How do I secure a role in Human Resources with no experience?

Welcome to our guide for stepping into the world of Human Resources!

Embarking on a career in human resources can be a journey filled with opportunities to make a meaningful impact on both organisations and individuals. Some individuals study human resources or relevant subjects in College or University, however, it is possible to secure an entry-level position in human resources with no prior experience.

In our latest blog we'll give you all the key information you need to work and become successful in human resources.

 

Tailoring your CV

Human resources roles aren’t just about needing communication skills, as the best human resource professionals are excellent in working in teams, and have strong business knowledge and high emotional intelligence, as well as great organisation skills.

Are you wondering how you can start a career in human resources with no experience? Well, you may already possess some of the skills needed because they are widely used in other roles. You do, however, need to convince hiring managers that you are the perfect fit for a role in human resources.

It is therefore important that you spend time improving your CV to ensure it showcases your suitability for a career in human resources. Take a look at human resources job descriptions, to identify the common traits and skills employers will be looking for and put them on your CV. Make sure to include examples of when you have had to use this skill in the workplace.

 

Do I need a professional qualification?

There isn’t a legal requirement for professionals in human resources to have a specific type of qualification. However, you may find that some employers will state that they may prefer, or are only looking for, candidates who have a certain type of qualification.

If you plan to attend university, it may be worth thinking about studying related courses such as human resources management, psychology, or economics. You can also study towards a Higher National Certificate or a Higher National Diploma in human resources management.

Instead of going to university, you can get a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. This CIPD is a professional body for human resources and people development, offering courses and training for individuals.

 

Look for internships in human resources.

If you would rather have more work experience than studying, you should think about looking for internships in human resources. Many employers have internships for human resources professionals, allowing you to gain valuable skills in a work environment. If you are not completely sure that human resources is the path for you, an internship can help you make that decision!

It is important to know that although the internship may not offer you a job, the skills you gain from it will certainly help to strengthen your CV and stand out to employers when applying for roles. Take a look at human resources internships near you or if there is a company you would prefer to intern with, connect with their HR Managers on LinkedIn.

 

Your professional network

As human resources is a ‘people profession’, it’s highly important you work on building your network of contacts in human resources.

By having more human resource professionals in your network, you are more likely to find out about employment opportunities. Individuals in your network will be more likely to recommend you for roles. Speaking to professionals in human resources will allow you to gain valuable advice and information on how you can begin your career in the profession.

 

Look for HR tasks in your current role.

Starting your career in human resources can begin with taking on human resources-related tasks in your current workplace. This can look like recruiting talent, processing payroll, to helping implement safety programs. If your organisation does/does not have a dedicated human resources department, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to get involved with tasks like these to build your experience up.

If you are employed in a non-human resources role, you should reach out to your manager, letting them know that you are interested in adding a few human resource-related tasks to your responsibilities. You may have an opportunity to support the human resources department.

 

Key resources you can use:

CIPD

A CIPD certification is an internationally respected credential in Human Resources or Learning and Development, serving as a pathway to career growth opportunities within the field.

By becoming a CIPD member, you'll enjoy privileged access to cutting-edge research and insights directly from industry authorities, alongside the esteemed reputation associated with being a CIPD Foundation, Associate, or Chartered Member.

 

Society for Human Resource Management

The SHRM largest association in the world dedicated to human resource management. Their website offers templates, tools, publications, conferences, and education for human resources professionals as well as local chapters that individuals can join to develop your leadership, managerial, public speaking, and decision making skills.

 

HR Hero

A hub of HR resources and tools that gives HR professionals the ability to accomplish their daily workload with confidence. Their tools allow you and your team to streamline daily HR tasks and their in-house experts update policies on the site daily so you can focus on what's most important - your employees.

 

BambooHR

BambooHR gives professionals the latest HR insights and answers to common HR problems on their blog, including research, fresh data, and actionable tips.

 

HR Brew

The HR brew is a newsletter that helps you to keep up to date on HR news, giving research-based advice, as well as bringing the latest industry reports straight to your email.

 

At Heritage PS Talent Solutions We specialise in helping businesses find the best talent to meet their HR needs, from entry-level to executive-level positions. We have a deep understanding of the HR sector and are committed to delivering high-quality, customised HR recruitment solutions to our clients. Check out our careers page here for roles in HR.