What Skills and Knowledge Do Larger Companies Expect from a New HR Executive Like Me?

Hello All,

I have completed my M.Sc. in Psychology (Apr-2007) with a specialization in HR and am presently working in a startup IT company with fewer than 15 employees. Since I am a fresher with no experience in basic functions, I am tasked with doing basic administration work here. Sometimes, there isn't much work, so I end up playing the role of a business analyst in my company.

I am seeking an opportunity to enter an organization where I can learn right from the basic functions of HR. Can anyone help me by describing the skills and qualities expected from a fresh HR Executive like me by larger organizations? Also, what are the necessary labor laws that I should equip myself with?

I am eagerly awaiting your guidance.

Regards,
Dhivya Parthiban

Congratulations, Dhivya, on your assignment.

The very basic qualities expected from a fresher are their potential to do justice to the scheduled role, the ability to add value to the organization, and knowledge.

You have completed your Masters in Psychology with HR specialization; it means that you do have the required knowledge about the field.

It is true that a company with 15 employees can't have intense activities to keep an HR Executive busy.

But isn't it an opportunity to create something unique for your organization and, at the same time, impart skills and knowledge to yourself?

I hope that the company you work with will soon enter an expansion phase. At that time, the role of an HR executive/manager will be crucial, from designing the recruitment procedure to salary fixation to induction and so on.

Are you equipping yourself for that phase, or are you sure that you don't want to work with such a small firm as they have only 15 employees and not many HR functions?

(However, this should have been a thought before joining the organization. If you were not ready for it, some other worthy candidate could have joined that firm.)

Moreover, leaving an organization in such a manner won't look very good on your CV.

For labor laws, explore more on CiteHR, and you will find many things. One such link is [link no longer exists - removed] and another [link no longer exists - removed], and so on.

Best of luck for your future endeavors.

Thank you very much, Manish, for that motivating message and insights on labor law. Your suggestions have helped me to reach a clear decision regarding my career. Once again, I sincerely appreciate your valuable advice.

Regards,
Dhivya