The question of “Why is it so hard to transition into the field of Human Resources?” came to mind as I reflected on the many occasions that people have inquired about how to enter Human Resources or how they can position their resume in the right way. I felt like I needed more quantifiable evidence, outside of a feeling that it is genuinely challenging to enter the HR field. So I quickly searched for entry-level Human Resources jobs on LinkedIn and noticed a pattern. In most cases, I saw hundreds of applicants for ONE entry-level HR position. So, if you can relate to this situation, here are some tips on how to land that Human Resources role, even if you are switching careers.
“Accomplishing goals is important, but the fulfilling purpose is paramount.” – Dana L. Stringe
1. Make sure that your passion and a sense of purpose align with a career in Human Resources. I ask anybody before they begin to pursue a career in Human Resources … “Why Human Resources?” You should not only be able to answer this question, but it should align with your passion and a sense of purpose. STOP NOW if it doesn’t!
2. Improve your personal and professional brand. Strategically brand yourself and position yourself at the right place at the right time to potentially land that perfect position. How do you do this? By going where hiring HR professionals are! Be an active member of national and local HR Associations such as SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management Professionals) and NAAAHR (National Association of African Americans in Human Resources). Professionally connect with HR professionals at the target companies you wish to join and nurture those relationships. And last but not least, make sure you are comfortable with the pictures, posts, and other public internet activity that can be searchable by potential employers. If you are not satisfied with it, clean it up, lock it down, or, if possible, shut it down.
3. Customize your resume to the role you are applying to. Do not use generic summaries to apply to Human Resources roles. Recruiters review your resume and will not spend more than 30 seconds determining your candidacy. They will not spend time determining how your experiences apply to the job unless you spell it out.
For more information on how to best showcase your talents and accomplishments, check out this article from the Society of Human Resource Management: https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/organizational-and-employee-development/pages/how-to-create-an-hr-resume.aspx
4. Earn and display your aPHR certification. HR Certification distinguishes you by establishing credibility, recognizing your HR knowledge, and allowing you to make a more significant contribution to the success of the organization. A recent survey shows only 34% of HR professionals are certified. HRCI (Human Resources Certification Institution) offers an accredited knowledge-based credential (aPHR) that requires no HR experience. As of January 31, 2019, more than 4,000 professionals are aPHR certified. Make sure you prepare before your sit for the aPHR exam!
For more information on our offering, click on the following link: https://gethrcertified.thinkific.com/courses/associate-hr-certification-prep-7-week-success-start-date-9-20-2022
HR Certified LLC launched in 2018 with one mission in mind – to assist junior HR professionals, college graduates, military personnel looking to transition into the private sector, managers with HR responsibilities, and those that seek career progression as a Certification Preparation Provider with HRCI (aPHR, PHR, SPHR)! We offer virtual on-demand and instructor-led (in-person and virtual) resources for self-study. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook!
