Hi Jo

This is probably one of the most frequent questions that comes up so if you do a search there is a massive amount of help and advice.

Undoubtedly you will find it harder than many expect to transition into a HR role. Whilst you have gained huge amounts of valuable line management experience the role of HR is not line management but to design the architecture for people management and to advise others on how to proceed with delivering it (simplistically). Added to that will be your age (it shouldn't be but it will) and a CV that may well confuse many recruiters.

The dilemma is you may well have to take quite a step backwards in terms of level and salary but this in itself will confuse some recruiters and also scare some HR managers.

In terms of the feedback whilst stark actually I think you can se it as helpful. Its far better they took the time to give you their honest opinion that you can then use to reflect on and adapt your job search rather than either ignoring you or giving you the bland "we will hold on file until something comes up" (aka bin it)

A qualification isn't a magic bullet but often needs to be backed up with experience. At the moment recruiters can have people with both experience and a qualification so it can be a bit of a buyers market. Its better to have it than not, but....

So look at the past threads - people do make the successful transition from line management to HR, its not easy and they ned persistence , networking and a little luck but it can be done.

Good luck.

In reply to Keith:

Thank you Keith for your honest opinion.

Funny thing is I have applied for administrator roles as money is not a consideration for me and have been told I am too qualified and then on the flip side under qualified for advisor level.

I will have research the topic on the community and keep up the job search!

Thanks again

In reply to Jo:

Yes thats exactly what I mean by confusing recruiters - a confused recruiter is not a happy recruiter so they tend to move on.

Your profile is not typical. If they take you on for a low level position they will be afraid you are too set in your ways or are likely to move on too quickly to a higher level role. But they don't risk taking you on for a higher level role because of your lack of direct experience.

Its a bit of a Catch - 22 for you. There are no easy answers just persistence, reworking CV to carefully highlight relevant experience and a bit of luck

Hi Jo, wish you the very best in your job search. Strikes me it makes no difference if the candidates are 16 or 60, always the same stumbling blocks. And forgive me but I would echo Keith's comments about the feedback from the recruiter, not something they usually do. I've tended to get a lot of flannel but no substance so as hard as the feedback was there is some good information. You may also like to look at the Careers section of this website for some more guidance and signposting, link as follows: https://www.cipd.co.uk/careers