Breaking into HR: Is Consultancy Experience Enough for a Corporate Job?

Dear Sir,

This is Ajit Mathai. I have completed my MBA in HR from CMRIT. I am currently looking for a job in HR. However, as I am a fresher, I do not have relevant experience in the field of HR, and the majority of organizations are refusing to consider me. I have received some offers from consultancies.

I want to know if consultancy experience is sufficient for me to enter the corporate world with the experience I have. Please provide suggestions for my situation.

Thank you,

Ajit Mathai

Hi Ajit,

Don't be disheartened. This phase comes in almost for all the people in every field. Can you tell me why you are being rejected by most of the companies? What about the campus placements? Joining any consultancy is no problem; you get the experience and you will be able to establish contacts with good HR people in reputed organizations. The girl I recently recruited as an HR Executive was working in a consultancy that was searching for candidates for our company. She was the one who was handling our account. One day I met her, and in the next meeting, I offered her this job. So, consultancy can be a good option to gain experience and learn.

Cheers,
Archna

Hi Archna,

Actually, I am also facing the same problem in getting into the HR field. Firstly, I have not yet completed my MBA, nor am I working in the same field. I mean, let me put it like this: when a person doesn't have the required qualifications or experience but is very passionate about working in a particular field, can they succeed in that field?

Kindly advise.

Hi Smithas,

It makes me happy that some people have so much passion to work in this particular field. But, dear, it is good to have passion, but educational qualifications are also a must in a particular field. Sometimes in organizations, cross-functional moves are offered to people based on their interest, but that too is done with specific training.

If you do not have a degree, why not go for some diploma courses in HR or a related field, such as Training and Development, etc. Acquiring basic specialized knowledge is very important to handle all HR functions.

Cheers,
Archna

Thank you very much for the reply. But the most important thing is I don't have the patience to complete my PGDBA. I am still in my first year, but doing it through distance learning is useful. I wish to know, after I complete my PGDBA, how to start my career in HR?

Dear Archana,

Thank you very much for the reply. I am really gaining more confidence by reading your response. I had a belief that pursuing my post-graduation and working for a consultancy was the right path for me. However, you have now guided me in the right direction.

I want to express my gratitude once again for the significant help you have provided me.

Thank you,
Ajit Mathai.

Hi Ajay,

Thank you so much for all you have written. I am happy to help if I can; I think knowledge grows if you offer it to others. So, dear, prepare yourself for interviews now and get set to work.

Hi Smithas,

As Sunayna has rightly mentioned, there is no point in going for something you do not have basic knowledge about. If not PGDBA, you can go for short-term courses, but the results a Post Graduate degree or diploma can give, no short-term courses can offer. Rest is your choice; we can show you the path.

Cheers,
Archna

Hi,

I have a similar problem. I am studying in the 2nd year of my MBA, and I have chosen HR and Finance as my dual specializations. However, the issue I face is that many people are saying that this is not a good choice. I would like to know where my specialization stands.

Regards,
Divisha

Hi Divisha,

First of all, I would like to say, do not be disheartened by what others are saying; instead, do some research on this. I would say HR and Finance is a good combination, as in most companies now, Payroll is handled by HR personnel, where knowledge of finance is very important. Another thing is making manpower budgets, which is also a part of HR, so it will also help in manpower planning and analyzing costs per person, which is also a task of HR. Training budgets and costs are also to be handled by HR, so finance helps. So, sweetie, do not worry and put all your concentration into HR and Finance (it is very interesting).

Cheers,
Archna

Hi,

I have one query. I have been working in resourcing for the last 3 years with a software development company. Now, I want to transition to hardcore HR functions, even though I don't have any direct experience in that area. However, I have completed a 2-year diploma in HR.

Is it possible for me to switch to hardcore HR functions?

Please reply ASAP.

Hi Sujata,

Yes, dear, you sure have a chance to shift to the hardcore HR area. I would like to know more regarding your Diploma in HR. Just be prepared to answer questions like: Why did you choose resourcing as a career? Why do you want to shift to hardcore HR? Where do you see yourself five years down the line? And many more questions basically to know if you are sure about choosing your career path or not. So, start preparing and send your resume to some consultants and job portals.

Cheers,
Archna

Hi Archana,

This is Sanjeev. I did my MBA from The Oxford College of Business Management in Bangalore. I am waiting for my 4th-semester results, and my specialization is HR and Marketing. Since I was not at all comfortable staying in Bangalore, I have come to Hyderabad for job hunting, as it is quite nearer to my native place. My area of interest is HR and not Marketing. Since most of the organizations over here are seeking prior experience for an HR executive job, I have decided to work in a consultancy.

Recently, I went to attend an interview in a consultancy that was focusing on IT, ITES, etc. The opening was for a Recruiter. After attending this interview, I have been left shattered. I am starting to have doubts about whether I would be able to build a successful HR career. I was left wanting in answering all the questions that were being fired at me by the interviewer. Some of the questions were "Why are you interested in HR?", "Why Hyderabad?", "You don't know the local language, how can you expect yourself to survive in Hyderabad?"

Now the problem is, I was pretty fluent at answering the questions that I had prepared for but was stuttering when the interviewer came up with different questions. I am a shy person and I don't mix with people easily. I know that these are weak points, but since I have no other options, I have to build a career in HR. I have not attended any interview since then, and now I am starting to get fed up sitting at home throughout the day and doing nothing.

Please give me some tips to improve my shattered self-confidence and how do I make myself and the interviewer believe that I can perform in an HR job.

Hi Archana!!

You are a very good motivator, I can see from your messages. Well, can you please also solve my problem too? Actually, I am pursuing MBA (HR+IT) in the final semester. Two weeks ago, I got a placement from my college, but now I came to know it's a small project of one month where I need to prepare an employee handbook, not a job. If I reject the offer, I will be debarred from my placement. So, I will start my project next week, and after a month, what shall I do? My college doors are closed for me. I have posted my resume to many companies, but no reply yet. How will I go about full-time HR jobs? I am scared my career path is closed; I feel disheartened. As this company where I do my project won't assure any job for me in the future, only the project. Please tell me what to do as I really want to have an HR job where I can apply my knowledge that I studied.

Thank you.

Warm regards,
Sashi (Pune)

Hi Archana,

This is Yogesh. Can you suggest some short-term courses in HR that are university-recognized? Please let me know ASAP.

Thanks & Regards,
Yogesh