How do people get past the barrier of ‘at level experience’

I used to post here over seven years ago, and was subsequently in contact with a regular contributor from here by email. 

In short, I have now been an HR Administrator for over a decade, done all of my CIPD studies but could never get any further in the profession due to the above barrier.

That barrier still remains rigidly in place a decade on and being an HR Administrator has now developed for me into being a long term career within its own right. It is impossible in my circumstances to go any further as a result of it. 

How do other people manage to get around it or is it just one of those things in the adult world that we can’t always get what we want, things to go our own way, and you either have what it takes to do higher level jobs or not? 

Ultimately, if this now goes on permanently and long term for my entire career until retirement or decades, despite my CIPD studies, would I essentially be viewed as a never has been?

I can also show you all the email responses over the years if you like and they all say the same thing, namely that above an entry level role, we no longer train and either expect or require pre-existing relevant at level experience.

I could never get around that catch 22 it’s now developed overtime to this:

(1) I don’t have and can’t get the experience.

(2) I don’t and can’t meet the essential criteria or minimum requirements even if I have my studies and longevity of HR experience as an Administrator.

Did I essentially get caught in something in terms of how the whole system and labour market works and thinks which can be near impossible to break and no one has had any real answers to or solutions for over the years?

I tried all of their suggestions, but a decade on its still just exactly the same. 

Or is the the saying correct that ‘if it doesn’t open, it’s not your door’?

Finally, if you had such a scenario, would you consider switching careers? I am 52 now and happy to work to 92, health permitting, so on paper still have another 40 years, but have a also reached a tricky age as well, being an HR Administrator from 42-52 as it never happened and worked out for me in terms of any advancement at all? 

Parents
  • Hi Andre and welcome back

    I'd have to agree with Robey - unless you work in an organisation with very rigidly defined duties, it's usually possible to identify some development opportunities, even if you have to go out and ask for them.  As Sophie and Nina have suggested, try talking to your manager about what opportunities there might be - for example taking minutes in HR meetings, shadowing advisers, taking on a HR project, updating a policy, offering to do something that you've spotted that no one else has the time to do.  These are all good ways to gain experience and show your keenness to progress.  Have you tried coaching or being mentored to see if that helps you identify what is holding you back?  

Reply
  • Hi Andre and welcome back

    I'd have to agree with Robey - unless you work in an organisation with very rigidly defined duties, it's usually possible to identify some development opportunities, even if you have to go out and ask for them.  As Sophie and Nina have suggested, try talking to your manager about what opportunities there might be - for example taking minutes in HR meetings, shadowing advisers, taking on a HR project, updating a policy, offering to do something that you've spotted that no one else has the time to do.  These are all good ways to gain experience and show your keenness to progress.  Have you tried coaching or being mentored to see if that helps you identify what is holding you back?  

Children