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career path sidetracked
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career path sidetracked
Discuss your job search, the interviewing process, creating the right resume, how the HR profession's changes require new job-search approaches and related topics.
I've been in HR for almost 6 years and I have completely fallen off the career path I had intended. I wanted to eventually become a Generalist, especially getting involved in employee relations and pe
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Forums » Topic Forums » HR Career Forum » career path sidetracked
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career path sidetracked
posted at 4/2/2007 7:07 AM EDT
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Posts: 21
First: 4/5/2002 Last: 4/2/2007 |
I've been in HR for almost 6 years and I have completely fallen off the career path I had intended. I wanted to eventually become a Generalist, especially getting involved in employee relations and performance management. However, for the past two jobs I've had, I've been asked to do recruiting, because my manager's don't want to do recruiting. I was laid off (for the 2nd time) from my last position. Now, I only get calls for staffing/recruiter positions, which I'm not interested in. I am at a lost. My questions are:
1) how do I get my career back on the track I wanted - employee relations, and other HR Generalists duties like polices, training, performance, etc.? 2) I've been in the HR field for almost 6 years, and cannot seem to get past the "Assistant" or "Coordinator" job responsibilities. I know and have met people who are now HR Managers or Representatives with less years of experience than I have. I hate it when a recruiter from a staffing agency tells me that I'm still "early" in my career. I look at them and think they are crazy. I do not think I’m still “early” in my career, I feel that I should at least be a mid-level HR professional by now. I have contemplated getting an MBA, but know many HR professionals who've gotten very far in their career without one. Is it really worth the investment? I am just really frustrated with my career. It did not feel good to be laid off from 2 jobs in a row. I've thought about changing careers but do not know what other careers to get into. Also, I've devoted 6 years of my life to HR, I am hopeful that it will eventually work out for me, but sometimes feels otherwise. Any insight/input would be greatly appreciated. |
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career path sidetracked
posted at 4/2/2007 9:00 AM EDT
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Posts: 38
First: 9/29/2006 Last: 3/10/2008 |
Dear Junglee76:
You have a minimum of three important issues here. 1. You have not been able to get good assignments and therefore have a lousy resume. 2. You are positioned as a recruiter despite having years of other HR experience (although you dont tell us what.) 3. Like many human resources professionals, you are using ineffective job-search techniques. Lets take them one at a time. 1. You have not managed your career well. When a manager wants you to do recruiting, you are in a position to negotiate. You could say, Im happy to handle this recruiting that you need done, but I know we are working on a special project to analyze executive compensation (or whatever) and Id like to help out on that as well. Help your boss, but also take care of your own career. Six years is a long time to go without significant assignments that build your resume. What's more, if you work on important assignmetns rather than just what the company needs to have done at the moment, you have greater job protection. You become one of those people who are involved in important projects and cannot be let go. 2. Make a list of all of your job-related accomplishmentsthings you have enjoyed doing and have also done well. Chances are, there are at least a FEW that are worth bragging about and are not recruiting-related. In the summary section of your resume, start with those as bulleted accomplishments. These are what you want the reader to see first not your job titles or recruiting experiences. I will send you a pdf on positioning yourself on your resume. (Any reader who would like this pdf should send an email to kate@fiveoclockclub.com with the words Two-Minute Pitch in the subject line.) 3. Most HR people, even those in very senior positions, rely on search firms or network with other HR people to hear about openings. Yet, for example, those HR people who earn over $100,000 a year are getting 38% of their meetings (and their job offers) by contacting companies directly. Contact the search firms, answer the ads, and network, but spend most of your time thinking about the companies you think would be most appropriate for you, find the name of the person you should contact and then contact that person directly. Very senior HR people need to contact company presidents and division heads. You may need to contact the heads of HR in appropriate size companies. I will email you a pdf on how to contact companies directly so you do end up with meetings and get in to see hiring managers when there is no competition. (Readers who would like a copy of this pdf should email kate@fiveoclockclub.com with the words Direct Contact in the subject line.) You do have to focus more on yourself and not expect your employer to take care of your career. Good luck with your career. Kate Wendleton, President The Five OClock A national career coaching and outplacement firm www.fiveoclockclub.com |
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