Career Dilemma: Should I Transition from HR to Business Development or Stay Put?

Dear seniors,

I am an HR professional in an IT company for the past 2 years. Now, I have been offered the opportunity to transition to the Business Development team based on my skills. With a total of 3 years of experience in HR on my career path (2 years in this current company and 1 year outside of this company), I find myself in a state of confusion. I have been asked to provide my decision by Monday. I seek your guidance on whether transitioning from HR to BD would be beneficial for my future. I am unsure whether choosing BD now would have a negative impact if I decide to pursue HR in another company later. Should I stay in HR and communicate my intention to remain in that field?

I value your insights to help me navigate my career path effectively. Your prompt response is crucial for me to make a well-informed decision on whether to accept or decline this offer.

I eagerly await your assistance.

Gayathri

Don't let pressure come onto your head. If you have specialization in HR and two years of work experience in HR, then there is no meaning in joining BD. Business Development roles are always target-oriented, and if you are unable to meet the targets, you are out.

Politely ask the company and make your stance clear that you want to remain in HR only.

Regards,
Abhi

Hi Gayatri,

I have gone through your problem. I would like to ask, are you an MBA (HR) or not? Secondly, you are the best person who is going to make a decision on this matter because you will be the one steering your career. If you believe you can excel in Business Development, then you should choose that path. Opportunities do not come again and again. If your seniors have identified certain skills and qualities in you that are more suited to another department rather than your current one, it means you have the potential to achieve great things.

All the best!

Regards,
Abhishek

Hi Abhishek,

I am an MBA graduate (HR and Marketing). Actually, one incident that I think really led them to offer me this option is when I converted a raw BD lead into a client. I didn't know whether I did it unknowingly by understanding how the BD guy works, which has now given me this opportunity. I am confident that whatever work is assigned to me, I will do to the best of my ability and satisfaction. However, the confusion lies in having 3 years of HR experience and transitioning to BD - will this be beneficial for my future? In this company, it may look good, but I am concerned that this decision should not hinder my future career prospects. Please guide me, seniors. I have yet to discuss this decision with my MD.

Thank you.

Hi, Please try to answer these questions to yourself.

a) Which profile do you enjoy - HR or BD?
b) Which challenges are more attractive - HR or BD?
c) Do you want to grow as an HR specialist over the next 10-15 years, or do you want to head the business?

Both of them have their own advantages and drawbacks. People have shifted from HR to BD or other functions and vice versa after spending many years in one specific domain. So unless you perceive this as a trap/move of your organization to ease you out, you may definitely opt for a changeover to BD. After all, it is rare to find HR professionals heading businesses.

Kind regards,
Dayanand L Guddin
HR Advisor
BOBST INDIA

As you said, you have been given the option of BD. I suggest that you go for HR. Why? Because you have 3 years of experience. If you choose BD, there might be questions in interviews about why you opted for BD despite having 3 years of experience and good growth potential in HR. Conduct an analysis of the positives and negatives, as other aspects need to be considered as well. Perform a self-analysis because you are the person best equipped to judge.

Gayatri,

I think it is a good opportunity for you if you are a professionally ambitious person. If you want to move upward to the CE/MD position in your sector, then changing to BD will be a good option. There are positives and negatives in staying back in HR. You are the right person to decide your priorities. BD may require you to travel and have a lot of client interactions.

BD will give you exposure to a new discipline, and very few companies provide such options to their employees. If management is offering you this opportunity, it means you have the attitude to excel in that role. I believe, for the betterment of your future professional career, it will be great.

I hope you will excel in your new job as well. There is nothing to worry about since you have an MBA in HR & Marketing. Get informal assurance from the management if you would like to come back to HR in the future.

Best of Luck.
Shailesh

Don't go for BD because you are already in HR. You have a good future in HR, and you need to increase your career skills. Go for manufacturing HR. All the best.

Hello Gayathri,

You have received lots of comments. Anyway, let me share something with you. The HR field is something that requires a lot of market strategy and reports. Any HR professional should be active in their role; otherwise, the level of consideration from employers may be lower compared to those who are actively engaged in their positions.

I would recommend that you continue in the human resources field and aim for better career prospects. If you were to leave the field or change your career path at this point, your experience would only be seen as 3 years, not combined with BDO experience. The decision ultimately rests in your hands. Additionally, for HR professionals, having qualifications in HR is essential, whereas for a BDO, there is no requirement for marketing qualifications.

Take some time to think it over and avoid any potential regrets.

Hi,

I think it's great exploring new avenues of work! Job rotation helps you to have a change in the routine and monotonous job you have been doing. But on the other end, I also feel that if you want to take up HR as your career path, then you must stick to HR, since it's just 3 years of experience that you have in HR.

All the best to you.

Regards,
Priyanka

Hi Gayatri,

I'm still a bit confused. Here is a mid solution you can try with your boss. You can explain that while HR is your main career growth path, you are open to taking on extra responsibilities. Given the opportunity at hand, you would like to explore a dual role in HR and Business Development. We have VPs, Directors, and Senior Executives who already handle dual roles.

I believe converting a lead into a business deal showcases strong persuasive skills, which would be beneficial for a role like Corporate Relationship Manager. However, a full-time Business Development position requires even more and you need to be fully prepared for the intense competition. I have no doubts about your abilities, but it's important to consider the practical aspects. Therefore, the dual role option allows you time to think and make a decision.

All the best.

Ukmitra