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Starting out in HR

David

Hi all,

I recently decided on career change from Teaching English in secondary schools (2 years experience) and I'm seriously considering HR as an option.  Having done some initial research about what to expect from the profession and studied a few job descriptions for entry level roles, I'm now seeking some concrete advice about how to obtain my first role in HR.  Ideally I'd like to know the following:

- Do I need to start studying for a HR qualification whether that's a CIPD or a postgrad qualification before even thinking about applying for HR roles? (I've already got a BA English Lit (1st Class), MA English Lit Studies and a PGCE but no experience of working in a business environment).  

-  If so is it better to do a CIPD qualification or a postgrad taught course?

-  I'm living in South Wales where HR internships, grad schemes and traineeships are scarce to no-existent based on my research (though happy to be proved wrong).  What's the best way to get the work experience that seems to be a prerequisite for any HR role?

- I've got lots of transferable skills as a teacher (excellent communication, presentation, organisation, admin, mediating difficult situations and other pastoral skills) but I'm not sure how to best present these to potential employers for HR roles as I've never worked in a business environment.

I'm aware that this is a lot of questions and as such any feedback would be much appreciated.  Thanks.

Parents
  • Hi,

    I changed careers and started in HR about a year ago. I started in an HR Admin role at the same time as starting the CIPD Level 3. Whilst it wasn't critical, I feel that it was definitely beneficial at the interview stage. Also, once I'd got the HR Admin job, I used the knowledge from the course directly in the jobs (such as interviewing candidates etc).

    I then did the Level 5 Certificate, which did get asked about at the interview stage for my HR Assistant role. It also boosted my confidence and if I'm not sure about something at work, I go back to the course notes/books and assignments that I did. Therefore, I found I could use the knowledge directly as well as telling potential employers that I had completed it.

    On the other side of that, I have worked with HR people that have not done the CIPD course, or any other qualification relating to HR, but have been able to cross over into a HR role. (Mainly I've seen this when they were managers to start with).

    Academically, as you are educated to postgrad level, you will easily complete the assignments for the CIPD courses. But I think they will give you the HR/business knowledge to get into the jobs. (I found the courses focused on business issues etc).

    Hope this helps a bit!
    Steph
  • in reply to Stephanie
    Thanks Stephanie. Yes it seems pretty essential to get some sort of CIPD accredited qualification or at least to start studying for one. I'd be interested to know how you managed to get your first role as when I look at job descriptions for jobs like HR Assistant or HR Admin Assistant they seem often to require actual HR experience which I don't have as yet.

    I've organised some short term work experience in public sector HR and I'm on the look out for internships etc. Do you reckon I could put that work experience on my CV/ will it hold any sway with employers?

    Thanks
Reply
  • in reply to Stephanie
    Thanks Stephanie. Yes it seems pretty essential to get some sort of CIPD accredited qualification or at least to start studying for one. I'd be interested to know how you managed to get your first role as when I look at job descriptions for jobs like HR Assistant or HR Admin Assistant they seem often to require actual HR experience which I don't have as yet.

    I've organised some short term work experience in public sector HR and I'm on the look out for internships etc. Do you reckon I could put that work experience on my CV/ will it hold any sway with employers?

    Thanks
Children
  • in reply to David
    Hi,

    I think the work experience will look great on your CV. It will show dedication and commitment so I think it will be a great addition on there.

    I started off with a HR Admin role and the CIPD Level 3, and had worked in admin previously (unrelated to HR). I'd always tried to do as much additional experience as possible, so I'd joined the Events team at the workplace and then used this on my CV to show I have experience of engagement activities.

    My advice would therefore be to look at all the transferable skills you have, such as time management and dealing with people to different levels of an organisation, and then getting that across.

    I also attended as many local CIPD events as possible and got talking to people about jobs. (Sometimes HR managers attend the events and then discuss vacancies that they have).

    I signed up to the CIPD mentor scheme so now have an experienced mentor to help me. I also like to attend the student CIPD events so that I can try my best to get as much HR knowledge across in the interviews.

    Steph