Why start a new career in HR?
<\/a>Is Human Resources a good career?<\/a>
How to successfully start an HR career at 40+: 5 steps
<\/a>Checklist: Assess your readiness for starting an HR career at 40+<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n
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Key takeaways<\/h3>\n
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- Starting an HR career at 40+ isn’t as unrealistic as you may think; many HR professionals enter the field after working in other roles or industries.<\/li>\n
- HR can be a strong career option for mid-career professionals because the field is growing, more strategic than before, and offers transferable skills.<\/li>\n
- Common challenges include limited direct HR experience, building an HR network, keeping up with HR tech, and overcoming possible age bias.<\/li>\n
- A successful transition requires clear goals, foundational HR knowledge, relevant exposure, a tailored r\u00e9sum\u00e9, and strong interview preparation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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- Growth of the profession: <\/strong>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>, the employment of HR specialists is expected to grow 8% over the next decade, faster than the average for all occupations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Changes in the profession: <\/strong>The role of HR today is much more strategic and varied than before. Modern HR professionals are often actively involved in their organizations\u2019 strategic planning and people strategy<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- HR is a promising option for professionals over 40: <\/strong>The AIHR State of HR Report<\/a> shows most people move into HR as a second, third, or even fourth job, indicating that getting into HR later in one\u2019s career is a common, feasible option. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Develop transferable skills: <\/strong>Working in HR helps develop transferable HR skills<\/a> you can use in other jobs and industries. Examples include communication, active listening, commercial awareness, and tech-savvy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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Did you know?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
According to a OECD report<\/a>, voluntary job changes in mid- and later career stages can help increase salary and job satisfaction. The AARP Global Employee Survey<\/a> also found that over 50% of workers who changed jobs voluntarily experienced improvements in mental health and work flexibility.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Challenges to overcome when switching careers in your 40s and 50s<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Here are some challenges to prepare yourself for if you intend to switch careers later in life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Lack of direct HR experience: <\/strong>92% of HR professionals<\/a> transitioned into HR from a different job (many from admin or non-business roles), creating a need to upskill in strategy, process, and business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Building a professional network: <\/strong>Finding and connecting with HR professionals from other organizations is important for an HR newbie, as is joining an HR community to exchange ideas and learn from peers. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Demonstrating past experience relevance: <\/strong>Depending on your previous role and industry, proving the relevance of your professional experience to your future HR role can be challenging. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Keeping up with HR tech and trends: <\/strong>Staying on top of the latest HR technology trends<\/a> \u2014 a must for anyone in HR \u2014 can be somewhat overwhelming for someone switching careers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Possible ageism: <\/strong>While workplace ageism<\/a> can affect all generations, it\u2019s usually more common among older workers \u2014 especially those changing careers or starting new jobs in their 40s or 50s.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\t\t \n\t\t \t\t\t\t\tBuild HR Generalist skills to help you start your HR career<\/span><\/h3>\n
Learn skills in core HR Generalist areas like recruitment, employee relations, and HR operations to better prepare you for entry-level or transition roles in Human Resources.<\/span><\/h3>\n
\ud83c\udf93 <\/span>AIHR’s <\/span>HR Generalist Certificate Program<\/a> will teach you:<\/p>\n
\u2705 How Human Resources systems and processes keep an organization running efficiently
<\/span>\u2705 How to create an end-to-end HR process, from recruitment to employee engagement
\u2705 An HR Generalist’s key responsibilities, and how they ensure organizational success
\u2705 The crucial skills every HR Generalist needs to successfully drive business value
<\/span><\/p>\n\nGET STARTED<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n \n\t<\/div>\n\t \n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\nHow to successfully start an HR career at 40+: 5 steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Switching careers in your 40s can seem daunting. You\u2019ve likely already established your career and network, might have a family to care for, and have financial obligations to fulfill. With careful preparation, however, switching careers can make you happier and more successful. Here are some steps to consider when preparing for a career change into HR at 40+:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Self-assessment and goal-setting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Start by speaking to experienced HR professionals. This could be an HR team member at your current company, a former co-worker, or someone you know who works at the type of company or industry you\u2019re eyeing. They can tell you what it\u2019s really like to work in HR and manage your expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, determine your motivations for considering this career change, and assess if they\u2019re valid. This is important because the reasons people start an HR career and what they like about the job often don\u2019t reflect reality<\/a>. If you still want to get into HR, define your ideal HR role and specialization (e.g., recruitment, L&D, or C&B), and the kind of company you want to join.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After this, set realistic timelines and goals for your career transition. What\u2019s realistic and what\u2019s not depends on your circumstances \u2014 relevant factors include your current employment status, the relevance of your professional experience and skills, and the type of role you\u2019re seeking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Develop foundational HR knowledge and skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A good place to begin learning about an HR professional\u2019s required skills, knowledge, and abilities is AIHR\u2019s HR Competency Model<\/a>. You can also check out AIHR\u2019s HR certifications<\/mark><\/a>, which cover a broad, well-rounded range of HR skills and competencies to set you up for success in an HR career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also consider engaging a mentor who can provide valuable guidance, advice, and support. Their experience can help you prepare for your career change and supplement any HR training or course you decide to take. Additionally, you can benefit from books, webinars, industry publications, and online courses \u2014 some of which are affordable or even free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Building a professional network: <\/strong>Finding and connecting with HR professionals from other organizations is important for an HR newbie, as is joining an HR community to exchange ideas and learn from peers. <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Changes in the profession: <\/strong>The role of HR today is much more strategic and varied than before. Modern HR professionals are often actively involved in their organizations\u2019 strategic planning and people strategy<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
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Why start a new career in HR?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some who choose a career in Human Resources<\/a> do so because they want to make a strategic impact on the workforce, or enjoy the diverse responsibilities and tasks that come with the job. For others, it\u2019s because they want to influence organizational culture and employee experience, or want to be in a position that allows them to develop a wide range of transferable skills. <\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/div><\/div>\n\n\nIs Human Resources a good career?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re wondering whether HR is a good career to transition to, the following data may make your decision easier:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Growth of the profession: <\/strong>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>, the employment of HR specialists is expected to grow 8% over the next decade, faster than the average for all occupations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n