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Career Change.

Sajda

| 0 Posts

15 Feb, 2017 11:16

Hello Everyone,

 

I currently work as an Administrator and have been doing admin work in different departments for some time. I have been thinking about branching into H.R. for a while now as I know my capabilities are far beyond what I am doing at the moment. Also, I feel like I have a lot of the general transferable skills which I would require for the role (organised, being able to work independently/ team, efficient, etc.). I can imagine myself being successful in the role, but I have already been in in a position where I have retrained in a profession and then due to extensive Government funding cuts, I was unable to maintain regular work which led me to working as an Administrator after a few years, so I do worry about job security despite every organisation having a H.R. department!

 

I have been offered a job as a HR Administrator (Recruitment) in the Public Sector. The pay is eye wateringly low which isn’t ideal, but I am fine with this as long as I know progression is going to be fairly quick (I am an extremely hard worker). However, the thought of all the additional training if I actually decide to pursue this and moving away from my current workplace and whether I will fit into my new time is making me feel very anxious.

 

For me, it is important for me to know that I will have job security, the work I do fits in with my values and I will be able to progress based on merit.

 

The other concerns I have are spending loads of money on H.R. qualifications (money which I have saved up to go towards a house deposit) and also my age and the amount of time it will take me to be in a stable position, earning a decent amount of money and being able to afford a decent – not luxurious – lifestyle (I am currently in my early 30’s and would like to start a family before 40).

 

This is probably just me babbling on, but I am anxious as I really don’t know anyone personally who works in H.R. and I feel like I need some insider guidance which I don’t currently have (and also as you can probably tell, some reassurance or answers).

 

Sorry for the gloomy post and thank you in advance!

 

Kind regards.

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  • Keith

    | 0 Posts

    15 Feb, 2017 12:50

    Welcome to the communities

    HR is a great career where some people can and do progress quickly. HR people don't particularly enjoy more job security than others BUT it is a very transferable job and you are not limited to one sector or industry but can generally move between employers once you have certain skills and experience.

    Most HR people are qualified at either Level 3 or level 5 at entry level and many at Level 7. Many employers in the public sector will support people in gaining the necessary qualifications.

    However it is very hard to get into, and there are numerous posts on these Boards about people bemoaning (in a nice way) their inability to break into HR. So if you really want to follow a career in HR and have an opportunity to do so then I would grab it. But do discuss with them the training an support available.

    The other challenge may well be being "public sector" as this "might" limit some longer term opportunities (particularly around pay/progression)
  • Sajda

    | 0 Posts

    15 Feb, 2017 13:18

    In reply to Keith:

    Hi Keith,

    Thank you for your message and the advice.

    I agree with what you say - HR is difficult to break into and having searched vacancies intermittently in the sector for a year or so, I appreciate that I was very fortunate to get offered a role as an HR Administrator. The difficulty in even gaining an entry level position is also reflected in some of the posts on this forum. I appreciate how difficult it is and how fortunate I have been in this respect. I think you're right - I should go with the opportunity which has come my way. I just need to stop worrying unnecessarily!

    Yes, the role is in the public sector, however, I do worry about the potential of transferability from public to private sector. How easy is it, or is it difficult to say?

    Thank you.

    Regards.
  • Keith

    | 0 Posts

    15 Feb, 2017 13:23

    In reply to Sajda:

    At a more junior level it is probably relatively easier to swap between sectors but the higher up the chain you go the harder it will get
  • Sajda

    | 0 Posts

    15 Feb, 2017 13:28

    In reply to Keith:

    Thought as much.

    Thank you for your help, Keith.

    Much appreciated.

    Sajda.
  • Teresa

    | 0 Posts

    15 Feb, 2017 16:39

    In reply to Sajda:

    I would suggest that you don't stay too long and when you move, make sure that your CV really highlights experience outside of the public sector.

    The ability to transfer between sectors and also industries does seem to be getting harder. I have friends who over the past year, have had recruiters refuse to even see them because they would only see people who had previous experience in that industry. Manufacturing and Banking used to be very keen on previous industry experience, but now it seems to have spread to other industries
    .
    It is silly really as I have worked in all three different sectors and quite a few different industries and although they have their quirks, there isn't too much difference.

    Good luck with your new career!
  • Sajda

    | 0 Posts

    22 Feb, 2017 10:42

    In reply to Teresa:

    Thank you very much for the advice. Much appreciated.