Is the solution if you can't ever get past the barrier of 'at level experience' to be a long term HR Administrator instead & make a lifelong career out of that?

Andre 2 days ago

I posted a few weeks ago about having the CIPD Level 7 and other advanced studies and a decade later still being an HR Administrator in terms that none of the advice, suggestions and strategies suggested worked at all. It still never happened to me or for me, came to anything, and the door to go any further in HR still remains resolutely shut today as back then, impossible to pass through and this barrier also proved to be insurmountable overtime. I cannot comment on how other people may or may not be able to do it, but in my specific case there is no pathway forwards.

However, bearing in mind the following five factors:

(1) If it does not open it is not your door;

(2) In the adult world and life as a whole we cannot always get everything we want or things to always go our own way;

(3) Instead of comparing yourself with people who have things which you don't have, make the most of what you do have,

(4) Unless you start your own business, other people always decide so recruitment decisions are never directly in your own control, and

(5) You either meet the essential criteria or not for roles, and if you don't, you can always try to alter or change your circumstances in order to do so, but if it will start taking years or even decades and even be uncertain then, it may not be worth it either.

Take the path of least resistance, stop perpetually banging your head against a brick wall or flogging a dead horse, and short of changing career sectors, be a life long career HR Administrator instead?

I am already 52 and realistically if it was going to happen, it would have happened by now. I am also in perfect health, enjoy what I do on a laptop and also happy to work for another 40 years until retirement, so is there any real shame in being by default a career HR Administrator over the next four decades, even if I have the CIPD Level 7? Turn this role into my sole professional specialism.

Some people feel that an Administrator with a Level 7 is a type of anomaly or an aggravating factor (e.g. how come you had the ability to do advanced level studies but can't similarly get advanced level jobs) or others feel it is a type of failure if you never become an ER Policy Advisor, HR Business Partner, Chief People Officer and remain as an Administrator due to this barrier, but I do not believe that to be the case either.

We all need to pay the bills and do the fortnightly shop at Tesco Extra, a job is a job and in terms of money, Administrator pays me enough to do and see all what I wish, I am mortgage free and have an income from another source, so time to let it finally go knowing I tried but it was not meant to be?

Hi Andre,

Thank you for your email and for sharing your reflections so openly.

I can understand why reaching a milestone birthday prompts a period of reassessment, particularly when you’ve invested a lot of time and energy in trying to progress. It’s clear that you’ve given this a great deal of thought over many years.

To answer your question in general terms (rather than in relation to your own capability), senior HR roles are typically broader, more complex and more demanding than Band 4 roles. They usually involve a greater volume of competing priorities, higher levels of ambiguity, increased accountability, people management responsibilities, and more time spent dealing with complex or sensitive issues. For many people, this does mean longer hours, greater pressure, and work that is harder to switch off from outside of normal working time.

By contrast, more operational or administrative roles can offer clearer boundaries, greater predictability, and a better work life balance, particularly where flexibility and stability are important. For some individuals, those factors are not a compromise but a positive choice, depending on personal circumstances, health, caring responsibilities, and what they value outside of work.

It’s also worth saying that seniority does not automatically equate to greater job satisfaction. Some people thrive on the challenge and responsibility that comes with more senior roles, while others find that the additional pressure and reduced clarity outweigh the benefits. There isn’t a single “right” career path, and success looks different to different people at different stages of life.

I can’t comment on hypotheticals about how you might have found working at a higher level, as everyone’s experience is highly individual. What I would say is that having a role that is manageable, sustainable, and allows you to balance work with family life and other priorities is a legitimate and valid outcome in itself.

I hope this perspective is helpful. I wish you well moving forward and hope you’re able to focus on what works best for you and your circumstances.

Warm regards,

Stephen

I have agreed in the past with your thoughts around this Andre, when we spoke about a possible role in the church or in teaching.

I think Stephen has the answer, should you wish to give it one last go, but I fear this won’t ever be easy at all.

To progress, I recommend seeking guidance from a senior HR professional in your current trust, such as an HR Business Partner, to identify opportunities to gain relevant experience. Your slight dyslexia likely qualifies you for our guaranteed interview scheme, meaning you’ll be invited to interview if you meet the essential criteria.