Feeling Stuck in My HR Generalist Role – How Can I Transition to Strategic HR?

Hi All,

I have been in the HR field for about 4 and a half years, out of which 3 years were in recruitment and 1.6 years are in HR Operations up to the present date.

Currently, I am working as a Senior Executive - HR with an IT company. My role is primarily in HR operations, or you could call it HR Generalist.

Lately, I feel that my role has become more of a monotonous job, doing the same thing repeatedly. I mean, I am not learning anything new or developing myself since I don't see any challenges in my profile. Another concern is that we don't have more than 60 employees in our office (branch). I have tried new things in employee relations, grievance handling, etc., but in fact, we don't experience many turnovers except for a few. Hence, not many new employees join us.

After summarizing my concerns briefly, I would like to know what I can look forward to next or do. Is there any way for me to transition into strategic HR, which is where I aspire to be?

Please share your thoughts. Your help will be highly appreciated.

Do guide me if I have made any mistakes in writing or posting this thread.

Thanks,

Warm Regards,

Yousuf

Hi Yousuf,

If you really want to work in a challenging environment, why don't you try to get into the industry side, maybe in the manufacturing sector, working as a welfare officer? You will be exposed to lots of challenges. If not, why don't you consider getting into the OD side of HR?

Dear All,

Thank you very much for your prompt valuable replies and suggestions. Here, I would like to add the fact that I am the only HR person here. We don't have an HR team since we have only 60 employees. Sometimes, I really feel upset and feel like I should leave this place and get into something else. But I always see myself in the HR domain only. In fact, I am very much interested in Strategic HR. My present job is more of an admin role than HR.

I hope you can understand my problem. Please suggest.

Mr. Sadique, I have downloaded your mentioned guide, and I will surely go through it. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks

Warm Regards

Yousuf

Hi Yousuf,

HR is a vast area, and according to statistics, no HR professional is 100% perfect in their respective field. I can suggest that you get involved in identifying training needs, implementing performance management systems, designing policies, training and development, reward systems, group activities, etc. This will give you clarity on where you stand in HR. It's also quite a brainstorming exercise.

Regards,
Revathi.

I want to do a PhD on the topic of leadership and work values in terms of creating citizenship behavior in human resources. Can anyone help me develop a sound topic?

Thank you very much.

Yousuf, I was exactly where you are right now and wanted to shift into a more strategic role in HR. Like you as well, I was in an organization that handles a relatively small number of talents, and it was just me and my boss doing HR for the lot. Needless to say, I can relate to you when you said that your role has become more of a monotonous job. I was suddenly frustrated, but I knew I wanted to be in HR. Anyways, my mentor then spoke to me at that time and asked me what field in HR I would want to specialize in. I blinked twice; only then had the epiphany that I CAN specialize in something and be an expert in that HR facet. So this isn't all that there is to it after all. I won't be a generalist forever. The thought excited me; the seemingly dead-end road suddenly opened its path for me. Then she related to me how she chose her path in HR, and that's exactly what I did as well.

Being a generalist at that time, I already had knowledge in all HR facets. All I need to do is figure out what I loved the most, what kept me passionate, which facet I should build a career on – not just a job but a career. In other words, what thrilled me the most. I went into that specialization after introspection. I thought to myself, "This is where my strength, my interest lies, and I'd gladly learn all things necessary that I haven't yet to become an expert in it and would absolutely love just the sheer joy of learning along the way." Being strategic HR followed soon; I found myself planning and managing, not just administering. My HR responsibilities are now up there in sync with the business needs. My mentor told me once, "If you cannot support the business, then you are not HR." I am actually a business partner, an invaluable contributor in the organization. The learning is endless; I'm up for any challenge, any change, any new trend in HR, new technology, new anything just kept me all bubbly inside.

In a few months, I've been doing HR for a decade. I absolutely love it; I can't stress that any more than that.

Dear All,

I have keenly followed your discussions and various thoughts evinced by numerous HR specialists. I work in an IT Infotech Product Co in Mumbai and have a vacancy for a Senior HR Executive/Manager with 3 to 4 years of experience as a Generalist. Presently, the screening process is ongoing, and we are receiving numerous candidates for the position but have yet to shortlist one for the final interview.

CVs of interested HR personnel can be sent to [Login to view] or [Login to view]. The website is sds.co.in.

I further request all HR Managers, especially those located in Hyderabad, to give an opportunity to a needy lady, Mrs. Amulya, whose husband (working with M&M) was involved in a serious road accident and is now fully paralyzed from the neck down. The lady is an MBA in Finance with over 5 years of experience. I am attaching her CV for your reference, which includes her contact details.

Warm Regards,
Neeraj

Dear All,

Thank you very much for your valuable suggestions. Please keep sending your inputs. Your suggestions may help other members as well.

Hi Fibzki,

I think you have completely understood my concern. If possible, please share your thoughts about how to get into strategic HR, I mean where to start from. As informed earlier, our HR team is based in the main office, and I work independently taking care of the branch office.

If possible, please do let me know your contact number and convenient time to speak.

My email ID: yousufaroma@gmail.com

Thanks

Warm Regards

Yousuf