Typical starting salaries for graduates in Greater Manchester range from around £22,000–£30,000+, varying by sector and employer size. Engineering and construction roles often start higher (with overtime potential), sales roles may include commission or OTE, education support roles can start lower but progress with qualifications, and HR roles commonly begin in the mid-20s. Salaries are generally a touch lower than London but balanced by a lower cost of living. Expect standard full-time hours, with some roles requiring early starts, late finishes or weekend work during peak periods. Career ladders are clear: for example, Graduate Engineer → Design/Project Engineer → Senior Engineer → Manager; Sales Development Rep → Account Executive → Senior AE → Sales Manager; HR Assistant → HR Advisor → HR Business Partner. jobwise’s data helps highlight higher-paying employers and surfaces roles where your skills are most in-demand.

• Technical and soft skills: analytical thinking, Excel/Google Sheets proficiency, clear communication, teamwork, time management, and problem solving. Sector-specific skills might include CAD or basic programming for engineering, safeguarding awareness in education, CRM use for sales, and HRIS familiarity for HR.
• Certifications, licences, or checks: relevant degree (or equivalent experience), DBS checks for education roles, CSCS card for construction sites, CIPD Level 3 for entry HR roles (desirable), and a full UK driving licence for roles with site visits.
• Transferable skills: leadership from societies/sports, customer service, presentations, and project work. jobwise’s AI identifies these from your CV keywords to match roles you might otherwise miss.

Upload your CV and jobwise instantly parses your experience, modules and achievements to recommend suitable vacancies. Use smart filters for contract type, salary, industry and location, then save searches and set alerts so new roles come to you. Track applications in one place and apply quickly with tailored CV suggestions powered by our AI.

• Benefit from a lower cost of living than London, with strong transport links and a lively cultural scene.
• Consistent local demand across engineering, construction, education, sales and HR—backed by major employers and public-sector investment.
• jobwise’s AI ensures you see relevant roles first, reducing missed opportunities and speeding up interviews.