Any HR people out there - want to retrain and would love some advice

[ministryofsleep]

Hi, I'm hoping some HR professionals might be able to give me some advice - I'm looking to retrain from a recruitment agency background (10 years exp of search and selection, shortlisting, interviewing, advising on employment law and legislation, monitoring holidays/sickness, advising on policy) and move across into HR. I am unsure whether to do a CIPD qualification (my local college is running a CIPD level 3 cert in HR Practice starting in September) and try and get in at HR Officer/Advisor level or whether I should do a Masters in HR Management (I have a BSc Psychology) and try and enter at Management level. Would a company take someone at Management level with zero experience or would it be more beneficial to me to get some experience under my belt as well as the CIPD qualification and try and work my way up to management? I have been applying for jobs as HR Administrator but even those want HR exp and my agency background doesn't seem to be doing me any favours. If anyone has any advice for me it would be gratefully received. TIA

bump

I came from an agency background and moved into HR as an assistant. While there I did my CIPD and then moved onto another HR role (at another company). I took a backseat while having children and went part time at another company. Recently moved again as the dcs are older. I wonder if you would be best to get some experience first as I found the CIPD quite theoretical (and only current at that point in time).

Hi AngelEyes, thanks for the reply. Think I might need to try and do some work experience if I can't secure a role as an assistant/administrator. Interesting what you say about the CIPD being more theory based.

Hi there

DD got into HR admin by dint of having done some Agency work in HR whilst abroad. She has a degree in a completely irrelevant subject!

It seems to be a tough field to break into atm but there Agencies out there that specialise in placing people in HR. Have you tried putting your CV online?

Hi
My advice is to do CIPD it is almost a prerequisite to working in HR. a masters won't get you in at management level as you won't have any experience, the best route would be to get a foot in a door and do the CIPD at the same time. One thing to bear in mind is that as you will be at entry level you may need to prepare yourself for a pay decrease! Sorry probably not what you want to hear, but good luck

I don't value the CIPD qual at all - as a recruiting manager it tells me nothing about whether the individual can conduct a disciplinary, recruit effectively, manage stakeholders, influence, deliver training etc. but I know they will know Honey and Mumford's learning cycle, so that's ok.

I'm afraid employers can afford to be a bit choosy at present, but I'd keep pushing away at the Hr admin/ assistant route,or even in house recruitment. Write personally to the HR directors of companies near you and explain why you'd be an asset.

Personally, if i were you I would wait and see if once you are in an HR role, your company would pay for you to do an occupational psych qualification.

Whereabouts are you based?

Hi hermioneweasley, I'm based in the North East; thanks for your advice. I will keep plugging away with my HR Assistant/Administrator applications