Is There Any Chance To Get Entry Into HR Field After Having Different Background

Hello Seniors,

I need an important advice. I have graduated as a Textile Designer and have 3 years of work experience in the same field in Mumbai, after which we shifted abroad for 3 years. Now my problem is that my husband and I have decided to settle down in Pune, and I have found no jobs in my field at all.

I just want to know if I can transition into the HR field. Currently, I am in the UK and pursuing PGDHRM through distance learning from Symbiosis. We have decided to return to Pune by the end of this year. Also, while pursuing the course, can I secure a part-time or full-time job in the HR field? I believe that gaining some experience in HR will greatly benefit my new career path.

Thank you for your advice.

Neha

Some questions first:

1. Why don't you want to continue in Textile Designing?
2. When does your course get completed?
3. Do you have any family responsibilities like young children or aged parents/in-laws?

It is possible to get employment in HR recruitment firms (there are many in Pune) as they even take freshers, and the job content span is quite narrow. Alternatively, you can work in a BPO for some time until your course is completed.

Regards

Hi Raj,

I cannot continue in textiles as there is just no garment company at all in Pune, so getting a job in Pune in textiles is not only narrow but impossible. My course gets completed in the year 2011. Nope, as such, I don't have much responsibility as it's just me and my husband at the time. What is your advice in such a case?

Regards, Neha

Thank you for addressing my inquiries. My initial suggestions (which were well thought out) still stand.

Transitioning into the HR field from a different background is not uncommon at all.

One of my concerns was securing a job immediately upon arriving in Pune (without an HR degree/diploma).

Given your limited family responsibilities, you could consider pursuing jobs in BPO. These roles typically involve evening-to-late night shifts to accommodate UK, US, and Australian timings. BPO roles often include benefits such as transportation services, provided meals (reducing the need for cooking at home), a positive work environment, and competitive salaries. Perhaps by 2011, you could transition into the HR department of the same company once you obtain an HR degree.

Another option worth exploring is becoming a Recruitment Consultant. This role primarily entails tasks such as collecting and screening CVs, establishing connections with candidates and companies, coordinating interviews, monitoring final selections, and managing receivables from companies.

Alternatively, you could consider starting as an HR trainee or executive within an organization. This path may require some networking efforts and strong references.

I recommend examining these options to determine which aligns best with your preferences and feasibility.

Please feel free to reach out if you need further clarification or assistance, or if you have any ideas of your own.

Warm regards.

Hello Neha,

I just went through the conversation between you and Mr. Raj. As he said, it is not that easy to get into the HR field without a basic educational qualification in HR. What specific area of HR would you like to work in? I believe you could start with recruitment. My advice would be to stay in that field until you have a complete understanding of the recruitment process. Joining a good company with valuable experience could make recruitment a rewarding career path for you.

Becoming an HR Generalist may not be feasible for you due to your lack of experience in that role. Wishing you all the best then! :)

Chal

Hi Mahesh,

Thanks for the advice. Such positive replies do add up to your confidence. :-)

Yup, I too thought of getting into recruitment and staying with it until I gain complete knowledge.

Thanks once again.

Neha

Hello Raj,

I think I will go with the second option suggested by you, i.e., of joining as an HR Trainee/Executive or getting into Recruitment as suggested by Mahesh. Honestly, I am not keen on joining a BPO as I do not have any family responsibilities at the moment. However, I will surely have one in a 2-year period by the time I complete my course.

Thank you for your valuable advice and also for briefing me on the Recruitment Consultant's job profile.

Regards,
Neha

Neha,

You can check with Syntel, L&T, VW, etc. There are lots of companies in Pune where you can easily get in. The only thing is to trust yourself rather than others' advice. Play an optimistic role in interviews. "All the best" :)

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Dear Neha,

Ofcourse you can join as HR and with the course you are doing will add feathers to your knoweldge.

You have been a designer, so I think you can be a perfect match for companies especially animation, Studios, Telecom like Mobile, gaming company etc, where you can use your skills to recruit candidates with designer background.

HR mean Human Resources and relations, which all human beings are gifted with god and one does not have to do course to learn this skills.

If you understand the human factor and have key to details on human behavior I am sure you will shine vis-à-vis any HR pro.

All the best and I am sure you don’t have to join as trainer in HR because you never have been in HR. You had an experience in some working field and that’s more than enough for you to apply for an executive position.

Suggestion, since you are in UK, try and do course on

PHR – Professional in Human Resources
SPHR – Sr. Professional in Human Resources
GPHR – Global Professional in Human Resources
CCP – Certified Compensation Professional
GRP – Global Remuneration Professional
CPP – Certified Payroll Professional
CBP – Certified Benefits Professional
CEBS – Certified Employee Benefits Specialist
CPLP – Certified Professional in Learning and Performance
CPT – Certified Performance Technologist

All the best,
ukmitra

Hello Mr. Raj, I just went through your conversation with Neha, which was good. I am Gagan, and I also need mature advice from you. I have a degree in HR and had 6 months of experience as an HR recruiter, but now working in a BPO and having no kids right now. Still, I don't want to continue in the BPO industry. Can you tell me the benefits of making a career in HR because I pursued studies in that due to the current trend? We are two sisters, but to help my maternal parents, I never want to leave them alone in their older age. However, for that, I want to earn more to support my family. Please, please, please help me in this case; will it be beneficial or not? (Apart from that, I have completed graduate and masters in management). Thanks, Gaganpreet

Dear Gagan,

Thank you for your appreciation.

You already have a degree in HR, so I presume you must be aware of certain benefits.

It is difficult to quantify the benefits of pursuing HR. In terms of remuneration, it is on par or even lower compared to other disciplines such as Marketing, Finance - Investments or banking, Supply chain Management, Software, etc.

One benefit is that it is less taxing on the mental faculties - no complex formulas, no derivations, less number-crunching, etc. More than the mind, it involves the "heart." It is less of a theoretical discipline and more of an experiential and practical discipline.

It is best suited for those who are more interested in people rather than inanimate objects, gregarious by nature, who like to deal with people and help their development, who are tactful, patient, empathetic, and have good communication abilities, etc.

It is ideally suited for women, as they are supposed to be more sensitive, empathetic to human emotions and needs. Moreover, women are increasingly preferred for HR roles, and with more emphasis on Strategic HRM, ensuring constant focus on the HR role, career growth is better than in other disciplines.

It is a much more "durable" discipline, offering greater job security. Whether it is a recession, downsizing, merger, acquisition, or closure, an HR person is generally the last one to go.

I wish you would be more specific about what you want to know.

Warm Regards.

Hello Neha,

I understand how challenging it can be to start a new career in a completely different field. I was working as a Knits Merchandiser with Pearl Global in Gurugram for the last 2.8 years. My husband and I recently moved to Hyderabad, where there is no opportunity in my current career field. Therefore, I am looking to transition into HR. I have joined a recruitment firm, and it has not been as difficult as I anticipated. You can easily find a job in recruitment; start reading about it. You will need to decide the specific area within HR you would like to work in, whether it be IT, Non-IT, or BPO.

Please let me know if you have any other questions or need further guidance.

Best regards,
Neha

Hi, I am Uma. I am also sailing in a similar scenario. I am now working in Chennai in a bank (Back office operations). I have 5 years of experience. I am an engineering graduate. Now I have finished my MBA in HR in distance mode. I am looking for an opening in the HR field. Since I have only banking experience, I have no idea how to proceed or where to proceed.

I am married and have a kid. Seniors, kindly suggest to me how to get through in HR in Chennai.

Regards,
Uma.

Hi Neha, Gagan & UMA,

I understand that for non-MBA graduates, breaking into HR can be quite challenging. I am also a non-MBA graduate, and through a lot of perseverance, I managed to enter the field. Prior to stepping into the industry, I familiarized myself with payroll, ESI, PF, PT, and other statutory requirements and compliances. I also took part in some practical HR training sessions. Currently, I am pursuing my MBA through distance learning. Moreover, for freshers, even an MBA through distance education may not be sufficient. The key is to be prepared for a significant amount of hard work and continuous learning. Remember, you can acquire a wealth of knowledge through this forum.

Jeeva
09343753361

Hi Kiran,

Thank you so much for the advice. As you mentioned, you have faced a similar situation, I'm sure you understood my problem. I just need a few more pieces of advice from you on how to start looking for jobs in the recruitment field. Do they consider you as a fresher or as an experienced person, since we have 2.5 years of experience in textiles? If you could provide an approximate salary they offer or how much we should ask for, that would be great.

Looking forward to your reply.

Regards,
Neha

Hi Uma,

I guess Kiran will be the best person to help you as I am still pursuing my HR course in distance mode. But I will surely try to help you as and when I get some information about it. All the best.

Regards,
Neha

Hello Mahesh,

Thank you for providing me with the company names, and yes, I got your point about trusting my instincts and my abilities. I need a bit more advice from you. Will the companies treat me as a fresher or as an experienced person joining their firm? What salary should I quote as a fresher or higher than my last job? I hope you understand my point as I just want to gather all the possible information before starting. I may need your help a little later when we arrive in Pune.

Regards, Neha

Hello Ukmitra,

I really appreciate your valuable advice. I will try my level best to do these courses in HR from the UK as long as I am in the UK. Your advice of joining as an HR Executive really boosted my confidence. Thank you. I hope for the best.

Regards, Neha

Hi Neha,

I agree with one of the members' suggestions in your case. As you are completely new to HR, it’s better for you to opt to join a recruitment firm as a recruiter and learn practically the recruitment life cycle. Meanwhile, you will build good rapport with HR people of your clients. This will definitely help you to grow faster in HR.

There are also wide openings as a trainer in MNCs. So, you can also plan for the position as a trainer. This requires good communication skills and subject knowledge. You can prepare a presentation on a topic yourself, and exhibit it in the interview, which will lead you to success. You can also apply as a faculty in colleges, which is more suitable for females, as there would be only 2-3 hours of classes per day with more holidays and an attractive pay package.

Hope you think twice and make a wise decision. All the very best.

CRK

Hi Mohit,

I have attached a file that I received from an institute specializing in SAP HR. I hope this will help you decide on the module to master. There are many institutes in India catering to this area. You can search on the web.

Regards, Ukmitra

Oh My Uma,

You are an engineering graduate and also have an MBA in HR. WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT? THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE PURSUING WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.

You have all the certificates that this world wants to employ anyone in HR. I guess what's lacking for you is the "feeling that you are already a PRO in HR."

I suggest you type the following in large fonts and paste the same everywhere in your home:

"I am an engineering graduate. I am an MBA with HR. I am a PRO in Human Resources. I am already an HR personnel, and I will get a job as DIRECTOR OF HR today." You need nothing but to convince yourself that you already are an HR personnel.

What are you waiting for? Just go and apply to all the jobs you see within job portals and placement agencies. In fact, first, check if you can get an internal promotion in the bank where you are working. Don't give up; exhaust all options in the bank. If not your current bank, try others. The banking industry should be your first target since you know the nitty-gritty.

There will be many openings in banks such as HR operations, HR relations, welfare officer, etc. Check all the bank websites for the jobs they had in the past and the ones they have now in Human Resources; this will give you an idea of which profile suits you best.

I am really surprised, an Engineering Graduate in Banking in operations – my salute to you with all respect. I am sure you have sacrificed a few things for reasons.

All the very best, and God bless.

Regards, Ukmitra

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Hello Neha,

You should show them that you have been working as a freelancer for a short period. If you mention that you have been freelancing for a longer time, the expectations on you will be high. The standard salary would be more than $240,000 annually. If they inquire about your salary expectations, simply state "Company Standards" to keep it neutral. You still have room to negotiate once they present their figures. It's important not to give the impression that you were rejected due to your salary demands.

Feel free to reach out to me anytime for assistance, as I am confident I can help. In the meantime, take detailed notes on HR structures and relevant topics. Making notes will help you grasp the information quicker and better.

If you have any further questions, please send me a personal message, as I might miss notifications from this thread. Take care and best of luck.

Hello Mahesh,

Thank you for your help. I am really grateful to you. Yes, I may need more help a little later as I am still studying my 1st-semester subjects and have yet to give exams for them since my course just started in August. I really appreciate your efforts to respond to most of the threads in the best possible way. :-)

Regards, Neha

Dear Neha,

For the last 2 months, I went through a lot of interviews, and the problem I faced in the beginning is that I read a lot of books on recruitment, the entire cycle. Frankly, reading is not enough. In simple words, first, you decide in which domain you want to recruit people – like IT, Non-IT, or BPO.

In interviews, people are only interested to know how well you are in a particular domain. You can choose any, but as you said you are going to settle in Pune, you can try your hand in BPO. It is easy to recruit people in BPO; the only thing you have to judge is their communication skills. Afterward, you can try IT or Non-IT.

In most recruitment firms, the salary is not up to what you are expecting or were earning earlier because they work on incentive-based structures. It depends on how many positions you are closing in a month. Don't worry; it is not difficult.

After working in a recruitment firm for a couple of months, you can join a company as a recruitment manager. Simply understand that if you have to recruit a knits merchandiser, what all you will see in his resume – the first thing is you should know what knits are. So, knowledge in a particular field is important. 🌟

Hi Kiran,

You are absolutely right. If a person is working as a recruiter, he/she should know about the fundamentals of the company's nature of business. The same person should have knowledge of a particular industry as well as the processes involved. Individuals who have been in the industry for a few years in any job responsibility will have a good understanding of the industry. This knowledge can facilitate an easier transition into recruitment and later a move to higher positions such as HR Generalist, Recruitment Manager, and so on.

If a person has a good understanding of the industry, knowledge of common industry issues, and an MBA, they will surely have good opportunities. However, the key is to wait for the right time.

Jeeva

Hi Neha, Welcome to HRM! I think that should be a start for a positive talk. The HR field has the capability to cover people from any field. With such good experience, you can definitely enter at a medium (Executive) or lower (Jr. Executive) level HR grade. It will be helpful for your profile if you can compare the differences between various HR policies followed in India and abroad. That will help you take some initiatives when you face an interview; also, you can implement those things here. Along with education, you can work as a Recruiter. It might be for a consultancy or something. There are many people who work as Freelance Recruiters. There are many more avenues if you try to find out. Don't worry. All the best.

Hi Neha,

If you are thorough in the subject and confident, there should be no problem in getting a job. It takes time, though. Keep looking at the job portals. Simultaneously, you can post on this site with your latest CV and also look for openings coming up. Assuming you settle down in December/January, you can give yourself a 3-month limit and should be able to get through.

If you look across the site, you'll see people looking for HR personnel and, at the other end, HR professionals saying that they require a job. All the best to both of you.