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HR experience required...

Hiya All, i am currently studying CIPD Level 3 HR, i currently come from Retail/ customer service background with no office based or HR based experience. Any tips on how to get my foot into the door, where i can start my career in HR. Most places i apply always had to 2 years experience in HR.

My questions is that if you don't given the opportunity to work in this sector then how can you ever get experience? I am Limited as it is due to being in Southampton. 

Thank you

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  • Hi Priya

    I am in the same boat as well, I know there is a local CIPD branch in each region area when I was at the College completing the CIPD Level 3. I did another course before the CIPD Level 3 and I was offered the job through the College based on 1 week's engineering work experience. If I was you I try your local College, they must be able to find you a work placement during you studying CIPD Level 3 at present. HR at the moment is a very competive job market- but CIPD stands out good as it is in demand. Also try registering with specialist HR agencies, I registered with one recently with no HR experience, and the agency was impressed with CIPD Level 3. Hopefully I get an interview with their client !

    Good Luck!
    Wahid
  • Hi Priya,

    Hello from Bournemouth! Not too far away from you.

    I have been working in HR admin roles for nearly 3 years now, and the way I got my experience was through temping. I started as a recruitment admin as a temp and managed to then move into a perm HR support role in the same company.
    There are quite a few good recruitment agencies in this area, as well as Linkedin and other websites. It is always worth taking the direct approach as well as just sending out CVs. That is where unfortunately the lack of experience will let you down.

    If possible, it may also be worth speaking to local charities and seeing if you could do some voluntary HR work for them. I haven't personally done that, but I have seen it recommended quite a few times on other posts.

    Good luck with your search!
  • In reply to Hannah:

    Hiya, thank you for getting back to me. are you able to recommend any good agency that you have used? it's such a struggle, i haven't fully qualified yet but due to applying and not getting anywhere, is starting make me feel less motivated towards my course.
  • In reply to Waheed Akhtar:

    Hiya, thak you for your response. are you able to recommend any agency?

    Thank you
  • In reply to Priya:

    Off the top of my head, ones that cover Southampton as well
    MPloy
    Rubicon
    Consult HR
    There are plenty of others though that you can find with a quick Google search :)

    I think I had a period of about 3 or 4 months after I completed my course before I found my role. It will take some time, but stick with it if HR is really your passion.
  • In reply to Hannah:

    Thank you so much for your help, i will qualify in July. This is something i do have a passion for, i do want to carry on to specialising into ER after a few years. I will look into these Agency and see where it leads.