Getting into HR

Take200 · 2023-03-14T14:48:36+00:00

Can anyone advise me of the best course/training to do to begin a career in HR? I already have a degree so won't get funding for another (Scotland) and don't have the means to fund one myself. I have experience of People Management which involved HR related duties but I have no formal HR qualifications. I'm currently a SAHM and won't be returning to work until 2025 but wanted to use this time productively. From checking current HR Officer/Advisor vacancies I see that some require CIPD Level 3 as a minimum. Is this the best one to do for someone starting out in the industry? Is it best undertaken whilst working in an HR role?

Mrswalliams1 · 14/03/2023 14:55

When I was a SAHM, I decided to move into HR and started with CIPD Level 3, I got a PT job in HR and am now doing L5. Most employers prefer CIPD. Good luck

butterfly990 · 14/03/2023 15:00

How about a role in Facilities Management. This is a relatively new service and whilst there are courses etc. It is easier to find a role if you have people management skills.

Original poster

Take200 · 14/03/2023 15:56

Mrswalliams1 · 14/03/2023 14:55

When I was a SAHM, I decided to move into HR and started with CIPD Level 3, I got a PT job in HR and am now doing L5. Most employers prefer CIPD. Good luck

Thank you!

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Original poster

Take200 · 14/03/2023 15:59

butterfly990 · 14/03/2023 15:00

How about a role in Facilities Management. This is a relatively new service and whilst there are courses etc. It is easier to find a role if you have people management skills.

Thanks @butterfly990 I was a middle manager for years before having the kids and my degree is in Psychology so I'm hoping this will help me to move into HR. I'm happy to start at the bottom and work my way up.

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Mercedesbenz2022 · 14/03/2023 16:35

I don’t have a degree , but managed a team for years as part of my role
I did cipd level 5 ( on the university’s recommendation) over 1 yr part time ( evenings) and from memory I think it cost approx £1000
I didn’t move into hr role in the end , but it is an interesting course regardless and I found it really valuable

Original poster

Take200 · 14/03/2023 19:19

Mercedesbenz2022 · 14/03/2023 16:35

I don’t have a degree , but managed a team for years as part of my role
I did cipd level 5 ( on the university’s recommendation) over 1 yr part time ( evenings) and from memory I think it cost approx £1000
I didn’t move into hr role in the end , but it is an interesting course regardless and I found it really valuable

Thanks @Mercedesbenz2022 my local college does CIPD Certificates, it's £2k for Level 3 and £2.4k for level 5. Not sure if I'd be accepted onto the Level 5 course as I'm not currently managing a team, I'll have to enquire about that. Good to know you enjoyed the course and found it worthwhile.

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Mercedesbenz2022 · 14/03/2023 21:27

@Take200
with a degree and a middle management role , I think you would be fine but yes have a talk with the college
I think I paid per term which may help spread the cost ,, but see if they do that
I did it over 1 yr , one night a week , with some reading round the subject and keeping up with any hr issues that came up in the news
good luck , sounds like you have a plan !

Original poster

Take200 · 15/03/2023 06:32

Mercedesbenz2022 · 14/03/2023 21:27

@Take200
with a degree and a middle management role , I think you would be fine but yes have a talk with the college
I think I paid per term which may help spread the cost ,, but see if they do that
I did it over 1 yr , one night a week , with some reading round the subject and keeping up with any hr issues that came up in the news
good luck , sounds like you have a plan !

That's really useful info, thank you!

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Dazedandconfused10 · 15/03/2023 06:36

I'm a HR business partner, have no qualifications so it is possible to get into without them. But you can pay monthly if it is a route you want to go down.

Fellsidefeather · 15/03/2023 06:55

Could you do a masters in HR (it was called personnel management back when I did it!)? You should be eligible for a government loan for that, which you pay back monthly once you earn over a certain amount. I did mine as evening study over 2 years whilst working.

I moved into HR from being a retail manager by temping as an administrator in an HR dept, whilst studying for my master’s to get CIPD qualified. Once I was enrolled in the course, I could join the CIPD with a student membership, which was useful as they have loads of resources. I contacted all local recruitment agencies and local company HR departments. Most ignored me but I got that one yes I needed! Once I was an HR administrator, I applied for every HR advisor role going. Again lots of ignored applications but got that one yes. And so on! I enjoy HR. You do have to be resilient and proactive in protecting your reputation, as it’s easy for other depts to blame HR for their own missteps if you’re not careful.

There might also be an HR networking group in your area (often run jointly by employment law firm and HR consultancy) - they will do free breakfast networking events and would welcome you to come along. Great way to make some contacts and maybe even job opportunity. I was told many years ago to have a 1 min, 3 min and 5 min spiel ready prepared to market yourself at these events.

Good luck with it all!

Original poster

Take200 · 15/03/2023 12:02

Dazedandconfused10 · 15/03/2023 06:36

I'm a HR business partner, have no qualifications so it is possible to get into without them. But you can pay monthly if it is a route you want to go down.

That's good to know, thank you. It's definitely something I'll look into.

OP posts:

Original poster

Take200 · 15/03/2023 12:05

Fellsidefeather · 15/03/2023 06:55

Could you do a masters in HR (it was called personnel management back when I did it!)? You should be eligible for a government loan for that, which you pay back monthly once you earn over a certain amount. I did mine as evening study over 2 years whilst working.

I moved into HR from being a retail manager by temping as an administrator in an HR dept, whilst studying for my master’s to get CIPD qualified. Once I was enrolled in the course, I could join the CIPD with a student membership, which was useful as they have loads of resources. I contacted all local recruitment agencies and local company HR departments. Most ignored me but I got that one yes I needed! Once I was an HR administrator, I applied for every HR advisor role going. Again lots of ignored applications but got that one yes. And so on! I enjoy HR. You do have to be resilient and proactive in protecting your reputation, as it’s easy for other depts to blame HR for their own missteps if you’re not careful.

There might also be an HR networking group in your area (often run jointly by employment law firm and HR consultancy) - they will do free breakfast networking events and would welcome you to come along. Great way to make some contacts and maybe even job opportunity. I was told many years ago to have a 1 min, 3 min and 5 min spiel ready prepared to market yourself at these events.

Good luck with it all!

Thanks @Fellsidefeather My DC are 1 & 2 so I don't think I have it in me to do a Masters right now. I've applied for an HR Support role this morning and will keep an eye out for other positions coming up. Once I get my foot in the door I will look further into doing some training alongside the job. Good shout about the networking groups.

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Fellsidefeather · 15/03/2023 15:24

Take200 · 15/03/2023 12:05

Thanks @Fellsidefeather My DC are 1 & 2 so I don't think I have it in me to do a Masters right now. I've applied for an HR Support role this morning and will keep an eye out for other positions coming up. Once I get my foot in the door I will look further into doing some training alongside the job. Good shout about the networking groups.

Show quote history

You may still be eligible to join the CIPD on some level of membership which would be helpful in terms of access to their information and showing your level of commitment to moving into HR on your CV. You could also see their volunteering opportunity for Enterprise Advisors if you have capacity to take that on.

Scottishpotato · 16/03/2023 13:41

Personally I would try and get some experience in HR to see if you like it. I'm finishing off my level 3 CIPD and in my second HR role, currently an hr administrator. It's very different to how I imagined.

Dogsitterwoes · 16/03/2023 13:45

@Scottishpotato interesting - in what way is it different to what you expected?

workingmumuk · 16/03/2023 21:19

Hi there you can also look into apprenticeships. Apprenticeships have been totally overhauled and aren't just for 18 year olds now. A colleague of mine in her 40's did a HR management apprenticeship after working as a HR assistant type role for a couple of years. The company paid for all her training and they give you a day or two a week to study whilst you work. And you can do the CIPD qualifications as part of the apprenticeship I think...

thesandwich · 16/03/2023 21:27

Join Cipd as an affiliate - low cost, access to resources and local events/ workshops

Scottishpotato · 20/03/2023 13:46

@Dogsitterwoes I guess I didn't realise how much you're thrown in at the deep end, in the roles I've had there has been little in the way if training and you're expected to know things despite being junior roles. My first week I was conducting interviews, with no previous experience other than note taking. Whilst it sounds a bit like "how hard can it be" there are obviously lots of things that can't or shouldn't be asked down to what needs to be included. I then had to sit at night googling and doing my own research. I'm still not overly comfortable with doing them now. I did raise this but that's just how its always been done! The CIPD course whilst interesting, is quite theory based and not as practical as myself nor others on the course found it to be. I am unsure of I've just been unlucky company wise or if the career move is a mistake. I am optimistic in that at least I can say I tried and if its not the career for me, something else will be!

NefertitHR · 20/04/2023 21:01

Lots of good advice on here.
I moved into HR after being made redundant as a Business Development Director and found no one would touch me until I was working towards CIPD L5. Started working my way up from HR Assistant, completed my MSc during the pandemic (that was a tough time in HR as well as for all of us) 7 years on I'm now Head of HR. Look for roles with HR outsourcing like Peninsula or AdviserPlus. They have excellent in-house training and will put you through your CIPD qual.
It's a wonderful, gruelling, fantastic, uplifting, upsetting, face palming, joyful rollercoaster of a career but I love my job and what I do. Happy to for you to reach out to discuss mentoring. Good luck.

NefertitHR · 20/04/2023 21:07

@Scottishpotato sounds like you've been unlucky there. Common in our industry that "oh ask HR, they know" they think we're a cross between the Illuminati and Google. Keep going, don't give up and if this place doesn't appreciate you, find one that does... there are plenty of jobs out there now and our skills are in short supply. Know your worth and find yourself a good mentor.

NefertitHR · 20/04/2023 21:08

ACAS also offers lots of free training too.

Captone · 20/04/2023 21:12

There are a few graduate programmes that will give you L7 training as part of it - and they're not just for recent graduates, people change careers through them etc might be worth a look. Certainly CivilService Fast Stream does and possibly Royal Mail too

Redhothoochycoocher · 26/07/2023 20:13

I've just got into HR this year after deciding I needed a career change. I've nearly finished the level 3 cipd course and pretty much as soon as I started that I got an admin/customer service job in a HR only org which has given some good basic HR experience eg advising in policies and have just accepted a role as HR officer in the same field that I've just left. The course has been really helpful as I've actually learnt so much. I'm doing it online and was much cheaper than you've been quoted. I'm with avado and would definitely recommend them. Good luck x

Redhothoochycoocher · 27/07/2023 10:31

Scottishpotato · 20/03/2023 13:46

@Dogsitterwoes I guess I didn't realise how much you're thrown in at the deep end, in the roles I've had there has been little in the way if training and you're expected to know things despite being junior roles. My first week I was conducting interviews, with no previous experience other than note taking. Whilst it sounds a bit like "how hard can it be" there are obviously lots of things that can't or shouldn't be asked down to what needs to be included. I then had to sit at night googling and doing my own research. I'm still not overly comfortable with doing them now. I did raise this but that's just how its always been done! The CIPD course whilst interesting, is quite theory based and not as practical as myself nor others on the course found it to be. I am unsure of I've just been unlucky company wise or if the career move is a mistake. I am optimistic in that at least I can say I tried and if its not the career for me, something else will be!

What you've said about the course not being very practical is really interesting. My course has been quite theory based but the last assignment is all practical things that I'll apply in my next role. I've had to shortlist, write interview questions, conduct and interview, write offer letters and non-offer letters and writing lots of briefing and guidance docs for a fictional company. For the interview I've just had I was asked to write an offer letter using a JD and I'd literally just done that a few weeks earlier so all very applicable noe