To start on your HR career path, finding the ideal first job is an important step to take. Here, we will look at common entry-level HR jobs, what sort of education and experience you’ll need to apply, and how to gain that essential education and experience.
HR Assistant
Becoming an HR assistant can help you gain experience in a variety of HR fields as you assist the human resources manager in administrative tasks, employee recruitment, and record maintenance. Sometimes you can become an HR assistant to a specific HR department, such as payroll, benefits, and training management, and there you would learn more about that area of HR. Typically, an HR assistant is required to have at least an associate degree in human resources or a related field, although some job listings will require a bachelor’s degree.
HR Generalist
An HR generalist helps with the day-to-day tasks of an HR department and has a broad scope of work rather than specializing in one area of HR. An HR generalist will usually need a bachelor’s degree and a PHR certification or some additional experience under their belt, such as an internship.
HR Recruiter
For a more specialized and focused HR role, an HR recruiter could be a good starting position. In this position, you would help recruit potential employees and seek out new talent, schedule interviews, and communicate with those candidates as they start the interview process. Although you would not be involved in the actual hiring process, you would play a large role in who ended up applying for positions. A typical HR recruiter job will require a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field.
How to Land an Entry-Level HR Job
Securing your first entry-level HR job is easier said than done. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make yourself stand out as a candidate and give yourself the best chance at an HR position.
1. Take HR Courses
Education will take you far in any industry but especially in the HR field. Not only should you try to get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field, but becoming HR certified and taking additional online HR certification courses will let your resume shine and make you a better asset to a company. As you’re starting, you’ll want to be aPHR certified as a beginning professional. After you get certified, it’s also important to stay on top of your certifications and get recertified as necessary.
2. Network at HR Events
Many opportunities in your career will be due to the connections you make with other HR professionals. Try to meet others in your field, especially if you know of an HR specialty you’d like to pursue, and even find a willing mentor to help you along the way. If you’re not sure where to begin, you can join associations like the Society for Human Resource Management and actively engage with them and attend their events or connect with HR professionals online.
3. Become an HR Intern
Getting an HR internship gives you great experience and opportunities in the HR field and can often lead to your first entry-level HR job if you perform well. Companies will frequently pull from their intern pool when full-time job opportunities open up. Doing an internship can also provide some added benefits, with relevant job experience that may be necessary for entry-level HR jobs, networking with other successful HR professionals, and sometimes being a paid position in itself.
Get Certified and Stay Certified with HREN
HR Education Network offers online HR certification courses, recertification courses, and additional HR education to equip you with the knowledge needed to apply for your first entry-level HR job. These flexible online courses are designed to let you work through as quickly or as slowly as you need—all from the comfort of your own home and schedule.
