Career change as a HR officer
With your experience you can switch to 8 jobs in Germany: 7 with on-the-job training and 1 with training or a course.
In the job search you can sort by what matters to you, save jobs and see where they lead.
Career change paths
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HR director
Also: Head of HR
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
As HR director, you are responsible for all HR topics in a company, lead the HR team and advise the management.
- What you bring:
- You know recruiting, employment law and working with managers from hands-on experience.
- How to get there:
- This move often happens internally or through recruitment firms, provided you have experience in several HR areas and some first leadership responsibility. You can close gaps in employment law or payroll with courses, for example at a chamber.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€7,885gross per monthMedian salary
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HR development specialist
Also: Career and application trainer
With on-the-job training
As an HR development specialist, you plan further training and development programs; as a trainer, you prepare people for job applications and new roles.
- What you bring:
- You know which skills companies look for and how people grow in their careers.
- How to get there:
- Companies and training providers train experienced HR professionals in HR development concepts. You can earn a trainer or coaching certificate alongside work; the duration depends on the provider. At training providers, jobs often depend on funded programs.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€5,147gross per monthMedian salary
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HR consultant
Also: HR process consultant
With on-the-job training
In a consulting firm or at a software vendor, you redesign HR processes for clients and support the rollout.
- What you bring:
- You know application processes, workforce planning and HR software from your daily work.
- How to get there:
- Consulting firms train experienced HR professionals in project methods, and certificates in project or change management help. Expect project work and travel.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleHome office possible€6,768gross per monthMedian salary
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HR lecturer
Also: Instructor in vocational further training
With on-the-job training
At chambers and training providers, you prepare adults for qualifications such as certified HR specialist (Geprüfter Personalfachkaufmann/Geprüfte Personalfachkauffrau) or teach job application training in funded programs.
- What you bring:
- You can explain recruiting, employment law and communication skills with real cases from practice.
- How to get there:
- Training providers look for experienced practitioners, often starting on a freelance basis. A trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung) or further training in adult education is welcome. Permanent jobs exist mainly at larger providers.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€5,140gross per monthMedian salary
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Head of an employment services provider
Also: Department head for vocational integration
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
At a training or employment services provider, you run vocational integration projects, manage teams and negotiate with Jobcenters and employment agencies.
- What you bring:
- You know the labor market, funding instruments and the situation of job seekers from your counseling or placement work.
- How to get there:
- Providers fill these positions with experienced specialists from counseling and placement. You learn funding law and provider approval on the job. Some projects are fixed-term and depend on tenders.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light€5,771gross per monthMedian salary
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Employer branding manager
Also: HR marketing specialist
With on-the-job training
As an employer branding manager, you develop campaigns, career pages and social media presence so that a company attracts suitable applicants.
- What you bring:
- You know why applicants choose an employer and where job ads fall flat.
- How to get there:
- Companies and agencies train HR professionals in marketing tools and campaign planning. Courses in online marketing usually take a few weeks. A good eye for text and images is an advantage.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€5,385gross per monthMedian salary
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Customer consultant for HR software
Also: Pre-sales consultant for HR software
With on-the-job training
At an HR software vendor, you advise companies, demonstrate solutions and support customers from selection to rollout.
- What you bring:
- You know the processes and pain points of HR departments from firsthand experience.
- How to get there:
- Software vendors train HR professionals with product training lasting a few weeks, and you do not need an IT degree. In sales, part of the pay is often performance-based.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleHome office possible€6,745gross per monthMedian salary
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Mediator
Also: Corporate conflict consultant
With further training
As a mediator, you guide conflict resolution in teams, between management and employees or in family businesses.
- What you bring:
- You have had many difficult conversations and can mediate between different interests.
- How to get there:
- Training providers offer mediation training alongside work. Under the Ordinance on the Training of Certified Mediators (Zertifizierte-Mediatoren-Ausbildungsverordnung), you may only call yourself a certified mediator after a course of at least 130 hours of attendance and five supervised mediations. You can combine mediation with consulting or training or apply for permanent mediation jobs.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€7,208gross per monthMedian salary
Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs can I do as a HR officer without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: HR director, HR development specialist, HR consultant, HR lecturer, Head of an employment services provider, Employer branding manager and Customer consultant for HR software.
Which retraining or further training suits me as a HR officer?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: Mediator.
What promotion options do I have as a HR officer?
Promotions include, for example: HR director and Head of an employment services provider.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: HR director (€7,885 gross per month), Mediator (€7,208 gross per month) and HR consultant (€6,768 gross per month). Half of employees earn more, half earn less; when you start it is often lower. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), April 2025. No guarantee of accuracy.
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