Struggling to Find a Core HR Job: Should I Start in Recruitment or Keep Searching?

Dear All,

I request you to spare 5 minutes out of your busy schedule and please guide...

I have completed my MBA in HR in Aug-08 and have six months of experience in the service industry as a coordinator. It has been two and a half months since I left the job because I was an off-roll employee and did not see any career growth (I discussed the same with my boss).

Today, I am not able to find a job in core HR through job sites. (I am looking for a Generalist profile, and salary is not a constraint). Openings are only in recruitments or admin, which I do not wish to do. Consultancies suggest, "Go for recruitments at least for a couple of years, and then only one can enter into Core HR."

Please guide me on the following points:
1) What is the best way to search for an HR job?
2) Is it true that one must have experience in recruitments to enter into core HR?
3) Today, is recruitment part of HR or a totally different function?
4) I wish to join a manufacturing unit. Is it practically not possible for a female candidate to join mfg HR?
5) What should I do at this stage? Wait for a good job or start with recruitments? (I am not interested in recruitments at all)

I am not very concerned about the salary, but job satisfaction is most important to me.

Please guide.

Thanks!

With Regards,
Deepa Joshi.

Hi Deepa,

Recruitment is one of the main HR functions. For an HR generalist profile, recruitment is a must. So, to start with, if you do not have a job in hand now, go for recruitment as of now, or if you can afford to wait, give yourself 3 to 6 months more.

If you wish to join a manufacturing company, you should be well-versed in labor laws. Only with hands-on experience in recruitment, payroll, training & development, and performance management systems will you be able to get into hardcore HR (generalist profile) in any industry.

Wishing you all the best.

Regards,
Harshad

Dear Deepa,

First things first. You are just 6 months into the system.

Yes, it is true that recruitment is the first step in any HR job. It is advisable to have at least 1 to 18 months of experience in recruitment.

Recruitment is definitely a part of HR.

Since you are joining an HR department, it doesn't mean you can't join a manufacturing department. The only thing is, you should be tough enough to handle unions, as most of them are male-oriented, and be able to work in shifts. Remember, HR in any industry will be HR.

You can't avoid starting with recruitment. If you don't prefer recruitment, consider starting with a small setup where you can handle multiple tasks. Alternatively, becoming an entrepreneur is a great option.

All the best.

Regards,
Sonali Wagle

Thanks a lot, Sonali. :)

If I wish to join a small set-up where I can handle multiple functions, what is the best way to approach my prospective employers? There would be small companies who wish to take affordable candidates like me, but I am not able to trace them out. Is there any platform where I can find them out...? Please suggest.

Thanks a lot!

With Regards,
Deepa Joshi.

Hi Deepa,

See, you can search for any small consulting companies, companies with an employee size of 100-200, where you will get a chance to explore your profile. Alternatively, you can hunt for big placement companies (employees size of 100-200) where they always have vacancies for HR - Generalist since people are not stable. I am sure these two areas will help you to get a job that satisfies you.

I would suggest that if you get a job, be stable for at least 1-2 years, then only you will be able to learn and explore yourself.

Thanks & regards,
Madhura Pagar
9923151609

Hello,

I will discuss your situation, but first, I will respond to your questions.

1) If consultancies are not able to help, you have to start sending unsolicited applications, respond to advertisements, and most importantly, use your social and educational network to be visible. Participate in seminars, seek membership of NIPM, MCCI, & A, etc.

2) No, it is absolutely not necessary to possess recruitment experience to get into core HR. One must be willing to accept a position, even as a trainee, but in a reasonably well-managed organization, work under a knowledgeable professional to learn the ropes, and you will find a fairly easy entry into core HR.

3) Recruitment is still very much a part of the HR function, especially in IT/ITES industries where due to attrition and constant upgradation of knowledge and skills, recruitment has become a somewhat special function and has acquired status virtually on par with core HR. But I think it is transient and will not last long. Core HR is the ultimate reality, and that alone will survive all turbulent times.

4) Joining a manufacturing industry is an excellent idea. This is where one is exposed to core and "real" HR. It is also true that girls are not easily welcomed in this function in the manufacturing industry as it does involve a few skills that are not specially taught in the institutes. But a girl working in manufacturing is NOT impossible. You must choose the organization and more than the people to work with. For many reasons, I say this and cannot be explained on this forum.

5) No, you should NOT wait for a core HR job. You should also not accept employment exclusively in recruitment (at least for some more time until helplessness threatens to set in). You must proactively pursue every lead to seek good employment in the manufacturing sector.

Now my queries to you:

1) Where have you done your MBA from?
2) Are you comfortable with law?
3) Are you the easily scared type?
4) Are you willing to risk making a mistake at times?

If your answers are in the affirmative, send me a private message through the facility provided by the forum for further discussion.

But do not lose hope or cease efforts!

Regards, Samvedan
November 18, 2008

Dear All,

I request you to spare 5 minutes out of your busy schedule and please guide...

I have completed my MBA in HR in Aug-08 and have six months of experience in the service industry as a coordinator. It has been two and a half months since I left the job because I was an off-roll employee and did not see any career growth (Discussed the same with my boss).

Today, I am not able to find a job in core HR through job sites. (I am looking for a Generalist profile, and salary is not a constraint). Openings are only in recruitments or admin that I don't wish to do. What is suggested in consultancies is "Go for recruitments at least for a couple of years, and then only one can enter into Core HR."

Please guide me on the following points:

1) What is the best way to search for an HR job?
2) Is it true that one must have experience in recruitments to enter core HR?
3) Today, is recruitment part of HR or a totally different function?
4) I wish to join a manufacturing unit. Practically, is it not possible for a female candidate to join the manufacturing HR?
5) What should I do at this stage? Wait for a good job or start with recruitments? (I am not at all interested in recruitments)

I am not much concerned about the salary, but job satisfaction is most important for me.

Please guide.

Thanks!

With Regards, Deepa Joshi.

Good afternoon, everyone,

Please guide me about management games and also recommend some interesting management games for MBA students related to HRM.

Abhilasha Singh
Fac. HR

Hi Abhilasha Singh,

Well, you can start with brainstorming discussions where you can introduce HR-related topics by dividing the students into groups and letting them discuss and draw conclusions. Then, the top 4 teams will have to enact a typical working HR department with manager and executive positions. You can choose the best HR manager or best HR department - it will be fun for the students and also encourage them to think seriously as if they are working as HR professionals in a company.

Also, you can continue this game for a number of classes, so it's good for you! All the best.

AbhilashaHR

Hello all,

I am currently pursuing an MBA in finance, and I have a couple of months left to complete my course. Right now, I am working on a project in HR in an aerospace company. I am curious to know if my specialization in finance will affect my job prospects in HR in the near future. What is the scope of pursuing my career as an HR generalist in the service sector? To top it all off, I do not have any work experience in HR, although I did work in a BPO for a year.

Please guide.

Regards, Preethi

Dear Deepa,

Previously, I was thinking like you, but recruitment is the main function of HR. I was thinking that getting a good job at the start of a career is difficult, but it's nothing like that because this statement is truly right - where there is a will, there is a way.

What you are doing is hiding your weakness; recruiting people is the hardest part of an HR job. Let me share my case with you. I got a job in a construction company three months ago after completing my MBA in March '08. I was too frustrated because I wasn't getting a good profile or a good package, but I was constantly searching for a job. Today, I am working as an Assistant HR Manager in a construction company with 350 employees. I am the only person working in the HR department. Here, I am responsible for all HR-related activities - calling, scheduling interviews, salary processing, and handling all small and big issues on my own. My package is also good.

You might wonder why I am sharing all this with you. It's because I aimed to work in an MNC, but I compromised because at the start of your career, you have to compromise somewhere. So, be ready, and whatever comes your way, make it excellent and have patience.

Have a bright future!

Regards,
Khusi

Dear Deepa,

Sitting idle looking for an ideal job will not do any good for you. Please start with something, even if it only covers a part of your dream job. Many times, it is not easy to find a job that exactly suits our interests. Begin with something and then consider transitioning while you are in that job. Often, leaving a job and then searching for a new one does not work out well. Try to get into a role and then aim to switch over gradually.

All the best...

Thank you, Shijit! That is true.

Could anyone please suggest if there is anything that I can do until I get the job that is relevant to HR?

Thank you! :)

Hi,

You can get into core HR, but many companies prefer experienced individuals for core activities. It is better if you focus on recruitment and search for a core HR job because if you remain idle, thinking that you only want to do core activities, you will have significant gaps in your employment history, which most companies do not prefer. It is important to ensure there are minimal gaps between jobs.

You can explore opportunities in the corporate sector and enter recruitment. Whenever there is a requirement in your area of interest, approach your manager at that time and express your interest in that position.

Regards,
Usha

Dear All,

I request you to spare 5 minutes out of your busy schedule and provide guidance.

I completed my MBA in HR in Aug-08 and have 6 months of experience in the service industry as a coordinator. It has been two and a half months since I left my job because I was an off-roll employee and did not see any career growth (I discussed this with my boss).

Currently, I am struggling to find a job in core HR through job sites. I am looking for a Generalist profile, and salary is not a constraint. The only available openings are in recruitments or admin roles, which I do not wish to pursue. Consultancies suggest, "Go for recruitment for a couple of years, and then transition into core HR."

Please guide me on the following points:
1) What is the best way to search for an HR job?
2) Is it necessary to have recruitment experience to enter core HR?
3) Is recruitment part of HR or a separate function today?
4) I aim to join a manufacturing unit. Is it practically impossible for a female candidate to join HR in manufacturing?
5) What should I do at this stage? Should I wait for a good job or start with recruitments? (I have no interest in recruitment)

I am not overly concerned about salary; job satisfaction is my priority.

Please advise.

Thanks!

With Regards,
Deepa Joshi

Dear Deepa,

Daily update your resume on job portals like Naukri, Monster, TimesJobs, ClickJobs, and Jobs Ahead. This is the first step I take whenever I want to change my job. Even in my early career, I spent 3 years in recruitment within the same company, but that experience propelled me to a higher position. I now handle all 7 branches of my company and have also opened a consultancy firm.

It is crucial to gain more information about labor laws as this is important for every HR professional.

Regards,
Sharmila
Manager-HR