How to Get Into HR Without Prior Experience

As the use of artificial intelligence reshapes the job market, professionals might wonder where these new technologies demonstrate the potential for job growth and increased demand. The field of human resources compliance is one that will allow savvy compliance professionals with the right training and skills to ride the wave of job growth that will flow from AI tools. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of human resources specialists will grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, resulting in about 81,800 openings each year.¹ Though human resources is a highly competitive field, it remains remarkably accessible to professionals from diverse backgrounds with the right skill set.

For those figuring out how to get started in HR, entry-level positions and HR-adjacent occupations often serve as excellent launchpads into the profession. The question is: how do you get started in HR? How do you land the kind of HR compliance roles that provide meaningful work and lucrative compensation?

This post will explore how to leverage your existing background, strategic steps for your job search, networking tactics and the educational pathways that can accelerate your career.

Can You Transition Into an HR Role from Another Field?

Yes, many successful HR professionals start their careers in entirely different industries, such as customer service, administration or management. Employers frequently value this diversity of experience because it brings fresh perspectives to workforce management. If you want to know how to transition into an HR role, the key is understanding your transferable skills.

Core HR functions align closely with the skills developed in many other professions. Important transferable skills for HR success include:

• Strong interpersonal skills to connect with people from varied backgrounds
• Attention to detail when maintaining records and ensuring compliance with labor standards¹
• Conflict resolution and the ability to navigate complex workplace grievances
• Effective communication for delivering presentations and conducting interviews
• Proficient research and writing skills to facilitate compliance

When making a career change to HR, highlighting these competencies can demonstrate your readiness for the field, even if your previous title was not explicitly in human resources.

Strategic Steps on How to Get a Job in HR

When determining how to get a job in HR, your resume strategy should emphasize relevant work experience rather than just your previous job titles. Focus on detailing your people-management and administrative experience. Any experience in personnel recruitment, training and development and employee relations can significantly help candidates qualify for HR roles.²

Beyond optimizing your resume, you can actively seek out HR-adjacent responsibilities in your current role to build practical experience. Actionable steps include:

• Assisting with new-hire orientation and logistics
• Training new employees and documenting workflows
• Scheduling interviews and supporting employees with basic policy questions
• Providing training presentations on various aspects of the job

Taking on these responsibilities mirrors real HR work and prepares you for entry-level positions, such as an HR Coordinator. These early roles are viable stepping stones, with average salaries ranging from $49,866 to over $55,000 nationwide, providing a solid foundation while finding your HR career path.^3,4 As you progress in your career as an HR professional, through more specialized roles like people managers, employee relations, payroll, benefits or executive roles like VP of HR or director of HR, the average salary may be much higher. According to the BLS, the average HR manager makes $140,030 per year.⁵

Networking and Mentorship

Connecting with current HR professionals is a crucial step in understanding the professional landscape. You can build your network on LinkedIn or by joining local chapters of organizations such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), The Human Capital Institute (HCI), or the National Human Resources Association. There are also specialized HR associations for particular industries, like construction, education, manufacturing, retail, technology and hospitality.⁶ For example, HR professionals working in government may wish to join the Public Sector HR Association or the National Public Employee Labor Relations Association.

There are also organizations that address challenges for HR roles that require specialized expertise. For example, there are HR associations for payroll professionals, benefits specialists and those who work with unionized populations.

Mentorship is another powerful tool for aspiring HR professionals. Industry associations are excellent places to find mentors who can help clarify your goals, develop career plans and strengthen high-demand skills.⁷ Engaging in career mentoring events increases your awareness of the field and expands your professional network, making it easier to discover unadvertised opportunities.

Certifications and Education

Earning industry-recognized credentials can validate your knowledge and show professional expertise. For beginners, the Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) from HRCI is a widely recognized certification designed specifically for non-HR professionals and those just beginning their journey.⁸ SHRM also offers the SHRM-CP for individuals pursuing a career in human resources.

While standard certifications are helpful, specialized knowledge can truly make a candidate stand out. Developing a deep understanding of labor and employment law provides a massive advantage. Education focused on regulatory compliance and legal frameworks allows candidates to bypass some entry-level hurdles by offering high-value expertise right from the start.

Why Legal Knowledge is a Catalyst for HR Careers

Modern human resources is heavily focused on compliance, risk management and understanding complex labor and employment laws. Ensuring a workplace complies with labor standards is a primary responsibility for HR professionals.² As regulatory enforcement grows, the stakes for HR expertise have never been higher. For example, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) secured almost $700 million for victims of employment discrimination in FY 2024, highlighting the financial and legal risks companies face.⁹

Understanding employment law and HR is essential for handling compliance-heavy tasks, such as administering the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and managing employee grievances. Having a background in these critical HR laws can fast-track your progress when figuring out how to get a career in HR. It transforms you from a general administrative employee into a strategic partner capable of protecting the organization from costly legal liabilities.

Master the Legal Side of HR with Tulane University

While practical experience helps, specialized education in employment law can be the differentiator that opens doors in human resources and elevates your professional trajectory. Tulane University Law School offers an online Master of Jurisprudence in Labor & Employment Law (MJ-LEL) designed to help you develop the comprehensive legal knowledge to excel in HR and related fields.

The program equips students to prevent workplace discrimination, master state and federal employment law compliance, mitigate illegal HR practices and implement organization-wide legislative protections. Designed for working professionals nationwide, the degree requires 30 credit hours and typically takes two years to complete, providing the regulatory expertise needed to handle sensitive employee relations issues confidently. Students gain knowledge of labor law, employment law, and employment discrimination, creating real-world projects designed to support their HR careers. They also gain valuable skills in legal research, contract reading and drafting, investigations, negotiations and dispute resolution, and the use of AI technology in HR.

Take the next step toward a rewarding and impactful career in human resources. Explore the program and learn more about the admissions process. Schedule an appointment with the admissions team today.