Career in HR.... Any advice appreciated!

[TheRoundTable]

Hi!

I would appreciate any advice on starting a career in HR please-particularly where to start!
Thank you in advance!

To be able to get a job in HR you really need to qualify. I belie cups accreditation is the "key" qualification so have a look at uni courses that offer full accreditation by CIPD.

Sorry - iPhone.

To be able to get a job in HR you really need to qualify. I believe CIPD accreditation is the "key" qualification so have a look at uni courses that offer full accreditation by CIPD.

I work in HR.

There are HR qualifications you can complete, however, many of the courses do like you to be familiar with a HR department so that you can base your assignments on that organisation. When I was doing my qualifications, some people on my course did struggle as a result of not having access to a HR department. Do you work, or know somebody who works in HR, that can assist you with this?

Alternatively, you could try and get into HR through working as a HR administrator or co-ordinator - HR does generate a lot of paperwork e.g. issuing contracts of employment, organising interviews (which is how I got in) or setting my training courses and may people do get in this way.

Hi

I would agree with Chanie44. When I started out in HR I got a job as an administrator and then studied for the CIPD when I was in work (my organisation actually sponsored the course). I then moved up into a more professional position.

It is harder to do the course without exposure to an HR Dept and when I was recruiting for HR Advisors etc I was certainly looking for practical experience. As an example, I recruited someone who was coming to the end of an MSc as an administrator (she worked her way up quickly) and someone who was only just starting to study but had a lot of practical experience as an advisor.

In short, the qualification is important but so is experience!

Good luck - HR can be very rewarding (and a little frustrating at times as well!).

Thank you very much for the responses everyone! I've been told experience is so important too... I don't know anyone working in HR at the moment, but will ask around...

Thanks!

Re: Qualifications- Is it best to start with a CPP-Certificate in Personnel Practice?

Hi

Do you have a degree?

When I studied you had to do the CPP if you didn't have a degree. I do have a degree but did the CPP as it filled a gap until the professional course started. It would probably be useful for you if you haven't managed to get much experience by then as it is a good intro to HR.

Do you work at the moment? Does your organisation have an HR Dept you can talk to? Often line managers deal with HR issues as well so you may be able to get involved that way too. It is worth asking the question.

Thanks again!

I do have a degree, but haven't worked in a while! Thinking of doing the CPP to get some knowledge of HR as it is quite new to me...