Are there any Human Resources Professionals here? (1 Viewer)

[McPaul]

I'm struggling in a large company to break into HR as a recruiting coordinator, or some other entry level position, and I'm curious about others' career paths that led them into Human Resources. Anyone?
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McPaul.

 

[Tom-G]

Paul, my degree is in Human Resources. It's very difficult obtaining HR positions that are any good in the Pittsburgh area.
My first job out of college was HR-related. I worked for a firm that focused on unemployment cost control. Companies would contract us to handle all aspects of HR. I did unemployment claims, tax account auditing and hearing representation.
In a twist of fate, I got laid off and collected unemployment! I'm working for the United States Postal Service now.
From what other HR professionals have told me, recruiting is a great start. Many HR people have started there. If you can't break into recruiting, see if you can specialize in one area of HR since it is a broad field of work.
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[McPaul]

Thanks Tom. Yes, it is extremely broad. I've tried to get my way into HR department of our company through recruiting, or even learning services, but sadly, most HR functions are in Vancouver, not Calgary. I really dont mind the move but it's horribly hard to get your name out in the HR community in Vancouver. I really don't like what i'm doing for the company now, but if I stay, it might all pay off in the end. It's just very frustrating. I'm going to go down there this week and talk to someone to try and get some advice.
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McPaul.

 

[DavidY]

Paul,
If you decide to go to Vancouver to work, be prepared for an increase in the cost of living, more expensive gasoline prices, paying PST, etc. Although real estate prices for condos in Kitsilano have noticeably dropped, they are still likely much higher than those in Calgary.
But, on a positive note, you get a much nicer scenery....mountains, ocean, much less snow.
Dave

 

[Edwin-S]

Corporate Human Relations = oxymoron

 

[Luis A]

"Corporate Human Relations = oxymoron"
I second that.

 

[Andrew W]

I believe it is Human Resources, not Human Relations.
This is accurate since the folks in the HR dept. pretty much lump employees in with any other type of resource such as coal, oil, timber, etc.... Basically another resource to be exploited, clearcut, strip mined and used up to make a few more bucks.
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Andrew in Austin

 

[Clinton McClure]

Here's a fine how-do-you-do..... The company I worked for up until mid-August just layed off their local HR department. Now everyone is having to deal with corporate HR who, historically, did not answer the phone, never returned messages, and were "out to lunch" 6 hours a day.
Sounds like a plot to a novel Douglas Adams should have written.
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[Edwin-S]

---I believe it is Human Resources, not Human Relations.---
Well, normally this would be right but where I work the "Human Resources" Dept. is called "Labour Relations"......think about that for a minute.....compare it to experiences with the typical "Human Resources" wasteland.....I'm thinking a person will see the humour in that title.
My experience with "Labour Relations" personnel is that they are productively useless people assigned to eliminate the few functionally productive people left. They then go on to further exploits in the ethereal regions of "management"

which eventually results in the entire collapse of the company, followed by a rapid corporate escape from creditors into that wonderful eden, euphemistically known as "Chapter 11 bankruptcy".
The last part of the paragraph is an exaggeration.....but it demonstrates my "admiration" for the great qualities of "Human Resources" Departments.

 

[Steven K]

"Human Resources" and "Professional" dont belong in the same sentence.

 

[Kevin Coleman]

My sentiments exactly. I agree with the last two posters.
Kevin C.

 

[CharlesD]

The HR Dept. of any company is inherently EVIL! -- Don't you read Dilbert?

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-- Will Work for Five Million Dollars

 

[McPaul]

sorry, didn't know this would bring this much flak.. it's not BOSE i'm working for... didn't know I'd get this reaction. I'll shut my mouth from now on.
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McPaul.

 

[Kevin Coleman]

I for one am sorry for my post I guess it is a bit obnoxious. I shouldn't have posted unless I had something to help you out.
Kevin C.

 

[McPaul]

that's cool. I guess I'm just frustrated in looking for immediate career advancement... isn't everyone?
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McPaul.

 

[Danny Tse]

I got a degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations Management, but I didn't get to do anything with it. I did train several employees at my previous employer, but all of them were eventually laid off by management, including myself. Somehow, management at all my previous employers failed to see that their employees are their most important assets.

 

[Clinton McClure]

According to Scott Adams, they rank after carbon paper.

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My DVD Collection Casa del Clint

 

[Edwin-S]

Paul
Considering that I said LR/HR people are useless productivity-wise, you didn't seem to get too mad. You are probably a pretty decent guy, so I just want to say good luck in finding an HR position......they'll probably ruin you ......but there is always the exception to the rule. I hope you succeed in your quest.....I can't believe I just said that .....but I really mean it.