HR is becoming the backbone of modern business – a core part of the people-centric business strategies of the future.

The leap from HR graduate to employee is daunting, but with the right attitude and application, you can put your hard-earned skills right to work.

1. Play to your strengths

If you have completed a diploma of HR or specialised in HR as part of your degree, show how you have applied your knowledge in real life situations to stand out from the crowd.

2. Research the organisation

As in any job search, an in-depth understanding of the company, position and industry will go a long way to boosting your credibility. While study should have given you a broad understanding of the field, it is up to you to develop a good understanding of your target organisation.

You should be eager to read widely, talk to contacts and cultivate a clearer understanding of how HR is changing in order to adapt to new challenges and opportunities for every business.

The competition against other candidates is fierce and to stand out, you must show what you can offer above all others. This is where researching the organisation is key. Find out as much as you can about the people who will be interviewing you, the recent success stories of the company and their workplace culture. Familiarity with the content on their website goes without saying.

3. Build Your Contacts

In the digital age, an online presence is just as important as an offline one. Spend time updating your LinkedIn profile, taking special care to write a compelling introduction and detail your specific skills and interests, including any voluntary and part-time work.

At this early stage, good grades, references from lecturers, awards, or individual projects can all work in your favour. Don’t forget to mention that you are actively seeking work in the HR field, and seek out the decision makers in organisations you would like to work for.

Outside of online applications, there is plenty of headway to be made with face-to-face networking.

Registering as a member of professional societies (such as AHRI) will give you access to networking events. These are invaluable for meeting contacts, learning about the profession and different industries from those on the inside. Membership of AHRI is an excellent point to include in your resume, demonstrating your dedication to the profession and self-improvement.

4. Rehearse your interview answers

HR interviewers will likely employ behavioural interviewing techniques, for example asking you to describe a time when you demonstrated a certain skill. Preparing miniature case studies which sum up a problem, how you overcame it and added value, as well as the quantifiable result, is a good idea.

If you reach the interview stage for a position but are turned down for the role, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback to help you improve your pitch for next time. Becoming familiar with the key skills required and examples of how to position yourself to a company next time make it much easier to apply for future jobs.

5. Expand Your Reach

A career in HR can be diverse. If you pictured yourself working for a large organisation and don’t find yourself there, remember there are a number of pathways to get your foot in the door. Researching employment agencies, administration and reception roles will give you increased opportunity to land your first job.

Finally, once you have established yourself in your first job, further learning is always an option to position yourself ahead of the pack, and AHRI’s certification pathways are the ideal next step.

Author Bio

Helen Sabell works for the College for Adult Learning, she is passionate about adult training. She has developed and authored many workplace leadership programs, both in Australia and overseas.