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

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!

Parents
  • Hi Beth. I just wanted to give you an idea of what happened to me.

    I was a General Manager of a SME business and although not solely responsible for HR (because we had a HR Consultant then), I did learn a huge amount about HR over the 14 years in that role. However, when I called the training company (and in my case it was Home Learning College - who I believed turned into AVADO) to start the ball rolling on obtaining a formal CIPD qualification I honestly thought they would send me straight through to the Level 5 HR Management qualification. However, after asking lots of questions about my knowledge and ability they recommended Level 3. I got over my disappointment quickly and decided that because I hadn't completed any type of studying since I left secondary school in 1989 that I would take their advice.

    I have to be honest, I am so glad I did. I obtained the qualification and then 6 months later went on to undertake Level 5. I really believe that I would have failed at Level 5 in the first assignment had I not got into the learning and studying mode of Level 3. It also gave me the underpinning knowledge of HR and I honestly think that it has served me well. As it was I didn't find Level 5 easy - but most definitely it was easier than if I had tried to do that first.

    So, in my own experience I feel that it's good to work through the levels. I have a feeling I would have given up before finishing Level 5 if I had chosen to do that first.

    Some people on here may find studying really easy and some people in the group that I was in (we formed a whatsapp group and I made some great friends from that) had only just left college or uni so were very much in the studying mode - but most definitely Level 3 then 5 was the best path for me to travel.

    Good luck with your decision - if you would like to chat or have someone to help you through then please feel free to contact me.

    Nicola
  • Hi Nicola. I'm new to these forums and so am unsure about online etiquette. Should I share my email with you? Any feedback or advice would be much appreciated. I'm finding that a lack of direct HR experience seems to be my main stumbling block in securing my first role. However, at this time it seems to be really hard for anybody trying to break into a new field.
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  • Hi Nicola. I'm new to these forums and so am unsure about online etiquette. Should I share my email with you? Any feedback or advice would be much appreciated. I'm finding that a lack of direct HR experience seems to be my main stumbling block in securing my first role. However, at this time it seems to be really hard for anybody trying to break into a new field.
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