues that such evidence should be a critical part of policy making in the field. Career guidance has a strong relevance to a range of policy agendas associated with the education system, the labour market and with wider social policies. The paper sets out a hierarchical model of impacts which it defines as investment, take-up, reaction, learning, behaviour, results and return on investment. Policy makers should seek to discover whether career guidance interventions are making impacts at each of these levels. The chapter argues that the evidence base for career guidance uses a wide range of methods, that it is multi-disciplinary and international and that it provides evidence of all of the levels of impact outlined. It also notes that career guidance is a lifelong activity and that evidence exists to support its utilisation at all life stages (although the depth of this evidence varies across life stages). Finally the paper argues that the evidence base highlights a number of lessons for policy makers as follows. Career guidance should: (1) be lifelong and progressive; (2) be connected to wider experience; (3) recognise the diversity of individuals and their needs; (4) involve employers and working people, and providing active experiences of workplaces; (5) be understood as not one intervention, but many; (6) develop career management skills; (7) be holistic and well-integrated into other services; (8) ensuring professionalism; (9) make use of career information; and (10) assuring quality and evaluate provision.

We have written this guide for both academics who are delivering employability modules within the curriculum and career and employability professionals who may be working in the curriculum, delivering services centrally, running skills awards and/or providing workshops and advice and guidance.

Tristram Hooley, head of research at iCeGS, presents the fi ndings of a fi rst-of-its-kind literature review of employability research in UK higher education providers between 2012 and 2016

You’re Hired! Graduate Career Handbook is the complete guide to career planning and job hunting for students and graduates, offering vital guidance on how to discover your potential, maximise your employability, and kick-start your career.  The book is organised in simple chapters designed to help you address the various issues you experience as you move through university and into work, uniquely starting from your first year at uni and taking you through to your first days at work and beyond. Topics include: self-reflection, career planning, job research, networking, recruitment practices, employability skills, making the most of your degree, postgraduate study, Plan B, and how to make a good first impression at work and build your career over time. Whether you have your heart set on a particular job, have a few ideas about possible lines of work, or simply don’t know where to start, this book is for you. If you know what you want to do, it offers vital guidance on how to achieve your ambition and land your dream job; if you don’t have a clue, it will help you work out what your next step should be.  With handy tips, checklists and real-life examples throughout, this guide will help you to supercharge your career and get the graduate job you want!

Julia Yates, senior lecturer in organisational psychology at City, University of London and Tristram Hooley, senior consultant at The Careers & Enterprise Company, provide an insight into the impact of image in careers advice and graduate recruitment