How Can I Transition from Security to HR and Convince Management to Support My Move?

Career Transition from Security to HR

I am an Assistant Manager (Security) working in a manufacturing industry for the last 6+ years. I initially joined this company as a Senior Officer and was later promoted to Assistant Manager. Throughout this tenure, I have been in charge of the Security department and have actively assisted the Head of HR with various Labour and Industrial Relations (IR) issues. I do not have a background in the armed forces; I am a Science Graduate (B.Sc. in Biology) and have completed several diploma courses, including a Certificate in Computing from IGNOU, C Language, Diploma in Security Management, Fire Fighting and First Aid, and recently a Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Laws, Personnel Management, and Industrial Relations.

I am now very interested in transitioning from Security to HR. Please suggest a way forward for me to make this shift. Additionally, advise me on how to persuade my management to agree to this change.

Regards,
Shailesh K Singh

Dear Shailesh,

It could be difficult for you to transition directly from Security to HR. Instead, you could consider applying for an Admin Manager position. You could start in Admin and then potentially progress into HR.

I once encouraged a security officer who reported to me to move into Admin. After working in Admin for about five years, he gained the confidence to start his own facility management company.

In fact, working in Admin is not a bad option either. If you learn skills like purchase management and contract negotiations, you could potentially become the head of administration in a large company, leading to an annual income of 20 to 30 Lakhs.

All the best!

Regards,
Dinesh V Divekar

Thank you for the advice. I too do not feel bad about Admin. Can you tell me how you guided your security officer to transition into admin so that I can also find my path.

Regards,
Shailesh