Feeling Stuck Between HR Manager and Generalist Roles – What Would You Do?

Dear All,

I need your valuable suggestions. I was recruited as a Project Manager (HR) in our company 6 months ago, and have now been promoted to HR Manager. I am currently in a dilemma whether being promoted as an HR generalist would have been better than as an HR Manager, considering I only have one and a half years of experience. Will the title of HR Manager potentially create difficulties in securing job opportunities in the near future? If that is the case, I can discuss with my HR Head and consider changing my designation. Please advise me on this matter.

Thank you.

Hi Pallavi,

It's surprising to me that with just 2 years of experience, you were promoted to HR Manager. How did that happen? You haven't provided your company details. If it's a small startup company, we can grow with the organization. Don't worry about that. If it's a big company, it's better to shift to HR Generalist for further opportunities in the market. These are my own suggestions to you.

Dear Pallavi,

If the company is offering you the HR manager position, it means they have faith and confidence in you. Therefore, you should have the same confidence in yourself. Approach the interview as a HR manager; if you have the potential, you will definitely be able to sell yourself. Best of luck.

Pallavi,

That is great that you have been promoted to HR Manager. What you need to do is make this opportunity count. Learn what skills and knowledge an HR manager requires. Good luck!

Hi Pallavi,

I think it's an opportunity for you. Many people take time to get promoted in the HR field, especially. So, consider yourself lucky and look at the positive side of it.

Regards,
Sucharita Dey

Hi,

I do not know about your educational qualification and also about your company, it's size, organization structure and hierarchy. But my view on your query is :

• Project Manager (HR) itself is very uncommon designation and again I do not know what exactly you were doing as a Project Manager, though then also you were designated as Manager.
• I am not sure about change in your designation from Project Manager to HR Manager is a promotion or a lateral shift or a mere change of designation.
• What really matters is what exactly your job content is and what exactly you are doing. Label / Tag (designation) is not that important.
• In a small setups generally there is no well-defined hierarchy, grades and structure hence designation of Manager is easy to get.
• I have not come across designation as ‘HR Generalist' generally designations are Manager HR, Officer HR and some of them are in HR Generalist role and others in more specific roles. To conclude HR Manager is better and proper designation compared to HR Generalist.
• You have rightly mentioned that you have got ‘TAG' of HR Manager early and may create hurdle in case you wish to change the job. But it is only a TAG and what matters is actual role. But for now you can enjoy your TAG and latter in the job interviews you will have to give explanation for your tag. Explanation could be you were HR Manager of a small organization and your equivalent designation in a medium or big organization would be……………..

Thanks & Regards

Hi Palavi,

It's good that in a short span of time you got the opportunity to work as an HR Manager. So don't think so much, you can take it as a challenge as well as an opportunity to learn new things and to implement those. So good luck.

Regards,

Dear Pallavi,

Since you have just two years of experience, you are eligible to be designated as an HR Executive. As you have been appointed as the Manager (HR), try to continue in the same organization for at least five years. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to secure a position as an HR Manager in another reputable organization.

Johnson

Dear Pallavi Bhosale,

First of all, you have not mentioned the level of experience you have in your career or the industry type. If you have only six months of track record, I really wonder how you can manage the entire HR operation. Please specify the employee strength of your organization.

In smaller companies, the roles of an HR Manager and an HR Generalist do not differ much. The distinction becomes significant only in larger companies with more than 500 employees.

For your career experience, it is advisable to have at least three years of service in the company. In the meantime, I would recommend pursuing a postgraduate degree in HR, which may enhance your future prospects.

If you are planning to transition into Human Resources, you need to be proactive and keep yourself updated on all aspects of HR.

Anyway, All the Best!

I think this is an excellent opportunity you have found because I believe you have to set up a department. Take it sportingly.

There are a few institutes that provide practical training on core HR, charging only 5 to 7 thousand rupees, from where you can learn all aspects of HR and implement them.

Secondly, NIIT Imperia offers an executive program on HRM from IIM Calcutta. Do consider that.

With the help of all this, you can believe in yourself.

BEST OF LUCK,
Laxman Kamble
[Email Removed For Privacy Reasons]
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Pallavi, you are lucky. You have been promoted to Manager HR in a very short span of time. I have over 4 years of HR experience, yet my designation is TL. You have to make it count; just learn what a Manager HR does.

Understanding HR Roles

HR generalist is a profile, not a designation like Manager HR. A Manager HR may be in a generalist role, similar to how I am in a generalist role, but my designation is TL HR.