How to get into HR?

[Shavaa93]

Hi everyone! I am interested in starting a career in HR and wondering if anyone has any experience?

id like to start by getting my cipd level 3 qualification however, I have been looking into apprenticeships where I could gain this qualification whilst working.

the cipd qualifications themselves are quite expensive and will take a while to achieve. Which is why I’d rather find an apprenticeship or job that would allow me to get the hands on experience and learn at the same time. I also don’t work atm and can’t wait another year or more completing a course without earning any money.

im finding it very difficult to find hr apprenticeships, I have found a FEW online however, applications are closed or I don’t hear back. I have no clue if it’s possible to get an entry level role that would offer me to study at the same time?

if you are in HR, what would you suggest is the best route? I don’t have any HR experience, I have admin experience and a degree in a digital field that is irrelevant

If you have some decent admin experience already then go for entry level jobs in shared services or small HR teams doing payroll/recruitment/data entry/processing type work. Often called Co-ordinator/Administrator etc. If you are good and show some initiative more opportunities will come up. Don't just look for jobs advertised as apprenticeships, just companies that offer good staff development opportunities. Many organsiations will fund qualifications to staff once they'd passed probation/been there a while and proven yourself.

Look at the civil service website, and higher and further education (jobs.ac.uk) as they are always looking for good entry level people. As you aren't working, register with some HR focused agencies for temp work. Get your c.v up on Reed/Total jobs and update your Linked in profile with what you are looking for. Even a little bit of temp experience will help et the next role, and you might even get a fixed term contract for a longer period.

Educate yourself on current HR issues by reading the CIPD website (join as the lowest membership if you can afford it, to get access to more information and attend events), ACAS guidance and Personnel Today. Join Linked in networks. Read employment tribunal judgements on .gov.uk. Visit & watch a live Tribunal hearing (hint, don't go on Day 1, it's usually the panel reading the papers and so very dull). Get yourself out there and show you are knowledgeable and interested.

A digital degree may be a good thing to sell - more and more HR is moving to self service, online recruitment and use of sophisticated serach engines for candidate searching. Websites and intranets are important to HR for communication. Read up on this area if it interests you.

Very good advice above, there’s always a demand for HR admin/coord, you’ll get to know the policies and processes, then you can move to officer type level. If you go public sector they are very good at funding qualifications.

Thank you both for your advice! Super helpful.

so I’ve taken your advice and have been looking/applying for some entry level jobs as hr admin / assistant etc. Looking on job boards but also the gov website for civil service jobs.

im finding it very hard and either not hearing back from any/or when I do I’m just unsuccessfully. I honestly don’t know what to do at this stage. I have not only been applying for the roles but also emailing directly to the employers hoping this will help but nothing. Today I have googled some local hr/recruitment companies and called them asking if they have any apprenticeship/entry level roles available. They have taken my details incase something comes up.

I honestly don’t know what to do at this stage. I’m in need of a job right now so don’t want to spend the next year or so just doing a course, I’d much prefer to get some experience whilst working and potentially do the course on the side.

I have looked into the CIPD level 3 course and would like to do it. Is it worth doing? A lot of the jobs I’ve applied for have asked for it. Can I start it whilst having no hr experience at all? And whilst not working?