Using degree to transition to management, and relocate, prove challenging for job hunter

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Dear Joan:

I have been reading your articles since I was a college student in the mid-nineties. I am currently searching for a new job and I want to relocate to another state. I have three questions. First, I am experiencing problems getting through the computer systems organizations are now using to prescreen applicants. I often get an immediate response saying I do not meet the criteria even when I customize my resume. Do you know of any ways to improve my chances?

Secondly, I was advised that, "You have an uphill battle due to the fact that you lack titled HR experience and are fairly senior in number of years worked and educational level." I have over 16 years of managerial experience in a service department with 125 employees which requires substantive human resource aspects. I have a BA in Business Management and recently attained a graduate degree in Organizational Management. I am attempting to transition into a management job in human resources. I am finding this is not as easy as I thought it would be.

Third, I want to relocate to another state and have been applying to positions there. Would I be better off relocating first and continuing my search from there? My concern is that companies may feel they do not want a distant applicant to pay for a trip for an interview that may not have a positive ROI - I am however willing to do just that. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:

Computer prescreening may be efficient for sorting through hundreds of applicants but it definitely has some significant drawbacks. For example, as the pool of qualified applicants shrinks over the next few years, the holes of the net will likely be too small to catch some great applicants that don’t slip neatly through the screen, such as career changers.

Because you don’t have specific HR experience that matches prescreen categories you aren’t getting through. You may have sixteen years of managing people (which is a great background for an HR job) but you haven’t been a “recruiter” or a “benefits specialist” or a “Human Resources Manager,” which are probably prerequisites for HR management positions.

The advice you received about being “fairly senior in number of years worked” and “not having titled HR experience” has some merit (fair or not). HR has become a highly specialized field. Many HR departments attract entry level college students with HR degrees into specific areas, such as recruiting and benefits specialist jobs. Many of those come through internships, where the new grads can demonstrate their abilities before they are hired. Then they begin the move up into HR management jobs. There are many young people (read: “cheaper”) with several years of experience who are competing with you for the same jobs. Most companies can’t justify hiring a person who has no specific HR experience into management level positions.

Does this mean it’s hopeless? No. But you will have to work harder to find a position.  Your best bet is to network relentlessly and go after higher level specialist positions—not management positions-- in HR. Once you have that specific experience, you will be much more marketable in the management ranks. For example, with your OD degree you could apply for training positions or specialist positions in an Organizational Development department of a large company. Having outside management experience is a plus in OD, since a seasoned manager brings more to the table to diagnose and facilitate solutions for organizational issues.

You are right about companies not wanting to pay to fly you in for an interview, especially when there are many qualified applicants locally. Instead, network by phone to set up face-to-face informational interviews during a week “when I’ll be in the area.” You don’t actually have to buy a plane ticket unless you actually do nail down some informational meetings. During the meetings, tell the interviewer you are moving to the area in the next few months (read: “I’m paying my own expenses.”) and ask them if they could suggest any other people you should meet.

In the meantime, contact HR staffing, consulting and outplacement firms, to discuss project or part-time opportunities. The more HR-related experience you can add to your resume before you move, the smoother your search will be.

Savvy Negotiation Strategies to Get Paid What You’re Worth on a New Job (Detailed, 8-page PDF by email – no shipping charge)
Easy, Step-by-step Guide to Using the Internet to Land a Great Job (Detailed, 10-page PDF by email  – no shipping charge)
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