Qualification For A HR Generalist

Hi All
I have joined this group hardly 3 weeks back and introduced myself as Engineered HR.
Here I am with a question in regard to the qualification requirement for handling the HR generalist role.
I missed the opportunity to enter into one of the big organizations just because I have a diploma in HR and it is from off-campus.(distance education)
When I am entering into 4th year of service as HR generalist and today if I have to get onto the career ladder, I was asked for a degree in HR/MBA on campus.
My query:
1. Does the qualification really matter for HR generalist position.
2. Are distance education programmes not worth.
Thank you for the support and the response.

Hi Savitri
Don't be disheartened. Leaving HR aside for the time being, let's talk about some other opening. Eg. You are recruiting a technical person (say B.Tech.-Mech.). What all will you consider? Qualifications, experience, knowledge, personality, attitude? Won't you give a little more preference to a B.Tech than a Diploma holder? All these above attributes go hand in hand. We can't sideline one and consider the rest.
Please think afresh rationally and then decide for yourself. Don't take anything personally, only then will you be able to think logically.
Wish you all the best
Tania

Hi,
I understant your problem. Yes qualification matters a lot, it is a criteria for selection/ promotion, and it is also expected that one should have a full time digree. But since you have already entered in this profile and gained knowledge, in this condition you/employer, to some extent can overlook your qualification if you have gained sound knowledge of your work. So try to focus on improving knowledge of your job. And this is also fact that employer wants performance not a dozen of degrees.
Regards,
Pushpendra.....

Dear M/s Savatri,

When you joina new job you will perhaphs feel new to work at the same time if you have a perception that you are not the right qualified the things will even more seem critical. but what i can suggest you is to build up your confidence that I CAN where in your qualification will never be an obstacle for your achievements in life. Was Dhirubhai Ambhani a Masters Graduate,or Billgate a Masters in Computers but what they had is only one thing fire in the belly to achive something and passion for ther goals.
Regards
Vijay.ch :lol: [/b]

Hi,
I would like to add that even if you end up getting the Position you are looking for some day, you would not be paid the requisite sum for that position unless you have the desired qualification for that post/ position. This policy is followed by most of the Top Organizations.
So dont take anything personal.. And work for your betterment without losing heart.
Regards
Madhumita :D

hi,
without doing the basic homework of knowing the requirements of the career you are looking for, you had entered the field and hence these set-backs. Now you cannot redo anything in this matter. leave it aside. There are certain companies which pay more weightage to the qualifications. But the good aspect is that there are many you give weightage to skills and competency rather than the paper degrees. At the end process, in today's competitive world the customer needs the result whether it comes from a Harvard graduate or Panipat Graduate.... As your friends suggested, keep improving the skills and try to concentrate on getting specific qualifications like Psychometric, Competency Mapping, etc. which will add more value. all the best.
sunil

Hello Savitri
As mentioned by Tania, its just a logic. If I have degree holders...and those who have done "Full Time MBA"...why I need to go for someone with "Distance Education". Even, some companies only hire people from specific institutes and with certain percentage of marks...what you can do in that.
So, don't feel sad. There is nothing wrong.
Regards
Sanjeev Sharma
(Blog: http://sanjeevhimachali.blogspot.com/)

Hi All
Thank you for the replies and suggestions!!
I wonder why every one has written in a pity note!!
May be my letter sounds as agony than as point of discussion!!.........
I am now holding responsible position in one of MNC's and it was just a question I had when I heard about the rejection on basis of qualification.
I myself am HR for a telecommunication industry and I would prefer only an engineer when compared to a diploma holder, reason being subject knowledge variation levels in Engineering grad.
My point was does the same hold for HR generalist position...and what would be the benefit of on campus MBA degree!!
Thank you for all the information!!
Savitri

Hello..Savithri

You have raised a very good question.

In my opinion i definetly support a person who has done his MBA while working. This gives him / her the exposure required & also the opportunity to learn practically while learning (learning by experience). This will be of tremendous use.

This makes you remember whatever you were learning & find out whether it can be practically applicable or not. At the end of the day, employers only look for practical knowledge not theory(only to some extent).

what is the use if somebody knows the theory of competency mapping, KRA's.... etc but doesn't know how to implement them. This is where the experience as well as knowledge comes into picture.

I will appreciate your efforts...

And i feel there is nothing to be pitied about.

I also request the employers to give an opportunity to candidates who has given to the concept of learning by experience. These people has got lot of stuff in them. Bcos these people know the practicability of the concept.

Pls don't ever feel sorry about that you haven't done your full time degree before getting down to work. But one suggestion from me is pls don't restrict yourself to diploma. Do MBA (HR) from reputed Universities offering distance education like IGNOU, Sikkim Manipal University etc. and upgrade your skills.

Bye....

All the best

Sindhu :lol:

Hi Savitri,

Unfortunately, we in India stress more on a full-time MBA, majoring in HRM in relevance to this function. Throughout my career, I have seen many people excelling without the best qualifications. Conversely, I have seen few upstarts with excellent qualifications being shunted out on account of inadequate performance/personality/leadership/productivity.

We, especially in the HR fraternity are so enormously enamoured to qualifications from premium institutions such as "IIMs/XLRI/TISS/XISS, etc.", more since 'others' follow it. While I do appreciate and acknowledge the premium institute passouts as generally being better, a heap of people not fortunate enough to get an opportunity to acquire such qualifications are also found to be 'so very good'. Fixation on qualifications alone is not quite essential as we tend to miss out on a lot of latent talent who excel 'elsewhere'.

I have worked in India and abroad at top positions extending upto to the top executive business head position in large MNCs, essentially being from the HR fraternity. It gives me great pleasure to see HR people reaching the very top. Qualifications have not been the main criteria after a few initial years of experience but growth, performance and ability to deliver profits in large, professional environments with distinct leadership abilities were the key. Many traits ofcourse are in-born or still acquired, essentially due to better IQ/family background in most cases.

I think, given the circumstances, you may be well advised to do a distance learning MBA in HR from one of the better universities. It is recommended to acquire an university 'degree' than any diploma. Try to take out time for studies. Believe me, you will not realise how time flies. At the end of the day, you would have only enhanced your entry chances into organizations.

The other routes is to perhaps, 'painstakingly' acquire niche knowledge as a HR generalist or a specialist with years of fruitful grind. I believe, if you have the mettle and resolve, you are bound to rise faster, qualifications or no qualifications. I know many at the VP level who have just basic qualifications but have done very well in their careers. Some others have taken to consulting and have excelled.

Rahul Kumar