I am in the Army and contemplating staying to see if I make the next rank. I recently finished my bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management and am really looking forward to getting into it. Should I go ahead and retire or stay around the Army to make master sergeant is the big question on my mind.
Answers
Nothing beats experience. With your recruiting experience, I would apply at companies where the skills you have successfully found and placed in organizations matches their needs.
That is the easiest way to get your foot in the door. Once in and once you have demonstrated success, then ask if you can move into other HR areas you have an interest in. Companies will find ways to keep and move up winners.
Regarding certificates vs. Masters Degree. I am not a certificate fan. Get the new position and pursue your MBA in the evenings. It can be done in as few as three years at night attending classes and faster if you do it on line.
The career outlook looks quite good right now for HR. It was just named #4 on glassdoor's best jobs survey!
http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/jobs-america/
Best,
Katie
Dear John,
I think the timing is right for you to seek positions in HR that help you leverage your work in the military and help companies find and hire qualified veterans. A lot of HR people do not have your background and would welcome some one in their business who could add value in seeking, interviewing and hiring veterans. Many State employment offices need Veterans-focused Job Representatives and many temporary employment agencies and staff agencies seek people like you who can assist them in hiring veterans, and so I would go down this pathway.
I think you will be quite surprised at how valuable your HR skill sets are in this marketplace.
David
US Navy, Avionics
That sounds good. I have a lot of experience in recruiting as I have done it for years for the Army. That is only one aspect of HR that I'm interested in. I like that you brought up certifications: do you think that I should put my time towards getting certifications or completing a Masters degree? Which one would employers look more favorable on while searching for the best candidates to fill critical vacancies?
Can you do both? John can you begin your job search now while in the army and work the process until to find the job you want. Maybe this time you can pursue certifications through SHRM, build your network, etc. Also you didn't say what aspect of HR you are interested in. If it's recruiting now might be the time to join a DOD contractor
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