I have worked as a legal assistant for a number of years within the automotive industry.  A couple of years ago I became interested in working in HR so completed my CPP and am now in my 2nd year of a Postgraduate Diploma and Human Resource Management and a Licenciate of the CIPD. I am still in my current role in Legal but do a small amount of HR work also.

Ideally after completing the course I want to go into HR full time but it is not feasible at my current company as we don't really have a HR department. My question would be what should be next step after completing the course and what advice can you give me on getting the relevant experience to go with the qualifications. How difficult in reality is it to get into HR without the experience but with the qualifications?

I am a HR graduate (CIPD Licentiate) and I have been trying to enter into HR since summer 05.

It is extremely difficult- I attained a years Recruitment Consultancy experience and now work for a large automotive company as a HR Resourcing assistant - thanks to my rec experience I could enter this role and also get involved in HR activities.

I ope this will allow my next move to lead into a generalist post - it is tough and competition is extreme - consequently salaries are V low initially.

My route has taken determination and sacrfice but I am getting there.

Best of luck 

J  

Hi There,

I would aim at getting into retail within HR as they have some great ops to develop your skills, try looking at the likes of sainsburys website for personnel managers vacancies and assistant personnel managers, i hear there had outstanding programs.

I started off as a hrm in retail and found it was a great assest!

Rgds

Stephen

Hi Hazel , I worked with a graduate 2 years ago and the only way she could get into HR was to take a job as a Hr Assistant and gain as much experience as she could. This sometimes meant operating outside of her pay grade. She did find it frustrating but the lack of experience meant she couldn't walk straight into an Advisors role. Fortunately for her she managed to gain enough experience and landed a personnel officer's job for JJB !! I would also recommend looking to get into distribution at that level , the experience is fantastic , she had 18mnths experience and was well qualified to opertae in an officers role (and confident)

I worked as line manager for a while and when it came to my present job had the edge over other candidates because of this level of experience (coupled with HR experience)

I would be gald to share some more if you are interested

babdulla@atenginecontrols.com

There are plenty of different routes into HR.  A previous colleague of mine did her CPP and then took a position as a Personnel Assistant for a large corporate organisation, and was promoted two years later to Personnel Officer.

Regardless of qualifications you do normally have to "start at the bottom", normally in an administrative role.  You could apply for Assistant roles, or gain experience as a Recruitment Consultant (which is what I myself did).

I agree there are many roads into HR, you already have experience of working in a role which required good administration skills. Perhaps your first step could be a HR Administrators role. As Stephen said retail can give you a good introduction to HR. I started as a Personnel Clerk. whilst in that role I was involved in recruitment & selection, inductions, training, payroll administration, all the general admin and limited involvement in ER issues. I later worked as a Recruitment Officer, HR Administrator, HR Assistant,  and I am now currently an HR Advisor.

It is notoriously difficult to get the HR role you want with a good company. As long as you persevere you will acheive your goal. 

Remember it isn't just about the qualifications. Think about any areas of weakness that you may have and turn them into a selling point during interviews.

Good luck 

It would seem that it is a mission to get into HR!! I have 9 years adminiistration experience, and have only recently decided that i wanted to get into HR. I began my CPP last September and am due to finish in July. Having said that, after taking advice from those already working within HR, and reading all of the replies to your message, I have applied religiously for HR Admin/Assistant roles, and find myself constantly being rebuffed!! They either want someone with 6 months HR experience, or someone who is 'ideally' CIPD qualified! I'm stuck on both counts!

I have resigned myself to the realisation that you just have to keep plugging away until you finally get through!

I have a vacancy in our HR department in Leicestershire if anyone is interested.  We need an all-round administrator, ideally with HR experience but not essential, (£13K - £14K). 

Usually, the reason for being overlooked is because of sheer demand for the role and having to sift through 100's of CV's, if someone has more experience in HR than someone with general administration experience - the HR experience is an advantage.

My advice would be to make sure your CV stands out, in particualr any HR experience and ensure you have a solid covering letter, highlighting your key achievements and skills. 

Not sure if I will regret putting this on; however, anyone who is interested in the HR role, please visit www.dunelmjobs.co.uk and visit the Head Office section.  We also have 2 HR Manager roles vacant at present too.

Thanks,

Lynsey

Hi,

I have worked as a medical secretary and PA for about 3 years, and I have developed an interest in HR. I dont mind starting at the bottom and working my way up, as I am sure that is what I will have to do.

I want to start studying, but not sure what will be more helpful to my career, the CPP course or to start with a diploma in Human Resource Management from Birkbeck Uni.

Thanks.

Neshie