Sadly but true, like several queries, there isn't enough data to provide you with the right inputs. Whatever has been said so far, or whatever I would say, will be based on assumptions—right or wrong, who knows. You have a target, and as you aim for it, you might hit the bull's eye, or at least get a reality check as to where you are. The other way around is to shoot anywhere and then go and draw the target; you can claim to have hit the bull's eye.
In this case, I must honestly confess I do not know where I stand vis-a-vis the target. However, I would like to take the chance. I will ensure that I'll try to open your mind more than either endorse or oppose your plan.
Questions to Consider for Career Transition
1. I would want to ask if you intend to move out of Sales and your motivation to move to HR. I mean, is it a job or a true calling?
2. Are you being assured a job/career in HR that you want to slide into? Because a typical HR job, as you know, involves understanding the importance of dealing with all types of people and personalities.
As a new graduate enters the work arena, he/she is exposed to many career choices. Carefully choosing a career will help to stay motivated and remain a star performer throughout one's career.
Understanding Career Transition
Transition is an ongoing process in everyone's life that takes place at different stages. In practice, it begins from the final years of school to the early years of higher education, occupational training, independent living, or social opportunities. Also, it can be from the final years of college/campus to the early years of one's career.
Transitioning from one field to another to redeem or enhance your career after garnering a few years of experience needs more attention as it involves a lot of planning.
Planning for a Successful Transition
Planning for transition should take account of personal goals and ambitions. The objective of the planning must ensure that you possess the necessary skills to enable you to cope with the new area, the corporate culture, and the business climate. Be absolutely sure that the transition period will be very challenging, stressful, and difficult; hence, proper planning helps in reducing anxieties and will facilitate you to adapt to the new environment successfully.
For you to start working in HR in an organization is a unique and critically important phase that requires a special perspective and strategy to be successful. Research suggests that the success of the transition period will have a major impact on aspects like salary, advancement, job satisfaction, and the ability to have cordial relationships within the organization, as well as on one's own feelings of success, accountability, and commitment to the job. The impact will last for many years and not just for the first few years. Preparing oneself to bridge the gap smoothly between the experience garnered and the expertise the change will demand a lot of effort.
Skills for a Smooth Transition
Possessing better soft skills, the required technical skills, and effective communication skills will help you face the new challenges with courage and confidence, provided you know the subject well. Making a first impression as an effective contributor will make the process of transition easier. Mannerism, behavior, the way one dresses up, and the way one carries oneself are some of the personality traits that set the tone for future success on the part of the employer.
In today's competitive market, these factors are very necessary to succeed on the job. It also helps in building strong employability and engagement skills that are a necessary attribute to be successful in the chosen occupation and aids in developing one's individuality.
Best wishes.