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How to take the next step

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Hi all,

I am looking for a new opportunity in L&D but the majority of senior roles are in finance, insurance or professional services but I have an engineering and manufacturing background. I currently manage a training function but I am looking to take a step up to the next level in a more generalist L&D role (Head of L&D/L&D & People Director) but I feel my applications are not being considered because of my sector specific background.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

4 Responses

  1. how are you going about it?

    Dear Fejmaster

    Are you only responding to advertisements?

    If you are, you will find that there is often a pre-ordained set of criteria, and if you don’t fit it, life is harder.

    Try applying directly to organisations who aren’t advertising. You will get a lot of rejections but you are less limited in the applications you can make.

    Also take a look at your CV; does it scream engineering and manufacturing or does it scream Training/L&D/HR? If the former try to tone down the sector element.

    Have you considered moving from a manager position to a consultancy role? This may offer you the opportunity to widen your ‘client base’ of names to drop.

    I hope this helps

    Rus Slater

    (Author of "Be Your Own Career Coach" from Pearson Education

     

  2. Next step

    Thanks for the reply Rus – great advice.

    I do try to highlight my generalist L&D attributes in my CV but I also want to be honest. I have also considered the consultancy option but not sure how to go about it and am also concerned about the risk.

    I am trying to gain more general L&D experience in my current role and then adding that to my CV.

    I will definitely try applying to organisation which aren’t advertising as you suggest. I will put a post on here to let everyone know how I get on.

    Thanks again for the advice.

     

  3. Consultancy

    Hi again,

    After Rus’ advice about consultancy I have been having a think about how to progress. I have done some analysis of what I have designed, developed and delivered in the past that has been the most successful (lean manufacturing) and feel that this should be an area I can specialise in. However, there is a lot of competition out there and it is hard to get a foot in the door with an organisation if you are not established. I am prepared to deliver a 10 day lean masterclass for free in order to build a reputation but how do I go about advertising this? Would you recommend setting up a website or do you think I would get any leads from networking? Would it be worth cold calling?

    I would appreciate any thoughts/ideas.

    Thanks,

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