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Why am I finding it so hard to get a break in HR?

Elizabeth

Hello to all of you wonderful HR professionals, 

I am hoping someone may be able to help me. I am currently pursuing my second MA (first was in Applied Psychology) in HRM. I love it! I have four years middle management experience in public and not for profit sectors but currently I am working as a clerical officer for the health service.  I am hoping to move into a HR role but finding it difficult despite the fact I have people management experience. I am data driven with advanced skills in qualitative and quantitative report writing. Experienced in staff training and recruitment and I am a published and award winning academic. I am empathetic and I have proven business development skills.

Why am I finding it so hard? Am I underestimating how long it takes to catch a break in HR? I am not afraid of hard work and I have forged and created HR related experience in my current post. I just don't know where I can further improve without getting an opportunity but I am very open to hearing new suggestions. I have lots of volunteer experience ( throughout the years) but at the moment I cannot secure volunteer work as I am not available to volunteer during business hours. I am open to volunteering after work, remotely and on weekends but no one in the multiple organisations that I have approached thinks this is a valid option as I would be unsupervised (I completely understand their position). I have a LinkedIn account and I publish articles on relevant and important HR related topics such as growing your own talent and data analytics on a regular basis. 

Any suggestions on how I could advance my career when I can't seem to get in, anywhere!

I greatly appreciate any and all feedback. I am beginning to feel hopeless. 

Warm regards, 

Elizabeth 

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  • Hi Elizabeth

    A couple of thought immediately occur to me

    1) Which HR roles are you applying for?
    Remember it is a competitive area to access - ask yourself 'why would they hire me?' and assess if you need to make any adjustments to your application. You appear to have some strong transferrable skills - are you highlighting them?

    2) What is it you REALLY want to do?
    Can you form a bridge into a 'proper HR job' by moving the emphasis of another role? For example - if you are a people manager, you have the opportunity to build evidence of your coaching, mentoring and ER skills which can only help make you the preferred candidate

    I would see your data analysis skills as a real strength, as is your Psychology knowledge (both a real bonus in HR) Maybe look to these as your best tools into HR - HR data and systems or Organisational Psychology

    Do you have a contact who can challenge your CV - it tends to be a very helpful exercise (happy to have a look if you do not)

    Hope my 'top of my head' rantings are of some help - good luck
    Jo
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  • Hi Elizabeth

    A couple of thought immediately occur to me

    1) Which HR roles are you applying for?
    Remember it is a competitive area to access - ask yourself 'why would they hire me?' and assess if you need to make any adjustments to your application. You appear to have some strong transferrable skills - are you highlighting them?

    2) What is it you REALLY want to do?
    Can you form a bridge into a 'proper HR job' by moving the emphasis of another role? For example - if you are a people manager, you have the opportunity to build evidence of your coaching, mentoring and ER skills which can only help make you the preferred candidate

    I would see your data analysis skills as a real strength, as is your Psychology knowledge (both a real bonus in HR) Maybe look to these as your best tools into HR - HR data and systems or Organisational Psychology

    Do you have a contact who can challenge your CV - it tends to be a very helpful exercise (happy to have a look if you do not)

    Hope my 'top of my head' rantings are of some help - good luck
    Jo
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  • in reply to Jo
    Hi Jo,

    Many thanks for your kind suggestions and questions. I feel that I am either too inexperienced or too experienced for roles currently on offer. I am definitely selling my data analysis and psychology skills but there doesnt seem to be much demand for them. I dont have a contact to provide feedback on my cv. Would you mind? I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on how I can improve myself professionally.

    Warm regards,

    Elizabeth