How to get into a career in HR?

[NotTodayMargie]

I've NC for this post.

I'd like to change career and get into a job in HR.

I already have a Masters in an unrelated subject so I could go straight into the OU level 7 course but I'd like my HR subject knowledge to be thorough so I wonder whether the CIPD level 3 course would be the best plan.

I'm looking for HR administration jobs to get some experience I'll take a massive pay cut but it's what I want to do. At the same time I'd like to do my CIPD level 3 as distance learning.

Is this the right way to go about it?
If not, should I be doing it differently? Just go straight for level 7, maybe?

Assuming CIPD 3 is the way to go can anyone recommend a course which is legitimately recognised by CIPD?

Thank you for any advice you can give me.

@HermioneWeasley and @wegweiser I've met and interviewed people who are applying for teacher training or a post in teaching because they 'like people' too. Or that they 'like children' or want to 'help children'. All of those assumptions about HR and teaching are naive. I'm not under any of those illusions.

I'm able to maintain professionalism.

It's not just teaching, I'd like to work in the private sector and leave the public sector completely, with the full knowledge that the holiday and pensions entitlements are not nearly as good.

If you don't like 'horrible processes' then don't go into HR! (not generalist/advisor anyway)

I work in HR at advisor level and the majority of my work is dealing with difficult situations including disciplinary procedures, capability, ill health and redundancy.

I like the challenge, but if I felt uncomfortable with these processes then I wouldn't have lasted five minutes.

Would L and D be more up your street? With a teaching background that may be a better move for you.

It is better practice to have a separate investigator for grievance who then reports to the manager responsible for hearing the grievance. In that way, there is no bias.

I know loads of HR professionals and many enjoy it. The admin staff do the boring bits! You could try for that role to see if you like it.