Is Pursuing a Career in HR Still Worth It Given the Current Job Market Challenges?

Hello everybody,

I am doing PGDHRM from distance learning but now I am thinking that I have chosen a wrong option coz my fiancée is a HR Manager with 10 yrs of exp. and lost his job 1 yr back and still his search is continued…..

I would request you to please advice is HR is really worth in current scenario.

Looking forward for your valuable reply.

Thanks & Regards

Kank

Hi Kank,

It depends on what industry you are focusing on and what you can contribute as an HR professional.

For me, I felt finance and engineering were of no use - just a waste!! (Reason: I could not do it, I was pathetic in those subjects).

Just because your fiance lost his job, that does not mean the whole world has given up on HR. There are HR strategies that can be very useful during a recession and can help a company stay strong.

So, it depends on your need to be in the field, your passion, and drive to excel.

If you are only thinking about career security and money, please don't choose HR. Unless you have the urge within you to be patient, creative, and fearless, you cannot succeed.

Patience is very necessary in this profession. Above everything, a very thoughtful and professional approach is essential because you will meet many individuals like Ravi (the person who first answered your question), and you will have a bigger job to do than convincing these people why HR is beneficial.

Stay focused on what you want. Is it the money? Is it the fame? Is it job security?

So, please sit and think:
- What are your strong areas?
- What are your interests?
- Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
- Which company/industry can support you?
- Which company/industry will need you?
- What can you deliver?
- What you can't deliver?

Then you will know what you should choose.

Above all, choose the right company that is open to change.

Good luck!

Well, if your fiance is looking for an opportunity in the South, let me know. I have a vacant position for Manager - HR.

Thanks!

mr Kank,

Let me tell you and other members who disowned credibility of worth of HR.

World over and including India a major population of intellectuals engaged in this profession which is designated in many job titles such as:

Labour officer
Labour Welfare Officer
Personnel Officer/manager
Human Resources manager
Employee Relations Manager
Industrial Relations Manager
Compensation & Benefits Manager
Performance Management and Organization Development manager

etc etc many facets of HR exist and millions of people are earning and creating wealth in all walks of life from Financial instutions, Manufacturing sector, IT sector, Service Sector, Pharma Sector etc HR people making good careers and earn good respect, wealth and enjoy this profession.

You must not ask whether HR is worth your question should how many people in HR are real worth to HR.

If you have worth knowledge in HR you will be definately rewarded. I worked in India for 17 years including Private Limited companies to Public Sector companies and working overseas since five years just because of my MIRPM Indian University.

This profession has offered me all benefits that one dreams in life.

This profession has immense potential for growth, economic and intellectual prosperity but survival in this profession is only of the fittest. therefore HR is profession of more worthy people..

You can not survive with government servent kind of slow motion approach or else you should be lucky enough to find job in Government sector to rest whole life in one place to retire from there which seems difficult.

Badlu

Hi Kank,

Asha & Badlu have answered your query very well.

Just wanted to add that please don't think of "choosing" or "leaving" any career dimension just because of the influence from others. Every stream has its own importance in the organization. Without which the organization cannot grow. HR being the only department dealing with living resources, it's really a challenging job, and one needs to be patient and dynamic in their approach.

It's really unfortunate that your fiancée has lost his job. Hope he will get a new one soon. Many of our CITE HR seniors may help with that.

Regards.

HR is worth it only if you believe in it. It is not just an office job that is relaxing with no targets. It is more dynamic than ever before, and yes, since we have this slowdown, only people who can prove their worth will do well...

It is not the department that is bad...

Thanks.

Hi,

I am also looking for a job in HR but have been unable to find one. It is not about money or anything, but HR is the kind of profile I have always wanted. This led me to pursue my MBA in HR. However, I am currently struggling to find the right kind of profile. Can anyone help?

Thanks,
Pragya

Hello Kank,

Asha has said much of what you should be doing. But to add, FIRST & FOREMOST decide whether you will fit for the HR type of job/role. Just because you see some X getting a lot of reputation doesn't mean you can achieve it too. Each job role needs a different temperament/attitude to make a success of it.

I meet quite a lot of BE/B Tech freshers as a part of the job that I do who just used to give the reason for opting IT jobs [not anymore now though]: the salaries are very good, with a chance to go abroad on the company's expense. They don't even think if their communication skills, analytical abilities, etc., are good enough for such a job... and in the process waste a lot of their time in pursuing such goals for which they wouldn't jell.

So in a nutshell, DECIDE IF HR (or any other career option for that matter) IS GOOD FOR YOU BASED ON THE COMPATIBILITY OF YOUR ABILITIES (which is where a lot of what Asha said applies) to the choice AND NOT ON WHO MADE THEIR MARK IN THAT OPTION... even if it's your fiancée.

Regards,
TS

Hi, Pragya,

HR MARKET IS ALL CORRUPT. You need either a strong reference or good knowledge along with a reputed B-school degree and face more competition.

First of all, we all should be thankful to the Cite HR community for providing this type of platform where we can share our views and ideas and be helpful to all the members for their guidance. This can be done by HR professionals because we are not dealing with a machine, which is a simple program; we are only dealing with living people who have emotions, feelings, and who can respond positively or negatively as per the situations.

Now, regarding the job (H.R) which we have opted for, is it really worth it or not? Please don't judge yourself or make decisions depending on others' experiences. In today's scenario, thousands of people have lost their jobs, so are they from HR?

Regarding job opportunities; without HR manpower, can't be handled, without manpower, production can't be done, and without production, revenue can't be generated. We, the HR people, act as the agents of catalyst, and without catalyst, the desired performance can't be achieved.

So just cheer up and be positive.

Regards,

Vivek

Just wanted to add one more thing to what I just posted Kank.

There's NO field that's 100% GOOD OR 100% BAD. Every field has its pros & cons. If you want to enter into a particular field [in your case HR], you have to be ready to take the plus as well as the minuses. You can't say I want only the good and not the bad. Just take the case of the IT guys all over. Till about 10 years ago, Heart Attacks, Stress-related diseases, etc., were supposed to be the way for the ages of 45/50+ people. If you care to look into the recent medical news, now it's 25+. One can go on like this.

Regards,
TS

Hi,

I am also struggling to kickstart my career as an HR professional. Despite completing my MBA and firmly believing in my potential to excel in HR, I have been unsuccessful in securing a job in this field. Whether it's through campus placements or off-campus opportunities, every contact I approach attributes the lack of job openings to the ongoing recession. Does the recession imply that freshers like us must reconsider our career choices? Senior professionals, could you please provide us with guidance?

Thank you,
Priya

Priya & Pragya,

I do understand your problems; yeah, I had the same sort of problem in my initial stage. You people have set your mind to accept the practical scenario but have the determination to not change the field. To start with, get into some HR consultancies where you get less pay but a good amount of exposure in recruitment. Be there and start hunting for corporate jobs; surely you people will be getting them. So, get into consultancy; sure, you will feel the good hold in your career. Keep rocking... post me if you have any more queries.

Hi,
Even I am struggling hard to start my career as an HR professional. Even after completing my MBA and having the belief that I can actually be a very good HR professional, I am unable to find even a single job in HR through campus or off-campus placements. Anyone you try to contact puts the blame on the recession. Does the recession mean that we freshers have to change our career choices? Please guide us, seniors.
Thank you, Priya

Dear Priya,

That question was straight from your heart - "Does recession mean that we, as freshers, have to change our career choices?" I'd say - "NO" - but advance from here.

It's not just HR freshers who are facing this problem. Freshers in all fields are feeling the impact. A few lucky ones are hired, but at a lower pay scale. The reason: "Recession"!

Please use this time to advance yourself. You can always search for a job, but time lost can never be gained back. Invest this time in pursuing other educational courses that would benefit you professionally and personally.

A friend of mine lost her HR job with a good company a year back due to internal politics. When the recession hit, things got worse. She could not find a great job and later joined a "Not so reputed" company as an HR with a lower salary. She had a lot of free time, even while searching and after receiving the offer, and was understandably "irritated and frustrated". It had been a long-time passion for her to take up an interior decoration course, and she managed to apply for one as she could dedicate a good amount of time and "MIND" into the course.

Today, she provides consulting services to her relatives and family friends and has been referred to many other people too. She does a great job. She made use of this recession and started branding herself as "a known person for providing cost-effective services". Her work is really good as she loves it and does it for her peace of mind. She has no time to spare nowadays, and even if she has two hours left, she makes use of it by reading or doing something to make herself feel good and also benefit from it.

Do you see how the difficulty can be turned into an opportunity? She had a lot of negative feelings within her, and instead of continuing to be depressed, she turned all those feelings into her work and started showing results - started being positive.

I have a lot to learn from her. I have a job today, but I am not sure if this will be the same tomorrow - not just because of the recession. People are trying to keep only services that are value-adding. So, I am trying to improve my skills in fields where I can advance.

I hope you understood what I am trying to say - "Make use of this time!! Never give up!" Yes, you will have people telling you that you are going nowhere and you will end up with no job. If that was their experience, it does not mean that's going to be your experience. Don't make others' failures your own failure!

Good Luck!

Hi, Even I am struggling hard to start my career as an HR professional. Even after completing MBA and having the belief that I can actually be a very good HR, I am unable to find even a single job in HR, through campus or off-campus, and anybody you try to contact puts the blame on the recession. Does recession mean that we, as freshers, have to change our career choices? Please, seniors, guide us.... thanks Priya

Hello Priya and Praga,

I too started my career in a consultancy as an HR recruiter, as earlier mentioned by CHUM. My CTC is below 60,000 INR per annum, and I began my journey to transition into corporate HR from there. Within just two months, I landed a job in IT-Software as a general HR professional. So, if you have a real desire to pursue a career in HR, my humble opinion is don't focus on money in the initial stages of your career. I hope you will secure a job soon.

ALL THE BEST.

Regards, Mukunthan

Asha has made it very clear for Kank and for many who are thinking twice to get into a career.....

Just wanted to ask kank one thing... if your fiancée would have been in finance domain and earning a lot.. Would you also pursue the same career... no right so similarly it's not about the best area where u want to choose to make ur career but it's about how u become expert in the area you are passionate about....

For e.g.: when u r talking about the recession.. our company had huge layoffs u won't believe, it went to around 50% layoffs but at same time we hired HRs for building strategy for stabilizing the human capital....this is just to tell you that we cannot conclude on one issue of ur fiancée on whole HR domain.

See the idea of being in a dilemma itself somewhere shows that you are not passionate about HR but u r bothered about job which is practical.. and you want to opt for a career where there are ready made jobs... mind you that would be blunder, what if you opt for a domain and u cannot give your best in that??

In this toughest times only the one thing is sure "Survival of the fittest" only the best never has a problem.. I really believe it till now that, if you have talent and skills to perform I am sure you will end up with job.

Everyone can do an HR course but everyone cannot be a HR professional.

Cheers!! :neutral:

Dear Kanak,

Whatever you study, it all depends on you how you look into it. HR is really worthwhile once you put your heart and soul into it. Please take it as a challenge.

Patrudu

Hi Kank,

The prerequisite for any HR person is a passion for people! Introspect whether you have it or not. If you do not, forget this profession. If you do, you are in for one of the noblest professions on earth! No other function touches people the way HR does. For giving the most crucial wakeful time of their life to an organization, the least they can expect is joy of working and contributing to growth. The ambience/climate to bring in those smiles can only be created or ushered in by the HR Fraternity! One unfortunate isolated event should not be generalized. So cheer up! Join the HR family with a smile!!

Best regards,

pip

Hi,

I'm also looking for a job in HR in Gurgaon. I have 3 years of experience. Due to the recession, I had to leave my job 3 months ago, and I am still struggling with my career. Can you please help me or guide me in my career?

Thanks,
Vanita

Dear All,

I need your help and view, please help me. I have completed my MBA in HR through distance learning from GJUS&T Hisar, an (A) Grade university accredited by NAAC, with 47% marks. Now, I am looking for an HR job, even though I have 5 years of experience in the Purchase Department. My superior has also suggested that I should not pursue HR because your university is not well-recognized, and if you pursue HR, you will likely only secure a low-paying job.

So, seniors, please help me. I am waiting for your points and views.

Hey Buddy,

People in any function may lose their job. It doesn't mean people should switch careers. I think you need to understand your area of interest. Let me tell you, HR is very vast and challenging, provided you see the challenges coming your way. You need to love what you do to be a successful HR person. At times, it gets really monotonous looking at the reports, numbers, documentation, etc., but you will start loving it if you are serious about making your career in HR. Think well before you take a leap.

Regards,
Abhijeet
Manager HR
RKHS Group

Hi Anuj,

What made you think of HR when you had a good experience in Purchase? Anyways, send me your resume at abhijeet.pai@rkhs.co.in, and I will help you.

Dear Vanita,

You can also forward me your CV at abhijeet.pai@rkhs.co.in. Please note, we have put our requirements on hold until 31st March 2009, so we will only revert in April.

Regards,
Abhijeet
Manager Recruitment
RKHS Group

(Links removed for privacy)

It's neither the stream nor the job profile that matters. There is scope and ample opportunity for growth in every walk of life, only that you need to have the fire in you. Always look to be a good professional and believe me, "You can make a difference" if you believe in yourself, irrespective of the walk of life that you may choose.

Moorthy

Hi Kank,

Don't be demotivated. We should always try to explore those unexplored areas in any domain, not only HR. Asha and Badlu have clarified well and in better ways. Just adding that nowadays it's proven that HR is also a Strategic Business Partner of the organization.

Regards,
Sarkar
9246885583

HR is not worthwhile unless you have something to pair it with, such as marketing, international business, retail, etc. :(

Dear friend,

I am completely with Asha. Above this, I would like to tell you one small point which you have to understand. You need to have passion to succeed in something, whether it is life, career, business, argument, etc. Only then will you grow stronger to achieve that.

Hope you understand. You can choose any path, but fix your mind to it, whether it is HR, Finance, Robbery, or anything. Your work needs commitment, and above all, your creativity (your personal involvement brings this in).

Anyways, all the best for your career. I am absolutely sorry if my words are hurting. I wanted to tell you this because I came out from a similar phase.

Hey everyone and KANK if I am right.

Well, I am an HR student in my final year. So far, I have no job under my sleeve, nor am I a wonderfully experienced person among this community to advise you on something. As I said, I am a final year student, and I am left with no job till today. To be frank, I am not seriously worried. I am really happy with the course I am studying. Is HR worthy? There have been quite a number of answers for this, especially in a community where you'll see HR as everyone's dream and passion. I totally think you have got enough answers.

But my only advice would be that there are failures everywhere, so don't stop looking into the failures. For example, if tomorrow someone is hit in an accident while walking, does it mean that I should also stop walking? So keep going, friend. Life can always keep you happy if you follow your interests. If HR is your passion, go for it. If you study HR because someone was successful, then I don't think we will succeed.

Sorry if I am wrong at any point. As I have said, I am only a student, so forgive me if I was wrong.

And a small note, three cheers to ASHA; she was damn rocking in her answers.

Thanks and regards,
Rahul

In life, each person's luck may not be the same. HR is a beautiful career; don't be disheartened by your fiancée's situation, for the same will not happen to you.

Hi Kank,

What you have said is partially true. There are only a few positions available in every company for openings in HR, so there is tough competition for the posts. Moreover, in this present scenario, HR employees do not wish to change their company because of the recession, so the demand is less.

But don't get demotivated; try hard and update yourself with the information that the market expects at present. Keep trying, trying, and trying. All the best for your career in HRM.

Regards,

Elango K., Manager - HR

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+919845805325

Many Thanks to everybdy, I am really delighted the way everyone has given thr comments n suggestions, it's a gr8 help.

My SPECIAL THANKS to Ash, Badhu, TS, Naveen.

This t first time I have submitted my query in this kind of portal; I am grateful and obliged t way everyone has gvn the support.

I am going to stick in HR only n surly put my best.

Cheers, Kank :icon1:

Hai Kank,
Best Wishes. As Asha and Badlu expressed, either HR or finance or other fields will come under any type of negative or positive hikes in its life. Since your Financee has lost her job only does not mean that HR is waste. Tothe best of my knowledge, HR is nothing but a strong foundation of Clerical activities with various policies and procedures on Man Management. This is an excellent field where you can mingle with thousand of people. HR is a strong area where all other people has to enter and go.
But, day to day knowledge and updations are must in the area of HR since a small mistake may lead to legal issues.
People in this area are loosing their jobs either because of incorrect application of proper rules and regulations or failure by themselves.
So, keep belief on whatever area you may be. Belief and trustworthiness is the key for success in whatever area you may going to deploy yourself.

Hi Kank,

Before you choose your career, analyze what's your line of interest. You cannot follow someone just because it has brought success to them. What applies to them may not necessarily apply to you.

Conduct a self-analysis to identify what you are good at, what you can focus on, what interests you the most, and then engage in innovative thinking. Start working from there.

Of course, money is a primary requirement; however, pursue something that you genuinely enjoy doing.

Mila.

Any profession will have its own pros and cons.
We cannot judge with a temporary failure.As such things are not working out for anybody across the globe, so your fiancee should have patience.
Do u think that software professionals have gud time either???????
Many of them have been laid off without prior notice .............
In this time of recession , whtever course u take up will only fetch you results post 2009.
You should select a course, only if you can do justice to that course otherwise back off and think of something else.
GUD LUCK!

Dear Kank & Pragya,

HR is a noble profession and a widely accepted function, globally. It is worth making a career in HR anyday though much depends on an individual inclination, interest and aptitude towards the function.

In today's downturn/recessionary economic conditions, most organizations (especially the small and midsize ones) may expect HR to play a multi-functional/tasked role. Top management/CEOs/COOs may view HR to be another department with mundane processes which is distant from contributing to Company bottomlines/growth/profits.

Less visionary Companies tend to give low emphasis/importance to HR and some other functions especially in a downturn and instead give greater emphasis to Sales, Operations, etc that are seen to directly contribute to revenues.

They tend to feel that HR can be handled as a maintenance function for the time being by a set of junior HR professionals or by personnel from other "more important' departments temporarily to save on costs of paying senior professionals. A better way to handle the situation is by lending one's hand at multiple tasks/functions as far as is possible to prove one's utility in such trying times.

For being in HR, the basic tenets are affinity for people and their concerns & growth, penchant for processes, interest/ability in defining/formulating policies/guidelines, acquired sobriety and maturity in decision making. As you grow, you need to acquire an advisory/participatory/reconciliatory/quasi-judicial role.

From a long term perspective, you can make a wonderful career in HR and grow right up to the top depending on your abilities. Majoring in this function, I have grown to the CEO's position with general management inclination and exhibition of requisite skills/leadership. Others can do so as well. The scope is unlimited.

Your fiancee not getting a job is temporary and is a factor of the present job-loss situation notwithstanding his competency. This is a passing phase. You should not derive a conclusion that the function has low scope or demand.

Job losses are rampant and happening in every industry and every function across the globe. Companies are panting for survival and there is a gradual demand-recession.

If you are genuinely interested in the function, go for it anyday without any qualms from a long term career perspective. Recessions will come and go. Your career and functional expertise will stay on for life. If you have not landed yourself with a job, don't worry. Better days will come. If you are, though, not interested in the function, do not go for it. Instead, pursue your line of interest.

In HR, try to focus on being of utility/multi-utility to an organization that you are seeking to get into. The underlying success factor is " how useful are you to an organization". Multi-tasking or multi-functional expertise/inclination are definitely an attractive proposition to a future employer. Try developing these or at the least, evince keen interest in shouldering additional responsibilities.

The general thinking is to make employees redundant in functions that are not direct contributors to the immediate survival of the organization. Even Sales guys not achieving targets are being fired.

Remember, a lot of people are waiting at the fence to get back a job that they have lost. Not just you....or your fiancee....

All the best,

Rahul
[IMG]https://www.citehr.com/misc.php?do=email_dev&email=Y29vcmRpYWxAeWFob28uY2 8uaW4=[/IMG]
09968270580

Is HR really worth? pls advice

Hello everybody,

I am doing PGDHRM from distance learning but now I am thinking that I have chosen a wrong option coz my fiancée is a HR Manager with 10 yrs of exp. and lost his job 1 yr back and still his search is continued…..

I would request you to please advice is HR is really worth in current scenario.

Looking forward for your valuable reply.

Thanks & Regards

Kank

Hi,
even i am looking for a job in HR but not able to find and it is not about money or something but HR was the kind of profile which i always wanted so went ahead to do my MBA in HR. but now i am struggling hard to get the right kind of profile. can any one help????????
thanks
pragya

Dear all,

It is a very interesting topic discussed here. I firmly believe that if you love the profession of HR, no matter what happens, you will stick to it. I believe that persistence always pays :).

I have also lost my job in this recession. I was working at Reliance Life Insurance in a generalist profile for a period of 8 months. Now, I am looking for an HR job in Kolkata. Kindly let me know if any of you know of any HR openings in Kolkata.

Regards,
Shaoli

Dear Kank,

First of all, I appreciate the feedback from Asha, Badlu, and Ravi.

No moment is permanent in life. It is like river water - you cannot touch the same water a second time as it flows ahead.

Certain things are controllable, certain are not:

First of all, please justify your level of understanding of HRM. How much value is added by distance learning?

Focus on your studies, get the right break for a grand/summer project. Do it wholeheartedly, and it will add high value to your CV.

Please be specific. A square box can fit properly in a square ring only and round in round.

Define your capabilities and just go for it.

Ravi might have faced some problems; hence, his response is NO. He might be right at his place if there is logic behind it.

In my opinion, HR is like a catalyst, change agent, spokesperson, well-wisher for the company, and that is needed. There are very few departments that provide positive energy to others. HR is one of those.

Organizations will need:
1. People
2. Skill enhancement of people for higher performance
3. Performance analysis of people to evaluate performers and non-performers
4. Succession planning of high potential/performing people
5. IR-related issues, etc.

You just have to find a cause to be in HR, not reasons not to be in HR.

Be wise and be wiser always. That's the mantra to be part of HR.

Maulik

Hello Kank,

Thanks for thinking I contributed to your better understanding of your predicament. I only hope you now begin to implement Asha's, Badhu's, and other inputs and shape up your views on HR, or for that matter every other profession on the face of the earth.

Recently, I read in National Geographic about a person whose love was to just roam about in the African forests and collect samples of anything & everything that interested him (happened way back in the 1930s). I am sure most of us, me included, would be thinking like many others who did at that point of time: "Who is this madcap...doosra kaam kuch nahi hai kya?" But just FYI, what we now use so casually and without knowing the background is something called the Velcro fastener (it's in use in so many things these days) was the result of one of the sample insects that he brought (can get into details if you are really keen). To cut a long story short, first and foremost, decide which line you love to be in, and then stick to it. No matter what. All other situations will look very small when you are in the career that you love. Maybe in a way, it's similar to one's love of a person... you stick to that person even if her/his nose is crooked, isn't it? Who knows, maybe one day all of us would hear about someone called Kank who contributed in a big way to the field of HR... mind you, this is only half in jest.

Regards,
Taj Sateesh (thought I should type my full name, since the acronym of TS seems to be getting more known: huh:)

Hi Taj Sateesh,

Thank you so much for the motivation; I'm really grateful for the responses that have come. I do understand that hard work always pays off, and one should always stick to that path, put forth sincere effort, and do justice to the profession. Thanks once again.

Cheers, Kank

Hello Kank,

Thanks for thinking that I contributed to your better understanding of your predicament. I only hope you now begin to implement Asha's, Badhu's, and other inputs and shape up your views on HR, or for that matter, every other profession on the face of the earth.

Recently, I read in National Geographic about a person whose love was to roam about in the African forests and collect samples of anything and everything that interested him (happened way back in the 1930s). I am sure most of us... me included... would be thinking, like many others did at that point in time, that: who is this madcap... does he have nothing else to do?

But just for your information, what we now use so casually - and without knowing the background - is something called the Velcro fastener (it's in use in so many things these days) was the result of one of the sample insects that he brought (I can provide more details if you are really keen).

To cut a long story short, first and foremost, decide which line of work you love to be in, and then stick to it, no matter what. All other situations will look very small when you are in the career that you love. Maybe, in a way, it's similar to one's love for a person... you stick to that person even if their nose is crooked, isn't it? Who knows, maybe one day, all of us would hear about someone called Kank who contributed in a big way to the field of HR... mind you, this is only half in jest.

Regards,
Taj Sateesh (thought I should type my full name, since the acronym of TS seems to be getting more known)