Whether you are 16 and just leaving school or are in the middle of your career it is never to late to gain extra skills by working towards a professional qualification.

As per any profession, your performance at school and college level will always be a factor. Decent Leaving Certificate and degree grades will indicate overall intellect and application and can often be influencing factors in interview shortlisting and selection processions, during the earlier career stages of a graduate wishing to pursure HR as their chosen profession. The impact of these does lessen as the HR professional gains higher levels of vocational experience. So what qualifications may add value at that stage?

The two key types of qualification are Post Graduate qualifications, for example a Masters in Human Resource Management or the qualifications of HR's professional body, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for those involved in the management and development of people. The CIPD operates a professional standards qualification scheme for HR professionals. The importance of the qualifications is to provide a benchmark for organisations and professionals regarding their degree of experience and performance. They are recognised across all business sectors and by all HR professionals.

If you are still in full time education, it is worth considering working towards a degree in Business Administration (or a similar course). Many of these courses will allow exemptions from the CIPD qualification. It is worth checking with the college/university directly to see whether or not their courses provide these exemptions.

If you are currently in full time employment it may be worth exploring the opportunity of studying part time for your CIPD qualification, the Institute has a number of flexible ways to study for these courses and you can find out about these by either visiting www.cipd.ie or contact the education department on 01 676 6655.

If you are currently working within HR and looking to develop your career it is well worth talking to the education department, as they may be able to recommend specific courses that would suit your needs.

Recruitment consultants looking to develop their career in house, make up a significant proportion of people who contact us looking for their chance to break the agency mould. Studying for their new qualification - recruitment and selection certificate is a great way to get ahead of the crowd.

Useful link: CIPD validated courses: http://www.cipd.co.uk/Branches/ireland/mandq

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