Read this blog to find out what makes HR such a fantastic career path following graduation, the different kinds of roles you can undertake, the skills you need to succeed in those roles, and how our team of expert recruitment consultants can help you find HR jobs in Gloucester and the surrounding areas…
So, you’ve decided you’d like to work in Human Resources!
From our many years of experience helping graduates find HR roles here at i2i, we can safely say that this is a fantastic choice of career path to take once you’ve obtained your degree.
If you love working with people, want to make a positive difference in their occupational lives and enjoy a good challenge, HR has all this to offer and more, and several different avenues in which to pursue these passions. In short, HR is incredibly rewarding, and no two days are the same!
What kind of roles are available in HR?
You can find out more about the roles available in HR here, but as a quick summary, just a few of the HR jobs in Gloucester and nearby that we recruit for here at i2i Recruitment include:
- HR Manager
- Recruitment Manager
- Employee Relations
- HR Assistant
However, to successfully start a career in HR, there are a number of skills you’ll need under your belt first…
HR is a diverse career path to pursue and involves a high level of responsibility. As such, you’ll be required to possess various skills to be successful in your role. Read on to discover the skills you need, and how to develop the ones you may not have already!
7 skills you’ll need to get a job in HR:
1. Organisation and time management
Working in HR is about managing other people as much as it is about managing yourself.
From handling and filing important documentation to calendar arrangements and attending numerous meetings, plus planning, setting up and overseeing employee training and events, there’s a lot to keep on top of – and usually within a set period. Organisational and time skills are therefore an absolute must for any HR hopeful!
2. Communication and conflict resolution
The clue is in the name – human resources. HR is a people-first role, and will require you to communicate with a variety of different individuals on a regular basis in multiple (and sometimes sensitive) matters.
Having the ability to listen and respond to those you work with clearly and coherently and act as an unbiased mediator will therefore be pivotal to your success here.
3. Confidentiality
The ability to handle sensitive information effectively and keep employee and business matters classified is one of the most important skills HR personnel can have. This skill will also demonstrate your trustworthy nature, which will be particularly helpful for building a rapport with colleagues, too.
4. Leadership and teamwork
While having leadership skills will enable you to take responsibility in your HR role, teamwork skills will add to this by ensuring you can support your colleagues and other employees in the smooth running of the business you work in.
5. Adaptability
Humans are often unpredictable in nature – and as a result, so can be the role of someone working in HR!
Being able to go with the flow and adapt to new situations on the fly (such as an employee handing in their notice or suddenly being made aware of a serious grievance) is essential in any HR role for you to maintain control of your workload and ensure the best possible outcomes for the business you work for and everyone in it.
6. Problem Solving
Leading on from the above, there are a number of different problems you may encounter during your career in HR – for example, struggling to find the right candidate for a job vacancy, or dealing with difficult employees.
The sooner you can find a solution to these kinds of issues, the better the outcomes will be for everyone involved, and the more efficiently and successfully the business will be able to function.
7. Technology
According to Genpact, HR needs to embrace technology now more than ever to empower employees, enable quick and informed decision-making (e.g., through real-time employee analytics), and to improve the hiring process.
Therefore, having good IT skills and a proficiency in technology under your belt will make you an asset to any HR department.
How can you acquire these skills?
While you’ll have undoubtedly gained a number of these skills during your degree, there are a few things you can do to gain the skills you’re missing or strengthen the ones you have already to improve your chances of landing a role in HR:
1. Take on part-time work or volunteering
It’s amazing what skills you can pick up with a bit of part time work or volunteering. Charities are often on the lookout for HR volunteers, and even working part time in retail can provide you with a sizeable number of the skills you’ll need.
2. Complete relevant courses
There’s a course for nearly everything nowadays – and HR is no exception! Look at websites such as Udemy for a range of different HR accreditations, certifications and learning opportunities (some of them are even free!).
3. Stay on top of updates in the sector
By regularly checking in on websites such as HR Magazine and other publications, you’ll remain knowledgeable about everything going on in the human resources sector. This understanding will also likely impress any prospective employers that you have interviews with!
4. Take up a social hobby
Hobbies such as amateur dramatics, team sports, debating clubs etc. are not only great outlets to enjoy in your free time, but, as they revolve around working alongside other people, they can help you gain a variety of the HR skills outlined above.
Looking for additional support to kick-start your HR career?
i2i Recruitment are home to recruitment consultants with unparalleled expertise in the HR sector.
Whatever your aspirations for a career in Human Resources, they’d be delighted to support you towards your goals, from providing advice on CV writing and editing to putting you forward for relevant HR jobs in Gloucester and the surrounding areas who would be delighted to support you!
Simply register with us today or browse the HR roles we currently have on offer to get started…
