HR Career Path Dilemma: Should I Stick with Recruiting or Explore Generalist Roles?

Greetings. I am an MBA HR fresher who has recently secured a job in a consulting company as a recruiter. Could you please advise me on the courses that I can pursue to advance to a higher position? Additionally, I am curious whether I should continue as an HR recruiter or explore opportunities in the Generalist field.

Thank you,

Sathish

In the HR field, recruitment is the primary (first stage) function. In this stage, you will gain knowledge about judging candidates based on resumes. So, no need to worry. You have to be involved in other HR functions alongside this work.

All the best.

Regards,
Hardik

Dear Seniors, Thanks for all of your advice. I will try to follow all of your suggestions. Please tell me how many years of experience I should have to enter into a Generalist role as some companies are asking for experience.

Regards, Sathish

Career Advice for HR Professionals

Be it a recruiter or a generalist, love your work, and you will never have to chase other things. The grass looks greener on the other side; always water your side better to make it greener.

However, it's always refreshing to keep a yearning to learn more about various specialties and scope in your chosen career. HR has many functions worth exploring, and you should always strive to better yourself.

In my opinion, whatever you choose or get into, spend respectful time learning that profession, experience the pros and cons, and master them. You will always move on as wiser and more learned.

Specific Career Advice

Don't chase courses and certificates just to beef up your CV. If your intention is to learn, then read books on topics that interest you and learn from experience. Make a sound decision to invest in courses and certifications that appeal to your interests and add valuable skills to your abilities. Learn skills that are niche and technology-oriented, rather than investing in generic skills. For example, learn HRIS, compensation & benefit strategies, labor law, collective bargaining, legal compliance, PMS, etc.

Work as a recruiter for 2–3 years, enjoy the challenges, and live through the grind. Meanwhile, hone your skills in other aspects of HR that attract you. Don't switch fields because someone said it's easy being a generalist. Don't go for the glamour either. Study, research, and analyze the core duties, responsibilities, scope, and involvement of the desired field you want to enter. Don't make haphazard, hasty decisions to resign and chase elusive roles. Keep working no matter what. Look into yourself, your abilities, and constraints to decide whether you are capable of the new role you desire, rather than listening to 10 people with different POVs. Don't overrate or underestimate yourself. Be objective about your skills and be brutally honest in your self-assessment.

Don't live in a hurry! High positions, money, and respect will come to you by virtue of your conduct and performance, rather than seeking restless shortcuts to high fancy job titles resulting in stressful failures due to non-competency.

Spend your energies on networking better and wider. Network to learn, not exploit; make friends, not just contacts.

Wish you all the best.

Regards,

I have been working for 4 years as an HR GENERALIST. I have a postgraduate degree in English to Hindi translation but do not have any formal education in HR such as an MBA. Should I pursue further studies for better job opportunities, or can I secure a job in a multinational corporation based on my experience? Please advise.

Regards,
Renu

Hi Renu, you are working as an HR generalist, which is good enough to continue your career in the HR field. Research and learn more about HR possibilities. In my opinion, you don't have to do an MBA in HR to grow unless you aim at prestigious, reputed MBA schools, for which you may have to take an educational gap, enroll in a full-time course, and invest a lot of money if you want to develop yourself into a management professional, which is a hit-and-miss gamble.

Specialization in HR

If you want to specialize, then focus on the field that interests you in HR. What do you enjoy the most in HR (T&D, PMS, HRIS, Recruitment, Labor Law, Admin, etc.)? Read books, attend seminars, trainings, workshops, and learn about these fields. These are cheaper and more convenient compared to pledging your time and money into a full-time course with no career guarantee.

Career Prospects in MNCs

You can always get a good job with a reputed MNC; it's a matter of time and your abilities. MBA or no MBA, it doesn't matter. You should acquire the skills that are in demand in the job market. Your prospects for a job in an MNC depend on many factors, which include:

• Your work experience and job profile
• Qualification (Minimum Graduate)
• Communication Skills
• Computer Skills
• Personal Grooming
• Corporate Etiquette

Regards,