Last year I graduated from University with a BA in HR management at the age of 40. I entered the job market with high hopes of putting this knowledge, combined with years of experience in a variety of sectors, to good use.
Q. Last year I graduated from University with a BA in HR management at the age of 40. I entered the job market with high hopes of putting this knowledge, combined with years of experience in a variety of sectors, to good use. After a year and many applications, I am still looking. The feedback is either ‘over-qualified’or ‘lack of relevant experience’. How can I break this vicious circle?
A. Clearly this is a tough position to be in. The potential disappointment is understandable after gaining qualifications in a field and then not being able to practise immediately. Setting aside a couple of unknowns (such as what types of roles you have held in the past) there are a number of recommendations. Firstly, redefine your job search and put together an action plan covering both professional and personal development. The following points are a good place to start for your professional action plan.
• Seek professional assistance with your resume. You can either go to a company that specialises in resume construction or research recruitment agencies that offer a candidate assistance program.
• Consider further study to add to your breadth of skills, such as a postgraduate in a specialist field of HR management or a Cert IV in Training. Spend time researching both universities and TAFES and the relevant courses they offer.
• Consider joining the university alumni program.
• Ask your friends to keep you updated on opportunities where they work and to keep an eye on the internal vacancies and job listing boards for opportunities at an appropriate entry level.
• Consider a sideways move into a field related to HR, such as recruitment or payroll. From here you may get opportunities via internal mobility to get your first real HR role. Targeting larger companies in particular may be a good starting point.
• Keep a record of whom you have contacted, the outcome and required action. Diarise and follow up diligently.
• Once you have secured an interview with either an agency or an organisation, be prepared. Do your homework, know their business and the details of the position (if applicable). You want to leave them with a favourable impression.
The following points are a good place to start for your personal action plan.
• Firstly, invest the time to do a SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) of your current situation. Armed with this information, you will be in a stronger position to make the next steps.
• Network! Join professional associations that will provide you the opportunity to meet other HR professionals.
• Subscribe to HR magazines and ensure you are keeping abreast of current trends within the industry. When you do have your interviews, this knowledge will lend credibility to your abilities and add value to your impressive theoretical knowledge through your studies.
• Use your contacts from your previous roles and ask for referrals and the name of key contacts within their business. They may not necessarily be within HR but if they are key decision makers, they will know the best people for you to be contacting for an introduction.
• Take above point to the next step and ask former colleagues, peers and previous direct reports for personal introductions to key contacts. A coffee or lunch meeting is highly recommended.
• Start your own marketing plan and sell yourself. Make a list of clients, for whom you would like to work, call them directly and sell yourself, including your experience and qualifications.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, never give up. Remain positive and enthusiastic. Keep up your networking, research, calling and contacting – ultimately this will lead to success. Good luck!
By Rachael Hainsworth and David Owens of HR Partners, Sydney.
