Requirements

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

You’ll need a a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course in:

• human resources management
• business management and human resources
• psychology
• business with languages

You could also do a postgraduate course in human resource management if you have a first degree.

Entry Requirements

You’ll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

College

You could do a college course like:

• Level 5 Diploma in Business Management and Human Resources
• Level 5 Diploma In Applied Human Resources
• Level 5 Diploma In Human Resource Management

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You can get into this role through a HR consultant or partner higher apprenticeship.

Entry Requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Working Towards

You could start as an assistant in a human resources department and work your way up through training and promotion.

 

Other Routes

You can do professional qualifications in human resources, either online or at a training centre, approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. 

Some companies also have general management or human resources graduate training schemes.

You’ll need the following skills:

• knowledge of human resources and employment law
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• leadership skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• business management skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to motivate and manage staff
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
• budgeting skills;
• excellent IT and maths skills;
• organisational and planning skills;
• negotiation and leadership skills.

Main Responsibilities

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• leading an organisation’s HR team
• supporting managers in getting the best out of their staff
• planning staff policies
• designing and advising on company benefits packages
• training and developing staff
• handling complicated HR issues
• working to improve employee relations
• managing budgets

Wages and Conditions

The following salaries are a guide only:

• Starter: £35,000
• Experienced: up to £150,000

Working Conditions

• You could work in an office or from home.
• Hours can be from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm

With experience, you could set up your own consultancy offering recruitment services, training, or advice on HR strategy and policy planning.