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HR Experience
Life in Workforce Management
HR Experience
Share your stories of workforce-management success in contributing to your business' bottom line, as well as your tales of business bloopers and blunders.
I was recently laid off in June 2001, and was unemployed for about four months. I was either over qualified or did not have enough experience for HR jobs. I finally took a job as an admin asst after t
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Forums » Topic Forums » Life in Workforce Management » HR Experience
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HR Experience
posted at 1/9/2002 1:17 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 1/9/2002 Last: 4/13/2002 |
I was recently laid off in June 2001, and was unemployed for about four months. I was either over qualified or did not have enough experience for HR jobs. I finally took a job as an admin asst after the sept 11 attacks, because I needed to survive the mass layoffs that were happening. I'm now in a position that is not only hindering my time and experience in HR ( I have about two years experience)but I am also not going to have the opportunity for advancement in the HR department in the near future. I've had several interviews with top companies with at least two or three interviews with each company and have not been considered. I think the main reason is because of my employment gap (not HR related) since June 2001 until now. What can I do? Can anyone help or give some suggesstions. I have a real passion for HR and I miss it terribly. I am still looking for an HR position. Any advise |
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HR Experience
posted at 1/9/2002 5:37 PM EST
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Posts: 495
First: 9/30/2000 Last: 8/19/2011 |
Without viewing your resume and past work history, it's hard to provide useful feedback to your question. You leave me with questions such as what is your education level; what experience have you had in HR positions (how long, to what level). What was your experience prior to your lay off in June 2001?
If your resume clearly indicated you had a gap in employment yet to were able to secure interviews, something seems amiss here. If you'd like to e-mail me with more info, such as past work history and your current resume, I'd be happy to try and give you some assistance. Good luck. |
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HR Experience
posted at 1/11/2002 3:05 AM EST
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Posts: 37
First: 11/2/2001 Last: 4/16/2002 |
Don't forget we're in bad shape economically as a nation. There are lots of hungry HR people interviewing for the same jobs as you, perhaps with more experience, or a better-fitting salary.
Depending on where you live, maybe there are HR temp agencies, where you could work 40 hours a week at various companies, in an HR function? I hear you on the whole too much/not enough experience. I've got a bit over 3 years of HR, and it's tough! They want admin assistant levels, or HR managers... or generalists with 5-10 years and a masters. Have you thought of going back to school? Another thought is to get into management, at a retail place. With your HR experience, getting direct front-line management experience would be *great* for your HR career. Plus you could sell yourself as management material because of all your employee relations/ legal / hr knowledge. I almost went that route myself, and had a lot of encouragement from my HR bosses, and potential employers. |
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HR Experience
posted at 1/11/2002 4:26 AM EST
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Posts: 132
First: 7/3/2001 Last: 5/12/2004 |
Another field that may help round out your resume is Insurance. I went into that for a year-and-a-half and it helped me land the job I have now (HR Director). Having "insider knowledge" has really helped me with our Benefits. My knowledge of commercial insurance (liability, workers comp) has also increased my value to the company.
Good luck! Let us know when you've found something or when decide what to do. |
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HR Experience
posted at 2/28/2002 9:15 AM EST
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Posts: 18
First: 2/22/2002 Last: 10/7/2002 |
HANG IN THERE...I was laid off from a position (Employment Specialist) back in May. Had a small severace pkg, so I held out over the summer (half-heartedly looking), then of course, who could have predicted the events of 9/11, the economy turned against me...I went for 8 months before landing my new job of HR Generalist. It is a fairly new and still small firm, so the opportunity here for me is INCREDIBLE. The struggle was long and hard, but it was well worth it. |
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HR Experience
posted at 4/8/2002 5:45 AM EDT
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Posts: 9
First: 9/1/1999 Last: 4/9/2002 |
Some of the best HR advice I ever received was to get out of the business and do something else. It gives you the perspective on HR that your employees and managers have. I spent a couple years outside of HR and am recently back. I wouldn't change that perspective for the two years experience I would have had in HR otherwise.
Take advantage of your time out of the HR picture. Look at what your HR dept. does and doesn't do and what effect it has on employees. Talk to employees who have to deal with the HR dept. on various isuses and see how they feel afterwards. Take these experiences into your interviews with you. It may help close the gap more than you would think. |
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HR Experience
posted at 4/8/2002 6:31 AM EDT
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Posts: 378
First: 1/8/2002 Last: 9/14/2011 |
Times are certainly tough and depending on the region, there are plenty of folks with degrees working in HR Assistant positions. Spencers' points have much relevance; without seeing your resume and being able to evaluate your skill sets, it's hard to render judgement on your particular situation.
One thing I may suggest is to look at things from the recruiter's standpoint. Find some books or websites composed from the recruiter angle and use those resources to evaluate where you stand. Just recently, I have done some leisure reading in this area and it has been most fulfilling (I don't read fiction because there are just too many things to learn). Reconsider your networking resources and carefully evaluate whether you have used them to your fullest extent. Pull out your address book (not just the one on your computer) and see who else you can contact about a job. I wish you the very best of luck. If you wish, feel free to e-mail your resume and cover letter. I'll give you honest feedback on where I think you are. |
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HR Experience
posted at 4/12/2002 7:00 AM EDT
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Posts: 30
First: 9/6/2001 Last: 10/6/2003 |
One other suggestion is to stay current in HR legislation & trends. Take any workshops or night classes in HR to keep on top of things. This shows your interest in HR, and will also be something to put on your resume.
Also, you may want to look into any volunteer type agencies that may need some help in HR. A lot of non-profit organizations don't have a HR person, but need assistance on occasions with HR related things. Plus, you never know what the networking may help you out with in the future. Good Luck! |
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HR Experience
posted at 4/13/2002 11:13 AM EDT
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Posts: 2
First: 1/9/2002 Last: 4/13/2002 |
I am ever so grateful for the advice each of you has given me. I've attached my resume to those of you who have listed your email address for your review. Please "butcher" my resume if you have to. Offer any suggestions that you think may help me in finding an HR position. I appreciate your time and help and again am very thankful for your advise. |
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