Human resources (HR) is about helping businesses work better by looking after the people who keep it running — employees. It’s a field for those who like the structured working style of management but also understand the real challenges people face day to day, at work. If you want to get a job in human resources, you need to be organised, willing to learn, and ready to take clear steps towards becoming the right person for the role.
The roles and responsibilities of HR
HR professionals do much more than onboarding new employees and approving leave requests — a HR team will also organise training, solve workplace problems, ensure the company follows employment laws, and help build a strong company culture. At its core, HR is about balancing the needs of the business with the needs of the employees.
In doing so, HR protects the company from legal trouble and helps employees feel supported and valued. This role demands both strong people skills and a clear head for policies and procedures.
How to get a job in Human Resources (HR)
The basic qualifications for working in Human Resources
As with every industry in Australia, getting qualified matters when it comes to working in HR. Many employers expect job applicants to have a Certificate IV in Human Resource Management, or more advanced educational qualifications like a Diploma or a Bachelor’s Degree in HR or Business. These courses cover the basics of workplace law, safety rules, recruiting processes, and how to manage people properly. Without a qualification, it will be harder to stand out as a viable applicant, especially for sought-after positions. Getting qualified is not just about getting a piece of paper — it is about understanding the foundations of the role and learning the right way to do the job.
Apply transferable skills
Individuals who are considering a career switch to a role in HR can leverage prior experience in hiring, training, managing staff, or solving problems — all of which are important in day-to-day HR responsibilities. Working in retail, hospitality, admin, education, or leadership roles often includes similar skills that can be transferred over to an HR role.
Expand your network
Industry connections can go a long way in opening up doors of opportunity to get a job in HR. Join groups like the Australian HR Institute (AHRI), attend networking events, and connect with HR professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Make an effort to participate in discussions or ask questions that show a genuine interest in human resource management. Expanding a professional network gradually by showing up, listening carefully, and contributing valuable insights can build strong connections with others in the industry that may lead to a job opportunity.
Tailor your resume
A good resume will show employers that the applicant has a keen understanding of what HR is about. A generic resume with phrases like “I managed a team” won’t be enough to demonstrate a depth of skill. Instead of including as much information as possible in the resume, focus on relevant work experience or skills that involve managing others, solving workplace problems, hiring, training, or handling policies.
Be specific about past experiences—responsibilities such as supervising staff, assisting with onboarding, or conducting performance reviews should be clearly stated. Employers want to see that you’re organised, fair, and willing to take responsibility — not just that you’re “good with people.”
Consider an HR internship
An internship in human resources gives you a real-world look at how HR departments operate day-to-day. During an internship, you can put learned skills into practice, from helping with recruitment to sitting in on performance meetings and policy reviews. Even if the internship is unpaid or part-time, the value gained often far outweighs the short-term trade-off.
Look for human resources traineeships aimed at providing participants with practical experience on how to deal with commonly encountered challenges within the workplace. These traineeships also offer connections with managers and mentors who may be able to open doors in future.
Learn from industry experts
One of the fastest ways to gain relevant skills in human resources is to learn directly from people who have already spent years working in the field. While gleaning information from books and articles is a good way to improve your knowledge of HR practices, it rarely provides a clear sense of how real situations are actually handled.
Industry experts offer insights shaped by experience solving real problems in real companies — these are professionals who have managed recruitment drives, handled difficult employee disputes, set up training programs, and kept businesses compliant with Australian workplace laws.
At Entry Education, we offer an online Human Resource Management course designed and delivered by HR industry experts. Through the course, you’ll learn the importance of HR in businesses, proven methods to recruit and retain good people, ways to manage performance fairly and legally, and best practices for fostering a workplace where employees want to stay and grow. On top of industry knowledge, our trainers will also provide guidance on how to get a job in human resources by helping you build practical skills, sharpen your professional approach, and prepare you to meet the expectations of employers.
