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First post... looking for some career advice

Charles

Hey everyone,

I am a new member of the CIPD, and I hope that I am posting in the correct place!

I currently work as a retail manager for a $40bn+ globally recognised brand, I manage a team of 110~ people and I have been a manager for the past 10 years across various companies and industries (always retail).

This may sound like i'm tooting my own horn! But the intent is simply to give some background to my next question.

I have been studying my CIPD level 7 since June, and it has breathed purpose into my life that I didn't know I needed. I am totally in love with the qualification and everything I have been studying. Indeed, it feels like more of a hobby than studying most of the time.

I am studying my CIPD, as I wish to move away from retail and into HR. This is for two reasons;

- Retail is not as safe a career as it was pre-covid, even for a well established manager.
- I have a 3 year old son, and daughter due in February. Retail is not very family friendly with weekend working and working over holidays.

So my question, what level of HR role do you believe I should be considering when applying for companies, given my experience and level 7 qualification? 

I have accepted that I will likely be taking a pay reduction to move industry, and made peace with that.

Any feedback would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks 

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  • Hi Charles, navigating a career change into HR can be tricky as, despite a professional mantra about looking at skills and experience rather than job titles, the conversation about breaking in to HR is a consistent one and I'm sure Steve B, our community manager, can dig out threads on this from before.

    I moved from a line and project manager role with a heavy focus on development into an L and D / OD role and I found:
    *getting some focussed career coaching on my CV, purpose, values and presenting my experience at interview helped
    *the CV or application is critical as you want people to look beyond the job titles to see transferable experience and critical assets. Your CIPD qualification is an asset although probably not a golden ticket.
    * work your network. Post on Linked In on relevant themes to the job you seek. Liaise with agencies and speak to your network who work in companies that might be destinations for you.
    * look beyond job titles and levels. You'll need a salary, I took a drop but more because I moved from a public sector role into a new sector, so be clear what you need. I personally find job titles a bit like the wild west at the moment so look at job content and focus your application on their needs to get an interview.

    Good luck.
  • in reply to Sharon
    Sharon,

    This is very helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to write a detailed response. Your point on roles and the "wild west" particularly resonates with me.
  • in reply to Charles
    My pleasure Charles. I hope I haven't put off others adding to the detailed reply....it was not my intention. I pop things here as much to work out loud and learn from the responses as well as help people like you in the community.

    I'm glad my 'wild west' analogy struck a chord. :-) All the best.
  • in reply to Sharon
    Hi Sharon,

    I just wanted to say thank you again, I am starting a new role as HR Manager in February.
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