Welcome to the communities

I would take the feedback from the recruitment agency as just what it is feedback - not something to be deflated over. Inevitably a ten year gap (meaning you have been out of HR as long as you were in it) will be a discussion point in any process and one you need to address front and centre.

You are perhaps fortunate that in the current climate there appears to be a shortage of good candidates for mid level HR roles in many places so I would embark on a job search with vigour and enthusiasm.

there is no magic route back (if you do a search there are lots of threads on getting into HR and some of the advice is pertinent - volunteer, be flexible, be adaptable, consider short term contracts etc etc) but keep applying, network with the best of them and I hope you find your way back.

Hi Christine
Keith is right, recruiters are going to focus on that gap. However knowing that gives you an advantage. You can have a ready prepared, well crafted answer about what you've done during that time and why that makes you a better HR person now. Focus on your studies and your volunteering experience - if you present it as having value to you, you'll persuade others of its value. If you can relate what you did and learned in your volunteering to the role you are applying for, recruiters will see the relevance. In short, don't feel deflated by what you haven't done; feel proud of what you have done.
Good luck!
Jackie

Hi Christine.
I am looking to change careers and have recently accepted my first HR role. A lack of direct HR experience meant for me highlighting transferable skills and voluntary work. As already mentioned, selling your volunteering as valuable experience and showing what you learned and achieved is key, I would think. As for your recruiter feedback, I was told by a recruiter that nobody would offer me a chance moving directly from my current role (which is in retail). For me their feedback was useful but what was more important was how I reacted to it. Use that feedback as motivation to build on your skills and focus on the end goal of getting your next HR position. Yes, there will be applications rejected but they are also a chance to gain feedback to improve for next time.
Bit of a ramble I know, but hope this of some use (and keep believing I yourself!)
Alan

In reply to Keith:

Thank you Keith for the welcome.
I have taken onboard your advice. You are correct, there is a gap at present and I need to use that to my advantage.

In reply to Jacqueline:

Thank you very much Jackie.

In reply to Alan:

Thank you Alan and congratulations on achieving your first role in HR.

Hi Christine, aside from the excellent guidance you're getting here from fellow Community members, I'd like to draw your attention to this free learning workshop for CIPD members.

I think it may be of interest to you (and others) it's about using linkedin effectively - learn the effective approach to networking as well as how to expand your circle of contacts using LinkedIn. The session covers how to connect with others by using social media to market yourself and how to highlight your skills to help make the most of your job search.

www.cipd.co.uk/.../jobs-search

Hi Christine,

Some of the Women Returner Programmes offered by a growing number of employers include returners into HR. Google the phrase to see what's currently available.

There is also an organisation called Women Returners that runs an annual conference (coming up shortly I believe) which offers advice on returning to your career. It might be worth your while to attend.

Good Morning Christine, I had an 8 year gap in my HR career, I went off and became a teacher and regretted it. I am now 5 weeks in to a new L&D role and the gap in my HR history was actually a strength, that I had gone and experienced something different and could use my skills as an educator within L&D.

Try not to worry about it too much, be confident in the explanation of the gap and emphasis that whilst you were not actively working within HR you have remained up to date with CIPD membership and your own CPD.

Good luck!

Welcome Christine. Firstly, thank you for the post. It takes courage to post about a hard personal experience and then the challenge of finding your way back into your chosen career. I imagine / know you won't be alone in having this experience.

I'd echo the shares below. Feedback is one person's perspective, valid and useful for learning and it helps to know what sales people call objections so can be prepared for countering them. If you clearly own them...'during my 10 years not working in HR I did x, y, z and this has given me a, b, c' feels very different I think.

You have qualifications, transferable skills, sounds like you are keeping in touch and learning so those are all good currency. I'd add, find networks of people to support you, practice talking about yourself and your experience and also make connections with recruiters and agencies who often specialise in those returning to work, wanting to work part time and speak to them as well as good recruiters who believe in building relationships as well as seeing candidates as sales opportunities. They often, I believe look at little beyond 'is this candidate easy for me to sell to a client'.

My final suggestion would be to get a supportive coach or friend to look over your CV. It might not be selling you and your gap as well as it could be.

Good luck.

In reply to Lexy:

Brilliant first post, Lexy - thank you and welcome!

In reply to Lexy:

Thank you Alexandra, very positive outcome.

In reply to Sharon:

Thank you Sharon.