How to Find Jobs in Human Resources

Securing a position in Human Resources is increasingly becoming more challenging as higher numbers of qualified applicants compete for the available jobs. As a result, this drives up employers' expectations, making the process more competitive.
As you begin your search for Human Resources jobs, you'll appreciate having a plan that you can follow.

Aim your search at the HR jobs that are right for you

Too many hopeful HR applicants fail to concentrate their job search efforts in the areas that will most benefit them. Instead, they spam every potential employer with untargeted resumes and waste their time applying to jobs they aren't qualified for.

Your job search will be much more effective once you take an inventory of all your strengths, talents, interests, education, experience and skills. This will give you a starting point so you can choose only those Human Resources jobs that you will both qualify for and that you are confident will deliver you the kind of career success and job satisfaction that you're looking for.

Where to go to find the jobs

As soon as you know what types of jobs you'll be targeting, you can begin your search. A website like Gumtree can be a gold mine for locating excellent jobs.

In addition to online searches, consider visiting your college career services office. If you live in an area where Human Resources related professional events and networking meetings are held, you should be attending them. Check with organizations like the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) to see where and when their upcoming events, conferences and networking opportunities will take place.

Make contacts with other Human Resources professionals in your area and interview them to see what insights you can gain into the local market.

What HR hiring managers are looking for

Knowing what characteristics Human Resources hiring managers are looking for in an entry level job applicant can give you an almost unfair advantage over other unprepared candidates. Here are a few of the attributes most highly prized in the Human Resources field:

• Flexibility and the ability to adapt quickly to changes. Human Resources is a typically dynamic area, so those who can adjust seamlessly to challenges will be the most successful.
• Be enthusiastic and passionate about the profession. HR can be demanding, so the more positive your attitude and the more you embrace the company's mission, the more likely you are to succeed.
• Have an eagerness and willingness to learn. Always strive to hone your craft, well into the future. Technology changes rapidly, so you always want to keep pace with it.
• Impeccable communication skills are essential. Additionally, candidates should be able to connect on a human level.
• Human Resources professionals are privy to employees' most sensitive information. Because of that, their discretion and how they handle highly confidential information is paramount.
  
• Candidates hoping to gain a position in the payroll and compensation areas of HR should have a high proficiency in math. If you're not comfortable with numbers, you won't be happy in one of these positions.
• Be a quick learner and a self-starter. It impresses employers when employees understand what is expected of them and can carry out their duties without a lot of hand holding and supervision.
  
• Be willing to get your foot in the door through an internship, temping, or even contract work.
  
• Be an innovator and relationship builder who is committed to finding cost effective solutions for the company.
  
• Be a team player who can get along with a variety of different personalities and recognizes when a situation calls for tact and discretion.