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Would this be the right move?

Kimberley

Last year I successfully completed a Level 3 CIPD qualification, and now I am very eager to enroll onto the Level 5 course. The problem I have where I am employed. I currently work full time for a local authority, within the HR department as an Administrative Assistant. I have always been very open and honest about my goals, and how passionate I am about developing within the field of HR, however, there are no opportunities to develop and learn new skills, and I am currently feeling at a standstill (a little stuck in a rut).

A few years ago, I volunteered within a HR team for a large manufacturing company, and at the time, I had very little HR experience. I found that when looking online at vacancies, that most HR roles required some payroll experience. This leads me onto my main question..

So where I am currently employed, a full time position has become available within the Payroll Department, and I am contemplating submitting an application form. I am not sure if this would be the right move for me, but what I do know is that I am ready to develop, and there are no opportunities to do so in the team I am currently in. I have seen lots of "payroll and HR" positions online which I've been unable to apply for as I don't have the required payroll experience.

So my question is, do you think this would be a good move? The salary is two grades higher and also they may consider it over four days meaning I could also afford to do my Level 5 and have the designated day off to study it. 

I really would appreciate views on this.. 

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  • Hi Kimberley,

    I think you've answered your own question: "I am ready to develop, and there are no opportunities to do so in the team I am currently in".

    Personally, I have found that in smaller companies some form of involvement in payroll for HR is very common - I think all the roles I've done in SME's have involved some type of payroll input. It will also give you an understanding of things like tax codes, maternity pay, overtime payments, etc, etc, which are commonly-asked questions for HR.

    I'm a great believer in there's no such thing as wasted learning. Yes, 'true' HR rarely has payroll as a dedicated part of it's day-to-day work, but an understanding of it would always be useful. You will also be able to use the extra day for further studying or even (if your contract allows) a 1 day a week job in HR - paid or voluntary.

    My hesitation over your question is actually doing the Level 5. For this you do need to have the ability to put into practice what you've learnt, or reflect on what you have done at work in your learning. Given the role you are in at the moment, or indeed the payroll role, will you be able to do this?

    Good luck!
  • in reply to Teresa
    Hi Teresa, thank you for posting, its really appreciated.

    I do agree that there are lots of HR positions that do require payroll experience. A colleague of mine who was in the same situation, has recently left my team and found herself a HR and Payroll Officer role, although this lady was much older than me with a lot more experience.

    Putting what I learn into practice is the reason why I have held off from enrolling onto the level 5 course, as I am concerned that my role does not allow me to utilise my studies, and put these studies into practice. I completed my level 3 quite comfortably within this role, as a large part of my role involves recruitment, so there were certain modules I worked through very quickly (resourcing talent). I was able to use materials from my work to help with assignments (shortlisting grids, induction timetables,).

    I would like to secure myself a role where I am able to work at a higher level, and put the studies into practice. Unfortunately, as mentioned in one of my comments below, I have missed out on some very good opportunities (Trainee HR Officer, HR Assistant), because I don't have specific experience. I was unsuccessful at one interview for a Trainee HR Officer role because I had no experience in case management, however this was not something that was mentioned on the job description so I was a little surprised at that, but again, I don't know how I can get this experience.
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  • in reply to Teresa
    Hi Teresa, thank you for posting, its really appreciated.

    I do agree that there are lots of HR positions that do require payroll experience. A colleague of mine who was in the same situation, has recently left my team and found herself a HR and Payroll Officer role, although this lady was much older than me with a lot more experience.

    Putting what I learn into practice is the reason why I have held off from enrolling onto the level 5 course, as I am concerned that my role does not allow me to utilise my studies, and put these studies into practice. I completed my level 3 quite comfortably within this role, as a large part of my role involves recruitment, so there were certain modules I worked through very quickly (resourcing talent). I was able to use materials from my work to help with assignments (shortlisting grids, induction timetables,).

    I would like to secure myself a role where I am able to work at a higher level, and put the studies into practice. Unfortunately, as mentioned in one of my comments below, I have missed out on some very good opportunities (Trainee HR Officer, HR Assistant), because I don't have specific experience. I was unsuccessful at one interview for a Trainee HR Officer role because I had no experience in case management, however this was not something that was mentioned on the job description so I was a little surprised at that, but again, I don't know how I can get this experience.
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