How did you get into HR??

I also fell into HR! Throughout school I was convinced I wanted to something with psychology, viewing it as a niche market, and one potentially to be a huge earner! I went to the University of Liverpool and got a combined honours degree in Psychology and Sociology (in 2003). Like many university leavers I was unable to find a permanent role initally, and took various placements through a recruitment agency. One of the more enjoyable placements was working for the Trafford Centre as a Customer Service assistant, and whilst there I got the opportunity to apply for a role as a HR assistant. Unfortunately I did not get that role, however after having filled in for a couple of weeks in that department it did whet my appetite for HR.

The next placement via the recruitment agency was a property management company and I hated it, even though it materialised into a permanent role. Therefore I was desperate to get into anything else, luckily my Dad knew this and kept bringing home the vacancy bulletins from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) where he was an Officer.

A vacancy became available at GMP for admin assistant -personnel and training. I applied and was interviewed and was successful for the role, commencing September 2004. This proved to be a very exciting time to join the Police as they were looking to devolve a lot of HR activities, and within 6 months I had secured a promotion to Senior HR Assistant, doing all sorts of general HR duties, with a heavy bias towards recruitment.

Whilst at GMP I was encouraged and supported to complete my CIPD studies, which I completed the diploma in July 2007, and I continued with the studies in order to gain my MSc. After 3 years I was looking for a further promotion to a HR Officer level role - none were forthcoming at GMP, and because I was tied into the Further Education Funding Scheme I was unable to leave without paying back my fees - unless I secured employment with another Police Force.

 In April 2008 I began working for Cheshire Constabulary as the HR Officer for Recruitment, and completed my MSc in HR in July 2009.

Although I "fell" into HR, it is a career that I have really enjoyed so far, and it is something I can see doing for the rest of my career - however I don't anticipate being in the Public Sector or particularly Policing for the whole of my career, and so I must admit I check the job boards on a regular basis - but having said that I really enjoy my current role, and after being in a job that I have despised previously, I will not just jump ship for more money - it has to be a rewarding opportunity whereever I may go!

I also fell into HR! Throughout school I was convinced I wanted to something with psychology, viewing it as a niche market, and one potentially to be a huge earner! I went to the University of Liverpool and got a combined honours degree in Psychology and Sociology (in 2003). Like many university leavers I was unable to find a permanent role initally, and took various placements through a recruitment agency. One of the more enjoyable placements was working for the Trafford Centre as a Customer Service assistant, and whilst there I got the opportunity to apply for a role as a HR assistant. Unfortunately I did not get that role, however after having filled in for a couple of weeks in that department it did whet my appetite for HR.

The next placement via the recruitment agency was a property management company and I hated it, even though it materialised into a permanent role. Therefore I was desperate to get into anything else, luckily my Dad knew this and kept bringing home the vacancy bulletins from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) where he was an Officer.

A vacancy became available at GMP for admin assistant -personnel and training. I applied and was interviewed and was successful for the role, commencing September 2004. This proved to be a very exciting time to join the Police as they were looking to devolve a lot of HR activities, and within 6 months I had secured a promotion to Senior HR Assistant, doing all sorts of general HR duties, with a heavy bias towards recruitment.

Whilst at GMP I was encouraged and supported to complete my CIPD studies, which I completed the diploma in July 2007, and I continued with the studies in order to gain my MSc. After 3 years I was looking for a further promotion to a HR Officer level role - none were forthcoming at GMP, and because I was tied into the Further Education Funding Scheme I was unable to leave without paying back my fees - unless I secured employment with another Police Force.

 In April 2008 I began working for Cheshire Constabulary as the HR Officer for Recruitment, and completed my MSc in HR in July 2009.

Although I "fell" into HR, it is a career that I have really enjoyed so far, and it is something I can see doing for the rest of my career - however I don't anticipate being in the Public Sector or particularly Policing for the whole of my career, and so I must admit I check the job boards on a regular basis - but having said that I really enjoy my current role, and after being in a job that I have despised previously, I will not just jump ship for more money - it has to be a rewarding opportunity whereever I may go!