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Stalled career

Michael

Hi. I have been working in HR for most of my career, and have operated at HRD/Head of HR level for the last few roles. I lost my last role through redundancy, and that is over 3 years ago now. Since then I have done some consultancy, but unfortunately experienced illness which set me back for about a year (happily all better now though). I want a new role but am worried as I can't seem to get even first stage interviews for roles as they come up. I am not very good at networking, and am also worried that my age is counting against me (56), as I was actually told after one of the few interviews I did get, that the employer liked me and could see that I had been effective in previous roles, but was worried that i would get bored and leave after less than a year. The recruiter actually told me that the employer had said I was "too experienced" for the role.

I am deliverately aiming below level and the salary range I was at before, to try and get back in but just dont seem to be getting anywhere. I'll keep pluggin away, but if anyone has any advice or insights to offer, I'd be grateful. CHeers

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  • Hi

    I think it might help to stand back a little and see your self how prospective agency recruiters see you. They are seeing tens or hundreds of CVs for every job and your job needs to be making it easy for them to shortlist you as a credible candidate to put in front of their client (same applies with direct recruiters)

    The challenges they face with your CV are (potentially) in no particular order

    1. Your age
    2. Your previous high level roles (HRDs)
    3. Your career gap being three years
    4. Being a Consultant 

    They see the above and then see you applying for what you s#describe as  "deliberately aiming below level and the salary range I was on before"  and get understandably confused about who you are and what you can/want to do so they either put you on the maybe /later pile or move straight on. Inherent in the description you have given to us is a suggestion that you indeed wont stay and are just looking for a route into HR before moving onwards and upwards

    I think you need to recast your narrative and approach making it easy for a recruiter. Being clear what you want and what you can do. This "might" involve reducing downwards some of your experience   or casting it in a different light. 

    Chances are your entry may well also be via temporary and short term contracts and I would be targeting these.

  • in reply to Keith
    Hi Keith. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. What you're saying is very useful and thought-provoking. In fact, I'm not after something as a stepping stone to higher levels, although I do need and want to get back into a role. However, the fact that it comes across that way is revealing. The role that I interviewed for, although at a lower level than some of my previous ones, was ideal in my eyes and I was very keen. However, I must be conveying something that facts as a disincentive in people's eyes. Thanks again for the swift response. - Michael
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  • in reply to Keith
    Hi Keith. Thanks for the thoughtful reply. What you're saying is very useful and thought-provoking. In fact, I'm not after something as a stepping stone to higher levels, although I do need and want to get back into a role. However, the fact that it comes across that way is revealing. The role that I interviewed for, although at a lower level than some of my previous ones, was ideal in my eyes and I was very keen. However, I must be conveying something that facts as a disincentive in people's eyes. Thanks again for the swift response. - Michael
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