Struggling to Land an HR Job in Mumbai: Seeking Advice on Interview Challenges and Skill Gaps

Dear all HR people,

I would like to introduce myself as an HR executive in a construction company in Orissa, with 1.5 years of experience. However, for greater learning, exposure, and a better salary package, I relocated to Mumbai from Orissa. My problem now is that I am not getting a suitable job in any company. I have already attended 8 to 10 interviews with different companies, but unfortunately, I have not been shortlisted.

Based on my experiences in those interviews, I believe the reasons for not being shortlisted may include insufficient communication skills, lack of work knowledge, being a new resident without a job in hand, and possibly a lack of maturity, both physically and mentally.

Could you please clarify if these reasons could lead to disqualification for a candidate?

I would also like to inform my fellow members that my areas of work experience and knowledge include recruitment, selection, PF, ESI, mediclaim, induction for new joiners, preparing joining letters, maintaining personal files, leave administration, establishment renewal, and paying professional tax for employees.

I have no knowledge about PMS or T&D.

The typical questions asked by HR personnel include: tell me about yourself, why are you looking for a change, what is your salary expectation, what are your work experiences, why did you choose HR as your career after MBA, why did you relocate to Mumbai, details about your family background, and more.

I request all my Cite HR members to help me with providing the right answers to these questions. Additionally, apart from the mentioned work experiences, please advise me on other fields or knowledge areas I should strengthen (e.g., I am unfamiliar with PMS or T&D). In this situation, please guide me on how to improve my chances of securing an HR job. I have lost my confidence and feel frustrated.

Please help me.

Ashis

Hi,

Enclosed is a list of frequently asked questions in HR interviews and how to reply to them. I hope this will solve your problem.

May I know how many interviews you have attended in the past 8 days? I mean, since when have you been in Mumbai? Don't worry, you will get a job. Just improve your communication skills by reading the daily newspaper.

Sometimes it happens; you may say that luck is not favoring you right now, but does it mean that you disqualify the interviews? In my view, never. When you are already discharging your duties as an HR professional, the same is being done by others in your field. However, in this era of high competition, interviewers have to select the best candidate of their choice, which is why it may happen to anyone. So, don't get disheartened; remember God and strive to update your knowledge and skills in the relevant areas where you may be lacking. You will definitely receive an appointment very shortly, even when you least expect it.

Remember three things in your life:

1. Don't forget God at any cost - Know God, know peace; no God, no peace.
2. Don't get disheartened at any cost.
3. Don't forget to put in your best efforts.

Thank you VK151270, GYANA DAS, PSALUJA, and SUSZEN very much for your nice and valuable suggestions, advice, and for giving me the energy in my query or in this typical situation.

Thank you VK151270 for sharing this valuable important information; it has helped me and will continue to help me in the future.

Dear Gyana Sir, I have appeared in 8 interviews in 1 month, and I have become frustrated. I have been in Mumbai for 6 months now and have been jobless for the last two months. I left my previous organization only to attend interviews freely, which was a great mistake on my part, leaving my existing job without securing a new one.

PSALUJA, thank you very much for giving me this boost to win in this situation; I am truly proud of you.

Thank you SUSZEN, please share any of your views on my situation if you have any experiences in this regard.

Thanks again to all these members and to those who have read this post. Your support means a lot.

Wishing all of you a happy Dussehra and a successful career in HR forever.

Regards,
Ashis

Hi,

When I relocated to Bangalore from Chennai, I faced the same kind of situation. Getting an HR generalist role is quite difficult compared to other specialist roles like recruitment. The main thing to get through the interview is to improve our communication and keep up to date with all HR trends. Also, even if you are not involved in training and development (T&D) and other activities, learn about them and create an impression in the interview that you can handle all the work.

Salary package may also be another factor in getting a job. Since you have 1.5 years of experience, I don't know about the Mumbai market pay. Check the pay of other HR professionals and then state your expected pay.

All the best... Don't worry; you will surely get the best job.