Brand new career in HR

Hi all

I am considering retraining to enter the HR profession. I currently do a small amount of HR in my current role and wish to progress further.

My question is, has anyone else had a complete career change at 30 into HR and how difficult did you find it?

Thanks in advance

Emily

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  • Hi everyone, sorry for the silence up to now. I have been trying to find the right words. Due to Mike's advice of being honest, here we go!
    Because of various factors, the job hunting for a HR specific role did not start until Feb of this year (2017). I'm not going to beat around the bush - it's been a hard slog. I had my L5 HRM, I had owned and run my own business (restaurant), so did everything HR related. With the job hunting I'd either be eliminated at the first stage, or if I got through to the interview stage, the feedback was I didn't have enough experience.

    Personally I think the issues were -
    - with a non traditional career progression they didn't know what they would get with me versus a CV with a traditional career path, so would go with the safe option. (Which is understandable)
    - because I had worked with my husband, this was only person who could comment/ give reference - so there was no way of quantifying my experience
    - because I had had my own business, the interviewer would ask did I still had ambitions to have my own company again. I was asked this directly and answered honestly that I don't. (I don't think all of them believed me)
    - those who haven't been in the hospitality industry don't know/understand the soft skills we have to use/ develop - e.g. Dealing with a tricky customer means we can deal with tricky employees.

    Having said all of this, in the last week I have been offered a temp role, which I have taken up and start tomorrow.

    Matthew- my advice to you would be
    - just keep swimming. Even when you feel like giving up, keep going. You will get there!
    - get involved with any HR related activity at the hotel e.g. Employee engagement etc.
    - get to know the HR team, say you want to move into HR.
    - look for HR related roles in other hospitality companies in your area.
    - if you are using agencies, keep bugging them. I found that if I didn't, they simply wouldn't get back to me (apologies if anyone is a recruiter here).
    - with the soft skills be blunt about this. State and show how your skills can transfer. E.g. Motivation, dealing with no show staff, dealing with unreasonable customers
    - Use your most unusual disciplinary case as e.g.s of how you can deal with the D&G side.
    - I always try to do a mini SWOT analysis on a company I am interviewing for as I feel it helps me understand the company and therefore the role better. Take it with you as it will help them see how serious you are.

    Apologies for the long post. Hope you've made it this far. Good luck and keep us posted.

    Thanks

    Emily
    • Hi Emily, Thanks for post it is much appreciated and its great to hear you have had your break into HR.

      As you highlight it is a hard slog and that want to just give up after a good few applications and not even a whisper is somewhat overwhelming. I am now starting to now reach out to my HR function and push for the opportunity's.

      I find that because I have to give a months notice period some agency companies don't want to bother with me. 

      Hopefully it'll all pay off in the end.

      Thank you for your advice and your experience and best of luck in the new job.

      Matthew :)

    • Hi Emily

      Wow! thanks for posting and please don't apologise for the long post this is exactly what the community is all about sharing experiences and learning from each other so thank you for taking the time to contribute.

      Really great to hear that you secured your first HR role I got exactly the same break in HR by taking on a temporary role which was initially for 2 weeks whilst they recruited somebody for a permanent position.

      I had very limited 'direct' HR experience at the time but had spent six years managing a team and dealing in a customer facing environment and I was fortunate to be offered the role and I stayed with the organisation for six very happy years! Even more happily whilst they sponsored me to do my CIPD qualification.

      So make the most of the opportunity and good luck!

      All the best Sarah
    • Emily thank you, this is such valuable insight and experience for others to learn from. Great advice and great news about the temp role!

  • This post has been around for a while and it may or may not be relevant as this post has covered some good stuff but thought it's posting anyway 

    So you want a job in HR -  what next?

    So you want a job in HR - what next?
    As a facilitator on the Certificate in HR Practice programme I am often asked for advice on how to get that elusive first job in HR. Many of our dele…
  • Hi Emily, 

    I note this was posted a few years back, however I am in a similar position, I am turning 30 and after many years working in Hotels in various management roles I am now retraining to get my Level 5 in HRM.

    However I am finding it difficult to get a job within the field, even though I have experience in staff management, recruitment etc.

    How did you find it ?

    Many Thanks

    Matthew  

    • Hi Matthew,

      I have recently made the move into HR after working as a manager in a call centre. I really enjoyed the people management side of my role and also the recruitment activities. This made me really think about moving into HR and then I was told I was being made redundant, and that was the big push I needed.

      I am now in my first HR job and absolutely loving it. The thing that stood out for my employer on my CV is that I was a self-funded CIPD student, so I would recommend adding that into your personal statement when applying for jobs (i'm making the assumption you are self-funded). My employer told me this was a massive selling point as it shows determination to move into the field and said it stood out for them when CV screening.

      Also, I believe one of my mistakes when looking for jobs was narrowing my search to just my home town. I was convinced that I didn't want to drive very far to work, however when I expanded my search, the opportunities become a lot better (and the salary improved too!). 

      Another bit of advice would be to really spend time on your CV (if you haven't already) and make the HR/People management aspects of your previous role stand out and expand on them more.

      Good luck in your job search.

      Leanne

      • Thanks Leanne, its great to hear you are enjoying the career change. Thank you for the help I will make some changes based on what you have suggested, really appreciate the help :)

        Matthew  

        • Hi Matthew

          Great to hear you are considering a career change.

          I would say one of the single biggest factors is to use your networks not for them to get you a job, I'm not suggesting nepotism, but your networks can make you aware of opportunities so you can apply and compete with everyone else.

          I can think of a number of people I have helped secure an HR role just by putting them in touch with someone I knew, and not directly sometimes it's a case of they put them in touch with someone they know etc. etc.

          Also try volunteering, it does not have to be FT but even doing some PT volunteering in an HR role can get you the HR experience on your CV.  Many not for profit organisations are always looking for volunteers.

          Good Luck!!

          Sarah

          • Hi Sarah,

            Thank you very much for the help, I will start reaching out to my network more, great tip on the volunteering, funnily enough I volunteer with the Scouts and it hadn't even crossed my mind to look for HR volunteering roles, so it's something I will certainly be looking in to now. 

            Thanks :) 

            Matthew

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