Business Adviser

Job Description:

Business advisers give advice and support to new business start-ups and help established businesses to grow.

Job Category:
Professional Services

What you will do:

In your day-to day duties you could:

  • assess clients’ business ideas to see if they have potential
  • help clients to develop business plans
  • advise on finance and grants
  • do research on behalf of a business
  • give business improvement advice, like how to reduce costs or increase sales
  • network with the business community and enterprise organisations
  • run advice workshops and seminars
  • offer personalised business coaching sessions

Skills:

You’ll need:

  • business management skills
  • knowledge of training and the ability to design courses
  • knowledge of human resources and employment law
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

As well as:

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by private training organisations

University

You could do a foundation degree or degree in:

  • business management
  • business enterprise
  • marketing
  • project management

Apprenticeship

You can start by doing a junior management consultant higher apprenticeship.

This typically takes 24 months to complete.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to employers if you’ve got proven experience like running your own company, or working in management, finance or human resources.

You’ll need to show a wide range of skills, including:

  • marketing
  • finance
  • business planning
  • project management
  • professional networking

Other Routes

You could develop your knowledge and skills by doing business support and mentoring qualifications.

In the UK, for example, qualifications include:

  • Certificate in Coaching
  • Award in Enterprise Mentoring
  • Certificate in Professional Business and Enterprise Support Services

Career tips

You can use online social media sites, like LinkedIn, to promote yourself, build up your network and show recommendations from colleagues and clients.

Working Hours and Environment:

A typical week consists of 37-39 hours of work. You could be required to work evenings/weekends attending events or appointments.

You could work at a client’s business, in an office or remotely.

Career Path & Progression:

You could be employed by a local business support organisation.

You could also get involved with community or social enterprises and charities that support business start ups, or do freelance work.