How to Get a Job in HR When You’re Not Working in HR

This is a transcript from my last #VentureCareer TweetChat that took place on Twitter, 1st November, 2016.


I am sure for those of us that missed it, we can always go through this piece to learn more about the subject matter. Feel free to repost or re-use on your blogs, while stating the source.

1.      When it comes to getting your first job in HR, the limit is not the sky; it’s in your mind.

2.      Whether or not you think you have the experience, the starting point is to believe that you can get your desired job!

3.      It’s very possible to get that HR job that you are targeting. There really is room in the HR profession for more people who want to make the business world a better place.

4.      Whether or not you think you have the experience, the starting point is to believe that you can get your desired job!

5.      In the last couple of months I’ve received lots of requests from people looking for their first venture into HR. A lot of them are recent grads with a degree and a job that didn’t fit their long-term goals.

6.      Today I’m going to offer some practical tips and strategies to help those of you that are on the outside trying to either get back into HR or coming in for the first time.

7.      There’s a good chance that no matter who you are or where you’re located, you can put a few of our conversation today into practice to improve your chances.

8.      A good attitude, culture fit, and being trainable is huge. If you have HR knowledge & none of that, then you won’t make it past the first interview.

9.      The most important skill to have in an HR job is a service mentality. You’re there to take care of the employees, not for them to take care of you.

10.  HR is about relationship building, customer service and fostering relationships with individuals on all levels. Know what you want to do.

11.  Use the right words on your resume. It helps to see things that make us feel like you know what you’re doing. This applies especially if the job ad you’re applying for lists any of the terminology or buzzwords.

12.  Take into account technology skills, business related knowledge and ability, and other intangible skills and abilities that you can’t teach someone. I can teach someone to complete a form, but to teach logical thinking is a bit difficult.

13.  Position yourself for success. Focus on critical areas that can help you land your HR job at an interview. You will need competencies like problem solving, interpersonal skills, oral & written communication, planning/organizing, quality control, adaptability, dependability & more.

14.  Developing transferrable skills are the key and you must know your signature strengths & be able to communicate them to get a chance.

15.  Often what people don’t realize is that they have specialized and/or significant experience in an area that is transferable to the HR profession.

16.  Our early experiences can help us by revealing the activities we don’t want to do just as much as highlighting those things we do want to do.

17.  Applying online, submitting resumes, etc. should only be 10-20% of your job search efforts, not 80-90% as is the norm.

18.  A large portion of job openings are either never posted or are filled via word of mouth referral.

19.  If you are looking for a position in HR, it’s critical that you take the time to network with people in the profession.

20.  Find opportunities to connect with other smart people who are already in the HR community.

21.  Form as many solid relationships (both up and down the ladder) as you can.

22.  Treat all people with respect and learn to be a strong listener. There’s so much value in this.

23.  Joining a local HR chapter like @CIPMNigeria ’s PPCA can be a great platform to network yourself into HR.

24.  Instead of just going to attend events and trying to meet people, decide to make people want to try to talk to you by volunteering for important duties in the associations. On the flipside, the key is to do what nobody else wants to do no matter how challenging. This is the best way up!

25.  Give before you take. Find out how you can add value before you request something from professional people. As you do this, your credibility will grow over time and you’ll earn the trust of those who can offer you a job in HR.

26.  Do HR where you are. Find opportunities to practice HR-related skills even in a non-HR position. This is the most valuable way to prove value to a hiring manager.

27.  If you’re working currently, start looking for opportunities to leverage as pseudo-HR experience. The more attention and time you give to this area, the better you can make yourself look during the application/interview process.

28.  It’s worth it if you can prove you have some of the key skills and experience that lend themselves to an HR role.

29.  Find an HR Technology vendor that you can talk to. HR vendors sell technology to companies, but their primary audience is HR leaders.

30.  Approaching a vendor with an HR degree, certification, or background would make you more valuable than someone just coming off the street with no knowledge of HR, recruiting, and those aspects of the business. However, you’re probably going to have some level of technology know-how to pull it off. You should at least be able to use technology and find your way around without a lot of help.

31.  HR tends to be the weakest in understanding & applying technology to build HR efficiency and to manage the flow of strategic information. Dig into HR technology & be good at this and you may as well earn a position in HR more quickly than you think.

32.  Whether you have a degree or certification in HR or not, you can improve your knowledge of the HR space to improve your chances of getting into HR.

33.  Read HR books. Read HR blogs. Blog yourself. Network with others locally or online. Demo tools you will use on the job if you eventually get one.

34.  Every HR department has its own policies, processes, and preferences. Keep this in mind when trying to prove you have what it takes for the role.

35.  Find a mentor and extract the best out of them!

 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1.      Q: Most times I search for “entry level HR jobs” but don’t usually find the jobs I’m targeting.

A: You will need to search for specific job titles, such as HR Assistant, HR intern, Payroll Assistant, HR Clerk, HR Administrative Assistant, Junior HR representative, etc.

2.      Q: How is the entry level salary for HR people comparable to other professions?

A:  There is certainly the option to grow into a very high earning position as an HR professional, but certainly you don’t walk out of school & expect to earn the same thing like a brain surgeon or software developer.

3.      Q: I’m a recent graduate of IRPM from UNILAG & contemplating whether to do my Masters in HR immediately or look for a job in HR. What do you advice?

A: Hold off on additional education until you actually have experience–you will appreciate the education more & will be able to relate it to hands-on scenarios that you see regularly.

4.      Q: I have an interview in few days. How best should I prepare?

A: Do a personal SWOT analysis. Be able to speak to your strengths and weaknesses, but also look at opportunities you can capitalize on that others may not.

The better you know yourself the more capable you will seem to be as you formulate your approach for how to get into HR.

5.      Q: It appears HR is a Cult. I have tried to get in for the last 3years without success.

A: If getting directly into HR is increasingly difficult, try another business area of the company you want to be with. When projects or work groups open up that involve HR, do not miss a chance to contribute.

You may also want to be on the lookout for large organizations with “shadow HR” functions that work in concert with corporate HR.

Target smaller companies with only one or two HR people–you have a better chance of getting them to flex to the possibility of an HR intern than a large, established company with a complex hiring process.

6.      Q: I finished school with good grades, yet all employers are asking for at least 3years experience. Where do they want me to get it if they won’t give me a chance?

A: There is a big difference between ‘book smarts’ and ‘working knowledge’. You need to show your transferable skills. Consider volunteering in a HR office if you’re finding it difficult to find employment.

7.      Q: I just got my first job in HR. Advise me on how best to grow quickly in the profession.

A: There are numerous career tracks, and there are rarely two people who follow the exact same path. Embrace Curiosity! Pay attention to the world around you- politics, economy, society, & technology. Explore new ideas, learn about new things, contemplate what they mean and take action!

8.      Q: I have my master's degree in HR and I can't get any interview let alone a job! Can you help? 

A: If you're not getting interviews you need to look at the application process, your resume, or something on that front.

Getting interviews and no offers is a different kind of problem, but you're not quite at that stage yet.

Focus on making personal connections at the companies you're targeting & not just blindly applying to every opening you find.

9.      Q: I am a Computer Science graduate actually planning to go for HR Master’s degree but kind of tight financially. Is it possible to find a job in HR?

A: Your best bet might be to leverage the IT background and try to find an HR system admin job at a larger firm, then work your way toward HR.

HR’s a strange field because so many people “fall into” it. A lot of people with unrelated degrees find themselves in HR & it’s the variety that makes the field interesting. I’m an example- my background is Banking & Finance!

10.  Q: I have no useful work experience or education in HR but planning to go back to school for a degree in HR. Is it worth it?

A: If you have no background in HR & want to move in that direction, some education could definitely help to ground you in the basics.

There are so many ways to learn HR concepts for free, but most companies are looking for some proof you know what you're talking about (degree).

Approach a staffing/contract recruiting firm. This is one of the well-known back-door tracks to get into HR without experience.

11.  Q: I have 3months experience in HR consultancy & Masters in Architecture. I get called for HR interviews but they never call me back. What do you think is the problem?

A:  That’s hard to know. If you’re getting calls to interview but no offers, it's not your resume.

It is either how you are presenting your experience or the way you're presenting yourself in the interview.

You may want to surround yourself with more learning. Talk to someone who does HR as a primary role, read online, sit in on webinars and listen to podcasts about HR topics.

12.  Q: Do you have any suggestions regarding getting certified or going through a certification course in HR. My bachelors is in Theatre Arts and currently teaching in a private school but want to switch to HR.

A: If you think that's the way you'd like to go, I’ll recommend @CIPMNigeria for you. Please visit www.cipmnigeria.org. They also have many accredited preparatory centers for their exams.

You can also check out certifications of HRCI on www.hrci.org, SHRM on www.shrm.org, or CIPD on www.cipd.co.uk.  Let me know if I can help more.