Human Resources and Employment

Check out the professional bodies’ own entries in the Profession Finder

There are a number of professional bodies covering these sectors.  Here you will find information on:

• Jobs and salaries
• Routes and Qualifications
• Funding

Jobs and Salaries

Human Resources

What is it like to be in HR? Read first hand accounts from people in the profession.

Read tips from careers experts Position Ignition in 'Considering a career in HR?'

Employment

The employment profession is often divided into sectors, including areas such as medical, financial and sales.

Are you interested in graduate recruitment?

Read more about the recruitment industry.

Routes and Qualifications

It is not necessary to have a specific qualification to work in HR or emplyment.  However, courses and training are often a good way to develop and refresh your career. 

There is a lot of information on HR related qualifications , including what courses to choose, where to study and student benefits.

Read tips on how to excel in your HR career.

Funding

Costs of courses vary, however the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) offer discounts http://www.cipd.co.uk/Bookstore/_products-for/students.htm to student members. 
 

What’s it like working in this sector?

• Most HR professionals have contracted hours of 35-37.5, but only a third actually work as few hours as this, and half work up to eight hours more per week. Of HR directors, 90% typically work 40 hours a week or more.
• Basic salary levels range from an average £22,000 for junior HR officers to £70,000 for HR directors
• Those working in employment face similarly long hours, contacting clients at the end of their working day.
• Recruiters earn on average a basic salary of £26,000, but this is an industry where commission plays a big part in salary, raising the average on-target earnings (OTE) to £36,000 and, in some cases, leading to double the basic salary.
• Work is this sector is mostly office based, with the possibility of travel to meet with clients.

How big is this sector?

• HR and recruitment is a large sector that spans numerous industries. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for HR and their current membership stands at 127,000. Of these, 44% are employed in the private sector (services), 35% in the public sector, 13% in the private sector (manufacturing) and 6% in the voluntary/not-for-profit sector (Annual Report, CIPD 2007).
• The professional body representing the recruitment industry, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) , reports that over 97,000 individuals are employed in recruitment roles (Annual Turnover Survey, REC, 2006).

Where can I work?

• Opportunities exist across the country, however executive search consultancies and graduate scheme tend to be based in London or other large cities.
• Despite this generalise recruitment agencies can be found across the UK.

What do employers look for?

• A good degree (2:1 or above) is usually required for graduate schemes and graduate-level vacancies. This sector is open to graduates from any discipline, while HR related degrees may be relevant, they are not necessarily considered an advantage.
• Key skills that employers look for include diplomacy, excellent communication skills, the ability to persuade and influence others, administration experience, organisational and IT skills, decision-making skills, an understanding of how organisations operate.