Feeling Stuck After Switching from IT to Retail HR – Was It the Right Move? Seeking Advice!

Hi,

I am an MBA with 2 years of experience. I was working in an MNC IT Company as a recruiter (On Contract) and very recently I moved from IT to Retail with a good hike in my CTC. Now I am part of a leading retail chain.

My current role is in Core HR Function (Generalist) and I am on the company's payroll.

Now I am confused about my decision. Was it the right decision to move from IT to this domain, and what will be my future? Will I be stuck in the same company, or will I get a chance again to work in IT or in an MNC or bigger corporates?

What do you guys think about this? Please suggest, as I am in a dilemma about my choice.

Waiting for advice.

Regards,

HR99

Hi 99,

Nice to meet you. This is Raju from Hyderabad. I think you have made a good decision. Recruitment is not the only aspect of HR, in my opinion. Those who aspire to be HR professionals should be experts in the core HR domain. In the core HR domain, you may encounter Training & Development (T&D), Performance Management System (PMS), Job Analysis and Design (J&D), Compensation and Benefits (C&B), etc. Let's also consider the perspectives of our seniors.

Thanks and Regards,
Sree

Hi,

To be a complete HR professional, you should never be industry-specific or domain-specific. As you improve as an HR professional, you should also move across industries and verticals to have complete growth. This will add value since you understand the business and the larger picture, making it possible for you to connect with the core HR activities and strategies.

Regards,
S. Aravind.

Hi HR 99,

If you have noticed, an HR head of any company, or I must say of mostly all companies, will be a person who has overall HR knowledge. I mean all spheres and areas. Doing recruitment alone will not benefit you in the long run. I'll tell you why. You'll never find any company creating a head of recruitments, training, etc. You'll find only the head of HR having hands-on full knowledge pertaining to everything. I think you have done absolutely the right thing, and I am sure everybody will agree with you. As far as sectors are concerned, only FMCG and to a certain extent the telecom sector are sector-specific. But in HR, if the person has a credible track record, they are welcomed with open arms. All the best.

Hi,

As you have already joined the new company, please don't think a lot about the decision that you have made. Recruitment is just a part of HR. This new role as an HR Generalist will surely help in your career growth. If you worry about the decision you have currently made, then you will not be able to perform well in the new organization. So, be positive and take it up as a challenge.

All the best

Well, the first thing to consider is whether you are looking for a career or money. Currently, you have both, so it's important to concentrate on your work rather than overthinking. Whether to work in IT or non-IT is your decision, and the best person to judge this will be yourself! Why did I choose non-IT, I wonder!

Hi HR99,

It's a good step for your career. Recruitment is only a part of the HR profile. To become an HR manager and reach senior levels of employment, you need to have a good command of core HR functions. So, go ahead!

Best wishes for you!

Regards,
Madhu

Thanks, all, for the encouraging words...!!

Since it was the initial few days, I felt like that, but as you guys have suggested, I will concentrate on my new role henceforth.

My only concern was about domain change, which might hamper my career growth, which you guys have cleared with valuable suggestions and advice...

Thanks once again...

Never restrict HR to any specific industry. HR practices have a very wide scope that extends beyond any particular industry. It is extremely important to build competencies, acquire in-depth knowledge, and, most importantly, use intelligence to align with business goals and objectives. These attributes are valuable in any industry. These simple tips may be useful in our professional careers.

Hi HR99,

As others have rightly pointed out, to become an HR professional, you do not need to be industry-specific. Therefore, please concentrate on your work and make your current role a good learning experience.

All the best,
Swati

Hi guys, I am also facing a similar type of dilemma. I have completed my B.E. in IT and am currently pursuing an MBA from a reputed institute in New Delhi. Since I am interested in HR, I want to know whether my technical skills will be utilized or not? :(

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Dear HR 99,

You are making the right decision. Recruitment is a part of HR; now you are taking care of a generalist HR profile. It does not matter if it is an IT company or another company; what matters is the profile. The sector does not matter for an HR profile. The work is similar. Good luck.

Regards,
Geeta

Hi,

I think you should join an IT company. Interest and knowledge are two different things. I believe you are more capable in IT compared to HR. I am an HR person.

Regards,
Geeta

Hi All,

I completed my MBA in HR. Initially, I worked as an HR Generalist in a company for seven months. Unfortunately, the company closed down. I then took up a job as a Payroll Executive in another company, which also closed down after three months due to a lack of business. Despite applying for HR jobs in various companies, I have not been successful.

I have now secured a position as an Instructional Designer (ID) in a company. My responsibilities include developing training materials for Training Departments in different companies that are corporate clients of the company I am currently employed with.

My question is whether the role of an ID is related to HR, specifically Training & Development. If I continue working in this company for a year or two, would I be able to apply for a Trainer position in a corporate setting? Additionally, if I decide to transition to other HR domains such as Recruitment, Employee Relations, or Compensation & Benefits in the future, would my experience as an ID be considered relevant?

If, as a last resort, I choose to pursue a career in Instructional Design in the long term, what options are available to me? What is the demand for IDs in the Indian and Global markets?

I would appreciate any advice on these matters. Your input would be greatly beneficial to me.

Regards,
Debashish