Feeling Stuck? How to Break into HR Without Prior Experience and Gain Practical Skills

Dear All,

I am a little bit worried about the career path towards HR. Is it really difficult to start a career in HR without prior experience? Books can only give us theoretical knowledge, but unless we use it in a practical scenario, it's of no use. It's even difficult to get a job - in this case, how do we go ahead? How can we gain experience if we want to proceed in the HR field only? Please suggest any institution or seminars where this kind of training is provided.

Please suggest. Thanks in anticipation.

Yogita

Hello,

What are you doing presently?

Your concerns are unfounded. All in the HR field today were in your situation when they started! Formal education, as I have said elsewhere, is like obtaining a "driving licence." It only certifies your "ability" to drive. Unless you "practice" what you have learned, you do not develop "skill."

So, acquiring formal training in a chosen field is the equivalent of obtaining a driving licence. Getting into employment is equivalent to starting the practice, and by seizing opportunities, doing apprenticeship under seniors who could act as mentors, by hand-holding, delegating, and analyzing your performance and mistakes will help you "grow" and "evolve" in the function.

You start at the beginning as usual. Look for entry into institutes like TISS in Mumbai or XLRI Jamshedpur or SCMHRD in Pune or do a regular MBA course with HR as a specialization. Remember, doing any of these programs is yet like obtaining a driving licence. Thereafter, the learning continues along with the job you do.

Some of the things I have stated may not be relevant to your situation, but I am responding based on the contents of your post. If you need to ask more questions, feel free.

Regards,
Samvedan
May 31, 2011

Hi Yogita Panjwani,

I'm Rajani, studying MBA with a specialization in HR. I am currently working on a project about performance appraisal. I would greatly appreciate your help in guiding me to build my career in this field. Please consider the following three questions, and I would be grateful for your insights:

1. Are you aware of any performance appraisals or evaluations conducted by your superiors?
2. Do you believe that performance appraisal techniques enhance your eligibility for promotions, demotions, or transfers?
3. In your opinion, is performance appraisal beneficial to an organization, or is it simply a waste of time?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Hi Samvedan,

Thank you for the kind words. I have already completed my MBA with a specialization in HR from ICFAI. However, as it was a distance learning course, I feel that I didn't gain much knowledge. Now, I am looking to progress in the field. Where should I start?

Currently, I work in a company with a marketing profile, also involved in recruitment within the same company. However, I do not wish to stay in recruitment. I am interested in transitioning to a more generalist profile where I can learn new things daily and enhance my skills, which I feel is not possible in my current role.

Could you please suggest how I can strategize my career path going forward?

Thank you in advance,
Yogita

Hello,

I understand.

Despite the time you have spent in employment so far, you desire to be a generalist in HR.

My advice is to look for an organization where culturally HR is an established and accepted function.

Then, sharpen your focus to seek a position to work under an experienced, knowledgeable superior who will take you under his wings, as it were. It is in this manner that you will have many opportunities to learn the trade in a real sense. After a few years in a role like this, you will be ready to fly solo in this profession.

To achieve this, do not worry too much if you have to take a hit on the remuneration aspect (if necessary but within reason). I am saying this because I see your keenness in being a good HR professional. However, for heaven's sake, do NOT be tempted by opportunities to lead the function, even in a small firm. It seems you are not quite ready to take on the top role just yet!

Feel free to interact more if you desire to.

Regards,

Samvedan

June 1, 2011

If you are from Mumbai, ICFAI is providing an internship that you can join, which may help you advance your career in HR.

Regards,
Sraboni

Respected Ms. Panjwani,

Kindly spell "CAREER" correctly, don't make it "CARRIER". The first step of progress is your language in any profession. Most of the members are kind enough to help you but are not pointing out your mistakes, which may be due to oversight. Kindly take care of that in the future, and forgive me for pointing it out.

Warm regards and best wishes,

Aspirations

Dear All,

Thank you for your kind words, but things can only work out if something moves. Now, let's see where I can get the opportunity to start my HR career. If any of you have any good opportunities available in Ahmedabad, Gujarat for HR, please let me know at the earliest.

Dear Sraboni, I completed my MBA from ICFAI, Ahmedabad, where they are providing placements, but there were no good opportunities available.

Dear Aspirations, I am truly sorry for the spelling mistake in the subject itself. I am grateful that you noticed it and pointed it out.

Thank you all,

Yogita

Even I was in the same situation as you two years ago. I started with a recruitment firm and later, by God's grace, I got a break in a small firm as an HR executive. Over time, I learned a lot. The key is to have steadiness in your objectives.

Suggestions for Advancing in HR

Here are some suggestions:
- Pursue courses that offer formal education in the field of HR (e.g., MBA in HR or a Diploma in HR).
- I am from Delhi, where I searched extensively for institutes that provide practical knowledge in Generalist HR functions. I am not sure if such institutes/courses exist in your state. These institutes cover a wide range of topics in Generalist HR, giving insights into various aspects such as conducting appraisals in a company and filling out forms. They claim to provide assistance in job placement. I recommend researching institutes that offer practical HR training.

Kindly consider these recommendations for your career advancement in HR.

Hi Yogita, I was in the same situation as you two years ago. I started with a recruitment firm and later, by God's grace, I got a break in a small firm as an HR executive. With time, I learned a lot. The key is to maintain stability in your goals.

Suggestions for Starting a Career in HR

Here are a few suggestions:
- Pursue courses that offer formal education in HR, such as an MBA in HR or a Diploma in HR.
- I am from Delhi, where I searched extensively for institutes providing practical knowledge in Generalist HR functions. I am unsure if such institutes/courses exist in your state. These institutes cover various essential topics in Generalist HR, providing insight into aspects like conducting appraisals in a company and filling out different forms. They also claim to assist in job placements. I recommend researching institutes in your area that offer practical HR training.

I hope this helps you in your HR career journey. Good luck!