By Hassan Jugoo, Assoc CIPD, Student Development Executive, CIPD – (Studied a Level 3 Certificate in Human Resources Practice)

Ever wondered what benefits there are to being a CIPD member? Being a member of a professional body offers many benefits, some of which you may not be aware of. If you want to know exactly how to make the most of your membership and how you can excel as a HR or L&D professional then this post is for you!

Here are the top 5 member benefits which, if you utilise them well, will help you develop and get the most out of your membership.

• Professionalism – upon completing your qualification you will automatically be upgraded to an Associate member. This gives you the recognition and credibility from your peers and your employers. It’s a real-life badge of achievement so put it on your CV and on your LinkedIn profile and show off your qualification. This will show you as a competent practitioner who is current and up to date in an evolving industry.

• Information – Stay up to date with the latest HR news. We have a host of info on the knowledge hub on our website which includes research reports and factsheets as well as a dedicated news page. Keeping up to date is absolutely crucial for your continued career development and CIPD Membership is there to make it easy for you. Our website is a gateway to really useful content which can assist you in your studies and in your job roles. If you haven’t already then log into our website by clicking here.

• Keep up to date – Stay up to date with news updates from the CIPD. Whether it’s Brexit or pension schemes, as a member you will have access to the CIPD Update and the Student Update which will keep you up in touch with the latest HR information and goings on a frequent basis. Read People Management, which is the UK's number one human resources magazine which will bring you the latest HR thinking and advice. You’ll also get the chance to get involved on our polls and find out about upcoming CIPD events first. Make sure you get all the latest CIPD info by following our social media accounts at…

• Career progression – Are you seeking that first job in HR? Or maybe you’re looking to make that step up to a more senior position? Well we can help you fine-tune your skills using our Career Hub. You’ll get exclusive access to a range of powerful online tools and resources to help you develop and manage your HR or L&D career as well as interview planning tips and CV advice. Click here to explore the Hub.

• Networking – Connect with your fellow members through your local branch or through our communities! We have over 59 branches which are focused on ensuring quality learning and networking opportunities with other CIPD members who you can share your experiences with. Click here to find out more about your local branch and their upcoming events. Alternatively log into the member only communities to find out what other members are talking about and to build up your personal network.

Find out more on all of the above by taking a few minutes to click the various links and explore your CIPD Membership!

Must do for the year
• Use your membership! Make sure you get all the value you can from it.
• Use your designated membership letters (Assoc/MCIPD/FCIPD)
• Make sure you’re signed up for relevant newsletters and you’re getting all the information delivered to you when you need it
• Attend at least one branch event
• Follow our social media accounts and find out what we’re up. You never know what you might be missing! Here's our Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter profiles.

If you’re not a CIPD Member then joining is very quick and easy. You can join as a Student member or alternatively an Affiliate member here
For more information please contact our customer services team on 0208 612 6208 or email on memadmin@cipd.co.uk