Can you move into HR without having HR experience?

14 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 6:04AM UTC

   Certifications? At the very least, Google. Also look at other positions you would like to have and see what requirements are listed

   Perhaps someone reading this with HR experience can be more specific

2. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 4,2023 at 6:31AM UTC

   SHRM - the Society of HR Management (pronounced sherm) - offers multiple HR certifications. Some companies require them for HR positions, some it's a nice to have.

   Where are you in your career?

3. AnonymousJuly 4,2023 at 3:04PM UTC

   I hold a senior level in Finance/Accounting. Difficult to transition as only calls I receive are for the accounting jobs. I don't want to do that anymore.

4. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 4,2023 at 10:29PM UTC

   That's why I asked. It will definitely be more difficult - you'll most probably have to take a much more junior position so you'll need to decide if you can financially afford to do that. I can't see how you would be able to transition without training.

   Look at your resume - if you were a hiring manager for an HR position that you aspire to, would you hire you?

   College courses and/or SHRM certification at a minimum, I would think.

5. AnonymousJuly 5,2023 at 5:58PM UTC

   Honestly? It's a tough career to bust into with no experience. Especially what you are looking to do: training/career development. Look at certification options through SHRM and some others. Are you on LinkedIn premium? A lot of HR-based modules in LI Learning. Network, connect with HR professionals (targeting those specific to your interests) in your area, find out more about the different positions and what the qualifications would be. When I graduated with a BS in HRM, I was facing an uphill battle as I didn't have the experience (you know how that goes - they want the experience but you can't get the experience unless you have the job). I learned after the fact that I really would have benefited from an internship.

6. Kat ReelJuly 6,2023 at 11:31AM UTC

   I helped with HR at my current role and I also have a certification, however most companies do want that degree or experience which is why I did not get the jobs I applied for. While I helped human resources, there were plenty of things I didn't have knowledge in that the companies wanted. For example, payroll and accounting is the most common I've seen in my job search.

7. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 1:22PM UTC

   You can start by taking classes. Try some LinkedIn Learning - they have prep classes for the SHRM Cert - which you need.

8. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 1:50PM UTC

   One certification to look into is the aPHR. It doesn’t require any work specific experience in HR.

9. Joann S. LublinJuly 7,2023 at 2:12PM UTC

   You also might ask HR colleagues where you currently work for insights about best certification vs. additional degree. Someone currently in HR either there or elsewhere also might be able to enable you to attend a SHRM chapter meeting so you can do further networking. Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

10. Shelly EdwardsJuly 7,2023 at 2:18PM UTC

    Hello. I am in HR. I started as an office manager at smaller companies that incorporated HR tasks in the role. I used that to take as many webinars, seminars and other opportunities to learn more about HR laws and policies. After working in HR for many years, I found that without a degree, it was hard to move up so I went back to school for my bachelors in HR. With that I plan to get either my SHRM certification or a certification through HRCI (SPHR OR PHR). Those are the two most recognized HR certifications. If you really want to get started quickly, I would suggest looking for HR assistant roles so you can start to learn the basics. Then you can leverage that with more education to move up into an HR career path. Best of luck in your goals!

11. Heather CaryJuly 7,2023 at 2:54PM UTC

    I've been in HR since 2001 and I stumbled into it. I was doing AP & Payroll for a few years and a temp agency reached out to me because of my payroll experience & asked if I would be interested in a hybrid job of Payroll & HR.

    I jumped at it & haven't looked back since. I've primarily worked for mid-sized companies (75-400 ee's) and primarily as a hybrid person doing all things related to HR, Payroll, Benefits, Employee Relations.

    Since 2001, I received a certification from a local university for taking an 18 month (weekends only) HR focused curriculum and about 4 years ago I finally got my PHR certification. Throughout all those years - I've read anything I could get my hands on related to HR, Labor & Employment law. I've followed a lot of blogs, read business related HR books, joined a few HR focused groups on LinkedIn.

    With the exception of the university courses, I've been self-taught and learned through trial & error. All the book reading in the world doesn't prepare you for your first Harassment Investigation or EEOC challenge. :)

12. AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 4:33PM UTC

    If you are truly wanting to have a good career in HR and not be just a hack, please join SHRM. Take the courses there and go into an HR function that appeals to you on the lower end and absorb. There are a lot of folks in HR at this time that have been laid off due to many tech companies scaling back hiring. It's probably not the best time but for learning it might be. You could join the local chapter find a mentor. Take the time to learn and when you have taken enough training from SHRM you can sake the PHR exam and be certified. That will assure you are a good HR person, not just an imposter.

13. asmith13July 7,2023 at 7:18PM UTC

    I agree that joining SHRM (especially your local chapter) is a good way to build a network in the HR community--which is also a great way to hear about open positions you might be a good fit for.

14. asmith13July 7,2023 at 7:21PM UTC

    I have been in HR for 23 years and fell into it after working at a manufacturing facility office with a lot of turnover. I started out as an "HR/Payroll Coordinator" with basically zero experience and no degree. I ended up liking it, so I decided to go back to college and pursue a BS with a focus in HR and also to join the local SHRM chapter where I have met lifelong friends and made great business connections over the years.

    I have moved on at this point in my career to having an MBA, PHR and SHRM-CP and finally getting to a business partner HR role.

    HR isn't the easiest field to break into, but once you do, there are plenty of opportunities out there. Good luck!