Our three experts show People Management readers how to get their working lives back on track
The experts: Jane Garrard, regional director, Personal Career Management; Kerwin Hack, head of delivery, Fairplace Cedar; Emma Louise O’Brien, career coach, Renovo
THE PROBLEM
“I apply every day, but I never get anywhere”
“In 2010 I returned to the UK after 20 years in Japan. I’d started there as a language teacher but, after joining a rapidly growing company, moved into line management and then HR, spending about 10 years as a senior HR manager overseeing 6,000 staff and offices in seven countries. Since my return I have been looking to move into an HR position, at any level, but I have yet to secure a post, despite sending several applications every day.”
Emma Louise O’Brien says: You’ve certainly got a wealth of experience but, with no time working in the UK, you may need to take a step back and work towards what you want to do. The lack of UK experience doesn’t mean you can’t get a job, but it means you have to be a bit clever about it. Who can help you get to where you want to be?
Recruitment agencies may not be the most effective route for you as it may be more difficult for them to convince clients to pay a fee for a candidate who hasn’t been doing the role in the UK. Try to target organisations directly, as they may overlook the lack of UK experience. Think about what kind of organisations you would like to work for and who would require the background you have. Multinationals, for instance, may value the international skills.
Your CV is a sales document and it is worth tailoring it for individual applications, especially the professional profile. If you are applying to an organisation that is not global but your profile says you have worked in seven countries, it might put people off. A functional or skill-based CV, where the emphasis is less on who you have worked for and more around what you have actually done, would work well. And put your CV in the past tense – it turns job descriptions into achievements.
When recruiters use job boards they tend to look at the most recently uploaded CVs, so make sure you access yours on a regular basis. LinkedIn is part of the hidden jobs market: lots of organisations use it to recruit and headhunt, so make sure your online presence is visible. Get involved in groups or discussions and get recommendations for your profile – they are really important in the current job market.
Kerwin Hack says: I would encourage you to target Japanese organisations in the UK. A lot of people struggle in Japanese businesses because they are culturally different, so they tend to want people who have experience. It may just be a stepping stone that helps you get established but it would give you credibility, and once you are in it will be easier to move on.
THE PROBLEM
“Is my charity career putting people off?”
“Despite having experience in the private and public sectors – I’ve spent the past five years in the third sector as a regional HR business partner – I feel my career has stalled. I’m looking to become a head or director of HR but suspect common misconceptions about charities are leading to my applications not being shortlisted. Or is age a factor, given I’m in my late forties?”
Kerwin Hack says: Your CV shows you have earned your HR stripes, but it needs the wow factor. The bit that doesn’t really come through to me is what drives you – you need more on the difference you have made, something that gives a sense of who you are.
I don’t think your age is a factor. You still have a long career ahead of you and, generally speaking, organisations want a safe pair of hands in a senior role. And the fact you reference a blog in your CV shows you are not an HR dinosaur. It’s more likely to be your charity experience – because the market is relatively slow, recruiters are looking for reasons to narrow down the list.
Getting back into the private sector wouldn’t be a bad move but you may need to consider either a role or sector change. As you are settled in your current role, I would explore the market to see if the right opportunity comes along. After a few months you might want to look at a sideways move – but only if it enables you to get to where you want to be.
Use your time wisely. Establish whether there are any recruiters you already have a relationship with and use job sites that have a filter option. If there is a particular role you want, try to make contact with the recruiter first. It makes a difference because they establish a connection with you and you can use the information they give you to tweak your CV. And tap into your network: let them know you are ready to make a move and use them to help you understand the market and private sector roles. The more you know about the current challenges, the more prepared you are for interviews.
Jane Garrard says: The first half of your CV needs to include the key words and information recruiters will be looking for – focus on getting this right, tailoring it to the roles you apply for. Use facts and figures where you can to make your CV come alive and begin each of your statements with an action word, such as “led”, “created” and “improved”.
THE PROBLEM
“I just don’t know what to do next”
“For the last six months I’ve been an HR/training administrator for a global company. I enjoy my job but I’m a temp and the only other HR person I work with is my manager. I have been an administrator for a while now and would like a more advisory role, but I’m not sure where I want to be or how to get there.”
Jane Garrard says: First, is a permanent job a possibility? I’m guessing your relationship with your boss is quite good, so you could bring up the subject.
Only you can make the decision to move on but you have got to balance your loyalty against the fact you are employed as a temp. The job market is still tough but I would absolutely start looking.
Take a blank sheet of paper and note down the things that are important in your next career move, for instance ‘part of a bigger HR function’. Keep adding to the list, as it will really help with decision-making, as well as when you are talking to employers. Think about areas you might like to specialise in – what do you enjoy and what gives you a sense of fulfilment? I would also put yourself through the CIPD profession map online self-assessment tool.
Get yourself on the radar with specialist recruiters and go to conferences and exhibitions, as well as local CIPD events. Your strategy should be about building contacts in the profession and, where appropriate, letting them know you are looking for work. That will also give you access to people who can answer your questions about the nature of different roles. And try to find yourself a mentor. What about your boss? Or maybe you could find someone through your local CIPD network. You have to be brave and ask for help.
Emma Louise O’Brien says: Spend time really concentrating on the route you want to take over the next five years. Talk to people in more senior positions – how have they built their skill sets over time and how did it help them progress? LinkedIn HR groups would be useful. You could also look at advertisements for jobs that you would consider the next logical step, to see which skills and qualifications are required. What are the immediate gaps in your CV?