Preparing for an interview can take as much time and research as the initial stages of applying for a job, but how far should those preparations extend? They should at least include practising online tests, some online research and talking to peopl  More...
21 October 2011 14:53

Jobseekers and career-changers need more than a pair of sharp elbows to get ahead in today's tough economic climate. A CV that displays sought-after skills, attributes and achievements will grab a recruiter's attention. But which skills should you e  More...
14 October 2011 16:18

Job hunting is never more challenging than during an economic downturn. In tough times, applicants feel driven to cast their net as wide as possible and consider either revisiting previous careers or reinventing themselves, in order to demonstrate the r  More...
12 August 2011 15:19

Almost half (45%) of HR practitioners entered the profession "by chance", according to early findings from XpertHR's 2011 research into HR careers. The interim findings from the research, which is still underway, also highlight the fact that more th  More...
10 August 2011 16:38

Graduate opportunities in HR are withstanding the faltering economic recovery, with organisations offering both specific graduate programmes and, thanks to the constant need to re-organise and upskill post-recession, a steady stream of entry l  More...
15 July 2011 15:28

HR been the subject of many myths over the years - some of which have seriously damaged its reputation. We dispel 10 of the most common. 1. Senior HR people have little HR experience and are merely parachuted into their jobs Around 75% of those r  More...
28 February 2011 15:19

HR professionals have to think in terms of future-proofing their careers, not just by honing the skills that they think will keep them marketable, but also by understanding how their organisation and sector may change over the next decade. With the  More...
28 February 2011 15:17

Over the past 30 years the HR profession has moved centre stage. Its professionals are now known as business partners who get the best from people in order for organisations to succeed, and it has shed its label of a backroom function tha  More...
28 February 2011 14:53

Demonstrable evidence of self-development does not just help HR professionals to succeed in the job they hold but can also help to secure future employment, as employers increasingly look for applicants who not only have knowledge but are actively   More...
28 February 2011 14:46

Leaving an in-house HR role to go it alone can seem an attractive career move, but how can you make sure it is the right one? We look at the experiences of an independent consultant and the founder of a boutique consultancy, and at the option of joining  More...
28 February 2011 10:16

The classic route to HR director level takes five career steps over a period of 20 years, according to CIPD research, but that's where the formula ends. Those who have reached the top in HR say that it's as much about authenticity and curiosity, and bei  More...
28 February 2011 10:12

Few HR professionals have enjoyed significant salary increases in the past couple of years. In fact, many have had their salaries frozen and some - particularly freelance and contract workers - have had to stomach a fall in rates. "Over the past  More...
28 February 2011 09:44

It is said that looking for a job is a full time job in itself. It takes a lot of commitment, time and thought. This is particularly true at the moment as recruitment is slow and the talent pool of available, skilled HR professionals is large. Candidate  More...
28 February 2011 09:43

There are two routes through HR - generalist or specialist. Choosing which route to take can be tough, unless you have a particular interest in a certain specialism. Anyone considering their career options at the moment would be wise to think about what  More...
28 February 2011 09:40

No HR professional can afford to ignore the importance of social media, either in terms of their use of it in their working life and in furthering their career, or in terms of how employees within their organisation are using it. "HR professionals m  More...
28 February 2011 09:39

HR has long been perceived as a female-orientated profession, and women do in fact account for the majority of its workforce. According to the CIPD, roughly 70% of its members are female. Why is it that fewer men are attracted to the profession? "Th  More...
28 February 2011 09:38

Knowing how, when, and whether or not to develop a specialist skill in HR can be a pivotal part in career success. Get it right, and you could become an in-demand expert with salary uplift to match. But make the wrong choice, or move at the wrong t  More...
25 February 2011 15:44

We are told that some things are "for life". But while eco-friendly shopping bags and dogs might fit this description, a job no longer does and this realisation has led many people over the past five years to accept the con  More...
25 February 2011 12:21

As we emerge from the recession, it would be fair to assume that third sector organisations such as anti-poverty charity Oxfam would be under immense pressure to focus on financial outputs, leaving HR as an afterthought. With job shortages boosting volu  More...
08 December 2010 11:33

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has launched a new drive to challenge misconceptions about HR and attract new talent to the profession. "Think HR. Think Again"  aims to raise the profile of the profession a  More...
30 September 2010 11:31