Periodically, a reader's question has universal appeal and application so I am sharing both the question and my response. This particular question comes to me a lot, particularly from people who want to transition into the field of HR. With little to no formal education in HR and little job experience, what can the individual do to quickly impact their ability to work in our field? How would you respond to Ann's question?
Reader's Question: let me introduce myself. My name is Ann and I am a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) graduate. I have several years' experience working as an accounts assistant, administration assistant, data entry operator and so on. I am 30 years old now and I wish to make an upward progress in my career and Human Resources interests me. But all the HR vacancies (even HR assistants) require HR experience. So I thought of studying further to increase my chances of getting an HR position.
I am planning to do a Graduate Certificate course in Australia and there are two options:
- Graduate Certificate in Human Resources
- Graduate Certificate in Humanities and Social Science
Which one do you think might give me a chance to put a foot in the door in HR? I would be most obliged if you could provide advice in this matter. Thank you for your time and thoughts.
My Response: I am unfamiliar with many graduate certificates, so it is difficult to comment on specific ones, but I would think that one that allowed HR study, if that is your goal, would be better. However, I have several additional ideas.
Preparing to Work in HR
- Why not interview some successful HR managers in your community to seek out their advice about getting into the field of HR and how you can prepare. Many HR people are willing to do these informational interviews and it is also a way to get your name, as interested in HR, out into your community.
- Is there any way that you can take on additional tasks in your current job that take you in the HR direction? Many people started in HR by doing payroll as an example. Talk to your boss and your company's HR person about your goal and get advice. Maybe there are ways the departments can share you.
- Work with a decent resume writer or your college career services office to take your accounting experience and make it sound useful in an HR department. Numbers people are always needed in HR, so perhaps this experience can provide a bridge into an HR career.
- Can you take a brief leave to do an HR internship?
- If you have no grad degree in HR or business, consider that they are becoming more important in HR and might make you more employable.
Apply for HR Jobs Without Experience
I would apply for the positions that require experience. Work with your resume and cover letter to make your current skills and tasks relevant to HR, and apply.
Here are some thoughts on getting into HR. Thoughts on transitioning to HR from another field. Readers share their thoughts about how they made their transition into HR. Readers share their more detailed stories about how they transitioned to a position in the field of HR.
Best wishes and good luck. May you make all of your dreams come true.
Similar question is in the HR Forum right now, too.
Okay, readers. Your thought are welcome for this reader and all of the others who write to me with similar questions. Share the brain trust of the people who read this site. It's spectacular.
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I can relate to Ann’s situation (in a way).
I have close to 15 years experience in the clerical field as an Office Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Executive Secretary, Receptionist and so on. In my role as a Receptionist, my supervisor was the Office Manager who was responible for Human Resources for the company (among other things). She delegated simple H.R. tasks to me and at that point, I realized I wanted to pursue a career in Human Resources. Like Ann, I was finding that H. R. positions required previous experience, more extensive that the little experience I had. The only difference is I couldn’t (and still) can’t afford to go to school or take courses for H.R. My only option was to get on-the-job experience.
I left the Receptionist role 7 years ago and have worked in other clerical roles up until last year when I lost a job. While looking for jobs, I looked for H.R. Jobs as well as clerical jobs and came across an H.R. job posting that struck my interest because it required the experience I already had. It was for a H.R. Clerk/Recruiter and the position required extensive clerical experience, which I had, and the H.R. experience was equal to the experience I picked up in the Receptionist job. I applied and got the job. What helped is, like Susan suggested, I tweaked my resume to highlight the clerical and H.R. experience the employer was looking for. I got the job this past January and really like it. It is entry level but is the stepping stone needed to gain on-the-job H.R. skills and knowledge.
I agree with Susan’s suggestion. Tweak your resume to highlight skills that could be relevant to H.R. and apply for positions, as I did. Also, trying to take on H.R. tasks at your current job could be a plus, as it was for me.
Good luck!
Hi
I have 2 years of experience in clerical field in a private company.
I want to move in HR field. So can I apply for this with my experience or still I am fresher for the post of HR??
I’m actually surprised at Ann’s troubles landing a job in HR. The MO in the USA for HR is to hire people with no experience at all in HR.
You should move to the US, you’ll get hired tomorrow.
I agree with Susan, highlight any HR experience you might have on your resume. I have no formal HR education, and I was actually offered a very basic entry level Recruiting position at a company where I was originally a Customer Service rep. I took the role on not knowing much about it, as I was up for something new, and I realized it was what I wanted to do. I did that for maybe 6 months and started applying for more challenging HR jobs so I could jump up in the field. I stayed in the range of 1-3 years experience, even though I wasn’t there. This was a risk I took. I was given an incredible opportunity for a position well above my experience level, but for some reason, I was hired. It was scary initially, but it did work out. Don’t be afraid to “jump in” and get your hands dirty without formal education in the field, but be ready to work, and do your research on every tiny little thing you’re not sure about. There is an employer out there that wants someone with your experience to start from the ground up.
I do think formal education is important, I have a BA in liberal arts (no help really!) and I intend to get a masters in an HR related degree. But for the time being, l am self educated and it serves me well.
Also, consider starting in a retail HR environment, even line level managers do lots of HR related functions. Lots of retail stores have on-site HR associates, and those positions can prove easier to land than others.
To Toni C.:
I’m not sure where in the US you live, but my experience trying to get into H/R has been anything but a walk on the beach. I have an MBA and a Masters in Human Relations and Organzational Behavior. (My company paid for my MSO @ 100%.) After I graduated with my second (and final) Masters, I applied for several positions with my current employer, only to be told I don’t have any experience. My prior experiences have been Site Director at a Non-Profit, an Operations Manager for a well known logistics company, and a Credit Manager for a high end retail store. I will be sitting for my certification at the end of the year in hopes that I can land a job in H/R. Having said that, maybe I’m living in the wrong part of the country