In reply to Jacqueline:

I see how you are reading this and yes I did read this differently. I did see another post too within community that suggested that someone would have problems gaining a role within HR if they were qualified in a high level without experience in a HR role. Which I guess I had taken this comment in the same way. However, I do think that possibly gaining too high a qualification is what is restricting both myself and the person whom first asked the question. It seems you will be qualified to the highest level and although you have experience within many HR disciplines and tasks that you would perform within a HR post you are not successful in the application or interview stage because you have never had a role that was named as a HR admin, business partner, advisor or manager even though in many of my senior management roles although it wasn’t my primary role it was often down to myself to manage all People functions. - I have applied for roles for 4 years within HR in within more entry level positions such as Admin, apprenticeships (prior to masters) and not received 1 interview. Within that time I have applied for many other roles in admin, management etc and nearly always gained an interview and had job numerous offers . Almost all HR roles ask for someone that has previously worked in a HR role in any level that you apply for. To me it appears a very unfair industry and one that is confused as to whether or not it’s a qualification you need or experience and if it is experience then it will be a dying industry because everyone has to gain the experience from somewhere. If everyone that ends up in HR ends up within it through default (as to some other posts I have seen mention) it will be an industry where no one has much passion for it. I regret taking this qualification and wish I gone on to study a masters in something that would have been useful for my career to be qualified within. Unfortunately I feel it is not something that will help me any further to be able to move into this industry from senior management roles. I feel I would have been better to have studied Law originally and gone to do a masters within employment law. I am a mature student who works full time and I have many years of management experience of which I will now continue in and put the strengths I feel I had to have worked within a HR role behind me.

In reply to Keith:

Hi

Thanks Keith and I completely understand all of your comments. Universities I understand that they are a business, however I asked many questions regarding my experience and whether or not it would be worth taking this qualification I went back and forth with the university for 3 years before enrolling so it was not a rushed decision. I also spoke and interviewed for a role with CIPD at the same time as considering this training. The lovely lady that interviewed me had done the process in exactly the same way as I have and had also come from the same background as I had. She had success which only confirmed that I should enrol on the course to me at that time. I have seen vast amounts of threads within this community with people stating that they fell into HR through default - working for a company and a post came up or they needed to work within that role at that time. It seems to be a industry that often is not a chosen industry for many. Through my experience I am and have always been passionate about working with people and also have some L&D experience. Additionally I agree that it may not always be unfair discrimination however worrying that someone could take you role because they had a recognised qualification but no experience to me is unfair. This has actually happened to me twice in interviews (not HR interviews). I was told by a person interviewing me that I had too much experience and they couldn’t understand why I would interview for such a role even though I had explained that it was because I was changing industries and understood I would need to start in a different position. This is something you could never prove and the reason why this type of thing will continue.
To another one of your points as to the fear of someone not staying is a risk with any candidate any HR department takes or a senior manager recruits. However if recruiters consider someone’s length of service from previous experience I believe you can tell a lot about the type of person you are hiring and how committed they may be towards a role.
I understand in the current economy it is now harder than ever before to find a new position, however I had been trying for a few years before covid and now understand that unless you know someone to help you network and get your foot in the door your chances are very limited. If I had to advise anyone looking to go into HR as a career I would recommend looking at alternatives because the opportunities as you stated are limited and with the current economy are becoming even more limited than ever before and to me I would tell someone not to only consider HR as a chosen career. It something that o have been trying to work in unsuccessfully for many years now and even though I am enjoying my Masters which is extremely hard whilst working full time it does feel a waste of 2 years and my energies and money could have been used to qualify myself elsewhere.

Hi All,

Thank you for engaging with my post - I can't believe the time has flown by!

I just wanted to update you on my journey.
Exactly 1 month after this post, I was offered my first role in HR and I kept the momentum going.
I am now qualified and have been able to get a vast amount of experience in HR from various roles, in various sectors.
Perseverance and determination is what fueled my career into and within HR.

If there is anyone who is finding it difficult to break into the HR industry and would like some advice/guidance, please do reach out.

Linkedin: Adrienne Davis Assoc CIPD

Kind regards,
Adrienne

In reply to Adrienne:

Fabulous, Adrienne... that is so good to hear. Thank you for letting us know, and for your willingness to help others.

Hi Adrienne, just discovered your initial message. Have read all the responses and views. I hope you don’t mind for me reaching out to you but I am in a very similar situation now and feeling rather frustrated. Would you be so kind to share your insights with me so I can learn from you and keep going. My email is karink@btinternet.com
Thank you in advance! :-)

Hi Karin,

Sure, thank you for your email.
I will be in touch shortly