Career Guidance for Entry-Level HR Professionals: Choosing Between HR Generalist and Recruiter Roles

Hi,

I'm a 21-year-old girl who has recently enrolled myself in a distance learning program with Symbiosis (PGDHRM) in HR. Additionally, I have joined an HR consultancy as an HR Ex- or as a Caller.

After working for 3 days in this small unit of 8 people (including my manager), I'm really disappointed with myself, the choice I made - and I really wonder if that's how things work in a consultancy. There is no professionalism, so much pressure, a lot of targets, and even after doing all this, you don't get your complete salary.

I know you must be thinking - this is my very first working experience. No, I have worked before, and I know I will have to slog and work hard. But unfortunately, because I lacked on a few grounds, I didn't have complete information about the career I have opted for. I didn't have any idea about how things work and what all levels I have to graduate in my own stream in order to become an HR Expert. Hence, I'm facing this problem.

I just spoke to a senior recruiter, and she said you have to make up your mind as to whom you would like to go for -

1) HR Recruiter

2) HR general in the corporate sector.

I'm really confused, and I will be more than obliged to have responses from you! Please help and guide me through. I want to know what are the various routes that I can take and will need to take at this time so that I can at least roughly plan my journey.

If possible, please let me know for both the options of being an HR. Seeking your valuable advice.

Regards,

Megha.

Hi Megha,

It's great to see that you have started your career at this age and even have some experience. It's really good that you have enrolled yourself in an MBA program as well. It will definitely be fruitful for your career.

Regarding what she said, it is very accurate that you have to decide whether you are interested in recruitment only or a complete generalist profile. In my view, you should look for a generalist profile in a corporate setting. However, it's even better if you start with a smaller organization. If you opt for a recruitment role, your profile would be limited to only one aspect of HR.

On the other hand, a generalist is involved in all HR activities such as recruitment, payroll management, leave management, welfare activities, training, and even legal matters. A generalist role involves multitasking, as you may say. Ultimately, you have to decide whether you want to focus on recruitment only or a generalist role.

Regards,

Amit Seth

Hi Megha,

No issues if you have posted your query here.

I am an MBA (HR) and I have also worked as an HR executive.

Hey, HR is not that bad also, so don't worry.

Let me explain both the profiles to you, and then you can make up your mind and choose whichever you want to choose.

HR Recruiter:
- Sourcing prospective candidates
- Screening them
- Also may be involved in taking some interviews but after some months of experience

This job will always have very high targets, a lot of calling work, and follow-ups.

HR General:
- Recruitment
- Selection (interviews, taking tests)
- Briefing the selected candidates about the Company, the job profile
- May also be training the candidate in some cases (if required)
- Employee relationship management

So, in all, it would include all the HR functions.

Now, in an HR consultancy which is only for recruitment, you will be an HR recruiter or may even take some interviews if your clients want you to. The targets in consultancy may give you incentives after your probation period.

But in corporate, you can be a technical/non-tech recruiter - the work is the same. The Company will provide with incentives based on the number of people that are selected.

The work will include targets, but it will depend on the Company on the number of targets.

HR general would also be there in Corporate, which would include what I have mentioned before in HR general.

So, don't worry, take your time, don't get scared. Don't rush to conclusions based on just 3 days of experience. All the best!

Regards,

Pooja

Thank you so much, guys! I owe special thanks to Pooja and Amit! :) I feel much better now, but a part of my question still remains unanswered - which route to follow for either of them.

Right now, I have started as a caller (what the senior recruiter told me was to wait for the right break - you never know). How do I set goals for myself to attain growth in this sector and also to have better opportunities to perform? For the time being, I have decided to continue with the current job, taking it as a challenge (for a generalist HR profile).

But if I plan to pursue an HR Generalist role, then how do I get there? What qualifications would a company expect from me before hiring me as an HR in their company? How do I progress to an HR role in a company, beginning as a caller (like I am today)?

Regards, Megha.

Dear Megha,

Go for HR generalist because if you don't like it at any time, you can always switch to being a recruiter like you are now. Don't feel bad about your current work. In the HR profession, they don't label your job as a caller; you are an HR executive.

Now that you are gaining experience, consider enrolling yourself in an MBA program through distance education. Once you finish your degree, you will have both experience and a degree, which will enhance your career prospects.

Best wishes,
Surendar

Dear Megha,

Mr. Amit, Ms. Pooja, and Mr. Surendar excellently guided you. HR executives are head-hunted so dearly nowadays. What they need is a graduation (Manufacturing/Fabrication units prefer Engineering Graduates) or Post Graduation essentially with an MBA from a B-School of good repute. Freshers have no bar to join any organization.

As opined by my friends above, Megha should pursue an MBA in HR from any one of the reputed B-Schools. You are not a person to get stuck to recruitment, and it is too early to get dejected anyway. Be encouraged, ya!

Your goal should be set only after doing some good self-audit. Write on a paper your strengths and weaknesses, what you have and what you require, what you should give up, and what you should gain, and the like.

Based on your previous work experience, you have had an expectation in your new environment as well. That is the problem that you did not like it. Dive deep within to face any challenge.

You are an achiever, Megha... come on, ya... start afresh... what you think so you are... When you have a goal to achieve, convey it to your subconscious mind which will take care of the rest. Clear??

All the best...

Ganesh

Thank you, everyone, so much! I'm really glad that when I was low, I googled and came across CiteHR :) Forums like this can prove so helpful!! And Ganesh, thanks a ton! I hope I can get back to you whenever I need a little kickstart ;p And yes, I have enrolled for an MBA... bah :( it's a distance learning program. I just hope that does not make me compromise on any good opportunity in the future.. :) And yes, now I feel much better about my job and the stream I have opted for.

Warm regards, Megha.

No mention Megha,

You are welcome. Please feel free to contact me anytime you feel so. I am a trained HR trainer, Psychological Counselor, and Hypnotherapist besides an Officer in the Admin Department with a reputed heavy chemical manufacturing industry in South Tamil Nadu.

Best wishes,
Ganesh

Hi,

We have an urgent requirement for Recruiters within our organization. If you are interested in working for the US market of IT recruitments, please forward your updated resume to blatha@eprocorp.com.

Regards,
Latha

Hi Megha,

Don't feel low... If you still go, watch "Chak De India!" or any other movie that will motivate you. You have a long way to go, dear!

All the best!

Cheers,
Pooja

Dear all,

Great response to the query of Megha, and I would like to thank Amit, Pooja, Surendar, and Ganesh for their valuable inputs.

"I'm really glad that when I was feeling low, I googled and came across CiteHR. Forums like this can prove so helpful!!"

Most of us, including myself, googled and stumbled upon this great learning forum! :) Megha, you would learn a lot by reading the postings here.

Cheers,
Rajat

Thank you, Rajat, for such nice appreciation. Yes, you are very true. Even I self-Googled and found this site. Today, I am glad to be a member of CiteHR! :D

Thank you, CiteHR.

Regards,
Amit Seth.

Hi there,

If you are looking for a change in a generalistic role, get in touch with me at 9873326015.

Abhishek Thapar
Asst. Manager - HR
gtl