Overqualified but inexperienced? - General - Careers Clinic

9 Overqualified but inexperienced?

17 May, 2023 19:48

Hello, I'm Hannah, I'm 30, and although I've got a broad set of managerial skills, I've never worked in a HR department.

I've jumped straight into CIPD at Level 5 and am loving every second. However, whenever I browse through job vacancies requiring Level 5 certification, all of them want proven HR experience; something I do not have. Entry level vacancies seem to be minimum-wage onsite administrative positions, which Level 5 immediately makes me overqualified for, and herein lies my problem.

Should I have gone for Level 3 first and got my foot in the door whilst I qualified, or is it possible to slide straight into a well-paid, meaningful HR role without climbing the ladder first? At 30, I feel like I'm already 10 years behind everybody else in the HR world and don't want to waste time in a position that doesn't challenge me. Following a recent interview, I was told by a corporate director that I was too dynamic for the role and should be applying for leadership positions.

If you were me, what would you do? Pare back your abilities in an interview just to get your first HR job or apply for an associate level position once qualified and persuade them to give you a chance despite your relative inexperience?

Would love some feedback if anyone has any thoughts or been in a similar quandary.

Hannah

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Roxanne | 0 Posts

21 May, 2023 17:25

Hey Hannah I hope you are good. From the sounds of it you have some amazing transferable skills and I would advise you not to let any of that shine go to waste. You may want to think about other ways you can build up your experience such as volunteering potentially alongside any role you do secure. I would also think about smaller businesses and startups as an option so you'd have more scope and room to grow at pace, with your current skill set also still being valued - more often the progression in these types of organisations can be much faster. I very nearly did a level 3 and was talked out of it by a colleague and I am so glad I listened - once it's under your belt things should get a bit easier. If you do want to be a specialist rather than a generalist getting a head start on the knowledge in that space through supplementary courses and resources may also help Best of luck
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Maya | 0 Posts

22 May, 2023 06:12

Hi Hannah - I don’t have specific advice, but just wanted to reassure you that you’re never behind anyone else, wherever you’re at and whatever age you are :)

I went via graphic design, to sales and marketing, through to operations/general people management - and finally in to HR at the spring chicken age of about 35! I then did my Level 5 qualification, spent a bit more time gaining experience, and this year moved from an HR Manager role to a new company to set up their HR function from scratch, in a Head of HR role.

So I’m just commenting to reassure you that you’ll find a way through, there’s plenty of time, and to carry on enjoying the work you’re doing to gain your qualification.

In terms of experience, volunteering is a good shout - I’m chair of governors at my son’s school and it’s given me really good experience in all sorts of areas. If you’re really (un)lucky you’ll get some great ER experience, completely unpaid, in your spare time…!
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Johanna | 0 Posts

CIPD Staff

22 May, 2023 10:34

We have a job hunting workshop for CIPD members coming up soon Hannah, you may want to have a look. www.cipd.org/.../
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Fiona | 0 Posts

22 May, 2023 12:10

I faced a similar issue in that I completed my degree later in life 30's had a fair amount of L&D experience under my built but to gain any generalist HR experience I was told time and time again to take an HR admin role most of which were temps, I felt I was way overskilled for this plus they were all less money.. and finally I got a lucky break with a smaller company but the flip side of that is again the money would be less than market value but it allows you to pad out your CV. It's annoying I know but it seems to be the way in this industry because it's so competitive.
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Hannah | 0 Posts

23 May, 2023 16:43

In reply to Roxanne:
Hi Roxanne
Thank you so much for your encouraging words, I really appreciate your input and for reassuring me on my choice of course. I am definitely drawn towards being a specialist so will keep your advice about supplementary courses in mind, many thanks again!

Hannah
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Hannah | 0 Posts

23 May, 2023 16:54

In reply to Fiona:
It does seem to be a bit of a chicken-and-egg scenario when it comes to training/experience certainly! Interesting that your lucky break was with a smaller company, it sounds like this is the way to go. Really appreciate your input thanks so much for sharing :)

Hannah
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Hannah | 0 Posts

23 May, 2023 16:55

In reply to Johanna:
Just registered for the one in June, thanks for the pointer!

Hannah
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Hannah | 0 Posts

23 May, 2023 16:58

In reply to Maya:
This made me smile, thanks so much for your encouragement. It's always helpful having a fresh perspective from someone who's been through it and come out the other side! The thought of volunteering is quite new to me, but I'm definitely going to investigate ways this could be done. Thank you again :)

Hannah
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Sharon | 0 Posts

24 May, 2023 07:34

Hannah, good question and good luck. I agree with the points below. You have experience of being in the business and then moving to a specialist function. This is what many HR teams like to talk about when it comes to talent development, growing internal talent and creating an internally mobile workforce so it's disappointing to see when HR colleagues make the same requests and advertise roles narrowing the field and implying there's only one route into the profession.

I moved into HR later too. I'd lots of transferable skills including leading and managing a team amongst other things. Moving into a specialist people role means I have a squiggly career and I found a coach a helpful means of prepping for interviews, pitching my CV and getting my foot in the door. It's probably why I value coaching so much as it's great at points of career transition.

Keep going. There is rarely one route to your career goals. When you get there, you can bring in these thoughts, views and experiences so that it paves the way for others to follow and leaves the door open rather than closes it behind you. All the best.
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