Mid-Career Transition To HR

No idea if this is not allowed (admin please delete if so) but I was searching this morning for some comparator roles in schools (I work in a secondary school) and saw a role being advertised by Michael Page for a west London school. It was a school business manager role that included HR, and they specifically mentioned the military as a background they would be looking for. It was quite a broad/ops role but might be quite an interesting one.

Hi Simon, I saw your post last year and followed the discussion with some interest, having also been a senior RAF officer (I left a couple of years ago) with aspirations to transfer into the world of HR. That's probably a different story for another time, but in response to your question about Chartered status: I looked at both options and chose not to do the L7 but went down the professional assessment route (I used an Enhanced Learning Credit). I found it pretty straightforward, with some good advice from those who had been down that route. My feeling was that in my last couple of years in the RAF I would have enough on my plate without taking on a lengthy, expensive and demanding distance-learning programme. In retrospect that was the right call for me, but I do encourage you to do your own cost-benefit analysis.

In considering whether the L7 is right or not, remember that it won't get you Chartered membership directly (whereas the assessment route might) as you will become an Associate and then need to upgrade - so the question is whether you will learn anything that makes a difference to employability.

My take on it, almost 3 years down the road, is that in the military we become very focused on badges and qualifications as the career management system requires them for almost any job, whereas in the commercial world the focus is almost entirely on what experience you have. For what it's worth, therefore, my advice would be to start networking and use that to identify your relevant experience and what advice they have to close any gaps.

I'm not sure what the protocols are here regarding direct contact, but if it's OK by the CIPD and you think it would be helpful I'm always willing to offer any support I can. BTW, have you tried the CIPD's own mentoring service? I haven't, but might be worth a try.

Cheers, Steve

Nina

So sorry for my late reply. Thank you for thinking of me when you saw the advert I will take a look. Many thanks.

Steve.

Many thanks for your perspective and advice. I looked at the assessment route and will take another look. I am not sure about the protocols either but would be grateful for any further advice or a chat. Thank you

Simon

As I am genuinely not selling anything at all, and am acting only in the spirit of one who has travelled the same road, I'll take a chance (moderator, please delete this post if I'm exhibiting poor etiquette or breaking the rules for use of the fora and accept my sincere apologies).

You can find me on LinkedIn as Steve Harpum and I'd be happy to connect and take it from there.

Cheers, Steve

Steve, Simon... no problem at all. Connect...

Hi Nina, think our community manager Steve would agree, that you're adding value in a helpful way with your suggestion but what we don't allow is actual job adverts via these boards. All the best Johanna :)

Absolutely... nice spot, Nina.

Thanks Steve ... standing by, Simon.