Trying to find a graduate job in normal times is challenging to say the least! Now fast forward over a year into a pandemic, which does not seem to be disappearing, it has proven to be a complete struggle for most graduates.
A recent FT article by Conboy and Warwick-Ching 2021 has reported that job opportunities for graduates are below pre-pandemic levels with fewer opportunities and increased competition. They reported that the UK has 14% fewer graduate roles advertised than Germany.
This report also recognised that 2021 graduates are competing with 2020 graduates and that this additional competition is resulting in demoralised and demotivated graduates. Alongside this, the UK currently has the lowest levels of internships being offered and many job offers have been deferred. Career prospects for graduates look rather gloomy indeed.
But rather than wallow in sadness and blame, those forward-thinking graduates should see today’s challenges as tomorrow’s opportunities.
It is an opportunity to consider Continuous Professional Development and a variety of future careers that you might never have considered.
For example, an exciting career in Human Resources, where you can shape an organisations culture, policies, work ethics and brand! HR Professionals are believed to be the most important employee within a business aside from the CEO.
So how can you start a career in HR?
For those who are completely new to Human Resources as a Profession, and those who have a limited understanding of what HR does within organisations, I would recommend starting a Foundation Level Qualification in HR which is perfect if you are ready to make your mark on the profession, it’ll give you a head start too! The topics covered include Business, culture and change in context, Principles of analytics, Core behaviours for people professionals and Essentials of people practice. These topics provide an insight into the world of work from the perspective of an HR Professional which is perfect for graduates who may have a limited understanding of the People Profession and are looking to take their first, rewarding step towards an HR Career.
Recent graduates who have completed the programme have managed to secure starting positions at various companies, with various People Professions titles such as HR Administrator, Recruitment Co-ordinator, HR Assistant, Recruitment Consultant, HR Co-ordinator – the list goes on!
The most exciting aspect of studying at an entry-level is the opportunity to meet some wonderful like-minded people with who you will naturally keep in contact throughout your Career. These acquaintances are priceless as I can vouch; you never know when you may need to call on them for advice and support.
We-are-HR is keen to build a community of entry-level People Professionals that we intend to nurture and support with our offering of Well-being throughout the programme. We focus on Future Development, honing those soft skills that graduates need to be successful in the ever-changing world of work!
To find out more about our CIPD Programmes please visit www.we-are-hr.com
By Natasia Hieber