What jobs can you get without a degree?

If you’re looking for a new job, don’t be fooled into thinking you need to go to university to land a ‘decent’ role. In today’s world, there are many high-paying job opportunities for people without degrees. Besides, university isn’t for everyone. Instead of having to dedicate 3+ years to studying and spending thousands of pounds worth of fees, it’s no surprise some people prefer to jump straight into the working world.

Check out these well-paid jobs that don’t require a degree in the UK.

11 well-paid jobs you can get without a degree

Personal assistant 

£22,750 – £33,143

Being a personal assistant is a quick-paced role where you’ll need to be good at juggling several plates at any one time. You’ll likely be working closely with senior executives, helping them to manage their schedules and support with administrative tasks.

Main skills: organisation, administration, communication, attention to detail, english

Bookkeeper / Payroll assistant

£24,000 – £34,500

Being a bookkeeper or payroll assistant is heavily admin-focused. On a daily basis, you’ll be completing data entry, producing reports and payslips and navigating accounting software.

Main skills: attention to detail, administration, computer literate

Accountant

£32,500 – £52,500

Many people are surprised to hear they don’t need a degree to become an accountant. There are entry level accountant jobs available that fund your AAT qualification. Equally, you can begin your AAT independently, which will support your application for any trainee roles.

Main skills: numeracy, AAT, bookkeeping/payroll, finance, business knowledge, communication

Emergency response

£32,500 – £42,500 (paramedic)

Emergency response work could be working for the police, fire or ambulance services. As an emergency response assistant, you’ll need to remain calm under pressure as you navigate difficult situations on a daily basis.

Main skills: remaining calm under pressure, communication, people skills

IT assistant

£20,545 – £25,000

There are many entry level IT jobs available that don’t require a degree. Many companies provide training on the job and seek to hire people who are good problem-solvers. Any job in IT can provide fantastic career progression for motivated people.

Main skills: IT, problem-solving, logical

Construction worker

£32,500 – £57,500

Construction work doesn’t require a degree. Companies prefer to hire people who are practical and can assist with building complex projects. 

Main skills: practical thinker, logic, mobile, health and safety

HR Assistant

£23,000 – £32,500

HR can provide a fantastic career with plenty of opportunities to progress. As a HR professional, you’ll be responsible for managing the employee support structure from paperwork to recruitment to disciplinaries. To get started in an entry level HR job, you won’t require a degree but at some point you’ll need to start working towards obtaining your CIPD qualification.

Main skills: organisation, admin, english, CIPD level 3

Sales executive

£23,000 – £42,500

Sales professionals have the opportunity to earn a very lucrative living. Most sales positions have a bonus structure attached to them, allowing you to earn commission on your sales. You can progress very quickly in sales and earn uncapped commission so long as you perform well. Generally speaking, the more expensive the item you’re selling, the more money you’ll earn!

Main skills: self-motivated, communication, persuasion, organisation

Welder

£22,492 – £31,307

If you enjoy using your hands, becoming a welder could be a great career route for you. This job is very much workshop-based as you work with metal, while developing your skills to manufacture a wide variety of products for industries like aerospace, medical, gas turbine and other advanced technologies.

Main skills: attention to detail, logically-minded, problem-solver, practical, patience

Insurance claims investigator

£30,138

As an insurance claims investigator, you’ll be responsible for getting down to the nitty gritty details of people’s insurance claims. You’ll be naturally inquisitive, and have exceptional attention to detail.

Main skills: english, attention to detail, patience, GDPR, critical thinking

Financial advisor

£23,000 – £42,500

There are many different advisory roles within the world of finance from pensions to mortgages. Getting started in the industry is simple with many entry level finance jobs available on the market that provide formal qualifications and comprehensive training, often spanning 2-3 years.

Main skills: excellent communication, IT, attention to detail, GDPR, customer service, disciplined

Find your career

Getting a degree isn’t the only route to success. Many occupations are more concerned with your experience, skills, drive and determination. On the SonicJobs app, we’re proud to be home to thousands of UK jobs that don’t require a degree. Be sure to check in daily for new jobs near you!

Don’t miss our blog on the highest paying careers.

Ladies, looking for a new career? Check out our list of the best work environments for women.

How many jobs should you apply for when job searching?

So you’ve just launched your job search and aren’t sure exactly how many job applications you should send per day. It’s important to get this step right or else you run the risk of not applying for enough, ultimately prolonging the whole process. Your aim is to find a job in as little time as possible, so read on for our best tips on applying for jobs.

How many job applications should you send per day?

The answer to this question will vary depending on your profession. As a general rule of thumb, 10-15 applications per day is a safe number. However, if you aren’t experiencing much luck with your applications, you may need to increase this number. Equally, if you’re gaining a lot of traction from your applications, you may be able to refine your search by submitting fewer applications that are more targeted.

Graduates

The graduate job market is incredibly competitive. If you’re looking for a graduate job, you’ll likely need to send upwards of 10 applications per day.

High-level roles

Roles that involve a high level of skill and require qualifications are harder to come by. As a result, there will probably be fewer job opportunities on the market and fewer candidates applying for them, so it’s more important to focus your efforts on the quality of each application rather than the quantity. In some professions, applying for 3-5 roles per week will be enough.

Examples

  • Lawyer
  • Software developer
  • Director
  • HR manager

Low-skill roles

Job opportunities that don’t require much experience are easier to find. At the same time, there is also usually a high number of jobseekers applying to these roles so it’s best to start your job hunt by applying for 10-15 roles per day. Depending on your success rate, you may need to increase or decrease this amount.

Examples

  • Warehouse operative
  • Customer service assistant
  • Waiter/waitress
  • Multi-drop delivery driver

How to improve your job search

In addition to applying for more roles, you’ll also want to make sure your applications are of a high quality to improve your success rate. 

  • Use keywords – make sure your CV incorporates the key skills the employer is looking for. This means your CV will be more easily found by employers through job board searches.
  • Tailor your CV – for each job you apply to, tweak your CV to echo the job description. This will help your CV to stand out.
  • Follow up – always follow up with your job applications a week after applying. This will show you’re keen and will differentiate you from other applicants.
  • Set alerts – make sure you set alerts on all the job boards and the SonicJobs app so you’re the first to be alerted when new jobs are added.
  • Use tangible examples – your CV should include examples of your achievements and duties in previous roles. Include any targets, important tasks and successes.

What’s the secret?

The job hunt process will look different for each individual and you need to be open to monitoring your success and changing your approach if required. If you’re not getting invited to many interviews, increase your job applications and look for ways to improve your CV. Equally, make sure you’ve set up job alerts to speed up the job application process.

If you haven’t already heard, SonicJobs is the number one platform for applying for jobs quickly. Use our app to get the most out of your job hunt!

How do you apply for a job when you already have a job? | SonicJobs

Applying for a job when you already have one can be a tricky operation and requires you to tread carefully. You want to line up as many attractive career opportunities as possible whilst, at the same time, not drawing any attention to yourself. If your boss finds out you’re looking for a new role, you could find yourself in hot water pretty quickly.

So check out our top tips for discreetly applying for a new job when you’re still employed.

Can you get fired for applying for other jobs?

The lines are a little blurred when it comes to dismissing employees for applying for other jobs. We would argue that, no, you can’t strictly get fired for applying for other jobs. However, it would be heavily frowned upon and your boss could potentially find another reason to justify your dismissal. So it’s always best to keep this information to yourself until you’re ready to resign from your position.

How to find a new job while you’re STILL employed

Don’t tell your colleagues

The last thing you want to do is share your job hunt with your colleagues. No matter how much you think you can trust them, it’s never a good idea. Office gossip tends to spread like wildfires, so your best option is to keep the information to yourself until you’ve handed in your notice.

Maintain your work ethic

If you’re looking for a new job, chances are you’re feeling pretty unmotivated in your current role. But don’t let this show. It’s important to keep up appearances even if you’re dealing with interview rejection. If you let the quality of your work or your motivation levels slip, your manager may pick up on this and start to become suspicious of your change in behaviour.

Keep communication outside of the office

Don’t use office time to communicate with prospective employers. You don’t want to run the risk of a colleague or manager hearing your conversation so make sure you keep all communication to lunch breaks (outside of the office premises) or before/after work. And the same thing goes for emails – people only need to catch a glimpse to realise you’re applying for jobs!

Attend interviews out of peak hours

Ideally, you’ll want to arrange interviews for before or after your work day to minimise suspicion. In reality, you may have to schedule some interviews during office hours. When doing this, always ensure you pick a time where you’ll be least missed to avoid raising suspicion.

Choose your references wisely

The biggest faux-pax in the job search process is using your current manager as a reference. This is the quickest way to get found out. Instead, choose managers from previous jobs to be your references. This completely eliminates the chances of your new employer busting you by calling up your current employer.

Dress carefully

Although you want to look your best for your interview, be mindful of not looking too sharp when you return to the office. If you look exceptionally smart, your colleagues will soon put 2 and 2 together. Either carry a spare change of clothing, or don’t dress differently to your normal work attire.

Don’t overshare on social media

We get it, you’re excited about switching careers. But don’t shoot yourself in the foot by posting about it on social media. It won’t be long before a colleague picks up on your post and before you know it, you’re being called into your manager’s office. Keep it to yourself.

Be selective

You don’t have to attend every interview you’re offered. In fact, try to only attend interviews where you’re genuinely interested in working for the company. If you’re constantly booking time off people will start to get suspicious, so be very selective when accepting an interview.

If you’re in the process of looking for a new role, be sure to look up common interview questions and answers to help boost your chance of success!

Which jobs have the quickest career progression?

If you’re an ambitious person, you’ll want to find a job with excellent career progression. But when it comes to your job search, you’ll notice that not every job has attractive prospects. Some jobs can take many years before any sort of progression starts to take place. But in certain jobs where the skill set is more in-demand, there are better opportunities for you to climb through the ranks.

To help you with your job search, we’ve mapped out 5 jobs with the quickest career progression and their salaries.

5 jobs with quick career progression

1. Healthcare assistant

Industry payscale: £25,000 – £52,500

Healthcare is one of the most understaffed sectors in the UK. With an aging population, it’s never been more important to have quality members of staff in the care industry. From nurses to residential care assistants, people who enjoy looking after others will flourish in this industry.

The best part about starting a career in care is that you don’t need to study or gain a qualification. Most care companies just ask that you’re a friendly, compassionate and reliable person. Once you’ve got your foot in the door, there’s on-the-job training and opportunities for you to move into senior carer and managerial roles. 

2. Sales executive

Industry payscale: £23,000 – £42,500

Sales is one of those exciting industries where the sky’s the limit. As long as you can sell, you’re going to have a fantastic career. Most of the entry-level positions in sales don’t require any studying or formal qualifications either since a standout personality can take you far in sales (although good product knowledge is essential too!).

Although you may start out in a low-level position, if you exceed your quotas on a regular basis and show you have a passion for sales, it won’t be long before you can move into a senior position and manage a sales team of your own, or eventually become a sales Director!

3. Recruitment consultant

Industry payscale: £23,000 – £42,500

Recruitment is a lucrative line of work and one that offers uncapped earning potential and the ability to progress quickly. Recruitment is technically a sales position, and successful recruiters need to be highly motivated self-starters to succeed. Some companies may ask you to be degree-qualified, although most will be open to hiring anybody who has enough drive, determination and interpersonal skills.

4. Software developer

Industry payscale: £42,500 – £67,500

Software developers are becoming increasingly in demand due to the rise of technological innovation. Developers are extremely skilled and many businesses are now requiring the use of a developer as consumers seek more advanced technologies.

To become a developer, some study is required and a bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT or similar is usually a prerequisite. However, there are other study routes into this career that don’t require going to university. As you progress through the ranks, you could find yourself becoming a senior developer or even a project lead.

5. Hospitality assistant

Industry payscale: £21,000 – £32,500

Hospitality provides a steady and quick route to progression and is home to a nice variety of vibrant environments from hotels to restaurants to catering events. Although it doesn’t tend to pay as well as jobs in software development and sales, it still provides a clear career progression roadmap. Starting out in hospitality is simple and you don’t need to have formal qualifications, although GCSEs and A Levels will be helpful. 

As long as you’re reliable and work hard, you could move up into a supervisory role before growing into a managerial position quite quickly.

Aim high

Wherever you are in your career move, career progression is an important factor to take into consideration. You want to make sure your job can provide a long-term opportunity for you to grow from strength to strength. There are other factors to consider depending on where you are in your career and who you are. For women, it may be worth researching the best work environments for women and, if you’ve just graduated, looking up the best graduate employers could also be useful!

Why is applying for jobs stressful?

Changing jobs is one of the most exhausting situations a person can encounter. You want to find a job but, at the same time, there’s a price to pay… and it comes in the form of stress! But the job search process doesn’t have to be so stressful. There are plenty of little tricks that can ease the process (and we can’t wait to share them with you!).

But first, let’s first answer the question on all of your lips: Why is job hunting so tiring?

5 main causes of job search fatigue

Pressure

One of the biggest causes of job search fatigue is the pressure that comes with changing jobs. Whether you’re unemployed and need to find some fast cash, or you’re working in a job you don’t like, you’ll surely feel the pressure to find a new role quickly. 

Rejection

Rejection is a common part of the job hunt process. But not everyone is used to it. In fact, if you’re not a regular job hopper, facing interview rejection can be quite jarring and leave you feeling upset or disappointed in yourself. 

Time

Finding a new job is no overnight process. For most people, it can take months to find the right role and the application process demands a lot of your time. As a result, you can end up feeling like the process is too taxing on your time and that you’re having to give up too much of your life.

Interviews

Interviews are a stressful process. Not only is it nerve-wracking walking into a room where the spotlight is on you, but it can also be stressful trying to figure out the answers to the most common interview questions.

Confusion

Not knowing where to start in your job hunt can also add stress to the situation. You want to find a new role fast, but at the same time you don’t want to end up in a job you don’t enjoy. It can be overwhelming deciding which job is right for you!

How to avoid burnout while job hunting

Prepare answers

One of the best ways to reduce interview stress is to practise answering common interview questions. This will help you feel more confident when entering into the interview room, as you’ll have standout answers ready to blow the interviewer away.

Block out application slots

Don’t let the application process consume all of your spare time. It’s important to keep a balance and manage your time better. Block out a slot each day/every other day/each week to turn off all distractions and apply to as many jobs as possible. This will stop the application process from taking over your life.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

When job hunting, it’s a good idea to apply to as many jobs as possible. If you put all your eggs in one basket, you’ll end up feeling the pressure 10 times more and won’t have any other opportunities to pursue if you’re not successful. Always keep the ball rolling!

Set alerts

Set up alerts on online job boards and on the SonicJobs app so you’ll be the first to hear about any new opportunities in your field. This will save you heaps of time and energy!

Make time for you

Okay, this may feel counterintuitive but just trust us on this. Just as you sometimes need to disconnect your computer to help it work better, you also need to unplug yourself to give access more energy and perform better. So be sure to schedule in some of your favourite activities to take your mind off career stresses.

What is job-hopping and is it bad?

The term ‘job-hopping’ can raise lots of questions in both the mind of an employee and in the mind of an employer. Employees tend to question the best length of time to stay in a job, whilst employers can be cautious when interviewing job-hoppers and will tend to probe around their reasons for moving jobs so often.

In the past, job-hopping was commonly frowned upon as it was the norm for people to spend the majority of their careers in just 2-3 different roles. But has the perception of job-hopping changed in recent years? 

“[…] in the space of a year, millennials changed jobs 3 times more often than non-millennials.”

What is job-hopping?

Job-hopping can be defined as employees who show a pattern of changing jobs within 1-2 years of starting a role. The job-hopping tendency has become more common among younger generations with lots of data showing millennials and Gen-Z change jobs most often. In fact, research showed that in the space of a year, millennials changed jobs 3 times more often than non-millennials.

How to explain job-hopping in an interview

Contrary to popular belief, the views of job-hopping are fast changing in the eyes of an employer. Employers are quickly becoming more open-minded towards hiring job-hoppers so long as the reasons behind the job change are valid. So, expect to be challenged on your career moves during an interview. 

If you’re a serial job-hopper, avoid giving reasons that speak poorly of your previous company. Instead, find professional reasons that show you were progressing your career. Ideally, you want your reasoning to show that: 

  • You stuck to the same industry
  • You changed roles for a more senior position
  • You found a role with better career progression
  • You were offered a much more competitive package

Benefits of changing jobs often

Job-hopping does have its benefits and it may be necessary for you to point these out to any prospective employers in an interview:

Demonstrates adaptability

By switching jobs often, you show you’re able to adapt to new environments, pick up new systems, and integrate with new teams easily. Employers want to know the person they’re hiring isn’t stuck in their ways and can slot into the company culture, so this is a huge testimony to your ability to do that.

Gain exposure to a wide array of businesses

With every new job, you’ll have been exposed to another business’ way of working which is invaluable in the eyes of an employer. With this experience, you’ll be able to share insights and contribute new ideas to improve the way things are done.

Develop skills

Every business has its own way of doing things, and you’ll have had to widen your skill set with every job move you made. If any of your job moves were for positions with more responsibilities, this is a great example of how you’ve developed your skills.

How much is too much job-hopping?

Although employers have become more open to hiring job-hoppers, there are some circumstances where it might not work in your favour. If you leave a job within 6 months, this is generally seen as too short a term and you’d need a good reason to justify this move. More important are your reasons for changing roles. If all your career moves have been made in exchange for a better title or a higher salary, employers may be concerned that you’ll leave their company at the first sign of a higher salary.

Your next career move is a hop, skip and a jump away

If you’re considering a career move, always try to keep it coherent with the path you’re on by sticking to the same industry, and ensure that every move you make will develop your skills and progression in some way.

Be sure to check in with our app daily to view new vacancies and speed up your job search process!

What jobs do you need a degree for?

In the UK, there are many jobs that require a degree. If you’re considering going to university or are due to graduate soon, you may be wondering what your options are. Some jobs look for a specific type of degree, whereas others are more flexible and accept all types of degrees.

In this post, we’re breaking down a list of the most common jobs you need a degree for, whether that be a specific degree or any type.

6 careers that require a specific degree

Doctor / Surgeon

To become a doctor or surgeon in the UK, you must first complete a degree in Medicine lasting 5-6 years. Depending on the path you choose to take, you will then face several years of further training before becoming a fully certified medical practitioner.

Veterinarian

Becoming a veterinarian is a path that requires university study. Full-time study of a veterinary degree takes around 5 years to complete. You’ll also need to ensure you gain a lot of hands-on experience working and volunteering in veterinary practices. In the UK, there’s a shortage of vets so you shouldn’t have a problem finding a job once you graduate.

Dentist

A 5 year degree in dentistry is required in order to become a dentist. Following your studies, you’ll also need to undergo 1 to 2 years of postgraduate training to complete your studies. It may be possible to complete a 4 year degree in dentistry if you already have a related degree.

Speech and language therapist

Speech and language therapists are in demand in the UK. To qualify, you must complete a degree in speech and language therapy. It’s also possible to complete the degree as a 4 year apprenticeship.

Solicitor

The most direct way to become a solicitor is by completing a degree in law, which is followed by a further 2-3 years of study and placements. It should be noted that you can also become a solicitor if you have a non-law degree. You’d just need to complete a graduate diploma in law which can take 1-2 years.

Architect

Becoming an architect is quite a long process that can take up to 7 years to complete. In addition to having a degree, you’ll also need a year of work experience, a further 2 years of university study, followed by another year of practical training.

Top 4 graduate jobs you can get with any degree

HR Officer

You don’t need a degree in HR to become a HR Manager. Often, employers will require a degree, but will fund you to undergo formal training to attain your CIPD qualification. Alternatively, if you have a non-related degree, you could always do a postgraduate course in human resource management.

Accountant

Many people think you need a degree in accountancy or mathematics to become an accountant. In reality, that’s not the case, although you do need to demonstrate strong numeracy skills. The minimum requirement to become an accountant is an AAT qualification, which doesn’t require a degree.

Teacher

Many people become teachers by completing a degree (any), and going on to complete formal teacher training, usually in the form of a PGCE. The PGCE usually takes one year of full-time study to complete.

Public Relations Officer

PR can provide a fantastic and lucrative career. Most PR roles require a degree, but not one that’s specifically related to it. However, if you want to study something relating to PR, such as Public Relations or Marketing Communications, this will definitely be beneficial!

Make the most of your degree

Whether you’re already at university or you’re thinking of enrolling, be sure to consider all options before diving into a career. Whether you decide to pursue a career in your chosen degree or not, you can feel safe knowing that there are always other options available from graduate marketing to graduate teaching job opportunities, many of which provide promising career prospects!

Due to graduate soon? Find out who the best graduate employers are in the UK and how to gain work experience as a grad.

Best work environments for women

Although gender equality in the workplace has been improving in recent years, there’s no doubt there’s still work to do! Statistically, women are still paid less than men with a 15.5% gender pay gap. And although more women are making it into senior positions, board level roles are still highly dominated by males, and several male-dominated industries are crying out for more women.

Read on to find out which industries are female-dominated, and which industries need more women.

  • Top 5 industries that hire the most women in the UK
  • 3 industries seeking more female workers
  • What should women consider before accepting a job?

Top 5 industries that hire the most women in the UK

Human health and social work activities

78% of workers in this field are female. Popular health jobs among women are care workers, nurses and social workers. This line of work can be incredibly rewarding since you’re on the frontline impacting people’s lives.

Education

Teachers and teaching assistants in the UK are heavily dominated by females with 72% of education workers being women. This is a challenging line of work but one that will be very fulfilling for those who have a calling to work with children.

Real estate

55% of the real estate workforce is made up of women. This is a fast-paced career path with great earning potential. Outgoing women who enjoy sales and are self-starters will do well in real estate!

Accommodation & food services

54% of professionals in this field are female. This includes working in hotels, restaurants and bars. Women who enjoy customer service and fast-paced environments will thrive in hospitality and don’t need a qualification to get started!

Public admin and defence, social security

These industries include a wide spectrum of jobs from legislation to taxation to immigration and beyond. This workforce is dominated by women by 53%. It offers a lot of different career opportunities and will be suited to women who have great attention to detail and enjoy following processes!

3 industries seeking more female workers

It’s worth considering careers in industries that are male-dominated since companies in these industries are crying out for more women. 

1. Engineering

Engineering is one of the most male-dominated industries in the UK. In recent years, the industry has made an effort to attract and elevate more females. Currently, only 21.8% of people working in the industry are women, with just 14.5% of actual engineers being female. There are many different routes to enter into the engineering world from Bachelor degrees to apprenticeships and trainee positions.

2. IT and communication

The IT industry is currently made up of 71% males. As a result, there’s a huge call for women working in positions, such as IT Technicians, software development and programming. Much like engineering, there are different ways to start a career in IT. It’s common for IT professionals to have a degree in IT or computer science, but other routes are possible!

3. Transport and storage

The world of transport and storage is extremely male-oriented. Data shows 81% of professionals in this industry are male. Industry jobs would include driving, transport planning and warehousing.

What should women consider before accepting a job?

To find a career that supports gender equality, there are certain things women should consider before accepting a job opportunity.

  • The number of females in senior positions in the company
  • The number of female internal promotions
  • The male/female ratio in the company
  • Maternity leave terms and conditions
  • The work-life balance
  • How the company promotes gender equality
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Childcare programs / vouchers

Power to the females

Although there’s still gender inequality in the workplace, companies are working hard to bridge this gap. If you’re looking for your next opportunity, be sure to check our app for new opportunities regularly – we add new vacancies across the UK daily! 

If you’re still not sure which route to take, check out our blogs on the highest paying careers and the fastest growing industries.

Best rated workplaces for graduates

What are the best places in the UK for graduates to find work? Finding work after university can be a laborious task. Often, graduates will have to put out hundreds of applications for everything from temporary, summer and permanent jobs before actually landing a role. But finding out which companies in the UK are hiring graduates should be at the top of your to-do list. Knowing this can help to speed up your job search process.

No need to look any further. We’ve already done the hard work for you. Take a look at the top UK companies offering internships and graduates schemes in 2021.

What are the best companies in the UK that hire graduates?

1. Enterprise Rent-A-Car

As the largest rental fleet in the world, Enterprise Rent-A-Car certainly offers a unique opportunity for new graduates. They’re renowned for their graduate management training programs and, with 10,000 branches globally, they can provide jobs in Europe for graduates, or even further afield!

2. KPMG

KPMG specialises in audit among other practices such as legal and taxation, and deals with high-profile FTSE 100 companies. They pride themselves on offering a wide range of both undergraduate and graduate programmes, and promise a rewarding career by providing funded qualifications and accreditations to its employees.

3. Morrisons

Morrisons offer a wide variety of graduate schemes and are perfect for anybody looking to experience the retail industry. Morrisons can expose you to different elements of retail from manufacturing to logistics to buying. This is an excellent place to get your foot in the door!

4. QA Limited

QA Limited is every graduate tech lover’s dream. Specialising in providing tech skills to businesses, this company loves to hire tech enthusiasts who share the same passion for digital culture. QA Limited offers a 12 week program that fast-tracks you into a variety of careers like an IT Consultant. The best bit? You don’t need a degree in tech to get started – just the passion!

5. PWC

PWC is another consulting firm helping businesses overcome challenges through technology-led solutions. This is a great career path for graduates who love a challenge and are creative problem-solvers. In return, this company offers professional qualifications and career routes leading into audit, tax and consulting among others.

6. Page Personnel

As one of the leading recruitment consultancies in the UK, Page Personnel offers a promising career for those interested in sales. Not only will you gain access to an uncapped commission structure, but working in recruitment will be a fast-paced environment where you’ll learn how to negotiate and close deals, constantly interacting with the public. Page Personnel take on ambitious graduates with a variety of degrees from Sports Science to Languages to Business.

7. Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds have a wide selection of graduate programmes from data science to commercial banking to finance and risk management. For those wanting to enter into the world of finance, Lloyds is a prestigious name to work for and provide ongoing training and progression opportunities. You’ll just need a minimum 2:2 degree to apply!

Ready to launch your career?

We’re just as excited as you are to see you get your career off the ground. Once you’ve figured out which career is right for you, be sure to use the SonicJobs app to save yourself time and apply for jobs in the quickest possible way. We have graduate job opportunities across the entire UK and many of those jobs have your name on them. We can’t wait to see you succeed!

Can you ask your colleagues how much money they make?

In a workplace setting, asking your colleagues about their salary is seen as a bit of a taboo subject in the UK. It’s one of those conversations that a lot of people want to have, but few have the courage to bring it up. There’s a risk of offending the person you’re asking, and there’s also a fear among employees that they will be dismissed by their employer if they find out. But what are your rights when it comes to discussing wages with colleagues? Should colleagues talk about what they earn or should they steer clear?

In today’s post, we’ll answer all these questions and more!

  • Is it illegal to discuss salary with colleagues?
  • Why is it taboo to ask your colleagues how much they earn?
  • How to ask a coworker how much they earn

Is it illegal to discuss salary with colleagues?

From a legal standpoint, it’s not illegal to ask colleagues how much money they make. In fact, it’s illegal for employers to ban their employees from having these discussions. Many companies will stipulate in your employment contract that salaries are confidential, and they have the right to do so. However, this is not legally enforceable and is just used as a measure to deter employees from discussing salaries.

Why is it taboo to ask your colleagues how much they earn?

Asking colleagues about their salary has become a taboo in the workplace. This is largely due to employment contracts stating that salaries are confidential. Most employees do not realise this isn’t legally enforceable and are fearful of having these discussions. In reality, salary discussions can be very healthy and are a great way to encourage equal pay.

How to ask a coworker about their salary

1. Pick the right person

If you’re going to bring up the topic of wages, do so with someone who’s working at a similar level to you with similar responsibilities. Consider the number of years’ experience they have, their skills and responsibilities. This will make sure it’s a fairer comparison. Ideally, you’ll have this conversation with several people rather than just one.

2. Don’t be too direct

This isn’t a conversation where you’ll want to dive straight in for the jugular. Remember, although it’s your legal right to discuss salary, it’s still a sensitive topic for many people and not everyone is going to be comfortable opening up.

3. Be transparent about your salary

If you’re asking a coworker about their salary, it goes without saying that you’ll need to be transparent about your own situation. You can’t expect your colleague to be open and honest if you’re not willing to first. Go into the conversation expecting to be the first person to share their salary. This will help to set the tone for the conversation to flow freely.

4. Put your research to good use

Once you’ve gained a good consensus, make sure you use this information in the right way. Your purpose isn’t to gossip and spread information around the office. Equally, if you feel underpaid, don’t allow your emotions to run away from you. Remain calm and professional. Although it’s not illegal for you to discuss salary among colleagues, your employer could still retaliate in an indirect way. Remain calm and professional, and don’t make any rash decisions. Your aim is to ascertain whether you’re earning a fair salary. If you feel your salary is lower than it should be, consider holding a meeting to ask for a pay rise.

Fairer pay for all

Although salary conversations are taboo, you should remember that you have a right to discuss this. Discussing wages can reveal inequalities and can also help you to benchmark your progress. But remember, just because someone is on a higher salary than you doesn’t make it okay to cause a ruckus. Stay professional and use the information in the right way. 

Thinking of leaving your job? Check out these top reasons for leaving a job.