Human Resource Jobs

msdidonato

Hey Ya'll,

I am looking to change careers into the Human Resource field. I was wondering if anyone has any experience in the field and could give me some tips on the field and getting hired. Also anything that would just help me out in general! The good and the bad!!! 

Thank ya'll in advance  

-Megan 

Sillygirl45

I would suggest you research the field in your area to see what education you need and what the job market is like. I know where I live the pickins are pretty slim for HR. It's typically pretty low turn over. Our HR assistant is now working in a totally unrelated position since hers was eliminated. She's still there though because she can't find another job in HR. She would likely need to get her masters and even then a job wouldn't be guaranteed. She may have been better off going for her masters to begin with.

vpine

I do the HR in my department for a hospital. There are different HR areas: visa processing, orientation, job posting, Benefits, recruitment and narrowing candidates based on applications to recommend for interviews. Is there a specific part you're interested in? 
For Visa processing type positions, most companies require you to be a licensed immigration advisor, be a Notary of your state and have experience or knowledge of different foreign languages (mostly Spanish and Mandarin).
Orientation involves good public speaking skills, being good with Power Point and being able to provide hands on training if needed, it's a little boring since it's very routine - saying the same things over and over and hearing the same questions.
The Benefits reps answer questions related to vacation, FMLA, they keep track of which employees are on leave of absence and notify supervisors when they no longer have to hold positions (basically when employee does not return from their approved FMLA and have exceeded their leave), a degree is usually required for these positions too.
In my opinion, checking salary grades and posting the job descriptions (there's usually templates for each position) is fairly easy.

msdidonato

@vpine I would LOVE to be a Benefits specialist as my end goal. I am an Athletic Trainer now, so I have a vast knowledge of medicine and the medical world.  I also have a degree in Athletic Training. So I am hoping it will help some. 

But I am willing to start out at whatever position to learn the most and gain experience. 

Thank you so much for your help. 

CowgirlK39

I have a good friend who is struggling to get her HR career going, and she even has a masters. Everything she finds either pays too little compared to what she makes now in an unrelated field, or requires certain skills she doesn't possess. She has a little experience in benefits, but all the jobs are either admin assistant type things or in one of the other areas the PP mentioned.

I'm curious, why are you getting out of AT?

msdidonato

I am getting out of AT because of the hours, and parents. I am ready for something that has better hours and where parents aren't always calling me over the dumbest things. Education is really being ran by parents now a days. It is getting out of control. 

More than anything, I want to start a family in the next couple years and I don't want to miss so much of my kids lives while having to be at work late at night. 

Janimal

Reach out to your local SHRM chapter and see when they have meetings and then go!  Update your resume and network network network at chapter meetings.  Prepare your "elevator speech" to let whoever you talk to know that you are a hardworker seeking any toe in the door.  Ask the HR people you meet for their help.  (HR people are generally the kind of folks who like to help others.)

Consider taking courses on HR at your local college.  Sign up with a temp agency and tell them you'll take anything working in an HR dept.  Even if its just filing you can use that experience to your advantage, and build your resume.  TAKE ANY HR POSITION THAT YOU CAN, and get *some* experience on your resume.  You can't be picky in your first gig in the field, but with some experience you can get pickier later.

If Benefits is where you want to be, consider applying to work for insurance brokers.  That could be a good way in.  But just so you know, benefits work is more about numbers, forms, and processes than it is about health and medicine. 

Good luck.

(I'm VPHR for a public company with 5,000 employees)

 

msdidonato

@Janimal- Thank you SO much for all the advice!! I am actually taking classes at our local college for an HR certificate. I really am enjoying it.I never thought about going to a local SHRM meeting. That is a wonderful idea.  I am fully prepared to take a ANY HR job that I am offered. I understand that sometimes you have to work your way up. Which, I am 100% willing to do. 

Again, Thank you so much!!  

msdidonato

@Janimal- I actually have an interview tomorrow for a HealthCare Recruiter Position. Entry Level. Didn't expect to even get an interview or call back when I submitted my application. Thank  you for all the advice! 

rikkidawn28

@msdidonato- how did your interview go?

msdidonato

@rikkidawn28 Pretty bad. I thought I had prepared. Majority of the problem was my answers. I just didn't have solid answers. I walked out of there and called my mom and go "I wouldn't hire me after that interview" Turns out I didn't get it. BUT I did have another interview that was basically thrown in my lap and I did GREAT on that one. I did  some great preparations and worked really hard on my answers. So here is to hoping it went well!! 

Jennycolada

What answers didn't you have prepared? What questions did they ask that you couldn't answer?

daisy662

I am an HR Exec and I will tell you it is a tough field to get into and there are many facets of HR, much more than pp listed. Depending on what area you get into, you will work much longer hours than in teaching (it sounds like you are a teacher now, but you didn't specifically post that, am I right?) and, you may not have to deal with parents, but you will have to deal with irate employees. It is a great field and I love it, but do as much research as you can before you jump into it because it can be very stressful and demanding. You will definitely need to start in at an entry level position with entry level pay. Most companies want someone with experience since there is such a high level of risk in decisions you would be making. But once you do get in, it can be very rewarding and as you grow in your career, it pays extremely well. People don't realize how lucrative it can be. I make more than twice what my Engineer husband makes. Best of luck! Let us know if you have any specific questions we can help you with!

msdidonato

@daisy662 Thank  you for the input. I am actually an Athletic Trainer. So I work teacher hours PLUS coaching hours ALL year long. I have 3-4 days where I work 11+ hours. So, I can handle the hours. But I am hoping to not put in those kind of hours in HR. 

rikkidawn28

@msdidonato , I  recently became interested in breaking into hr and applied for a position with a local company. I answered situation based questions as best as I could and try to relate my experiences with what I was applying for.

It's been a week and I haven't gotten an invite for interview or anything. Thinking about following up in a couple of days closer to the two week marker. Were you able to get a job in human resouces?

msdidonato

@rikkidawn28I have not, but I can't leave  my current job till the end of May and several interviews have wanted immediate or sooner hires.   

If it has been a week, I would follow up.  I ALWAYS follow up from a application because a lot of times, that can make a huge difference. It puts your voice to an application/resume. It also shows that you are serious about the job, and not just applying to a whole bunch of places. 

 

brizsnider

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rikkidawn28

@msdidonato, since the hiring process can stretch at least a month at some companies, I think you should continue to look for fresh hr job postings and apply asap. If the company is really interested in you, I am sure they would be fine with waiting a couple of weeks before you begin.

By the way, I followed up and was screened but did not move onto the next step of the interview process. The email said if a different position opens up in the future that is complementary to my app, then I will be contacted.

 

Hope you find something you like soon!

NewlywedWi

Honestly, if you are not looking to work your a** off and work a ton of nights and weekends don't bother getting into HR. My best friend is an HR Director and she has been working 60+ hours a week since she first got into HR. Its a super demanding job. Good luck.