January 10, 2024: By Russ Holbrook, SHRM Senior Certified Professional, Rutgers University.

That’s all you’ve heard from the company you interviewed with over four weeks ago.

Then you get an email from them.  With trepidation, you open it.

Your face flushes red hot.

Jilted again!  They’re going to go with a candidate who has more experience in HR than you do.

You could wallpaper your office with rejection emails. And, the old one-two means you’re really cemented to your job.

I think you’ll agree with me when I say that breaking into Human Resource Management is no easy task.

But the good news is that many of us have.  So, what’s the solution?

Let me walk you through 5 strategies to crack the code and get into HR.

1.   Capitalize on Your Current Job

While testing the water, be known as an exemplary employee at work. In addition:

Be proactive with your career development

Partner with your manager to gain on-the-job professional development focused on the functions of human resource management. Make sure you speak up about your career aspirations with your manager.  Here are ideas for on-the-job professional development that are low or no cost to your employer.

Seek:

Take Initiative:

2.   Find Stepping Stones

Manage your expectations and be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up.  Sometimes, you must start over, go backwards or move laterally to get where you want to be with your career. Consider:

3.   Volunteer

4.   Be a Lifelong Learner

5.   Foster Work Relationships

Now that you know there are ways to get started with your career in Human Resource Management, you’re ready to get out there and make it happen.

Have questions? Want more information about Rutgers Human Resources training programs? Contact Rutgers Executive Education.