HR graduate jobs

A HR graduate job is an entry-level role suitable for university leavers. Job titles vary according to the exact nature of the role and the employer, but typically include ‘HR trainee’, ‘HR administrator’ and ‘HR assistant’ or be focused around a specialism of HR, such as ‘Learning and development (L&D) trainee’ and so on. You are likely to be supporting a HR manager or HR business partner in their day-to-day duties, including ensuring that accurate records are kept.

You don’t typically require a degree to work in HR and, as such, most employers welcome applications from graduates of any degree discipline (although subjects relating to business management, economics and psychology might be preferred). However, some employers do ask for the equivalent of a HND in HR and some like to see an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in human resources management.

Good HR professionals require a mixture of business- and people-focused skills. Therefore, applicants for HR graduate jobs need:

• Communication skills, both oral and written
• Emotional intelligence
• Resilience
• Influencing skills
• Relationship-building and teamworking skills
• Discretion and the ability to keep information confidential
• Commercial awareness
• Analytical skills, with the ability to interpret both qualitative and quantitative data
• Problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation, time management and accurate record keeping.

These correspond to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s Profession Map, which outlines the core behaviours that human resources professionals should have.