7 Tips To Help You Secure Your First Job in HR

Whether you are a graduate, or deciding to take on a new challenge, the HR industry can provide you with an exciting career opportunity. However, like most industries it is difficult to navigate where to start and how to get your foot in the door.

With years of experience helping candidates of all ages and experience levels secure HR jobs, Four Recruitment have put together seven key tips to assist:

1. Get some work experience in HR

We understand this may be difficult if you are in employment already, but it’s worth asking the HR department if you can spend some time with them. If not, make some approaches to other local businesses. This could even be supporting family or friends’ businesses. Gaining any work experience in HR will show a prospective employer that you are serious about the industry and are eager to learn. 

2. Look at the HR apprenticeship scheme as an option

Apprenticeship schemes are a great way to gain work experience alongside your studies. Apprenticeships are designed for those starting out in the industry and could be the foot in the door that you’ve been searching for.

3. Make your application stand out when approaching businesses directly

Don’t underestimate the number of people looking to get their foot in the door especially in the current climate, you need to do something different. As HR professionals have a direct involvement in the recruitment process, they know what they’re looking for in a new hire; show off your skills and support them with evidence, don’t be scared to add a creative flair.

4. Use your network

Networking is key when working in HR and you need to make sure you’re utilising who you have around you. Speak to friends, family and your wider networks to see who you know in HR that could give you a useful insight to what a career in the sector actually involves – you might even gain a few interview tips or work experience opportunities.

5. Seek support from a recruitment agency

A specialist HR recruitment agency will work with both candidates and businesses to match them appropriately. They can provide lots of support, guidance and advice to you throughout the recruitment process.

6. Look at self-funding your CIPD

Not only will this show a serious commitment from you to pursuing a career in HR but it will give you a great network of HR professionals that you can share knowledge with and learn from.

7. Sign up to receive HR publications

It’s important to keep up with the current trends of HR, the industry is constantly evolving and you want to be sure your knowledge is up to scratch.

Familiarise yourself with people management magazines and keep on top of employment law updates to help build up your knowledge. Try and attend as many workshops and webinars as you can and listen to podcasts; gaining industry knowledge from HR professionals in practice is invaluable.