Is an MBA Essential for Advancing from HR Officer to Executive? Seeking Guidance

Good morning, friends. Recently, I joined the CiteHR group. I am working in a manufacturing company as an HR officer cum admin executive. I want to become a successful HR executive. I have worked as an HR officer for more than six months in the same organization. I have completed my MSc. I want to ask if it is necessary to have an MBA in HR or equivalent education to become an HR executive. I have knowledge about HR activities, and I have been doing them before. I am pursuing an MBA in HR, but it is only my second semester. I don't want to work as an admin executive.

Please help me. What do I have to do in this situation?

Attribution: https://www.citehr.com/member.php?u=...#ixzz1zd8YROTl

No doubt, your experience in HR functions may fetch you a job in HR in some industry, but if you want to move ahead in the HR stream, you need the rudders (the sticks that help the boat move forward in water) of a formal qualification in the form of an MBA (HR), MSW, or M.A. (Social Work), etc. So, you have made the right decision in pursuing an MBA in HR. HR is people-oriented and development-oriented and is treated as a special function, not clubbed with administration in any well-structured organization. However, in small organizations, HR is also often asked to look after administration.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Law Advisor
Mumbai

Thank you for your guidance. I have learned a lot regarding the HR field, such as data management, salary processing, personal file maintenance, payslip preparation, preparation of PF and ESI challans, statutory registers maintenance, muster roll updating on a daily basis, monitoring latecomers, absenteeism, preparation of appointment orders, increment letters, and F & F settlement. Even the workers and management were happy with me and gave me a good increment.

Current Challenge in Career Path

My problem is that I do not want to work as an admin executive now because there is no work here. There is a lot to learn in the HR department, and I am losing my confidence with this situation.

Regards

What I understand from your work profile is that you are well acquainted with the HR-Generalist profile and that you are good at it based on the feedback you have received. Now, you want to switch over to an out-and-out HR profile even while pursuing your MBA in HR. To move towards your goal, consider the following steps:

1. Revamp your CV to reflect all the skills and knowledge you have acquired in the HR generalist profile.

2. Include any testimonials or letters of appreciation in your CV, if available.

3. Highlight your accomplishments in the CV.

4. Clearly state in your CV that you are currently pursuing an MBA in HR.

5. Inform your network that you are actively seeking HR generalist roles.

6. Post your resume on established job portals or on CiteHR, and also look for advertisements in the open market.

7. Consider starting in industries like retail or hospitality, even at an entry level, if they offer you an HR generalist role since formal MBA qualifications may not be heavily required at the entry level.

Continue with your MBA program, and you will surely land a generalist HR role.

All the best,

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Law Advisor
Mumbai