Admin and HR /customer relations - what would i need to get a job in either?

Enigma16

I have worked in customer service & sales previously, but I lost my job and wanted to try something different. A couple of jobs that interest me are admin and human resources. Which job would be easier to gain entry into?

pioneer22

Enigma16 wrote: »

I have worked in customer service & sales previously, but I lost my job and wanted to try something different. A couple of jobs that interest me are admin and human resources. Which job would be easier to gain entry into?

Admin probably as generally the entry level hr jobs go to people who are CIPD qualified with some admin experience as their first rung on the ladder.

Why not make sure your CV solid and relevant for the jobs you're going for.

TELLIT01

Easier to get into Admin for the reasons given by pioneer22. For admin, common sense, decent level of literacy and numeracy, along with an eye for detail and accuracy are the major requirements. Once you are established with an admin background you then have the basis to look at the possibility of getting into HR.
It's definitely possible to make the move. One place I worked, the office administrator did exactly that, and the company paid for her HR training.

pioneer22

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Easier to get into Admin for the reasons given by pioneer22. For admin, common sense, decent level of literacy and numeracy, along with an eye for detail and accuracy are the major requirements. Once you are established with an admin background you then have the basis to look at the possibility of getting into HR.
It's definitely possible to make the move. One place I worked, the office administrator did exactly that, and the company paid for her HR training.

Or try and get in with a large company, internal transfers are generally easier to move into.

Masomnia

Definitely admin.

Entry level HR roles will 99% of the time be HR Administration, so get some solid experience in admin and go from there.

Good luck.

Fireflyaway

I'd say admin. Like you I have plenty of customer service experience and wanted to get into HR so I did my cipd. I have applied for around 40 jobs so far and had just 1 interview. Those who do respond say I don't have previous HR experience. I'm even applying for jobs with lower pay than I'm on now, temporary contracts and jobs miles away but nothing. Don't mean to put you off but that's what I found.

*~Zephyr~*

I agree that admin would be the easy route, but if you are specifically interested in HR then there is a possible route in for you through recruitment.

Recruitment agencies like to recruit from sales backgrounds and I know several people who have moved on to HR this way. You will need CIPD but you can gain that while working.

Don't think this is an easy route though. Recruitment is tough. Tight deadlines and you'll be given the boot if you miss your targets. However, if you do well, if you're good at sales, then your OTE earnings will be much, much higher than you'll ever get in an entry-level admin role.

Just something else to consider.