How to start a career in Human Resources without prior experience

If you are a people person and love solving problems, you are an ideal fit for a career in Human Resources (HR) and can help an organization grow and thrive. Moreover, this is the best time to consider a career in the domain, with the HR sector projected to grow at a CAGR of 7-8% during the period from 2025-2033. This can be attributed to the growing demand for skilled HR professionals across all industries and sectors. These professionals are entrusted with the crucial responsibility of acquiring, managing, and retaining top talent in the job market and ensuring adherence to labor laws. 

If this also appeals to you, this guide helps you get started on the HR career path (even if you have no prior experience!). We cover the key strategies to follow as well as some of the best HR jobs for beginners here. Read on.

How to begin a career in HR?

Embarking on a career in the HR domain can be quite exciting but overwhelming at the same time for someone who has no prior academic or work experience in the area. But you needn’t worry, as this blog will help guide you through the step-by-step process, sharing a few HR jobs for beginners as the first steps. Let’s dive in.

Understand the role of HR

This is one of the first and most important steps before you even begin to look for any HR jobs for beginners. Make sure you understand what you are getting into. Acquaint yourself with hiring and training employees, maintaining employee relations, and complying with labor laws. 

Demand for HR professionals 

This is also among the key first steps into an HR career role. Knowing the demand for HR personnel in the job market helps determine whether it is worth taking the step. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics report indicates that hiring HR managers is estimated to increase 6% between 2023 and 2033, which is faster than the average for all professions.

Gain HR knowledge through online learning

Once you are convinced that there is increasing demand for skilled HR professionals across industries worldwide, it only makes sense to get started on the career path. The easiest and most helpful way is to gain sufficient knowledge in the domain through an online course. Digital learning platforms such as Online Manipal enable learners to pursue an online MBA in HR offered by Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ). The two-year course can be comfortably pursued remotely at your convenient pace and time.

Develop relevant skills

Earning industry-specific skills is the vital first step into an HR career role, and an online program such as MBA HR can help you acquire the proficiency you desire. You will learn all you need to know about navigating the complexities of employee relations, HR analytics, recruitment and training, and performance management.

Get certified in HR

Among the first steps into an HR career is earning the relevant formal certification that validates your ability to start working in the domain. You can apply through certification bodies such as the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) or the Society for HR Management (SHRM). These bodies provide the desired HR certification for freshers, namely, Professional in Human Resources (PHR), SAP SuccessFactors Certification, and SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).

Build a strong resume and LinkedIn profile

Once you are professionally certified, it’s time to start considering the entry-level HR career path. Create a strong resume highlighting your key certifications, skills, and relevant experience for HR roles. Also, build a LinkedIn profile that can help improve your visibility with potential recruiters.  

Look for internships or volunteer roles

This is one of the best ways to pursue when on the entry-level HR career path. Internships and voluntary projects not only allow sufficient practical experience in real-world work environments but also add value to your resume, making you eligible for more lucrative job opportunities ahead.  

Apply for entry-level HR jobs

When on the entry-level HR career path, look for suitable job roles for freshers that can provide you with the opportunity to both learn as well as showcase your potential to excel in the domain. Carefully review the job descriptions of each role to understand the requirements and how you contribute or add value to the role.

Network with HR professionals

Networking is crucial to career growth and advancement. Hence, it’s important that you network with the right people in the HR industry to move your way up the career ladder. This includes peers, faculty, mentors, and industry experts. Avail networking opportunities by attending industry events or webinars. These can particularly help with finding suitable no-experience HR jobs.

Stay updated with HR trends and laws

Staying relevant and up to date with your specific industry is one of the most important things to remember when you are on any career path. This holds true for the HR industry as well, particularly when you are in one of the no-experience HR jobs where it is even more important to upskill yourself and keep learning and growing. 

What are the best careers in HR?

In addition to the various no-experience HR jobs you can get started with, there are several other lucrative career opportunities you can look forward to getting with the relevant experience and skill set. Some of these roles are defined below, along with the approximate salary packages that professionals in these jobs are likely to earn:

• Learning and Development Manager: Professionals on the career growth path in HR can apply for roles such as Learning and Development Manager. This is a specialized position that requires skilled professionals adept at designing and executing relevant training programs for the employees to improve their performance and skills.

Average annual salary (approx): INR 9 lakh – INR 19 lakh per annum

• HR Business Partner: They work in close collaboration with the senior management of the company to manage the workforce effectively. They are also responsible for ensuring that the HR strategies align with the organizational goals and contribute toward its overall growth.

Average annual salary (approx): INR 7 lakh – INR 18 lakh per annum

• Talent Acquisition Specialist: As the name suggests, a Talent Acquisition Specialist is expected to identify, hire, and retain the top talent in the industry for an organization. They are responsible for managing the entire recruitment process for the company – from designing hiring strategies to ensuring hassle-free onboarding. 

Average annual salary (approx): INR 7 lakh – INR 18 lakh per annum

• Employee Relations Specialist: Yet another specialized HR role, they are involved in addressing employee concerns or grievances, ensuring adherence to labor laws, managing workplace conflicts, and maintaining cordial employee relations. In other words, they are responsible for creating and maintaining positive and productive work environments. 

Average annual salary (approx): INR 4 lakh – INR 12.4 lakh per annum

• HR Analytics Manager: This is one of the most responsible positions in the HR domain, and these skilled professionals are required to use data to analyze the latest workforce trends. Based on their analysis, they enable organizations to make improved business decisions and boost employee performance. 

Average annual salary (approx): INR 4 lakh – INR 10 lakh per annum

How can an online MBA in HR advance your career?

The HR field is rather lucrative with multifarious career prospects. Hence, it only makes sense to pursue a career in this sector, even with no prior experience in the field. You can always work toward building the relevant knowledge and skill sets with a professional course such as an online MBA in HR. The program is specifically designed to make you appear as a strong candidate for HR roles and also boost your skills in strategic management and leadership to enable you to climb the corporate ladder.

If an online MBA is on your mind, consider signing up for Manipal University Jaipur’s (MUJ) online MBA in Human Resource Management (HRM). The course is designed to equip students with industry-desirable skills like change management and strategic HR management. Here are some top reasons for choosing MUJ’s online MBA in HRM:

• It allows you to gain domain expertise through advanced learning in subjects such as employee relations management, employee retention, organizational development and management, and talent management.
• Graduates are eligible to apply for varied career roles in areas like talent acquisition, training and development, strategic HR consulting, HR management, and more. The course also provides a formal HR certification for freshers that validates their ability to work in the industry in top roles.
• The course is designed to hone your skills in the field of HR, even if you have no prior domain experience. These include conflict resolution abilities, talent acquisition, HR analytics, and employee engagement. 

Conclusion

A career in HR is worth considering for the multitude of benefits it offers, both in terms of professional growth and personality development. Moreover, it allows you to work even with no prior experience in the field. Online courses such as an MBA in HRM from reputed universities like Manipal University Jaipur help build the proper foundation for learning in the HR domain. 

What’s more? The university also provides a formal HR certification for freshers, offering placement support to graduates and allowing them to find suitable job opportunities for future career growth.