What do you do if you're an HR Consulting professional considering a career change later in life?

If you don’t know where you are going any road will do. Start with building a baseline. What do you already know in HR and where else could these skills be used? Research is key to getting your answers. Be curious about how you could use your time and skills later in life. Assess what you have against these scenarios and do a gap analysis. What else is needed to help you shift? Talk to people in the area you are gravitating towards and be curious about their journey. Maintain an open mind and have fun exploring the different pathways available to you. A few people get the privilege to make these transitions- make it count.

When contemplating a career transition, it's crucial to evaluate the diverse skill set you've cultivated as an HR consultant. Your proficiency in areas such as people management, employment law, strategic planning, and effective communication is highly transferable. Reflect on how these competencies could be leveraged in alternative roles or industries. For instance, your adeptness in conflict resolution and negotiation could prove indispensable in corporate training or stakeholder engagement positions. Acknowledging the versatility of your skill set beyond the HR realm is pivotal in envisioning your career trajectory. Embrace the prospect of exploring new avenues where your expertise can flourish and make a significant impact.

Em minha experiencia ao longo da jornada na area de Pessoas entendo que ter a habilidade de conseguir entender negocios é fundamental. Ter estruturado e muito bem definido suas habilidades (hardskills e softskills) é importante e faz você entender qual o melhor caminho a seguir. Ter stakeholders capazes de apoia-lo nessa transição é importante, por isso, ter mentores ao longo de sua jornada faz diferença em carreira. Habilidade de mercado onde há transformação de carreira é fundamental, por exemplo ser um profissional orientado a dados, com alto poder analitico e conhecedor de novas tecnologias te posiciona de forma competitiva em qualquer movimentação de carreira.

While change can be daunting it also presents a valuable opportunity for personal growth and professional fulfillment. Navigating a career change later in life as an HR Consulting professional requires a mix of self-reflection, exploration, and resilience. Begin by assessing your career goals and strengths, then research potential paths outside of HR Consulting that align with your interests. Enhance your skills and network while staying open to new opportunities and seeking guidance from mentors or career coaches.

In order to know the available options, we should not limit ourselves to our information and knowledge. Rather, we should try not to fall into the cognitive error of the "availability heuristic". In a decision-making process, we are influenced by the information we remember. What we remember is also influenced by factors such as beliefs, expectations, feelings and emotions, as well as the amount of information we are confronted with. In other words, the human brain is influenced by an unconscious bias that assumes that everything it remembers is the pure truth and makes all decisions based on this belief in the "reliability of available information". This bias of the brain is known as the "availability heuristic".

Research: Take the time to thoroughly research potential career paths, industries, and roles that align with your interests, skills, and values. Utilize resources such as informational interviews, online forums, professional networks, and career assessments to gather insights and gather information. Experimentation: Once you have identified potential areas of interest, consider experimenting with different opportunities through volunteering, internships, part-time work, or freelance projects. This hands-on experience can provide valuable insights, helping you assess whether a particular career path is a good fit before making a full transition.

A exploração é fundamental ao considerar uma mudança de carreira, pois permite que você conheça melhor o novo campo de atuação, compreenda as demandas e tendências, e avalie se suas habilidades e interesses se alinham com as oportunidades disponíveis. A exploração pode incluir a realização de entrevistas informativas com profissionais que já atuam na área desejada, participação em eventos do setor, cursos introdutórios, ou até mesmo voluntariado para obter experiência prática.

For me, the transition should be all about pursuing your passion aligned with your market niche. In this way, you remain you.

Consider your top motivations about wanting to make the move. Smaller / larger company? Salary increase but same role? Different focus? If you know what you are trying to solve for, it can allow you to target new organisations more effectively. Look to close any skills gaps you can't close in role with external forums, courses, qualifications etc. Search the job boards for roles that are interesting and see what gaps you need to close. Try reaching out to people in your network with similar roles and get their opinion on non-negotiable key skills or what would set someone apart

Definitivamente, ao buscar oportunidades em Recursos Humanos, é essencial que seu currículo destaque a relevância de sua experiência nessa área. Certifique-se de incluir detalhes específicos sobre suas funções anteriores que demonstrem sua compreensão e contribuições para as práticas de RH. Isso pode incluir recrutamento e seleção, treinamento e desenvolvimento, gestão de desempenho, relações trabalhistas, entre outros aspectos-chave do RH.

Highlight professional certificate relevant to the new field even if you HR consultant there are some valuable professional certificates you may have and you should be highlighted such as project management professional (PMP) if you are targeting projects consultant or european foundation for quality management (EFQM) if you are targeting institutional excellence as well as ISO certificates if targeting quality management feild .. etc This certificate will add value to your resume.

Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile: Tailor your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments in HR consulting and any transferable skills applicable to your new career path. Consider seeking feedback from professionals in your desired field to ensure your materials effectively showcase your qualifications.

Explore Career Options: Research different career paths and industries that interest you. Network with professionals in those fields, attend industry events, and seek informational interviews to learn more about potential opportunities.

When updating your resume make sure and compare and contrast your skill set with the new position or field of work. Also as a late in life candidate it is important not to date yourself on the resume. Years of graduation are a telltale sign. Also, your resume should include the current 10 years of work. Although we are proud of the work we have accomplished, we need to make sure that those skills from beyond 10 years are still relevant. Those skills may have been replaced by newer methods or technology. And not being familiar on the cutting edge of the industry you are entering may be a red flag for your future employer.

Starting a new career after 30+ years is scary. Going back to school might feel scary too. But you need to learn to grow and become an expert in the field you want to develop in. See it as a game. Each certification, or even workshop is another step to move closer to your ultimate goal. I've changed my career from HR leader to hormone therapist & fem leadership coach. A career no one believed was possible and here I am. If i can do it, so can you!

If you are currently working as a HR consultant, then you have an option of project you work for. Therefore, you can pile up experiences of the project which you are expecting to shift and gain practical knowledge and experiences before you shift. Learning from only training is not enough as an expert but you can gain more than knowledge from cases you work as a HR consultant.

If there are any certifications you require to enter this desired field, then purpose to get these certifications. in some cases you might have to go back to university and get a degree so consider the implications of this.

Do not be afraid to start again, gaining another qualification and training is necessary in order to switch careers. Additionally, start networking with individuals in that area that you are looking to join as it helps you as you transition and it's easier to make the move. It's also important to get a mentor, it can assist as you move from HR to the field you have chosen.

Considering a career change later in life can be daunting, but with strategic steps, it's entirely achievable. Firstly, updating your resume is pivotal. Highlight transferable skills and tailor accomplishments to align with your new industry's needs. Consider seeking guidance from a career coach to effectively bridge the gap. Additionally, gaining knowledge is crucial. Evaluate required qualifications and invest in courses or workshops to fill any gaps. Continuous learning, a principle familiar to HR professionals, remains invaluable as you embark on this new journey.

Networking is essential in shifting careers. It enables you to uncover new job prospects, understand various industries better, and build connections with professionals who can provide advice or recommend you for roles. A robust network offers support and encouragement throughout your transition, opening up opportunities to fast-track your career change.

Relationships, being seen, and being available for the right opportunity when it strikes makes all the difference. To know if it is an opportunity at all be a go getter, risk it out, learn from people and their mistakes and most of all listen to learn not to respond or override. Asking, wanting, self belief are key. If you won't, no one will.

Network Strategically: Leverage your professional network to explore potential career opportunities, gain insights into different industries, and connect with individuals who can provide guidance and support during your career transition.

O networking é uma ferramenta poderosa em qualquer transição de carreira. Conectar-se com profissionais da área desejada pode proporcionar insights valiosos, oportunidades de aprendizado, orientação e até mesmo possíveis indicações para vagas. Ao construir e nutrir sua rede profissional, você expande suas oportunidades de encontrar mentores, colegas e potenciais empregadores que podem oferecer suporte durante sua transição de carreira.

Consider gaining practical experience in your desired field through volunteering, internships, or part-time work opportunities. Offer your HR Consulting expertise and skills to nonprofit organizations, community groups, or startups in exchange for hands-on experience and exposure to new industries and roles. This can help you build credibility, expand your network, and test out different career paths before making a full transition.

Considering a career change later in life, especially in HR Consulting, can be a bold but rewarding step. Building your network is paramount—explore industry-specific events and leverage platforms like LinkedIn to forge connections. Test the waters with freelance gigs or volunteering to validate your interest and gain practical experience. Balancing this transition with your current role ensures financial stability while demonstrating your commitment and adaptability.

I recommend providing your HR Consulting services to an organization in your local community pro bono. Making a career change can be challenging, so don't hesitate to seek support from friends, family, mentors, or career coaches who can provide encouragement, advice, and guidance.

A 4-step guide I have always recommended is this: One, sustain your interest in the new area, whilst not dropping the balls. A focus on the future is not an excuse not to be excellent in the present. Two, complement interest with knowledge. Self-development cannot be over-emphasised. The outcome of a knowledge-based journey is that we are able to join conversations intelligently. In addition, join professional platforms to network. Quality networks yield great dividends. Please don’t join to ‘ghost’. Don’t wink in the dark. Lastly, find volunteering/interning opportunities as avenues to rake in some hours of experience. This will be a form of sacrifice as you are putting free hours to good use towards an envisaged future.

People change careers an average of three or more times during their lifetimes. Often, people spend years in a specific industry & realize that it isn’t a good fit or to take on a new challenge. Identifying why it isn’t a good fit is the key. That information can help you decide if the next step should be a change in industry, function, or both. There are signs that indicate it’s time to consider a career change. For example, you may feel burned out or bored or feel a lack of motivation & creativity. If you’ve been in the same job for many years, you may want new & bigger challenges. The self checklist should determine if it’s time for a new career. Change is possible, but the first step is recognizing that it’s time to take action.

Considering a career change later in life can be daunting, but it's not uncommon. Reflect on your skills, interests, and values to identify potential new career paths. Consider seeking guidance from career counselors or mentors who can provide valuable insights. Research the new field thoroughly to understand its requirements and opportunities. Networking with professionals in the new field can also provide valuable insights and potentially open doors for new opportunities. Ultimately, embrace the change with optimism and a willingness to learn and grow.

There is a new trend beginning. Employees are hiring their own HR representatives to help them navigate workplace issues and to represent them in mediations and conversations with their own HR department. Or, to help them write communications back to HR regarding leaves, performance issues, etc. These are independent HR professionals that provide advice to employees. (Cheaper than an employment attorney.) Interesting twist in the industry. Especially considering there is a renewed focus on social media that "#HRisnotyourfriend." So, transitioning to your own "consulting firm of one" serving employees vs. corporations could be interesting.

Apart from the very reasonable steps listed here I would think out of the box if those don't work, try to find what your unique competitive advantages are (do I have a good network so I get easier contracts, can I imagine a business model, an alliance or partnership that would benefit my potential clients - such as teaming with other experts and offer a fully round externalised HR department under one umbrella -recruiting, training, administration, psy support,etc) and then go try also this non-traditional way of "swimming" in the maybe apparently "flooded" ,arket...and slowly maybe fastly...results will show!