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Late career change to HR

Alasdair

Hello all,

This is my first post on a CIPD forum, so hello world of HR!

I will keep it brief(ish). I am 49 years old, in transition from a completely different area to HR, and in the middle of CIPD level 5. I have many years of team-side implementation of HR policies, a lot of recruitment/interviewing behind me, project management, team leadership etc. I believe skills mean more than job titles, and all the skills required to be an HR professional are in place, but I lack the job titles on the CV.

I am well and truly stuck in the "you'll be bored"/"need more experience" trap with respect to getting started.

So in your experience, how do people in my position kick things off? I feels like aiming for a vanishingly small sweet-spot at the moment, which is frustrating, knowing how much I have to offer. I'm an unconventional candidate, and it looks like people don't know how to handle me!

Thanks very much all, I really look forward to hearing your thoughts, and I know it takes time to post, so thank you so much in advance for your time.

Alasdair

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  • Hi Alistair, I 'transitioned' into HR at 39, a bit younger than yourself but still applicable. My experience is that some, not all, HR professionals can be quite dismissive of experience gained outside of HR. My advice would be try to find a large employer with a good sized HR team and not to get too hung up on role, there is sufficient breadth in HR to fill a career many times over. So far I have been an HR Project Officer, Job Analyst, HR Officer and Workforce Planning Lead. oh, and college lecturer.
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  • Hi Alistair, I 'transitioned' into HR at 39, a bit younger than yourself but still applicable. My experience is that some, not all, HR professionals can be quite dismissive of experience gained outside of HR. My advice would be try to find a large employer with a good sized HR team and not to get too hung up on role, there is sufficient breadth in HR to fill a career many times over. So far I have been an HR Project Officer, Job Analyst, HR Officer and Workforce Planning Lead. oh, and college lecturer.
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  • in reply to Allan Munro
    Hello Allan, yes I agree and this has been the most discouraging aspect of this career move. I have more than 15 years of recruitment, on-boarding, development assessment/planning, workforce planning, I have been liaison for HR, had many "difficult conversations" and negotiations etc.... But all on the team side, not HR roles. I strongly believe skills trump job titles, but entering the HR world it is clear that job titles trump skills. This is really a bit depressing - I thought my experience would give me a boost, but I'm now getting advice to do admin roles when I have been responsible for People Practice activity, effectively, that is way more responsible than this for many years... So I feel your pain, and honestly it has pushed me to applying for my old line of work again, however little appetite I actually have for it - better paid, and my skills are appreciated. Anyway, off the soap box - having second thoughts to say the least and agree wholeheartedly with your comment.
    Alasdair
  • in reply to Alasdair
    It might be worth saying where you are based/looking. I imagine this group has a pretty wide network and might know of opportunities or a good temp agency contact.

    I do agree that temp work is probably your best bet, or an HR role in an industry you have experience in already. Both may mean you start by doing work below your ability level but it sounds like you are prepared for that. Good luck