The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Senior Personnel Officer / HR Generalist
3-5 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Mastering complex ER case management, leading annual HR cycles (performance, pay), and consistently providing high-quality HR advice to managers. You'd also need to demonstrate strong influencing skills.
You're ready to move on when
- You're the go-to person for tricky HR questions from junior colleagues and managers.
- You've successfully managed several complex disciplinary or grievance cases from start to finish.
- You've taken the lead on significant HR projects or annual processes, like a compensation review or benefits enrolment.
- Managers regularly seek your advice and trust your judgment on people matters.
- 2
Specialist HR Role (e.g., Comp & Bens Specialist, Talent Acquisition Lead)
5-7 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Deep expertise in a specific HR domain, but with a desire to broaden your scope to a more generalist, advisory role. You'd need to develop strong generalist HR knowledge, particularly in employee relations and performance management.
You're ready to move on when
- You've become the expert in your specialist area, but you're looking for a wider business impact.
- You've collaborated extensively with HRBPs and understand their challenges.
- You've proactively sought opportunities to get involved in generalist HR projects.
- You're comfortable stepping out of your comfort zone and learning new areas of HR.