• Replies 7 replies
  • Subscribers 10 subscribers
  • Views 4299 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related

From software developer to HR

Freya

Hi everyone, I hope 2024 has been treating you well so far. I'm wondering if you can offer any advice...

I've been working as a software developer for a while, but I've found that it's really not a good fit for me and I've struggled with it a lot more than I thought I would. After thinking things through, I decided to change my path and enrol onto the CIPD Level 3 course.

I won't complete the course until around November, but I've started applying to entry level roles anyway. I'm concerned that my previous experience will be deemed irrelevant to most employers. I've tried my best to word my CV and cover letter in a way that highlights my transferable skills, but in the end software development isn't similar at all. It's just that there's a reason why I'm looking for something so different to my previous role!

I've not had any administrative experience, customer service experience, etc. So do I just need to stick it out until someone is generous enough to give me a chance? Or is there something else I could be doing now to get experience? (Transferring to a different role within my current organisation isn't an option unfortunately.)

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Parents
  • It might be worth changing your CV to "skills-based" rather than "experience-based". You still put your experience on there, but this is often used for people with low experience or those who are looking to change their career path:
    www.prospects.ac.uk/.../skills-based-cv-example
    Find a few job ads that you'd apply to, note the key skills and add your evidence underneath giving real world examples (similar to a competency based interview). You'll need to be selective about which skills you highlight otherwise it will become too long, but after a bit of time preparing, you can easily swap the skills in and out depending on what a job ad really highlights which also helps you tailor your CV quickly.
Reply
  • It might be worth changing your CV to "skills-based" rather than "experience-based". You still put your experience on there, but this is often used for people with low experience or those who are looking to change their career path:
    www.prospects.ac.uk/.../skills-based-cv-example
    Find a few job ads that you'd apply to, note the key skills and add your evidence underneath giving real world examples (similar to a competency based interview). You'll need to be selective about which skills you highlight otherwise it will become too long, but after a bit of time preparing, you can easily swap the skills in and out depending on what a job ad really highlights which also helps you tailor your CV quickly.
Children
No Data