• Replies 29 replies
  • Subscribers 9 subscribers
  • Views 6823 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related

Mid-Career Transition To HR

Simon

Hi

I am a mid-40s senior RAF officer currently looking at options outside of the service. I have a largely operational background but have undertaken several roles with formal HR responsibilities. My current role is HR/training focused and strategic in outlook,which I am really enjoying. I am looking to undertake a distance learning CIPD Level 7 qualification throughout 18/19 to enhance my skills in this area and potentially make me more employable in the future.  I am considering HR as a future employment route and ideally at a reasonably senior level. Is this achievable and will the Level 7 qualification make me more attractive to potential employers?  I would be very grateful for any advice.  

Parents
  • Hi Simon, while I was not in the RAF I was in the Irish Police Force and decided to transition to HR in my early 40's, I moved from ROI to the UK after I completed my CIPD Level 5 and other courses. My advice would be to start with a Level 5 in HRM, that to really get fully advantage of the Level 7 you need to be working in the HR field first. In terms of the CIPD Level 5 this would give you plenty to learn and understand, especially the different terminology.
    I like others found it hard to transition, not from moving from a Public Servant to a Civilian as I had been planning that for some time by interacting with mainly Civilian friends outside of work, doing other courses where I was around Civilians this got me out of the 'Lingo' and 'banter' and I learnt a lot about working in the private sector as a result but for getting companies to understand my 'transferable skills, knowledge and experience' I found a lot of companies did not see how I had 'transferable skills' but eventually I found a company that did understand. There are companies out there that like having ex forces working for them for a number of reasons, you need to keep going, go to Networking groups, CIPD evenings (these are on Eventbrite.co.uk and are free, you will find meeting other members a great advantage.
Reply
  • Hi Simon, while I was not in the RAF I was in the Irish Police Force and decided to transition to HR in my early 40's, I moved from ROI to the UK after I completed my CIPD Level 5 and other courses. My advice would be to start with a Level 5 in HRM, that to really get fully advantage of the Level 7 you need to be working in the HR field first. In terms of the CIPD Level 5 this would give you plenty to learn and understand, especially the different terminology.
    I like others found it hard to transition, not from moving from a Public Servant to a Civilian as I had been planning that for some time by interacting with mainly Civilian friends outside of work, doing other courses where I was around Civilians this got me out of the 'Lingo' and 'banter' and I learnt a lot about working in the private sector as a result but for getting companies to understand my 'transferable skills, knowledge and experience' I found a lot of companies did not see how I had 'transferable skills' but eventually I found a company that did understand. There are companies out there that like having ex forces working for them for a number of reasons, you need to keep going, go to Networking groups, CIPD evenings (these are on Eventbrite.co.uk and are free, you will find meeting other members a great advantage.
Children
  • in reply to Marion Galvin
    Marion

    Thanks for the advice. I think the transition period is really important to get right as it is a mental switch as well as a physical change. The trick for me now is to start identifying companies that understand what comes with the military experience. Thanks for taking the time to provide some advice -I really appreciate it