How to become an HR advisor
Our guide to career success in the people profession
If you have been working as an HR assistant or in an administrative role, you’re likely to be considering how to move up the career ladder in your chosen profession? Human Resources is a great career offering many opportunities to progress but with a couple of years’ experience under your belt you will be most likely aiming for the mid-level role of an HR advisor.
To ensure you are successful in your job hunting, we have put together a useful overview of the work that’s involved, the qualifications and experience you’ll need, and most importantly, what employers look for when reviewing applications.
HR departments are at the heart of all great businesses and increasingly employers are recognising the value that a motivated and well-trained workforce can bring to an organisation. The cost of recruiting talent, not to mention the millions of pounds worth of productivity lost when employees are not engaged, highlights the need for effective HR teams.
Within the HR function sits the position of an HR advisor, someone who probably has two to three years of experience perhaps as an HR assistant or in a related admin role within the company. It’s an important position and definitely a step-up the career ladder. Depending on the size and structure of your business, you will perform a complex mix of duties, providing both advice and understanding to managers and employees alike.
As well as being a line manager’s first point of call for any employee related issues, you will have a good handle on the company’s policies and procedures, sometimes rewriting them to keep up to date with new legislation.
An HR advisor is a busy job where rarely two days are the same. It’s certainly a great stepping-stone to other more senior roles in the people profession.
What does an HR advisor do?
Duties will vary depending on the size of your business, but you will frequently be expected to use your HR knowledge and expertise on employment law and people related issues.
In larger organisations, HR advisors can be given a certain level of autonomy to do their jobs and may report to either the HR manager or HR business partner. In smaller organisations HR advisors may be responsible for most employee undertakings.
You are likely to be involved in staff recruitment along with general training and development. A key part of your job will be to help your workforce stay motivated and productive whilst providing support and guidance when needed.
Other duties include lots of positive tasks such as welcoming a new team member to the organisation, reviewing a reward policy, or planning training but you will also face more unpleasant jobs, like dealing with a redundancy situation or an individual’s family crisis.
One thing is for sure, there is never a dull moment!
What’s a typical HR advisor job description?
An HR advisor acts as a trusted confidant and resource to both employees and managers so it’s a bit of a juggling act. These are the key responsibilities you are likely to see in a job description, although they will vary according to the size of the organisation.
Provide guidance and support on all aspects of employee relations including conflict resolution disciplinary actions and grievance procedures.
Offer advice and guidance to managers on performance-related issues, coaching them on effective performance management techniques.
Stay abreast of new employment laws and regulations and ensure compliance with the legislation.
Develop and implement HR policies and procedures, communicating changes to workers.
Advise managers on the company’s recruitment process and write/edit job descriptions for roles. Conduct interviews and assist in the selection process.
Assist with the onboarding process for new recruits to ensure a smooth transition to the organisation.
Identify the training needs of the workforce and coordinate the delivery of learning and development programmes to boost the skills and knowledge of employees.
Promote employee engagement initiatives and provide recommendations to boost job satisfaction and retention.
Use and analyse HR data to support decision-making processes, preparing regular reports to identify trends.
As you can see, it’s a demanding role but the good news is that you will have a team to support you. Normally you will report directly to an HR manager, business partner or head of HR. Of course, in smaller companies you might be responsible for all HR activity reporting to your employer.
How much will I earn? According to Reed, the average UK salary for an HR advisor is between £28,000 and £41,000 depending on where you are based in the country.
What qualifications do I need to become an HR advisor?
Employers will normally expect you to have a mix of formal qualifications and work experience. A university degree is helpful but not compulsory. Many successful HR advisors have gained their knowledge directly through work experience. However, investing in a professional qualification such as a CIPD Associate Diploma will pay dividends particularly as now it is often a pre-requisite for many mid-level HR roles.
CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
The CIPD Level 5 qualification will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to get ahead in HR. The diploma takes as little as nine months to complete and leads to CIPD Associate Membership, something we know that employers value when recruiting to HR roles.
CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management
If you want to progress to more senior positions, a CIPD Level 7 qualification will provide you with the strategic skills and knowledge to take your HR career to the very top. The diploma can be completed from 16 months on a fast-track programme to two years and can lead to CIPD Chartered Membership.
How can I become CIPD qualified?
To start your CIPD journey and gain a more comprehensive view of the topics needed to become an HR advisor, simply chat with one of Reed Learning’s experts to discuss the course and the different ways of studying we offer. There are four flexible methods to choose from which are all fully online and include interactive workshops, fast track programmes or recorded webinars. Whichever study option you choose, you will be supported throughout by an HR specialist and have full access to our Virtual Learning Environment.
What skills do I need to become an HR advisor?
As you will be advising people at all levels within your organisation, excellent verbal and written communication skills are a must. In addition, you should be:
Problem solver – the ability to think logically and give sensible advice to a range of stakeholders.
Empathetic – you will be interacting with many different people and dealing with sometimes distressing situations. Active listening and the ability to resolve conflicts are important attributes.
Commercially minded and business focused – understanding your organisation’s goals, strategies and financial aspects is essential.
Legally aware – keeping up to date with employment law and knowing where to look for answers will show you have the knowledge to succeed in your role.
Able to juggle different and sometime conflicting responsibilities. Good organisational and time-management skills will help you keep on top of your job.
Experienced - either as an HR assistant or in a people administrative role.
Discrete – HR advisors deal with confidential information on a daily basis.
Ensuring your CV stands out
HR advisor jobs are sought after, and you will be up against many other candidates competing for the same roles. Here’s some advice to ensure you stand out from the crowd:
If you have limited HR experience then consider internships or entry-level positions in HR departments. This provides hands-on exposure to HR processes, employment relations, recruitment, and other aspects of the profession.
Seek opportunities to work on diverse projects as this broadens your skillset and understanding of different HR functions.
Join professional HR associations and attend networking events to connect with experienced people professionals. These connections can provide valuable insights and lead to potential job opportunities.
Be specific about your past work history, emphasising any relevant experience.
If you are CIPD qualified, highlight this at the start of your application or CV so that employers are aware of your qualification success.
Other ways to become an HR advisor
Many employers take on HR apprentices which is an ideal way of entering the profession or improving your skills and knowledge whilst at work. Popular apprenticeship programmes include:
Equivalent to two A Levels, this HR apprenticeship will give you the grounding you need to kickstart your HR career. You will have the option to study for the CIPD Foundation People Practice qualification.
A great opportunity if you want to take your HR expertise to the next level. You will study for the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management as part of your apprenticeship.
Next steps for your HR career
There’s lots of opportunities for career progression as an HR advisor. You could go on to specialise in a particular area such as talent management, diversity and inclusion, or employee relations. Future roles you could apply for include:
· HR manager
· HR business partner
· HR information specialist
· Change management strategist.
Longer-term opportunities include:
· HR consultant
· HR director
· Head of HR
· Chief People Officer
· Head of organisational development.
Becoming an HR advisor requires a combination of education, experience and the development of essential HR skills. By becoming CIPD qualified, having a passion for people and a commitment to business success, you can thrive as an HR advisor and contribute to creating a positive work environment for your organisation.
