When do you decide that it's better to give up chasing a goal/dream that doesn't seem to be materialising?

I'm really struggling lately, career wise.

Over the years I've invested in myself and my own CPD. I graduated with a BA Honours in Business Studies, and really enjoyed the HR Module, which is why I chose to go down the HR Route. After finishing university I found myself unemployed for 8 months. I originally came from a retail management background. I was lucky enough to secure a part time reception job, my aim was to take on this role purely to fund my Level 3 CIPD qualification which I successfully completed last year. Alongside working this part time job, and studying, I secured a HR voluntary placement in a manufacturing company before I then successfully secured a full time Clerical post in a HR team for a local authority. I have been employed here now for almost 2 years, and I have come to a standstill in regards to learning and developing. My managers are fully aware of how I am currently feeling. I have supported HR business partners on he odd occasion through disciplinaries etc as a note taker, but overall I'm feeling really stuck. I cannot seem to secure a HR role due to lack of experience. I have requested to shadow and get involved with others at work, but unfortunately my requests to do so have been unsuccessful. I am contemplating progressing onto the level 5 CIPD course in hope that his may help my current situation, and hopefully make me look more attractive to employers, however, I worry that the problem will still be the same (lack of experience).

I am stuck in a vicious circle and my question is, are there any other people who feel/felt the same?

And how did you get out of the situation before feeling like it's time to give up and look at other options ?

Parents
  • I'm not sure I'd agree that a Level 7 course is a good idea for someone yet to secure a role outside of clerical work, and I wouldn't advise pursuing Level 5 at this point.

    The good thing about local authority jobs, though, is that you get a great deal of transferable skills and knowledge. Have you tried looking at other local government institutions within reach of your current home? Many will have their own job websites that you can sign up to for updates when new jobs are posted. Someone with clerical experience within an HR team, with a business degree and a L3 qualification would sound like a shoo-in for an HR Administrator or junior HR advisor role, which would then be a good time to go for that L5 or 7 qualification.
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  • I'm not sure I'd agree that a Level 7 course is a good idea for someone yet to secure a role outside of clerical work, and I wouldn't advise pursuing Level 5 at this point.

    The good thing about local authority jobs, though, is that you get a great deal of transferable skills and knowledge. Have you tried looking at other local government institutions within reach of your current home? Many will have their own job websites that you can sign up to for updates when new jobs are posted. Someone with clerical experience within an HR team, with a business degree and a L3 qualification would sound like a shoo-in for an HR Administrator or junior HR advisor role, which would then be a good time to go for that L5 or 7 qualification.
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