Feeling Stuck in My HR Career: What Do Interviewers Really Want from Me?

Hi All,

I am Shiva Shukla from Bangalore. I am working with a real estate company as an HR Generalist. I have around 1.5 years of experience. I personally feel that I am not learning much here, and I have given numerous interviews but have not been selected anywhere. Whenever I give interviews, at least for some of them, I feel I really have given my best, yet nothing is happening.

So, can anyone please guide me on what is actually expected by the interviewer? What should I keep in mind while giving an interview? I really want to get into a good company and work with organizations that have established HR departments and functions. I am genuinely worried about my career. Is it really very tough to get into a good company?

Someone please guide me.

Regards,
Shiva

Mr. Shiva,

It seems you are quite disappointed, but I must tell you, if you are really looking for an HR Generalist profile, you should wait until and unless you get a good opportunity.

You know to start off with good companies, as you said, is difficult, but yes, you can always approach mid-size average turnover companies, and there are many in Delhi.

As you've also mentioned that you were in a real estate company, you should now evaluate what you did over there and what kind of companies you're approaching now. What was your job profile there and what is actually demanded where you'd been for an interview.

Even if you talk about an HR Generalist profile, it's so vast in itself, starting from Payroll Management to Compensation and Grievance Handling, Recruitment to Training and Development, Policy decisions, and OD interventions, Employee engagement to each personal detailing, Appraisals to HR Planning, and many more.

Think about it and then evaluate your core competency and then appear for an interview.

All the best,

Shilpi
HR Executive
New Delhi

Hi Shilpi,

Thank you for your reply. I will definitely keep your advice in mind. However, my main issue is that I am essentially a one-man army here. I am responsible for handling all the HR activities, and I am becoming frustrated because there is no one to guide me on whether my actions are correct or not. Additionally, my work is not being valued by the people here. There is a lack of recognition for my efforts in HR, and the top management makes big promises to employees but fails to fulfill them. As a result, all the employees come to me with questions, rather than addressing the top management directly. I manage to persuade them to some extent, but there is a limit to everything. Furthermore, I am unsure about my actual job responsibilities. I apologize for sounding so frustrated, but I am not sure what to do next.

Regards,
Ms. Shiva

Dear Mr. Shiva,

In HR, you also have to learn to manage diversities. I feel a one-man army can really make you better trained in a generalist HR role. Another quality of HR is to be patient. Don't worry, your time will definitely come, but enjoy what you are doing. Remember, efforts never go to waste.

All the best,

Smita Verma

Hi Shiva,

I just want to tell you that don't waste your time in disappointment, but utilize your time in learning. Read HR magazines, join HR forums so that you can learn and be in touch with what is happening globally in the HR stream. Your day/time will come. Best of luck.

Bye,
Anuradha
Noida

Hi Shilpi,

This was really enriching... Thanks very much! :)

I just want to request one thing from you. Could you please send me a list of all the activities in HR Generalist? I am the only HR in my company of 100 and have worked only in recruitment until now. For example:
1) Recruitment
2) Induction, etc.

That would be really nice of you.

Hi All,

The problem Shiva is facing is the same as what I am experiencing - being a one-man army without anyone to guide me on whether I am doing things correctly or incorrectly. Can anyone please share the core areas of a Generalist HR so that we can upgrade ourselves to face the competitive market and interviews?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
:icon1:

You cannot produce experience in a factory. You have to wait and mature for experience because being a Generalist HR professional requires a lot of experience to interpret laws and business processes.

Best regards,
[User's Name]