Thinking of Switching from IT to HR? Seeking Advice on Making the Leap and Crafting a Resume

Dear Seniors, I have been working as a Software Engineer for nearly 4 years. Due to certain personal issues, I was unable to pursue my interest in obtaining a postgraduate degree in HR. Now, I wish to transition into the HR field. I am currently pursuing a PGDBA in HR through SCDL. Is it possible for me to make this career switch at this point? If so, how should I structure my resume?

Thank you for your guidance and support.

Best regards

Now you want to make a foray into HR with an engineering background. Thus, you are pitted against those with hardcore HR experience. I think you should start afresh all over again. However, if you are clear about your switch over, you can still make it. First, focus on recruitment jobs in the IT sector. You need to cleverly design your CV. Since you have hands-on experience in IT jobs, your CV should reflect your knowledge of the job profiles of various IT roles and the skill sets required for such jobs, demonstrating how this knowledge helps you in identifying the right person for the right job. After gaining some experience with recruitment, try to transition into an HR generalist profile.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
Mumbai

Hi Sir, thanks a lot for your reply. I interviewed a fresher for my team over a year ago. I believe I can utilize this experience when presenting my CV for an IT Recruiter position. Do you have any sample profiles or job descriptions for this role?

I am currently pursuing an MBA in HR and have completed my B.Tech in IT. However, I have no job experience. Could you kindly suggest a suitable HR profile in which I should start my career?

Thank you.

Regards

You can also follow more or less the same line of action as was suggested to Kunjithapatham, highlighting how your engineering background will be helpful in HR.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labor Law Advisor
Mumbai

My name is G. Janaki. I completed an MSc in Computer Science and worked as a Software Engineer for a few months. I left the job due to certain personal issues. I have now completed a PGDHRM through distance learning. I am interested in transitioning to a career in HR. Should I include my MSc in Computer Science in my resume?

I am considering pursuing SAP HRM. Would this certification be beneficial for my career advancement?

Could you please provide a sample resume for a fresher in the HR field?

Thank you.

Regards,
Janaki G

Why not? It is always possible. Try for a break in the IT industry since you can relate your hardcore IT experience to HR by integrating your skills in designing job profiles, identifying people with the right skills for a specific job, assessing their performance, and analyzing their training needs. You have a definite chance in HR.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Law Advisor
Mumbai

Thank you for your reply. If the interviewer asks, "Why did you change your domain from software to HR?" a possible response could be to explain your interest in human resources, your passion for working with people, or the opportunities you see for growth and development in the HR field. It's important to convey your genuine reasons for the switch and how it aligns with your career goals.

Best regards,
Janaki G

Questions to Consider Before Switching to HR

It is a question that needs to be answered by you because it is you who wants to switch over to HR. If you are not able to answer, it means you are not clear in your mind. It is necessary for you to be very clear as to why you should change over to HR to ensure that you have made a correct decision. Some questions that may help you find out the reason are:

1. Is it that you have personal issues with working conditions in a software company like uncertain working hours, late-night sittings, or a sedentary job, etc.?
2. Do you not like the nature of the job like programming, data processing, or web designing, etc.?
3. Is your nature more extroverted, and a software job does not fit into it?
4. Do you like human development issues?
5. Is there not much scope for career growth vertically in the software industry, which you may be aiming for?
6. Is the stress level higher in the software industry, and you want to switch to softer jobs like training or organizational development, etc.?

Ask more such questions, and you will understand the reason. Present that reason in a positive perspective convincingly in the interview.

Trust this will help you.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Law Advisor
Mumbai

Dear Mr. Sasikumar, this is Magdoom from Chennai. I am an IT Professional with over 3.5 years of experience in the Networking Domain. I am now looking to transition into HR and am feeling confused about creating my new resume, cover letter, etc. I would appreciate your advice on this matter. Could you please provide me with a sample resume that could make this process easier for me? If needed, I am prepared to send you my current CV. Thank you for your time.

Best regards,
Magdoom

You have already accumulated 3.5 years in the IT field. If you switch over to HR, you need to start all over again as a fresher because you seem to have no previous experience in HR. You need to have relevant qualifications in HR in accordance with prevailing trends in corporate hiring for HR. This is all the more necessary if you do not have any previous exposure to HR. This is not just a job change but a change of career, representing a paradigm shift in your career, aspirations, traits, aptitudes, and attitudes, as the nature and responsibilities of an IT professional and an HR professional are entirely different.

Considerations for a Career Change

You need to sit and think calmly about whether you are ready for such a change. We can only provide you with some thinking tools, but it is you who has to make the final decision. Kindly do not send your resume as I intend to act only as a catalyst to help members see the problem from different perspectives before they make a decision.

Regards,
B. Saikumar

Hi, I agree with Mr. Saikumar. As you have an IT background, you will be sought after by IT recruitment firms, and they will give you preference. Start your fresh career in recruitment-HR and then switch to Core-HR after gaining some experience.

Regards,
Sonali

I have around 11 years of experience in software development. I am interested in transitioning to the HR field for various reasons, as there are job openings available within my current organization. What steps and further qualifications would you recommend to enhance my resume and increase the chances of being shortlisted for these positions?

Thanks & Regards,
Anjali