Monday, my computer access was shut off.

Monday, my computer access was shut off. I knew what was happening but still had to wait to be “formally” told my company was restructuring again and I was going to be laid off. I had just gotten hired after being laid off from a 6 year positon at another company.

To make matters worse, I’m in the middle of a fertility cycle, playing catch up on bills from my husband and daughter’s surgery, my dad’s passing and my miscarriage.

I hit the ground running, revamped my resume, and started applying to every HR job where I met at least 50% of the qualifications. So far, nothing but rejections that I don’t meet all the qualifications. I know it’s a touchy market but due to health issues working on site full time isn’t something I can do nor can I relocate as we purchased a home two years ago and my husband works at a local company.

I’ve reached out to my network on LinkedIn but it seems they’ve gone radio silent.

I’m also trying to pivot into a data role within HR.

My husband’s manager got me a referral at a bank but due to an incident where I was retaliated against when I made an HR compliant, I’m deemed ineligible for rehire.

Any advice, suggestions, or companies I should take a closer look at?

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11 Comments

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  1. Elizabeth Hicks

    you need to take the time between jobs to build the skills you're missing for what you want to do, or what the market now requires. HR jobs and clerical work is pretty competitive right now so you either need to make yourself unique with an compelling story on what you can bring or you need a 125% match on skills. (overqualified is bad also, you need perfectly qualified) I mean this in the nicest way possible, but 50% won't cut it unless you're applying min wage customer service. companies recieve hundreds of apps for noncompeitive jobs and even more for good ones. even if you you make it to the interview chances are you are up against an internal promotion, an internal recommendation, or someone who 100% skill matches the post and has experience.

    unless they're looking to hire at the bottom and underpay, your chances of landing the offer are stacked against you. even if you do get it, is that a place you really want to work for?

  2. Anonymous

    Men routinely apply for jobs where they only meet 50% of the qualifications. Depending on what the qualifications are, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t at least try for those.

  3. Ann Marie Shrader

    Take care of yourself mentally and physically! Regroup and heed the advice of other posters.

    You can do this - but take care of nurturing yourself first!

  4. Anonymous

    Back in office is coming back and remote will not be the norm. Not sure how an HR issue got shared to another company that is disconcerting. If you don't currently have date experience in HR that will be a tough sell as not only are you asking for remote but remote with wanting to pivot to another role. I think you need to be 2 top priorities of what you will do for the next role, and NO more, and look at those opportunities.

  5. Afo Ogbeyalu Kalu

    Consider applying for HR roles in Academia and/or Healthcare, or pivot into a consulting role.

  6. G Michele

    Take a look at the Mom Project, not only for job opportunities but for free training and great resources!

  7. Anonymous

    I wish I did, it's rough out there for HR/Talent folks and no signs of it opening up too soon. I have a friend who is very experienced and has been looking for more than a year. You may have to take other kind of work in the near term to get through. Good luck.

  8. Anonymous

    I’ve looking into marketing roles, and considered going back to banking or customer service but I’m finding those roles are hard to get.

  9. Anonymous

    Here's an out-of-the-box suggestion for you. If you're reasonably familiar with the software tools used by HR groups these days (think Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, ADP, etc.) consider becoming an HRIS implementation consultant. I worked for one of the biggest software companies in this space, performing implementations as part of the company's implementation team. Many of my colleagues were HR personnel who wanted to change up their careers a bit, and their inside experience of how to use the software tools was invaluable to our clients.

    There are opportunities both with the vendors themselves and with third-party implementation companies who are hired to install, configure, and train on best practices. Not all the jobs are technical; many specialize in one area of the HR world (compensation, performance and goals, succession, analytics, etc.).

    Most of these jobs can be performed remotely after an initial onsite "kick-off" meeting. When I was involved in these projects my travel was minimal and I was able to mainly work from home.

  10. Anonymous

    I’ve been looking into it and applying for those roles but no luck. I feel at this point I need to create a portfolio to show I can do the work. Adp and workday both have offices in my states about 1.5 hours from. UltiPro too! Most of these positions require a bachelor’s which I don’t have.

  11. Anonymous

    Your skills are transferable to a Client Success position. Do consider CVS ....they are not a pharmacy but have acquired Aetna and Signify. Also consider Centene, United Healthcare, Haystack Oncology, Johnson & Johnson and Danaher.

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