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Getting into the field
HR Career Forum
Getting into the field
Discuss your job search, the interviewing process, creating the right resume, how the HR profession's changes require new job-search approaches and related topics.
Hello,
I am currently working as a finncial analyst in a Budgeting deparment of a utility company. I graduated form college 2 years ago. My major was Economics.
Recenlty I realized I am more intere
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Forums » Topic Forums » HR Career Forum » Getting into the field
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Getting into the field
posted at 3/16/2007 3:58 PM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 3/16/2007 |
Hello,
I am currently working as a finncial analyst in a Budgeting deparment of a utility company. I graduated form college 2 years ago. My major was Economics. Recenlty I realized I am more interested in being involved with people in my job. After I had couple of informational interviews and did some self-assessment tests I found out that HR ( Recruitement, Staffing, Organizational Dvelopmet) would be a good fit for me. But I do not have any previous expereince in the field. Could you advise me how to approach this situation? Any help would be apreciated. Thank you. |
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Getting into the field
posted at 3/17/2007 6:50 AM EDT
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
I'll take a different approach than simply answering your question. I'll start with a question. Why? Why do you want to "get into" HR?
To work with people? well I would offer you do that every day. To help people? That would be social work or related areas. To help business maximize the productivity it gets from its people resources (human capital)? Now you are talking. Now with that said..... There are many ways to break in. You have a strong financial background and could, with some exposure and experience transition into compensation, benefits and possibly even HRIS. Seek opportunity within your current company to participate in these areas. Understand too that it may necessitate a salary reduction initially as HR positions while well paid may not be the best paid. When ever I am asked a question "how do I get into..." I always answer network. Who do you know? Who do you know who knows? Who do you know who knows who knows? You get the idea. Talk to people and express your desire. Don't ask them directly to help you get into HR. Rather, ask them "who do you know who can help me realize my goal of getting into HR?" while doing that it is a good idea to inventory your skills and read some job postings of positions you want to enter. Find the matches and equally important find the gaps. Focus on the matches and determine how you will handle the gaps. It won't happen overnight but with time, patience, perserverance, luck and so forth you may make it happen. HR is an incredibly challenging field to get into and even more challenging to stay in. The face and focus of the profession is aggressively changing. Business and business needs are changing. You must be resilient enough to function in such an environment. Anything less won't do. |
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Getting into the field
posted at 3/29/2007 4:09 AM EDT
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Posts: 2
First: 3/29/2007 Last: 4/5/2007 |
Hi! HRPro,
I found your reply very helpful and informative. May I ask this question; What's your HR background? I ask the above question, because I'll be job searching in a few weeks. At my current job as a receptionist, I do assist the HR Manager with some HR functions, most of those functions involves recruiting and staffing. However, I still feel that I may lack the necessary experience even for an assistant position. What advice or suggestion would be most helpful in this situation? Thanks in advance |
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Getting into the field
posted at 3/29/2007 2:58 PM EDT
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Posts: 1103
First: 3/16/2007 Last: 8/19/2011 |
I am the VP of HR for a national service company.
My background is primarily as a generalist with a couple of assignments specializing in OD, Recruiting and another in Comp and Benefits. My HR experience is heavy with merger and acquisition experience and turnarounds. I am very numbers and results focused. I have very limited manufacturing experience and have mostly been in healthcare, technology and services. I have an MBA and am a SPHR. I've been doing this for almost 28 years. Hope that helps. |
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Getting into the field
posted at 5/29/2007 1:24 AM EDT
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Posts: 26
First: 6/10/2004 Last: 1/26/2010 |
Probably the best opportunity for HR experience is within your own company. Some companies offer current employees "details" to other assignments based on their individual development plans and business needs. I have always been an advocate of cross-training since it helps to walk a mile in anyone's shoes and a well-rounded employee has a broader perspective which benefits the employer.
So I would discuss your career plan with your current manager and then the HR manager or supervisor. Job knowledge is important but a willingness to learn and effort is even more critical. Jobs change over time but the basic values needed for performance do not. It is unlikely that you will obtain a HR position with another company without any experience unless it is an entry level clerical type of position. I would also suggest some reading and researching to get familiar with the jargon and HR issues. Good luck. |
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Getting into the field
posted at 5/29/2007 4:20 AM EDT
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Posts: 2
First: 9/11/2006 Last: 5/29/2007 |
While experience may count for you and depending on the organization that hires you I have come across organizations that would not even offer an interview if you do not hold some form of former qualifications. So if you are serious about getting into the HR field I would strongly recommend getting that "vital piece of paper" behind your name. Good Luck |
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Getting into the field
posted at 5/29/2007 4:36 AM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: 5/29/2007 Last: 4/2/2008 |
If you really want to become a professional in Human Resources, I strongly suggest that you study for -- and pass -- the Professional In Human Resources exam as presented by the Society for Human Resource Management. Nothing will show your prospective employer that you are worth a try more than having mastered the "body of knowledge". In addition, this will give you the broad understanding of the various aspects of HR Management.
I "got into" Human Resources from the Accounting side of the business, starting as an Assets Manager and working up through Controllership. As a Controller, one is also the master of Human Resources for a business. Any time I hired a Human Resources person, the first question I always asked is "What do you know about the job?" If I don't get an answer, or if the answer is really purile, the interview is over. |
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Getting into the field
posted at 5/29/2007 6:20 AM EDT
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Posts: 15
First: 8/7/2006 Last: 10/10/2007 |
Hi HRPRO
I am working as a HRIS assistant with 1.5 years of experience in HRIS (SAP HR) and little exposure to Benefits and Compensation. I have close to 5 years of experience. I do not want to be a HRIS analyst, my preference is to get into comp and benefits or HR generalist. I have tried making the move in the current company but already have people doing it and not sure when I will get the break. I am trying outside but not getting the correct break. I do not have recruiting experience.....will it be difficult to get into HR generalist positions What is your suggestion thaks HRgeek12 |
Forums » Topic Forums » HR Career Forum » Getting into the field
