If you’re looking for a career in HR, but aren’t quite sure what you need to get started, then you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll be shedding light on the qualifications that are recommended, and in some cases necessary, to enter, advance, and prosper in the people profession.
Routes into HR
Although HR is considered to be a specialised profession, its definition is actually rather broad. There are numerous roles that fall under the umbrella term of HR, meaning that there is a wide range of skills and experiences that could potentially be applicable.
As such, there is no single, universal, correct way of breaking into the HR profession. Depending on your current qualifications, experience, and skillset, there are a number of routes available to you – especially when it comes to landing an entry level job.
You could, for instance, undertake an apprenticeship – a paid job combining practical, on-the-job training with off-the-job learning. This is a superb way to begin and progress a career in HR.
Already have an honours degree? Well, that could certainly help. Possessing at least a 2:1 in any discipline is a great starting point for working in HR – but there’s bonus points if you have a people- or business-related degree, such as Psychology or Business Studies.
It might even just be a simple case of networking. The people community is, on the whole, very open and inviting of prospective HR workers. One decent connection, combined with an appropriate skillset, could be enough to secure you an entry-level job.
However, if you really want to stand out, and give yourself the best chance of kick-starting a long and successful career in HR, then the only real answer is to get a CIPD qualification.
CIPD Qualifications
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, or the CIPD, is the world’s most recognised professional standard for HR, L&D, and People Practice. A CIPD qualification is held in very high regard, and you’ll find that they are a prerequisite for most HR roles at practically every level – particularly at the more senior end of the spectrum.
The CIPD is separated into three different levels of qualification: foundation (level 3), intermediate (level 5), and advanced (level 7). The most appropriate level for you will depend on your current qualifications, your previous experience, and of course your career goals.
Foundation level CIPD qualification
A foundation CIPD qualification is an A-level equivalent, and will provide an entry point if you are new to HR, or if you don’t possess any qualifications higher than GCSE. Across four core modules, you’ll cover a wide range of practical HR and L&D topics, giving you a firm understanding of the people practice as a whole.
With a level 3 CIPD under your belt, you’ll have every chance of securing a junior HR role, such as a HR assistant. You’ll also be eligible to take on a level 5 qualification, after which the doors into the people profession will really start to open.
We Are HR offers CIPD accredited foundation courses, which you can learn more in the following link:
Intermediate level CIPD qualifications
Equivalent to degree level study, a CIPD intermediate qualification will deepen your existing knowledge of HR, and build upon your previous professional experience, in order to equip you for a more senior job in the people profession.
You have two options at level 5: an Associate Diploma in People Management, or an Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development. Though there’s a lot of cross-over between the two, one focuses on preparing you for a management role, while the other focuses on talent recognition and development. Both will provide you with the crucial knowledge and skill-set to progress your HR career.
Specifically, an intermediate CIPD qualification will make you eligible for any mid-level HR job – and provided you already have sufficient experience in HR, you’ll be ready to start taking on management roles.
We Are HR offers both CIPD accredited intermediate courses, which you can learn more about in the following links:
- CIPD Intermediate – Associate Diploma in People Management
- CIPD Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development
Advanced level CIPD qualifications
Equivalent to postgraduate levels of study, an advanced level CIPD qualification is ideal for HR and L&D professionals who are looking to develop their strategic understanding of HR management and L&D, and thus take on the most senior jobs in the entirety of the people profession.
You’ll need either an honours degree, a level 5 CIPD qualification, or a considerable amount of professional experience in HR to take on an advanced course. Like the intermediate qualifications, the advanced level has two options: an Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management, or an Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development. Completing either will qualify you to become a professional member of the CIPD. In other words, you’ll be recognised by employers everywhere as being a certified HR badass.
Of course, a CIPD advanced certificate alone isn’t enough to land you the highest-level HR jobs – you’ll need to cut your teeth with some real-life experience in a mid-level professional role first. But having said that, there are no two ways about it: the CIPD advanced level is the most prestigious qualification in HR throughout the world, and is thus your ticket to the top.
We Are HR offers both CIPD accredited advanced courses, which you can learn more about below:
- CIPD Advanced Certificate | Diploma in Strategic People Management
- CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development
Summary
Though there are a number of different routes you can take to kick-start your career in HR, by far the most prudent, efficient and effective is to acquire a CIPD qualification. Whatever your existing qualifications and experience, there is a course to which you will be well suited. Your CIPD qualification will provide you with the best possible chance of getting your foot in the door, and subsequently the means to progress your career in HR.
Explore our courses today, and kick-start your career in HR in the best possible way!