Graduating and Getting a Human Resources Job After you graduate with your human resources degree and your land your first job, it may be intimidating to step into your first day of work. Although your degree in human resources may be intimidating, it is important that you are confident and prepared for your new career.
Know Your Responsibilities First, you should be well aware of your job description and you should know what your responsibilities are in context of a single day and a long term period of time. There are a lot of people that show up to their first day of work without understanding what they are doing. As you sit through interviews you should realize that not only are you being interviewed but you are also doing some interviewing. You want to make sure that the company you are going to work for is going to be a good fit for you and your career aspirations. In your interview it is important that you are not afraid to ask the questions that you need to know to determine if the job is right for you. Talk about the room for growth that your position provides and where you want to end up in your career. You will also want to discuss what your daily tasks are and ensure you are happy with what you are going to be doing on a daily basis. There may be some activities that you are not particularly excited about, but it is important that you are not dreading going to work on a daily basis.
Know Your Coworkers Second, it is important that you get to know those around you when you are working in human resources. Be prepared to network with the people around you and ensure that you are able to create professional and beneficial relationships in the work place. By establishing these relationships early, you can get to know a lot of people within your company. The benefit of networking early on can help you when you are looking for a job in the future and it may also help you solve any problems that may arise while you are working.
Certifications Third, when you are working in Human Resources, you should be prepared to get the certifications that are going to help you propel your career. Talk with your boss to see if your company offers any compensation plans for getting your certifications.
You may even be able to find a company that is willing to pay for your certification while you are working for them. Don’t be afraid to sit down with your boss to discuss this option and see if you can get your certifications taken care of as early as possible. Finally, you will want to work closely with the person that is training you to fully understand what your job responsibilities will include. It can be easy to get too wrapped up in what you learned throughout college when you are first starting at a new job. Take time to focus on your trainer and what you are learning in your career. This way, you can be sure that you are on the same page as your employer throughout your degree in Human Resources. Photo Credit: acambaro77, duchesssa