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Doing the wrong course? How will this affect job prospects?

Beth

Hi there. I've recently enrolled on the Level 5 HRM Diploma. I have no direct HR experience but have built up a lot of relevant and transferable skills working in a senior academic role for over a decade. I'm mid-way through my working life, have recently been made redundant from a long-term role in a sector that has been decimated by the pandemic and am hoping to transition into HR. 

I wasn't sure whether to take the level 3 or 5 as different training providers gave me different answers and CIPD told me that each training provider had different entry criteria.  One provider told me there would be a mismatch between my skills and experience if I took the level 5, another said that it was a myth that you have to start in entry-level positions and that with my qualifications and experience I should go straight to level 5. I found the online reading sections of the first module, DVP, very accessible and enjoyable, but I'm feeling overwhelmed by the depth, complexity and word-count of this and subsequent formative and summative assignments. I feel that I have bitten off more than I can chew! My gut feeling is to see if I can change to level 3 Diploma and to be at the top of my game, rather than feel that I'm sinking in level 5. 

I've also started looking for an entry level job in HR but most of them seem to require some HR experience and I'm not even getting interviews - I know that this is an extremely challenging time to be moving into a new career but there must be a lot of people out there in the same boat and I want to be sure that I'm at least heading in the right direction.

My induction session recommended using the online forums and I can see that this is a great place for giving and receiving advice and support, which would be much appreciated!

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  • Hi Beth,
    I hope you're well. In my experience the level of qualification should be at a level you're comfortable with the workload. I did the Level 7 masters course after graduating my undergraduate degree and given my limited experience I was working as a HR Administrator at the time, which meant that my knowledge from a work setting was extremely limited. I overcame this by further research and on some occasions using other business cases studies as opposed to my own experience.

    I would recommend (subject to your time as you're studying) volunteering to pick up further HR experiences that may support your CV. Another option may be to consider what roles you have worked in previously and how any of those skills can be transferred to HR. I'm more than happy to look at your CV if that would be helpful.
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  • Hi Beth,
    I hope you're well. In my experience the level of qualification should be at a level you're comfortable with the workload. I did the Level 7 masters course after graduating my undergraduate degree and given my limited experience I was working as a HR Administrator at the time, which meant that my knowledge from a work setting was extremely limited. I overcame this by further research and on some occasions using other business cases studies as opposed to my own experience.

    I would recommend (subject to your time as you're studying) volunteering to pick up further HR experiences that may support your CV. Another option may be to consider what roles you have worked in previously and how any of those skills can be transferred to HR. I'm more than happy to look at your CV if that would be helpful.
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  • in reply to Laura
    Thank you for sharing your insights, Laura. I completely agree with you about the workload - I think that training providers should give more examples of assignments and word-counts before you sign-up because I didn't really realise what I was letting myself in for. Having looked forward at some of the assignments, I think that I'd have to get rather creative in my response to some of them as I haven't got enough direct HR experience to draw on. I'd rather start with level 3 and keep my confidence intact! Also I haven't done any academic study for a decade so I probably need to build my confidence up there. I have contacted a couple of local volunteer centres re volunteering but nothing as yet. It's not the ideal time to be looking to transition into another career but I know that I am not alone and that a lot of other people are also in a difficult situation. I did have a good, hard look at my previous long-standing role and tried to see it in terms of transferable skills for an entry-level job in HR. I would be thrilled if you could take a look at my CV as there's nothing like somebody who's already been there to give some good, honest advice. I'm really touched that there are so many kind people out there willing to offer help and advice. Many thanks to everyone who's replied.
  • in reply to Laura
    Hi Laura. I'm new to these online forums so not quite sure about online etiquette. Should I share my email address with you and then you can reply and I'll send my CV through? Any feedback and advice would be much appreciated.