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HR Generalist or Learning and Development

Dee

Dear Forum fellows

I am in my mid-40s (I did not think that mattered until now) and part-way through a L5 HR Management qualification. I have a degree and masters (social sciences) and a wealth of experience in leadership and management roles within education, especially in the area of safeguarding. At the end of August I was made redundant and used some of the money to embark on the L5 course, enjoying so much the processes, procedures and compliance element of my previous roles as well as some experience I had working alongside an HR team on projects. I naively thought that I'd be able to jump into a HR admin type role as I am also a skilled administrator, having worked for 7 years as an administrator at a university. Alas, how I was wrong. I cannot get an interview for any kind of HR admin role. I secured an interview and second stage for a L&D role, but it was part time and I withdrew. I am now a freelance course content writer (safeguarding) and work in an admin role in a huge company (and will use this position to network  as much as I professionally can). I am desperate to move into an HR or L&D career. Your advice:

How do I do this?

How do I get past the CV stage with recruitment agencies? (I feel that they are all looking for 20-somethings, who they can shape and mold, and look past my wealth of experience, people skills, CPD commitment, etc

Is it too late for me?

I look forward to your advice.

Thanks

Dee

  • in reply to Keith
    And just for clarity I am not saying age may not be a factor. But I am not convinced it is by any means the main factor. And even if it is as you can’t change your age it’s far better to focus on those things you can change , networking, your cv, your narrative, the types of jobs you apply for etc etc.
  • I am wondering why you're applying for HR Administrator roles, when you clearly have experience and skills that would perhaps make you more suitable for more senior HR roles? I wonder if recruiters are assuming you will quickly get bored and want to progress to more senior level roles and that you would not stick at an admin role? You come across to me as genuinely over-qualified for an entry-level HR role.

    If your background is in education, there's every reason to suggest that a jump into L&D may be the more logical path, but it's not the only one open to you.

    I would think carefully about how you present your career change. What does your past career bring to your CV and why are you making the change? Focus on what you are looking to get out of your new career, not why you left your old one (redundancy).

    Oh and don't focus on getting through the recruitment agency gatekeepers - career changers nearly always do better going direct to employers and hiring managers. Agencies want an easy cookie-cutter client that ticks all the boxes the employer looks for. Hiring managers will often recognise there is no such thing as the perfect candidate (especially if they've been looking for a while), so they may just consider that CV that doesn't necessarily fit the mould, but has another quality they are looking for.
  • Hi Dee.
    So sorry to hear that your age is perceived to be a problem. In our organisation, we view experience above professional qualifications (for any role, not just in HR).

    Given your experience in safeguarding, if you've not already considered this then I would suggest expanding your search beyond agencies and looking at the charity/not for profit and international development sector which is working hard on improving it's position on safeguarding. You may find that you have an opportunity to look at Compliance jobs rather than just HR. In smaller organisations, the compliance/safeguarding may fall between HR and operations and so is an opportunity to utilise your leadership and management skills.

    If this is something that is of interest to you, check out the Guardian charity jobs section and also Bond.org.uk for jobs in the sector - you might be pleasantly surprised.
  • in reply to Lesley
    Hi Lesley

    Thank you for your contribution to this conversation. I agree about the recruitment agencies and have re-directed my energies directly to employers. I have also re-worded my CV so that it leans more towards L&D. Let's see.
  • in reply to Janet
    Hi Janet
    Thank you for your response.
    I have already begun to look at the third sector and education (of course) and I have recently had a positive conversation with a hiring manager about a role which combines my experience in education with HR (mainly compliance). So, I think this is where I will direct my energies. I am going to quit going for 'entry level' positions and work hard to prove that I have the skills necessary for a position which better suits where I am at now. I have held senior positions in education for over 10 years and know that I have a lot to offer.
    Thanks again.
    Dee
  • in reply to Dee
    Hi Dee,

    Being in somewhat of a similar situation myself I was wondering how you got on after this thread? I would be interested in to hear. Thanks! Sam
  • I too am an older person and at least on 2 occasions I have followed the outgoing hr advisor who is young enough to be my daughter! I am sure that they are surprised, but I have alot of experience in hr and especially ER, but I am too now networking with others directly. I feel some employers are worried that I will probably stand my ground as well.
  • Hi Dee

    I posted on this forum some months ago and shared your frustration. Subsequent to this - and after several more failed attempts - I have secured a role as an L & D Practitioner in the NHS. It is a fixed term contract but has given me a leg-up and hopefully the experience I need for my next role.

    I think my voluntary work as well as paid roles contributed to my securing this role as I was able to demonstrate that I had the experience and skills they needed, albeit acquired via non-traditional methods.

    Of course, this is no guarantee that I will be able to transition straight away into another, similar job when this one ends!

    How is your search going? Have you managed to find something yet?

    Regards,

    Rubina.