HR Degree or CIPD? Starting a career in HR.

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preciousillusions Posted: 13 Apr 2012 10:03 PM

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Hi, Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the above... 

I finished college in 2007 (AS only) a few years back and have been doing administrative type work since then (Insurance Brokers, Investment Bank, Financial Advisers) and am looking to seriously get into HR. I lost my job in Jan and am currently unemployed. 

I have been applying for HR Administrator jobs but don't seem to be getting anywhere at all, so have figured that it must have something to do with either my lack of HR experience or my lack of qualifications...

So basically any advice would be much appreciated in terms of wether people think it's worth going to uni or will the CIPD be better? currently leaning towards CIPD for various reasons (age of going to uni, i'm 22, not working for 3 years and cost). 

Any tips etc would be great.

THANKS

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Seren replied on 16 Apr 2012 7:54 PM

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You need to get an admin role, not necessary in HR,, start with the CPP whilst applying for HR admin roles, eventually you will find a role in HR.  Then learn the basics & work your way up in the HR roles. Don't stick to one sector, to be a true generalist you need to have experience in different organisations.

Good luck

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Natali82 replied on 15 Jun 2012 9:46 PM

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Completely agree.

The CHRP is the new qualification and really sets you up for generalist roles.  It will also give you the opportunity to network with other HR professionals and possibly that may lead to a job.

I would not look at university as depending on the type of course you may still need to complete all or part of the main CIPD diploma anyway.

If possible try and get some work experience in a HR team as this will add to your CV and give you the experience you may be lacking.

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owena replied on 18 Jun 2012 9:44 AM

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Hi,

You can join the CIPD (for a pretty hefty fee of £290) as an affiliate member (join at https://www.cipd.co.uk/affiliatemembership/), without any specific HR experience.  If you can afford the fee I'd recommend that as it shows you are committed to getting into HR. 

Failing that, you need to get admin experience under your belt that at least reflects HR practices - so perhaps in smaller companies where the administrator might get involved in recruitment, drafting offer letters, etc?

Other suggestions:

• Search online for HR training courses that you could attend locally?  Often local solicitors will run courses and if you approach them and explain your situation they might be willing to help?
• Email local employers HR departments and ask if they would mind chatting to you for half an hour about what HR consists of in their business - doing that a few times across different employers would help you build up a good picture of what HR is, and help you sell yourself to those people too (maybe not helpful right now but say they advertise for a HR administrator in 6 months time, and you apply, you'll be remembered as committed)
• Email local employers HR departments and offer your services free of charge as a volunteer for any admin projects they might have?
• Attend local CIPD branch events if you think they might be appropriate.
• DOn't give up!  HR is hard to get into, but if you're committed to it, it's worthwhile.

Best of luck

Owen

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Lili replied on 20 Jun 2012 4:19 PM

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Myself i did bouth at once. I completed my master in HR with CIPD some universities doing this. I did it in The Robert Gordon University ( up in Scotland,) but I am sure should be something similar in England