Recent graduate interviewing for an entry-level HR job.

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Just Graduated? Why the Best Entry-Level HR Jobs Aren’t on Job Boards

Increased Competition for Entry-Level HR Jobs

The job market for entry-level human resources professionals is competitive. Employers are projecting just a slim 1.6% increase in hiring for recent grads. And, as more companies look to automate roles with artificial intelligence, back office and entry-level positions are more likely to be on the chopping block.

Finding an entry-level human resources job requires you to expand your search beyond scrolling through LinkedIn and job boards for full-time positions. Cold applying to job listings means facing intense competition — these postings typically yield a high number of applicants, with the average entry-level job opening receiving 400 applications. Of these hundreds of applicants, only 2-3% will receive interviews.

The odds may seem daunting, but there are ways to stand out in the hiring market. To land an entry-level role, you’ll need to reformat your resume to emphasize your HR-adjacent skills and consider nontraditional routes to full-time HR employment.

Skills-Based Hiring Is the New Normal for HR

While in the past employers screened candidates by their GPA, less than half now consider grades when screening for new hires. Instead, almost 70% of hiring decision-makers surveyed rely on skills-based hiring to find qualified candidates. But despite this now being the industry norm, fewer than 40% of new college grads understand what this term means.

Skills-based hiring means employers are looking for you to demonstrate experience with the skills you’ll be using on the job. That experience can come from internships or co-ops, past employment, and even coursework or club activities.

Your resume should clearly show how your experience supports the required skills listed in the job description. Be direct in connecting the dots for hiring managers; 83% of companies are using AI to screen resumes for filters and key words that align with their job descriptions.

Of course, this emphasis on skills can put new grads in a tough spot: How do you build the skill sets needed to land an entry-level, full-time job with limited work experience? One solution is to consider nontraditional career options.

Ready to find an entry-level HR job opportunity? Start your job search with Aston Carter today.

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Consider Contract Roles to Build Experience

The key to beginning your HR career is finding an entry point into the market. Rather than immediately competing for a full-time position, look for ways to expand your experience and build a stronger application.

Contract roles give you the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of HR positions quickly. This not only builds your skill set but also allows you to try out different environments and discover your preferred workplace.

Partnering with a staffing agency can help connect you with employers and provide training and onboarding to ease your transition into your HR role. After working as contract talent, you can either pursue a full-time HR position or continue to take advantage of the flexibility of contract work.

Work with a Partner to Find Entry-Level HR Roles

Aston Carter partners with you to find HR opportunities that supports your professional growth. We take a candidate-first approach to finding you HR positions that align with your skills and career goals.

We can connect you to remote, contract and even contract-to-hire opportunities in a variety of HR roles, including:

Benefits analyst and coordinator
Instructional designer
Payroll administrator
Talent acquisition specialist
Human resources operations specialist

Common Questions About Entry-Level HR Jobs

Where should I start my job search with an HR degree?

Consider starting your HR job search by partnering with a contract talent agency. There’s heavy competition for entry-level HR jobs. By working with a staffing agency, you’ll have support finding entry-level roles as a contractor. You can gain experience quickly and build a stronger application for applying to full-time HR roles in the future.

What types of HR roles are best for recent graduates?

Common HR jobs for new graduates include recruiter, HR assistant, payroll coordinator and talent acquisition coordinator.

Are contract roles a good way to start an HR career?

Contract roles are a great way to start an HR career. You’ll have support finding entry-level opportunities and can build experience quickly in different positions and workplace environments.

What do employers look for in entry-level HR candidates?

Employers are looking for entry-level HR candidates with demonstrated experience with the skills they’ll need on the job. This is why it’s important for your resume to call out the skills listed in the job description and show how your past work or college experience has helped you build these skill sets.