Hello,
Apologies that this is a somewhat lengthy post, but I need to provide you with some context...
I have 25 years' experience working in professional services businesses (ones where we sell individual's time and skills - where without good/motivated people, we were nothing). The last 15 years I have held Senior Management responsibility - everything from business strategy, talent management, business development, etc, but none of this has been in a formal HR capacity. In essence I was responsible for $14 million turnover and a team of 65+ people. From a quasi HR perspective, I was involved in succession planning, recruitment, training & development, retention, employee engagement, line managing and coaching, internal communications and supporting the business through large organisational change. However, I do not have any formal HR training and have never held a HR role.
I have a business degree (but it was some time ago now!) with a specialisation in Marketing.
I want to transition into HR - I'm less interested in the areas of employment law, remuneration/benefits, grievances, etc and more interested in Recruitment & talent planning, Employee engagement, Learning/Training/Development, Organisational development/change. In essence, the parts of HR that support people in reaching strategic business objectives and support the business in encouraging people to reach their potential.
So...after having a year off work I now need to plan my next steps. I am considering the Level 5 Diploma in HR Management - My thoughts are that this would give me good grounding in all the areas of HR. I understand that I can do this online and can apply myself pretty much full time to complete the programme in 7-9 months.
The plan would then be to secure a HR Manager role (I expect this would be a decrease in salary and a lower level of responsibility than I am used to) in an organisation that would hopefully fund my level 7 and set me on a path for growth into a more strategic HR capacity. Am I dreaming?
I need insight from senior HR leaders...would the combination of my business experience and a level 5 diploma be attractive to an employer who is looking for a HR Manager with ambition to develop? I don't want to undertake the training to find that without previous formal HR experience, I am not attractive to employers.
Any guidance is gratefully received. Two related questions:
- I have discounted the Level 7 course because I don't have formal HR experience. Would you agree?
- For those who have taken the level 5 diploma - am i at a disadvantage given that I'm not currently working and unable to put theory into practice whilst studying?
If you've made it this far...Thank You. All advice gratefully received.
Karen
