A career in HR

MaxBe

Hello,

I hold a postgraduate degree in International Business and two years prior experience in HR admin. I chose an Msc in International business because I figured it had HR modules and I wanted to be relevant to the business rather than just HR. For my dissertation, I also researched an HR related issue. I was so sure I made the right decision at the time... How naive was I .

Almost two years on applying for HR assistant roles with no success, I have decided to apply for a cipd qualification . My question now is, should I study for the level 5 or the level 7 certificate. Or are there alternative HR diplomas, not as expensive but good enough to show recruiters my commitment to a career in HR?. I don't want to make the same mistake I made not getting a degree in hrm straightaway and having the coveted Assoc cipd to my name now or a job probably.

Many thanks

tomtontom

Have you looked at graduate schemes? If they might interest you be careful studying for the CIPD independently - some will not accept you if you already have the qualification.

MaxBe

Thanks tomtontom
Had my degree in 2013 and the last grad scheme I applied to claimed I'm not a recent graduate. You addressed my fear on getting a qualification because right now with just two years prior experience (left job in 2012 to study) and even a postgraduate degree, I'm either under experienced or over qualified. Getting a cipd qualification I fear would only make it a bit harder or tip the scales against me further??

KiKi

Hi Max

Declaration of interest: I do a lot of work with the CIPD.

As you've probably seen from adverts you've looked at, many many employers now want CIPD qualified people, or the equivalent experience. Whilst it's not a deal breaker at a senior level where experience will trump quals every time, you're currently competing with people who do have the qualification or are studying for it, so you will be at a disadvantage for pure HR roles in the early stage of your career. You also seem to have no experience which won't help.

Forgetting who I work with for a moment - as someone who works in HR and is MCIPD qualified (well, I work in talent / assessment / L&D, so I'm not an HR generalist) I wouldn't even consider doing a qual which wasn't CIPD approved - it won't hold the same status with employers, simple as that. So if I were you I'd forget that idea.

L5 is second year degree level, and the cert or diploma will give you Associate membership. L7 is post-grad level, and the cert or diploma will also give you Associate membership. However, when you have the right experience behind you (and I'm talking around three years of middle manager level / HR Business Partner experience here), then you will ONLY be able to upgrade to Chartered Membership if you have the Level 7 Diploma. The Level 5 won't let you do that, so you'd have to undertake an alternative route to Chartered Membership which is longer and more expensive (there is one, but not relevant to you currently). If you've already done a degree, I'd pick L7 every time - but it takes around two years to complete, part time, and you really need to be working in an HR environment to complete it as most of the practical study is work-based. You can do a qual bit by bit - the Award is the shortest version of a qualification, then if you study more modules you can turn it into the Certificate - then do some more modules and it becomes a Diploma. You can only do this at the one level, though, so you're best to pick one and stick with it.

So, personally, if I were you, I would apply for admin level roles in HR specialisms where it's easier to get in without the employment law knowledge that many HR assistant roles require. Most generalist roles, or HR assistant roles will expect you to have practical employment law and HR policy experience. Recruitment (in-company, NOT agency) is a good one, or L&D / training, or possibly an HR shared services centre. The best places for roles like this are very large organisations who do all their own HR, or only outsource a very small amount. Then if you can get them to sponsor you for the qualification, all the better.

There are also HR Apprenticeship schemes now which are really good, and there are going to be more of then in the next year. That might stand you in good stead, as they want bright people willing to study at L5 who will be the next management pipeline. Don't limit yourself just to graduate schemes.

HTH
KiKi

MaxBe

Hi KiKi, your reply to a previous HR post led me to create an account. I hoped you'd reply .. Thank you.

I was told by the cipd training center I called to either go straight for a certificate or a diploma at level 7. I won't mind putting in the work, I just need to know spending that much would pay off.

I have also applied for HR admin roles but a recruiter once told me "your CV shows you shouldnt be applying for this role because your experience surpasses the job description".. that and so many roles I didn't get even when i was a good match.