Feeling Torn Between HR Generalist and Recruitment Roles – What Would You Do?

Dear All,

Greetings...

This is with regard to a great confusion in my mind, and I need your help with this. Currently, I am working as an HR executive with a software company. My role is to take care of Core HR functions or you can call it HR Generalist. My friends are suggesting that I join a company as a recruiter.

Please suggest whether I should stay in core functions or move to recruitment. :confused:

Help me out.

Thanks and regards,

Sunil Kumar

Hi,

Carrying a generalist profile, you have a lot of scope in other fields of HR. However, if you want to specifically pursue a career in the recruitment field and have an interest in it, you can go for it as it forms the basis of HR. But, later on, if you wish to change your profile, it might cause problems as you will be specialized in one function of HR.

Shipra Mathur
Manager HR

Hi,

It is better to be an HR generalist than to work as a recruiter. This will be more beneficial for your career.

Deepika

Hi Sunil,

Thank you for the feedback. I am interested in HR generalist roles rather than recruitment. Despite my preference for HR generalist positions, the current job market situation has made it challenging for me to secure a role in a well-established company. The company I am currently employed with appears to be heading towards a shutdown.

Thank you and best regards,
Sunil Kumar

Hi Sunil Kumar,

Thank you for your message. I appreciate the insights you provided. I understand that you are interested in transitioning from recruitment to HR generalist roles. However, due to the current job market situation, you are facing challenges in finding opportunities with well-established companies.

It is concerning to hear that the company you are currently employed at may be shutting down. In such uncertain times, it can be difficult to make career decisions.

I recommend staying proactive in your job search and networking efforts to explore potential HR generalist roles in stable organizations. Keep refining your skills and qualifications to increase your chances of securing a position that aligns with your career goals.

Best of luck in your job search and career endeavors.

Warm regards,
Ship

Being in a generalist role is far better than recruitment. You gain a lot of information and experience, whereas you don't have much to learn in recruitment. In recruitment, you will only be concerned with hiring, nothing else. You will lose out on the experience you have now as you are involved in various HR activities. I am a recruiter and am looking to expand my knowledge in HR activities. So, I suggest you not shift to recruitment; it's hectic and offers no learning. 😕

Hi Sunil,

Please stick to your current job. As I am into recruitment only, I know how boring recruitment can be. Please don't miss out on this opportunity.

Hi Sunil,

If you look at the growth of an HR career, it starts with recruitment and later a HR generalist comes into the picture. Since you have already had the opportunity to work in a Generalist role, do not miss out on this chance. In recruitment, you may have to work as a telecaller (sourcing profiles, calling candidates, conducting interviews, etc.), which offers very little to learn. Therefore, I suggest that you should not change your profile just because your friends are pressuring you. Think twice; switch only if you have a genuine interest.

Regards,
Amit L

I don't think people should ignore recruitment in this way. Remember, recruitment is the base of HR, and we learn to read the minds of people. Actually, people don't have an idea of how much money you can earn in a short period of time in recruitment. Once you get this idea, there is no way to look back. However, you can choose a profile where there is a mixture of both, for example, 40% HR and 60% recruitment.

That's all I can say.

Hi!

It depends entirely on your interest - whether you would like to be a generalist or take up a specialist role in recruitment. I personally feel that the generalist role is more interesting and provides an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop in many other areas in HR. However, I have friends who are specialists in recruitment with good IT companies and find that role very exciting. So, my suggestion is to think about what you want to do later in life and not take up what others force you to. Of course, you should take suggestions from friends and seniors.

Cheers!
Nikita

Dear Sunil Kumar,

As far as my knowledge goes, the core functions of HR are more valuable and create skills and expertise within you. If you switch to the Recruitment branch, your role will be confined to recruitment functions only. The core functions of HR include Recruitment. If you wish to develop your skills in HR, you should consider staying as an HR Generalist.

Everyone must enhance their skills in their current roles to expand their knowledge and capabilities. Success in any career path requires continuous improvement. Additionally, financial considerations play a role. If your current position offers satisfactory salary and perks, it may be worth staying. However, if you receive a higher offer in a recruitment role, taking into account the salary aspect might be necessary. Regardless of the reason, remember that knowledge and skill enhancement are feasible in any field and can be managed effectively by us. Simply changing assignments should not be the sole criterion. Various factors such as circumstances, managerial capabilities, and position need to be considered before making a decision to change roles. You are the best judge of whether switching to the Recruitment division is suitable, considering all factors, not just financial aspects.

Others may not fully understand the challenges you face in your current assignment. The key factor driving your desire to change roles should guide your decision-making process. If you feel that transitioning to the Recruitment division is the right move, reconsider by evaluating multiple factors, including personal and professional reasons, before making a decision to switch from your current position.

Suri Babu Komakula

Dear Sunil,

I think you should stick to the HR generalist profile. You have become a HR manager. As a HR manager, we should know core HR rather than just recruitment. Recruitment is a part of HR.

My suggestion is that you should search for HR generalist profiles. Best of luck.

Regards,
Geeta
HR Executive

HR executives performing general HR activities can potentially transition into a Manager HR role. However, a recruitment executive may not easily transition into a Manager HR position.

Shahid

Dear Sunil,

Please think logically. If you do not want to learn and want to get stuck in recruitment, then you should join a consultancy. A recruitment job from a consultancy is mundane. There will be no scope left for you if you join a consultancy.

Regards,
Sonali

You can do better as a Generalist. What are your functions in the present assignment? It may be limited to recruitment, placement, training, and career planning. You may not be handling IR, Welfare, Performance Appraisal, salary administration, statutory matters, etc. Specialize in Labour Laws as well. You will get better offers.

Hi,

It's better to go with an HR generalist rather than a recruiter as it would be helpful when you go to higher positions in the future. :icon10:

I hope it's better if you stay in core HR. But you said that the current company where you are working may shut down. If this is the case, then you need to move because recruitment is also one of the major HR activities.

Hey,

I think you could do well in recruitments. Since you say the company you are working in has no future and may shut down, get a new job soon and shift to whatever the new profile is. You will succeed provided you want to. Remember, it is not the job but the person and their determination and drive that make it a success.

All the best,
R:-D

Dear All,

Greetings!

This is with regard to a great confusion in my mind, and I need your help with this. Currently, I am working as an HR executive with a software company. My role involves taking care of Core HR functions, or you can refer to it as HR Generalist. My friends are urging me to join a company as a recruiter.

Could you suggest whether I should continue in core functions or switch to recruitment? I am a bit confused.

Help me out.

Thanks and regards,
Sunil Kumar

Hi,

I think you should judge yourself. If you feel that you are comfortable in just scrutinizing the CVs and taking interviews, then only you will enjoy the recruiter's job. But then if you are interested in performance management, employee relations, welfare, then maybe the recruiter's job will be very monotonous for you.

Secondly, I think it will be very difficult to come back to a generalist role from a recruiter's role. This is what I think.

Thanks, bye
Shweta