Strip down résumé only as a last resort

I am trying to get hired in the human resources field. I have applied for many HR generalist openings but I don't get called in for interviews. I have a PhD in organizational behavior and I am starting to wonder if that is working against me. One recruiter told me that ''I was overqualified'' for the job because of the degree. I am strongly considering removing the PhD from my résumé. Do you think that will help the job situation?

I would only do it as a last resort.

Before going to that extreme, review what you have done so far. For instance, show your résumé to several people in the HR field and ask for honest feedback. Ask if you have enough practical experience to get hired as an HR generalist who needs to have a strong background in all areas of human resources.

If the consensus is that you don't have enough experience, consider ways to get the experience. Some possibilities are getting a certificate in human resources from an institution such as Bentley College, interning in a human resources department for several months, taking on several HR consulting assignments, or entering a human resources department in a more entry-level position.

Another way to enter human resources would be to see if you can get hired in a corporate training department. Generally, training is part of the human resources function. I would think that a PhD in organizational behavior would be very attractive to some training departments, particularly those dealing with organizational change. Once you are inside a company and have worked in training for a few years, you can try to rotate into human resources.

If you have plenty of human resources experience and all the feedback from professional colleagues is that your résumé looks fine, consider whether there are opportunities for human resources generalists in your area. For the past few years, many talented human resources folks have been sitting on the sidelines due to the downturn in the economy. Things are perking up. Human resources folks are finding work again. I would renew your search with great optimism. Your timing could be much better now.

Joan Cirillo is the executive director of Operation A.B.L.E., a non-profit that provides employment and training opportunities to adults 40 years of age and older.