Considering an HR and Administration Role: Can It Lead to a Broader HR Career Path?

Hi CiteHR members,

I am going to join an Engineering company as an Administrative & HR Executive. If I were to join another company with experience in this profile, can I take on HR Generalist roles or HR functions like Training & Development (T&D), Performance Management System (PMS), Recruitment & Selection (REC & SELC), etc., in the future? What is the difference between HR Administration and an Administration job? Can we count work experience in an administration profile towards HR? Please suggest whether I should proceed with this profile or not. 😕

With regards,
Nimisha (MBA-HR)

Great dilemma-tic question! Nevertheless, I will try to solve this.

Over the past few years, the administration has become minimal with the advent of the latest gadgets and office automation. So now you don't have many peons, pantry cooks, drivers (as people prefer self-drive now), secretaries (many of them have vanished), typists, stenos, etc. In short, though the HR generalist was not affected by this trend, the Administrator function has taken a hit. Now, the Admin Department is rarely found; it's now referred to as the Back Office.

Regarding employee comfort services like water, tea, canteen, and cleaning, all of these have been outsourced as Facilities Management or housekeeping services similar to those in hotels.

My suggestion is to stick to HR generalist, which has a much wider scope for development, growth, and career enhancement compared to all the functions mentioned above, which have either been outsourced or abolished.

Take care. Good luck.

HR and Administration is a back-office job? I have 6 months of experience in HR and Administration, and I am an MBA (HR). Can I take an HR Generalist profile in another company? Or will it create problems to take this profile as I have experience in HR and Admin? Please suggest me; I would like to go for an HR generalist profile after leaving this engineering company. 🤔

Hi Nimisha,

HR and admin roles are defined differently across various industries. For example, in the manufacturing industry, HR and admin are often grouped together, leading to a more diverse role. On the other hand, in consultancy, call center, or telecom industries, the admin role is typically focused on back-office tasks, while HR plays a more strategic role. It is beneficial to understand the specific roles assigned to you rather than just focusing on titles. By understanding the actual responsibilities, you can make a better comparison. Always be cautious as some individuals may try to deceive you with fancy jargon. HR professionals are particularly skilled at this.

Kind regards

Hi Heena,

Thank you for the suggestions. This is the initial stage of my career in HR, and for better career growth and prospects, I need to resolve my confusion.

For better understanding, I am sending you my job profile:

- Manage and create the organization chart of employees. Ensure that there is a file for each employee.

- Keep track of the TCR internal database of job applicants. Call applicants for interviews. Manage the interview process and issue appointment letters, i.e., Coordinating in REC & SELEC.

- Manage the training class both in terms of students as well as faculty, i.e., Coordinating in T&D.

- Maintain and create programs that will bring employees closer. Take charge of the company notice board and use that as a medium for expression (maintaining harmony in the org.).

- Take all clients on a tour of the TCR facility from time to time showing the various functions and divisions of the company.

- Ensure general administration in the office is proper (time sheets, leave applications, loans, issues).

- Undertake travel reservations for employees. Keep an Excel spreadsheet at all times mentioning the location where each traveling employee is located.

- Any other office-related tasks as assigned by the General Manager, reporting to GM (HR).

Designation: Administrative & HR Executive.

Please guide me! Can I go ahead for an HR generalist profile after gaining experience in this job profile? :confused:(

Looking forward to your reply.

Thanks and regards,
Nimisha
Admin & HR Executive
TCR Engineering, Navi Mumbai

Hi all,

I have completed my MBA (from Chennai). Please let me know if any job openings come up.

Regards,
Deepthi