Struggling to Transition from IT to Non-IT Recruitment: How Can I Convince Interviewers?

Hello All,

First of all, thanks for viewing my message. I completed my MBA in 2007 through a distance course and have 3 years of experience as a recruiter. Recently, I left my last job due to some personal reasons and also started giving interviews for the next job. I have attended many interviews, and due to salary and lack of specific experience (such as having IT recruitment experience but not non-IT), I was not considered for the positions. My gut feeling tells me that I am eligible for the job I have applied for, but how can I convince the interviewer of that? Is this due to the recession, or do I need to improve on anything in presenting myself?

Please share your views so that I will know where the problem exists!

Regards, Sangeeta

Hi,

There's nothing to improve yourself. In fact, there's nothing like a recession. This thing happened to me as well. I left my job in 2007, and I was jobless until 2009. I used to go for interviews, but the same thing happened to me. Don't feel low just because there's a recession; it doesn't mean that you won't get your next job!

Sometimes, it takes time. As you have mentioned that you have worked as a recruiter for 3 years, you must be familiar with interviewers' questions. In fact, you can easily understand what the recruiter wants to hear when you answer. The only thing is that most employers, when they are not really interested, these things happen.

So, don't worry, be happy, and always think you are the best!

And one more thing, if the problem persists even after 2 to 4 months, it's better to go for another job with a lower salary, even if it's not in your field. Someone suggested to me that it's better to have something in your hand rather than nothing.

Otherwise, I think you are from the IT field; you will not be jobless for many days.

Have a nice day ahead.

Hi Sangeeta,

Nothing to worry, keep trying. One cannot give a structured pattern of an HR interview; it depends on every individual. With 3 years in recruitment, I am sure you had attended for some low-order/entry-level profiles where they would have rejected you. If you are from Chennai, then Alp consultants are looking for a TL- Recruitment & HR analyst. Try to contact them; one of my friends is also working there. If you want, I will give you his contact details. Never ever give up, keep rocking.

Dear Sangeeta,

Do not feel bad if you are not selected. If you know that you can do the IT & Non-IT recruitment better than any Tom, Dick & Harry out there. You actually understand your potential. Believe in yourself. That is the only mantra of success.

Why don't you ask the interviewer (during the interview) what their expectations are from the person who gets this position? The reply to this question will give you a fair clue to frame your immediate response. See, the interview is a two-way process. If you are not asking questions or seeking clarifications, that means you are not involved and cannot convince that you have the capacity to do wonders.

There is nothing to do with the recession here. The market is doing well, and all companies have started hiring, especially picking good candidates. Companies are piling up with fresh and experienced recruitments faster because of the firmly growing market forecasts only.

Do well in the interview and make the interviewer understand your past achievements as well as your creativity. All the best.

Dear Sangeeta,

My suggestion is that you should continue working in your previous position until you secure a new one. Anyway, please keep trying. Register your profile with a consultancy; you will surely find a job.

Regards,
J.M. Cynthia

Hi,

First, don't lose hope. During the interview, explain all your clients' details, the number of positions you have closed, and how much you have billed for your company. These things are very important for any recruiter considering an opening. If you present all this information clearly, you will likely secure the job. Eight months ago, I also faced a similar problem, so just impress the interviewer with your positive answers.

Kindly remember, all actions of yours won't bring the desired results. Hence, wait for the right time and right moments for things to click. There are days when you give your best, and there are days when you don't perform like the Indian cricket team - one day they score 335 runs, and the next day they get all out for 180 runs. So, stars also matter, luck is also needed, and of course, a good performance.

Hi there,

Could anyone help me with the names of good manpower consultants in Mumbai who recruit for BPOs? I am looking for contact numbers and a few names along with email addresses.

Thank you,
Sangita

Hi Sangeeta,

I feel that IT recruitments are more technical, and it will usually take time for a non-IT recruiter to get used to the IT recruitment area. So you could always highlight to the interviewer that you have the core ability to identify even technical profiles and interview them; non-IT should never be an issue for you.

Because as far as recruitments are considered, it's the "ability" and art of interviewing to find the candidate with the right attitude and pre-screening in the desired area of exposure. The rest is left to the hands of the Hiring Manager (or individual department heads).

Being an IT recruiter myself during my initial career stage, I know that the way of working is more structured, and this can help in making the recruitment process systematic and in line with the company's needs.

Also, try highlighting the fact that dumping of resumes is never possible under IT recruitments; the same practice will help you in providing quality profiles for non-IT fields.

If you have fear and lack confidence because you don't have hands-on experience in the field, neither will the interviewer have any confidence.

So pep up!

Hi All,

Thank you very much for your words of hope. I will definitely strive for extremely good performance in my next interview and try to understand what exactly the interviewer is looking for. Additionally, I will apply for other opportunities instead of being jobless for a long time.

Regards,
Sangeetha

Thank you, Asha! I understood your point, and I feel this is the right way of explaining to the interviewer about my potential and ability to handle non-IT. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Regards, Sangeetha :)

Dear Sangita,

Please make sure which industry you want to enter. Know what skills are required for that specific industry. Improve yourself in the related field and work on building confidence as you seem to be a quick-to-lose-patience person.

Regards,
Surya

Sangeetha,

I am a firm believer that recruitment basic outline will remain the same, irrespective of you being in IT or Non-IT sector. Probably, you might want to project yourself in those lines. If your core recruitment skills are good, I don't see why you should not be selected.

I do agree that the recession has its role to play in this kind of market. But you should keep trying. All the best.

Thanks,
Srikanth G

Hi,

Generally, it is an existing practice that candidates with exposure to IT recruitments are not considered for non-IT recruitments. However, some companies do not take this as a major constraint. Try to convince the employer with the kind of specialized recruiting skills you have, your achievements in the previous role, etc. My suggestion is to try for an IT recruitment position since there are plenty of opportunities still available.

Regards, Ramakrishna Dirisala

Dear Sangeetha,

I personally believe that as a true recruiter, a person should be able to work on any kind of requirement. The key step is we have to keep educating ourselves on the areas that are not related to us also.

Take, for example, in my place of work, my role changes every now and then - sometimes into IT and sometimes non-IT. You should seek guidance from your friends who hail from a non-IT background and present that guidance in your interviews.

As far as success is concerned, it will automatically come if we gain some expertise - which again comes through a series of small steps of failure only. So, don't feel disheartened.

Keep going,
Deepa

Hi Sangeetha,

There is no difference between IT and Non-IT. Recruiters need to understand the job description and be able to communicate with the candidate to convince them and make them interested in looking at the opportunity.

Don't worry that you did not get through in the interviews; you will definitely get a job soon. Please reply to me when you get a job.

Chakrapani

Hi Satyavani,

I am going for an interview tomorrow for Sr. IT Recruiter. What are the questions they might ask me as an IT Recruiter? I have 2 years of experience in Placement. As you have 3 years of experience in this field, could you please help in this regard.

Dear Sangeeta,

First of all, never lose heart when you come across such situations, because if you didn't have the right skills and aptitude, you would have never been able to survive in the recruitment industry for 3 years! Anyways, the recession blues are certainly having an impact on the hiring spree these days, and the recruitment industry is the worst hit as it depends solely on the generation of new jobs. Still, it doesn't mean that these firms aren't hiring at all... but yes, to survive in stiff competition, you need to leverage your existing skills.

Before appearing for any interview, do your homework. By now, you must have got a hold on what kind of questions they put up for non-IT recruitments. Gather knowledge about other verticals as well, like FMCG, Hospitality, Health-care, Education, Insurance, etc., which are still hot-cakes. Try to convince the person about how you would use your recruitment skills to tap the candidate potential for these sectors. All the best!

Hi Sangeeta,

I am also facing the same problem. I have 2 years of Non-IT Recruitment experience. For the last 3 months, I have been searching for a better job. I am particularly interested in a job in core HR/HR generalist roles. However, I think it's a little difficult to secure a job in HR. But I am hopeful for the best.

Thank you,
Rupa

Hi Sangeeta,

Well, you are right. I have 4 years of experience in a consultancy firm, specifically in IT. However, now if I try for a non-IT role, nobody considers my profile suitable for other sectors. I am still trying. I hope that by expanding our knowledge in other sectors, we will be able to secure a job.

Good luck!

Hi Rupa,

I am also trying for Core HR, but I find opportunities are very scarce when we don't have hands-on experience. Anyway, all the best in your search. Let me know your current location so that if I find anything, I'll let you know.

Regards,
Sangeetha