Transitioning from Customer Service to HR: Any Advice on Making the Leap?

Hi Anu,

I am from a customer service background and am looking forward to changing my career and moving into HR. Do you have any ideas?

Thanks,
Anu

Hello there. What is your academic background? How much time do you have on hand to go through the entire gamut of HR?

Thank you.

Dear Anubala,

It would have been good if you could answer what has been asked. When I asked you about your academic background, the aim is to understand your maturity and grasping level in terms of HRM & HRD as subjects.

When I said "time," it meant that there are many people who take a break of one year and more, especially to equip themselves with an HRM background and studies.

Courses are available from 2 days to 2 years. Again, I reiterate, it depends on what your background is - experience + academics + age.

Cheers,
Sajid

Hi Sajid,

Thank you for the information. My academic background is as follows:

B.A. from Punjab University
MBA from American City University in Dubai (distance learning)

Age: 27

Career Background:
- 4 years in customer service with Emirates Airline
- 6 months as a customer service officer in a real estate firm

Thank you,
Anu

Dear Anu,

I can appreciate your interest in changing your career. The first question I have for you is why are you wanting a career in HR and how will you re-position yourself to pursue this career? What was the focus of your MBA; general or specific emphasis on HR? As someone who has guided a lot of people through various career changes, I advise people to have a really good understanding of why you want to change, how you will contribute to the new field, and how your past experiences have provided you with transferable knowledge and abilities.

There are many ways to break into a new field, depending on one's circumstances and one's resources, but first, you have to have a clear idea of what you want and what you have to offer.

Regards,
Bruncha

Thanks, Bruncha.

Dear Anubala,

Let's start. I think you have to give greater thought and attempt to answer rather than self-probing on the queries Bruncha suggested to finally decide on what you want to do and why you want to do it! So, go ahead, let's hear your insight on this!

Cheers,
Sajid

I am sailing in the same boat. I am a BA graduate and have acquired 6 years of experience in the BPO industry (international). Due to some personal concerns, I had to take a break from my career for nearly 2 years. I have worked as an HR executive for 6 months (voice-based process). Currently, I wish to connect my skills to the HR industry.

My Concerns

a) Which area in HR will be suitable for me?
b) What will be the career growth?
c) Apart from recruitment, please suggest a team in HR where my 6 years of BPO experience is matched.

Skills

- SAP HR
- Siebel
- Lotus Notes
- Process Improvement
- Training/Personnel Management
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint)

Regards,
Radha Yermal