Human resources officer
With over 135,000 members, the CIPD is the world’s largest chartered professional body to represent individuals working in human resources (HR). CIPD internationally recognised HR qualifications are a fantastic way of demonstrating to potential employers that you can add real value to an organisation. Explore careers with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Human resources (HR) officers develop, advise on and implement policies relating to the effective use of personnel within an organisation. Their aim is to ensure that the organisation employs the right balance of staff in terms of skills and experience, and that training and development opportunities are available to employees to enhance their performance and achieve the employer’s business aims.
HR officers are involved in a range of activities required by organisations that employ people, whatever the size or type of business. These cover areas such as working practices, recruitment, pay, conditions of employment, negotiation with external work-related agencies, equality and diversity.
A human resources (HR) officer must have a clear understanding of their employer’s business objectives and be able to devise and implement policies which select, develop and retain the right staff needed to meet these objectives.
The nature of the HR profession has undergone some recent changes. There has been some movement away from staff welfare and administration-centred activities towards strategy and planning. HR departments are now expected to add value to the organisation they support. The exact nature of the work varies according to the organisation, but is likely to include:
With over 135,000 members, the CIPD is the world’s largest chartered professional body to represent individuals working in human resources (HR). CIPD internationally recognised HR qualifications are a fantastic way of demonstrating to potential employers that you can add real value to an organisation. Explore careers with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
With over 135,000 members, the CIPD is the world’s largest chartered professional body to represent individuals working in human resources (HR). CIPD internationally recognised HR qualifications are a fantastic way of demonstrating to potential employers that you can add real value to an organisation. Explore careers with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Although this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomates, the following subjects may be particularly relevant:
There are various entry routes into human resources (HR) work but competition for entry is generally keen for all routes. Applying to an HR graduate training scheme is one possibility.
Some graduates move into HR after having experienced placements in several areas of an organisation as part of a general management training programme. Starting in an administrative role in an HR department provides useful experience and it may be possible to gain promotion into HR management if suitable positions arise.
A pre-entry postgraduate qualification in HR/personnel management, while not essential, might be useful. Many postgraduate courses require a degree for entry but some may consider other qualifications such as an HND, perhaps with relevant experience.
Although it is possible to enter HR work without being professionally qualified, a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) accredited qualification is often preferred by employers, especially for middle and higher management posts. It is almost always expected that you have a CIPD qualification when applying for high-level roles. You should check with individual employers regarding sponsorship for studying towards a CIPD qualification. There are various study methods available, including full-time, part-time and distance learning. A wide range of educational institutions deliver CIPD courses.
Relevant experience gained during a course placement, previous employment or vacation work greatly improves your chances. You may also develop appropriate skills whilst at university by taking on positions of responsibility, whether in a voluntary or paid capacity, or through student groups and organisations. Talking to staff already working in HR and reading appropriate journals, e.g. People Management and Personnel Today , helps you make well-informed applications.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
New graduates entering the profession need to be flexible in terms of geographical location and/or the type of work they want as competition for vacancies is usually intense.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
With over 135,000 members, the CIPD is the world’s largest chartered professional body to represent individuals working in human resources (HR). CIPD internationally recognised HR qualifications are a fantastic way of demonstrating to potential employers that you can add real value to an organisation. Explore careers with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
During the initial years of employment it may be necessary to study for Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualifications, especially if you wish to progress within the profession. Some employers may sponsor you to study towards qualifying for CIPD membership but this depends on the individual employer. The exact qualification for which you study depends on your role and educational background.
The CIPD introduced a new suite of qualifications in 2010 at foundation, intermediate and advanced level. These qualifications include a range of optional units allowing learners to specialise in areas relevant to their career development needs. See the qualifications section of the CIPD website for further information about their current and future qualifications.
The training available to achieve membership of the CIPD is delivered through accredited universities and colleges throughout the UK and may be completed through a variety of study methods, depending on your location.
Short courses, seminars, workshops and conferences are also offered at various locations on an ongoing basis, focusing on specific subjects of professional relevance such as diversity, pay and reward, mentoring, assessing learning and performance or employment law.
In addition, some organisations will allow you to attend internal or external training courses relevant to your role, for example to:
With over 135,000 members, the CIPD is the world’s largest chartered professional body to represent individuals working in human resources (HR). CIPD internationally recognised HR qualifications are a fantastic way of demonstrating to potential employers that you can add real value to an organisation. Explore careers with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Recent graduates are likely to begin their career in human resources (HR) by working in a general HR role. Some prefer the breadth of this work and choose to remain in this environment or move into a more senior role, with responsibility for a number of HR officers. Others decide to pursue more specialist careers within HR, for example, in compensation and benefits, employee relations, recruitment and selection or in learning and development. These specialist roles are more likely to be found in the headquarters of organisations operating in major cities so geographical flexibility may be required for career development.
Longer term, HR managers may move into more senior roles within an organisation and may be promoted to an HR director role, possibly as far as board level. Promotion depends on ability and career prospects are enhanced by the acquisition of the highest level of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualifications. See the qualifications and membership sections of the CIPD website for further information about their current and future qualifications and the different levels of membership available.
Self-employment and/or freelance work as a consultant to HR departments is sometimes possible for experienced HR staff.
With over 135,000 members, the CIPD is the world’s largest chartered professional body to represent individuals working in human resources (HR). CIPD internationally recognised HR qualifications are a fantastic way of demonstrating to potential employers that you can add real value to an organisation. Explore careers with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Human resources (HR) officers work in organisations that employ staff. These include:
The way in which the work is structured within these organisations varies widely. Some employers may have just one or two people covering the full range of HR activities. Larger employers may structure their HR departments according to different specialist roles or the functions may be split amongst several general HR officers on a departmental or perhaps location basis. Some very large organisations have a group of HR specialists at a head office who provide support to general HR officers working out of various departments or locations.
There are also opportunities to work in specialist consultancies, which range in size from one-person companies to small firms and partnerships. An outplacement service, when a firm engages a specialist consultancy to help staff deal with redundancy, is one example of this type of work. Many well-known firms of management consultants are also developing HR practices, offering services in areas such as compensation and benefits.
Recruitment agencies and online job sites commonly handle vacancies. Relevant agencies are listed in People Management and Personnel Today, which also publish articles on current issues within the profession. Also, search the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) consultancy finder for a list of member agencies.
Larger organisations may advertise graduate training schemes on their own websites.
Networking and speculative applications may uncover opportunities that have not been advertised. The Personnel Manager's Yearbook gives named HR/personnel contacts in medium to large-sized organisations.
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With over 135,000 members, the CIPD is the world’s largest chartered professional body to represent individuals working in human resources (HR). CIPD internationally recognised HR qualifications are a fantastic way of demonstrating to potential employers that you can add real value to an organisation. Explore careers with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
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