Transition from HR to Another Career - Guide & 23 Job Ideas
A transition from HR to another career can be stressful, but it might be time to take the plunge if you don't find your job fulfilling.
HR professionals have skills that readily transfer to other careers. In this blog, you’ll get helpful and actionable advice to make the switch, including ways to know if you should switch, potential jobs to fit your skills, and how to keep your cool during the transition.
If you need more advice, Hidden Gem offers career transition coaching to help you evaluate your options, brush up your resume, and leverage your career skills to land your dream job.
Understanding the Need for a Career Change from HR
Many people are unhappy with their job from time to time, but you may find it difficult to pin down the exact moment when you know it’s right to switch jobs. Switching can also feel impossible when your education and workplace experience are fine-tuned for HR work. While it may be hard, staying in an unfulfilling job is rarely worth it.
Signs It’s Time to Move On from Human Resources
You may never have a clear moment when you know you need to quit, but here are some signs that your HR career has run its course:
You dread going to work
Your workspace is toxic
You aren’t passionate about the job
You don’t agree with the company’s values
You are burned out
You don’t have room to grow
If you are restless, feel disconnected from your employer, or can’t find the purpose in your work, it may be time to move on.
Are you looking for professional support with your career transition? Check out our Career Transition Coaching Service.
Why HR Professionals Seek New Career Paths
HR professionals look for new work for different reasons. HRO Today, a HR leadership digital network, calls out these reasons:
Lack of good/effective leadership at my current job (25%).
I want a more rewarding/fulfilling job (19%).
I want more job security (19%).
I want to gain new knowledge and skills (19%).
I want to switch careers (17%).
I want better learning and development opportunities (17%).
If these resonate with you, it might be worth looking into HR-adjacent jobs.
Emotional and Mental Impact of Staying in an Unfulfilling HR Role
Staying in a bad job can hurt you physically and emotionally. Workplace stress can cause symptoms like weight gain, sleep loss, and illness. These symptoms then compound with the emotional distress you may face daily at work.
It may be the healthy choice to say no amount of pay is worth the toll of emotional exhaustion, stress, and anxiety. The uncertainty of the job hunt is often better than the certainty of a job you hate.
Key Takeaways
An unfulfilling job can cause you emotional distress
Many HR professionals seek new careers for different reasons
You have lots of HR skills that can transfer to a new career
HR Transferable Skills: Leveraging Your Expertise in a New Career
You may wonder, “What can I do with an HR background?” Thankfully, as an HR professional, you’ve got a boatload of skills you can show off to get a new job. To make sure you're ready to represent them, put together a list of your talents to refer to at your next interview.
Core HR Skills That Are Valuable in Other Fields
HR professionals have to be good with people and paperwork–that’s already a respectable talent in itself. Not only do you bring out the best in people, but you also work closely with company leadership to make sure they are meeting their goals. Here are some other key talents you may have as an HR professional.
Communication and Negotiation
You talk with people at all levels of the company. You may chat with employees about their personal goals one day, then talk about workplace health and safety compliance regulations with the project manager the next. You know how to balance what the higher-ups want with what the employees need. That skill is desirable for employers.
Leadership and Management
Working in HR, you’ve likely developed some leadership and management skills. After all, a key component of your job is recruiting and training. Many in your company may look up to you as a source of information or as their go-to when they need something explained. Companies are always on the lookout for someone who can help employees do their best.
Organizational Development Strategy
You see the big picture whereas others only see daily tasks. You’re trained to recognize trends–what works and what doesn’t, especially when it comes to helping people grow. As an HR professional, part of your job is making sure employees are recruited, trained, and, most importantly, developed. That eye for growth is very attractive to employers.
How to Market Your HR Experience in a Career Transition
Even if you’re confident in your abilities, marketing is everything. The onus is on you to spread the word. Social media, LinkedIn, and other professional platforms are great opportunities to convey to others what you're capable of.
To sell yourself, first, think about your achievements in your HR role and past roles. What have you accomplished that the company couldn’t have done without you? Next, consider your core and transferable skills. These set you apart and make you more attractive to hiring managers.
Examples of Transferable Skills
Your skills aren’t defined by your HR role. You’ll find that soft skills, or transferable skills, are highly valued by employers. Here are some you probably have as an HR professional.
Conflict Resolution
You’re used to finding a good middle ground between what compliance demands and what employees want. Because you work closely with people of varying levels of authority, you know how to resolve conflicts effectively.
Employee Relations
You are probably on good terms with your employees. You try to help them develop, listen to their needs, and assist them when they need guidance.
Data Analysis
You know how to crunch numbers. Data is your second language, and you can translate that into corporate speak or into layman’s terms for regular employees.
Training
You know the ins and outs of company guidelines and can put that into simple terms for employees. You’re good at giving instructions, and you know how to help people who are struggling.
Communications
You are a go-between for your company. You know how to build bridges and how to use communication platforms to make sure everyone’s on the same page.
How to Highlight These Skills on Your Resume and During Interviews
When it comes to telling others about your skills, toot your horn a little. In recent years, hiring managers have started to focus on soft skills. In fact, Forbes says of hiring managers, “54% believe soft skills are highly important,” and “48% have opted not to hire a candidate because they were lacking soft skills.”
Be honest, but highlight key moments from your career where you were the star of the show. To jog your memory, think of a time when you…
Were essential to the success of a project
Came up with a unique solution to a problem the company was facing
Collaborated with your colleagues to solve a problem
Used your job skills to resolve a dispute
Exploring Alternative Careers for HR Professionals
The best career change from HR can be stressful, but you’ve got this! To help you narrow your search, here are some alternative careers for HR professionals. Some of these are careers similar to human resources, while others are a complete change of pace.
Corporate Roles
1. Project Manager
A project manager makes sure jobs are done right. You’ll check everything is done on time and help clear up any issues that may crop up.
2. Operations Manager
An operations manager makes sure a company stays productive in the long term. In this role, you will go over operations and look for ways to improve.
3. Business Consultant
A business consultant picks up on business problems and offers solutions. In this job, you’ll focus on making the company as efficient and profitable as possible.
4. Organizational Development Consultant
An organizational development consultant helps align a company with its vision. For you, this may involve finding weak points, streamlining workflows, and engaging employees.
5. Compliance Manager
A compliance manager makes sure everything is above board. You’re likely already working closely with a compliance manager as an HR professional, but in this role, you’ll get to know the laws and regulations of your industry and make sure the company and employees are operating within guidelines.
Careers in Coaching and Consulting
6. Career Coach
A career coach matches people with their dream jobs. In this role, you’ll take your people skills and help individuals looking for a new spark find what matches their skills and passions.
7. Business Coach
A business coach works closely with business owners to develop strategies for success. You’ll help the owner set goals, form plans, and develop soft skills.
8. HR Consultant
Closer to home, an HR consultant focuses on improving HR operations. You’ll work in an advisory role with HR to develop plans, improve systems in place, and mentor employees.
9. Employee Education Consultant
An employee education consultant focuses on employee learning. Here, you’ll help business leadership evaluate how to train, develop, and sustain employees. This may involve courses, policies, and communication platforms.
Health and Wellness Careers
10. Wellness Manager
A wellness manager develops and oversees programs designed for employees. Your primary role will be using your people skills to make sure employees are taken care of.
11. Occupational Health and Safety Specialist
An OHS identifies potential risks and hazards in a company. In this role, you’ll develop and implement initiatives to keep employees safe and healthy.
12. Medical and Health Services Manager
A medical and health services manager oversees operations in a medical setting. Hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes rely on service managers to streamline day-to-day operations.
Technology and Product Management Roles
13. HRIS Product Manager
HRIS product managers work with HR systems to make sure they are efficient and effective. In this role, you’ll work with HR software to make sure it’s implemented correctly to track HR goals.
14. IT Project Manager
An IT project manager oversees the technological side of projects. In this role, you’ll develop and maintain integrated software and programs to help companies plan and execute projects.
15. Change Management Specialist
A change management specialist makes sure a business is resilient to change. Here, you’ll help employees adjust to new programs, software, and guidelines.
Careers in Education and Training
16. Human Resources Professor
An HR professor trains the next generation of HR professionals. You’ll teach students cutting-edge methods and technology to improve HR implementation for businesses.
17. Instructional Designer
An instructional designer focuses on courses and training, crafting the text, graphics, and videos to get workers up to speed. You’ll identify gaps in learning and create course materials to help workers learn.
18. Corporate Trainer
A corporate trainer helps employees gear toward their personal and professional goals. In this role, you’ll provide targeted training to employees to help them succeed.
Writing and Content Creation Careers
19. Content Writer for HR and Management
An HR content writer crafts high-quality articles, blogs, or videos about HR and management to distill complex topics. For this job, you’ll help business owners and employees understand how these systems work and how to make the most out of HR systems.
20. Technical Writer
A technical writer creates diagrams to show users how technology works. For this job, you may prepare various guides, manuals, and other instructional material to help communicate technical information.
Sales, Marketing, and Account Management Roles
21. Sales Account Manager
A sales account manager maintains connections with clients. Here, you’ll focus on engaging with customers and making sure they are satisfied.
22. Customer Success Manager
A customer success manager builds relationships with customers to make sure they are satisfied. In this role, you’ll help onboard customers, evaluate their satisfaction, and take care of their long-term needs.
23. Social Media Manager
A social media manager oversees a company’s social media presence. In this role, you’ll typically create written and video content as part of a strategy to develop brand identity and engagement.
Success Stories: A Real-Life Example of an HR Professional Who Made the Switch
One example of an HR professional who shifted careers is Nina Jervis. She worked as a professional HR manager for 15 years. When frustrations about her job arose, she told herself that she couldn’t switch jobs because she had invested too much time into her education.
Now, she works as a full-time content writer and has published two books. She’s even branched out into coaching and has made a few podcasts on the topic of changing careers. She says, “I nearly gave up on my career change, but I kept on going because somewhere inside, I knew it was the right thing to do.” Nina’s story shows that second careers for HR professionals are not just possible, but doable.
How to Prepare for a Career Transition from HR
Change is never easy, but anything worth doing is going to be hard. You don’t have to bang your head against a brick wall to change careers, though. Here are some steps you can take to make the transition out of HR easier.
Conducting a Self-Assessment: Understanding Your Motivations and Interests
First, think about what you want to do. Your dream job is where your skills and passions align. Pick out parts of your job that you enjoy and others that you don’t. Do you find it’s easier to interact with people, and you don’t like the paperwork? Or, is it the other way around?
Try to grasp a few key parts of your job that you would like to keep doing. Then, pair that with your interests and motivations. Ask yourself, “What am I good at?” and “How do I want to make an impact?”
Researching Potential Careers and Aligning Them with Your Skills
Next, think about what careers you want to know more about. Take a look at the list above for some suggestions and jot down a few that you like. Then, think about what skills would readily transfer to this job as well as what skills you may need to learn.
Gaining New Qualifications: When and Why You Might Need Them
You may need new qualifications for your job. That’s why it’s always good to look into job requirements and see where you want to focus. You’ll have to commit to the time it takes to learn these skills to succeed, so consider it a litmus test as to whether the job is right for you.
If you can’t see yourself setting aside a few hours a day for some self-directed/formal learning, then the career might not be for you.
Networking and Building Connections in Your Desired Industry
Connections are vital to any business. Here’s how you can start networking in your new industry:
Use your current connections: Odds are that you have some connections in HR-related fields that intersect with your desired industry.
Do your research: Find out more about your industry and follow along with experts to gain insights.
Ask questions: Engage with the industry by asking questions to further your knowledge.
Attend events: Whether online or in person, try to attend events to meet new people and learn more.
Join communities online: In both professional and casual circles, online interactions can help build connections in your field.
Creating a Transition Plan: Steps to Make the Switch
It’s always easier to get things done when you have a game plan. Try to set up a timeframe for different parts of your transition, such as updating your resume, making new connections, and finding job offers.
Overcoming Challenges in a Career Change from HR
You may feel locked into your HR career, and some stress is expected. But if you prepare for challenges, you’ll be better equipped for your career change from human resources.
Expect uncertainty during the transition. You may need to build new connections and gain new skills, and you may have financial concerns or simply fear of the unknown.
The best solution is to have a plan of action and follow through as much as possible. Make sure you rely on friends and family throughout the process.
Dealing with Fear and Uncertainty During the Transition
First, be patient with yourself. A career change comes with some uncertainty. Try to put together an action plan and stick to it. That way, you can see how far along you are. If you’re having trouble by yourself, a career coaching platform like Hidden Gem can help you plan for your career change.
Financial Considerations: Managing the Impact of a Career Change
You should aim to have 3-6 months of living expenses set aside when you change careers. That way, you have something to keep you afloat while you’re job hunting. You should also factor in courses and qualifications. Do your research to see how much they cost and budget accordingly.
It might also be wise to overhaul your budget to be more frugal, especially during the transition.
Handling Potential Setbacks and Staying Motivated
When you’re between jobs, it’s easy to feel frustrated by a lack of progress. When you experience a setback, try to see it as another stepping stone—not as a step backward. Also, take time for yourself throughout the process. Keep up with your hobbies and socialize to keep a sense of fulfillment.
Implementing Your Career Change Plan
Career change doesn’t happen overnight. Make sure to focus on the things that matter, then implement your career change plan. This involves:
Writing your plan down
Creating actionable goals
Marking your progress
Expecting setbacks
Developing a Step-by-Step Action Plan
Your action plan should consist of
Finding potential jobs that interest you
Identifying transferable skills
Updating your resume
Checking for career opportunities
Getting connected
Revamping your qualifications
Looking for positions in the industry
Applying for Jobs and Preparing for Interviews
Now you’ve buffed up your resume and got your foot in the door, it’s time to start preparing for interviews. Don’t be afraid to make a few cold calls and get in touch with some businesses. You can use job platforms and your marketing network to find options.
Prepare for interviews by updating your resume. Think of a few examples of your HR transferable skills and stories that reflect them.
Navigating the First Few Months in Your New Career
Once you’ve found your new career, it can be difficult to adjust. Be prepared for changes in workflow and environment, as well as potential setbacks. If you can, find a mentor in your new work environment to help you onboard and get the hang of your new work requirements. Ask questions constantly and don’t be frustrated if it takes you some time to learn the ropes.
Continuous Learning and Professional Development in Your New Role
Part of the reason for your switch may be because you want to grow. In a new job, strive for continuous learning. You can do this by actively engaging with your coworkers and industry professionals. Take opportunities for courses, enrichment, and seminars where you can.
Embracing Your New Career Path with Confidence
With the right mindset, you can tackle a new career path with confidence. Let’s recap some of the highlights to pay attention to:
Evaluate your current job: Consider whether switching is right for you. Piece together parts of your job that you do and don’t like.
Prepare for the switch: Set up a game plan for switching jobs. Prepare financially for the transition and update your resume.
Connect to your new industry: Make connections early to market yourself as a dedicated employee and open up growth opportunities.
Put out some job offers: Apply for a few jobs through your network or by making cold calls.
Sell yourself during interviews: Identify transferable skills and highlight your role as an HR professional during interviews.
Expect setbacks: Expect rejection and uncertainty, but don’t give up.
Take enrichment opportunities: In your new career, seek enrichment where possible to advance your learning.
With the right mindset, you can take the first steps to your new career!
Additional Resources for Career Changes
You don’t have to walk this path alone. Countless people have changed careers, and having others to walk alongside or learn from is very helpful.
Books, Websites, and Tools to Support Your Transition
Resources can help you feel supported, encouraged, and empowered. Here are some books, websites, and tools to support your transition:
Some books that can help include:
Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant - This book is designed to get you to think differently about how you see the world and adjust your mindset to unlock new possibilities.
Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One by Jenny Blake - Written by a Career Development and Training Specialist, this book provides a clear framework for career growth.
What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles - A timeless classic filled with wisdom and actionable advice to progress your career. This book comes with a self-assessment guide to help you figure out your passions.
The Hidden Gem Within by me, Jessica D. Winder - Guides readers to discover their strengths and find fulfilling careers through practical advice and examples. It helps individuals tap into their potential for success.
There are also some valuable websites and tools to help you find your niche and use powerful resources to help your transition:
LinkedIn - A professional social network that lets you see the ins and outs of an industry and make connections.
Glassdoor - A site that lets you see salary information, interviews, and reviews of different companies.
JobTest - A valuable assessment site that gives you insight into your career interests.
ClickUp - A time-management software that can help you track time spent on projects and research.
Mint - A budget tracker that can help you keep your finances in check during the transition.
Professional Networks and Organizations for New Career Paths
You should try to connect with professional networks and organizations before you land a job. Not only will this give you a taste of the industry, but it also shows potential employers your commitment.
You can find many HR-adjacent fields on LinkedIn, but even though you’re not in the same field, you can also rely on HR networks to connect with other professionals. These include sites like HR.com and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
How to Stay Updated with Industry Trends in Your New Field
Getting connected is the best way to stay up to date with industry trends. You should follow industry professionals on social media, attend webinars, and use your industry connections–both old and new–to keep up to date with industry trends.
Free Career Change Consultation
Contact Us Today for Personalized Guidance on Your Career Transition!
If you’re planning to change careers, reach out to Hidden Gem for personalized guidance on your new career path and resources to make the transition easier. We can help you figure out what career is right for you, how to make connections in your new industry, and how to take those first steps toward a better career!
