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Looking for advice/ideas

Tracey

Good afternoon all,

I am looking for a bit of advice.  I currently work in a role that is not 100% HR, but as part of my role, I deal with a lot of recruitment, onboarding, inductions, learning & development, wellbeing, drafting and approving contracts, involvement in restructures and redundancies, exit interviews etc etc.  I would like to move to a sole HR function role (which I cannot do in the company I currently work for) where I can progress my career following completion of my level 7 CIPD qualification that I am currently undertaking and have therefore been applying for new employment for the last few months.  However, I don't seem to be getting anywhere.  I am applying via Indeed, total jobs, personnel today jobs, Hays etc.  I either do not hear anything back (which is the most common) or I am just rejected.  I have asked for feedback - some have said my experience does not meet the requirements for the job, but everything on the JD is what is listed on my CV/what I do in my current and past roles.  I have sought advice on my CV to ensure I am capturing everything I should be and have been told by numerous people that it is fine.  I have worked through the CIPD Career Hub, I have followed up on some of the applications I have applied for, but nothing of any substance is every communicated.  I work full time in London and therefore cannot seek any voluntary positions, as I simply do not have enough time with work and studying.  I am looking at either HR Advisor, HR Generalist or HR Manger roles.  I have managed teams/direct reports in the past.   Any advice would be gratefully received as I am feeling somewhat deflated.  Thank you in advance.

  • are you using LinkedIn? Get your profile up to date, set up job notifications and start networking.
    Speak to some specialist agencies, get some calls booked in so that they can really understand what you have done and can put you forward for roles they have.
  • in reply to Elsa Knight
    Thank you. I have used linkedIn/set up job notifications. I have spoken to two specialist agencies who have me on their books, I will try others. Many thanks
  • Hi - you sound very pro-active, and like you have both experience and qualifications in the right areas. I usually recommend that people sign up with a role-specific or trusted recruiter; get in touch with a few, speak to them about what you're looking for, and see if you fee like they will represent you well in the market. They will then put you forward for the right roles - and they should also do a bit of selling of your skills on your behalf!
  • Hi Tracey,

    If you'd like to connect on LinkedIn, I can send you a few names of great HR recruiters that might be able to help?
  • in reply to Alys Martin
    Thank you Alys that would be wonderful. I have sent you a private message.
  • Have you looked for HR roles in the same or a similar sector to the one you are currently working in? That might give you an advantage. It might also be worth broadening the job titles you are looking at, they tend to vary so widely.
  • in reply to Elizabeth
    Thank you. Yes looking in a similar sector. Titles were just an example, looking for anything suitable to match my experience. Many thanks
  • If you've not worked in an HR focused role then a Manager job is probably unlikely to be within your skill-set. And if your experience in HR tasks covers only what you describe and doesn't cover employee relations casework management, redundancies, change management and similar, you aren't going to have the practical experience required for an HR Advisor role. This is why you're getting knocked back.

    Although casework isn't always the majority of our work (it varies - I've had jobs where it was about 10%, and right now it's about 90%*) it's the part of the work where we are most visible and where the need to know your onions is most vital because no one else does.

    I would recommend that, in your current role, you look for opportunities to get involves in casework - as an investigator, note taker or even, depending on your seniority, as the chair of a hearing or two. This will allow you to speak more knowledgeably about process in grievance and disciplinary resolution, add it to your CV and appear 100% more employable to HR recruiters.

    *Different employers, I hasten to add.
  • in reply to Robey
    Many thanks Robey. My experience doesn't just cover what I listed, I have had experience in employee relations, redundancies, restructures etc, I just didn't want to list everything, but this is reflected in my CV. I have also headed up a team (but not a HR team) and in previous jobs have had direct reports. Thank you for the advice regarding my current role, but unfortunately this is not possible, hence why I am looking for a 100% HR role.